Day: February 21, 2023

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In the News: AABANY Treasurer Evelyn Gong Receives Designation as the Candidate of the Queens Democratic Party for Queens Civil Court Judge, Sixth Municipal District

On February 13, 2023, the Queens Daily Eagle published an article about the Queens Democratic Party’s designation of Evelyn Gong for Queens Civil Court Judge in the Sixth Municipal District. If elected, Evelyn Gong would be the first woman of color elected to this seat. The Sixth Municipal District includes Flushing, Mitchell-Linden, Murray Hill, Queensboro Hill, Fresh Meadows, Bayside, Bayside Hills, Douglaston, Glen Oaks, Little Neck, Oakland Gardens, Bay Terrace, Bayside, Beechhurst, College Point, Malba, Whitestone, Pomonok, Electchester, Hillcrest and Parkway Village.

Evelyn Gong is AABANY’s Treasurer, Chair of the Finance Committee and Co-Chair of the Government Service & Public Interest Committee.

To read the full article, click here.

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OATH Legal Internship Program Summer 2023


The City of New York’s Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings (OATH) is the nation’s largest central administrative tribunal, independent of the agencies that commence these proceedings. OATH conducts nearly 300,000 trials and hearings each year through its Trials Division and Hearings Division.


ADJUDICATIONS AT OATH
OATH Trials Division conducts complex adjudications for a wide range of legal matters such as employee discipline, discrimination under the City Human Rights Law, NYPD vehicle seizures, zoning and landlord- tenant disputes under the Loft Law, professional license revocation, and City vendor contract disputes.

OATH Hearings Division conducts high volume adjudications involving:

  • Violations of law that protect and promote health, safety, and a clean environment, as enforced by agencies such as the Department of Buildings, the Fire Department, the Department of Sanitation, and the Department of Environmental Protection;
  • Violations of the City’s Health Code and related laws by restaurants and food vendors, as enforced by the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene;
  • Summonses issued by the Taxi & Limousine Commission, the Port Authority of NY and NJ, or the NYPD, against owners and operators of taxis and other for-hire vehicles;
  • Consumer protection laws that prohibit sale of tobacco to minors and home improvement contracts, as regulated by the Department of Consumer Affairs; and
  • Violations under the Criminal Justice Reform Act, which authorizes issuance of civil summonses for certain low-level offenses formerly brought to criminal court and offers the option of community service in place of monetary civil penalties.

OATH’s Administrative Judicial Institute offers administrative judicial training and CLE classes citywide.

ABOUT THE INTERNSHIP
Working within various divisions, including the Office of the General Counsel, interns will develop research and writing, communication, and analytical skills. Typical assignments include: preparing summaries of trial or hearing records; drafting appellate decisions based on the hearing record and relevant law; researching and drafting memoranda of law; analyzing proposed legislation and rules that impact OATH; drafting proposed rules; participating in policy discussions; and assisting counsel prepare the defense in challenges to OATH decisions in state or federal court. Interns will attend training workshops. Networking and social events are also planned.


APPLICATION PROCESS
Interested law students should submit a cover letter explaining their interest, with a resume, writing sample (about 10 pages), and unofficial law school transcript. Applications should be submitted to Frank Ng, Deputy General Counsel, at [email protected]. Deadline is March 6, 2023.


FUNDING
The internship is a paid position. Any arrangements, paperwork, or information needed from OATH to receive outside funding, work study, or academic credit must be made before the start of the internship.

For more information about OATH, visit the Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings website.

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Opportunities in New York City’s Office of Administrative Tribunals and Hearings (OATH)

OATH is New York City’s central, independent administrative law court. From disciplinary matters involving city employees to civil summonses for various violations, OATH typically conducts more than 200,000 hearings and trials annually, making it one of the busiest tribunals in the country.  OATH’s mission is to ensure that everyone who appears before it receives both a fair opportunity to be heard and a timely resolution of their case.  It is a unique place within City government and a wonderful place to work.  You can learn more about OATH here.

And OATH is hiring!  OATH has a broad range of opportunities available for lawyers, from junior level attorney positions to Administrative Law Judge positions for seasoned professionals.  They have positions in the General Counsel unit for individuals interested in in-house work, adjudicator positions for those who want to serve as neutrals in the Hearings Division, as well as specialist positions such as those in the new Special Education Hearings Division.  A full list of openings can be found here on OATH’s website.

OATH also has a pro bono program that pairs volunteer lawyers with legal service organizations to provide free representation to indigent respondents who appear before OATH.  More information is available here.

Questions? Direct them to [email protected]

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NAPABA Applauds the Confirmation of Cindy K. Chung to the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit

For Immediate Release: 
Date: February 13, 2023		Contact:  Priya Purandare, Executive Director

WASHINGTON – February 13. The Senate confirmed Judge Cindy K. Chung to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit. She is the first Asian American to serve as an appellate judge on the Third Circuit.

“NAPABA congratulates Judge Chung on her historic confirmation to serve on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit,” said Sandra Leung, president of NAPABA. “A dedicated public servant, Judge Chung broke barriers when she was confirmed as the first AAPI to serve as U.S. Attorney in Pennsylvania. Today, we celebrate our 16th active AAPI U.S. Circuit Court Judge.”

Before serving as U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Pennsylvania, Chung served as a trial attorney in the Criminal Section of the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division, where she prosecuted the first case under the Shepherd-Byrd Hate Crimes Act. She also served as an assistant district attorney at the District Attorney’s Office, New York County, and investigation counsel in the Official Corruption Unit. Chung began her legal career as a law clerk for Judge Myron Thompson on the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Alabama. She received her J.D. from Columbia Law School and her B.A. from Yale University.

“Judge Chung is active in the Asian American legal community, including participating in community briefings and events addressing anti-Asian hate incidents with our affiliate the Asian Pacific American Bar Association of Pennsylvania (APABA-PA). We congratulate Judge Chung on her confirmation,” said Priya Purandare, executive director of NAPABA.

NAPABA thanks President Biden for nominating Cindy K. Chung and Senator Casey, Senator Fetterman, and retired Senator Toomey for recommending and supporting her nomination.

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The National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA), represents the interests of over 60,000 Asian Pacific American (APA) legal professionals and nearly 90 national, state, and local APA bar associations. NAPABA is a leader in addressing civil rights issues confronting APA communities. Through its national network, NAPABA provides a strong voice for increased diversity of the federal and state judiciaries, advocates for equal opportunity in the workplace, works to eliminate hate crimes and anti-immigrant sentiment, and promotes the professional development of people of all backgrounds in the legal profession.

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Joint Statement in Opposition to Texas SB 147

For Immediate Release: 
Date: February 17, 2023		Contact:  Priya Purandare, Executive Director

The Asian American Bar Association of Houston (AABA Houston), the Austin Asian American Bar Association (Austin AABA), and the Dallas Asian American Bar Association (DAABA), and the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) come together to strongly oppose the provisions of Texas Senate Bill 147 that prohibit individuals from owning land, buying homes, or establishing businesses in Texas based on their family’s country of migration.

This ban targets Asian and other immigrants, including those from China, and prevents them from establishing roots in the state, making investments in their communities, and pursuing the American Dream. It continues the pervasive legacy of anti-Asian racism and stereotypes of Asians tracing back over a hundred years. It echoes the bigoted Alien Land Laws, which aimed to drive Asian immigrants from this country by stripping them of their ability to buy homes and start businesses in the United States.

The passage of SB 147, as written, would represent a dramatic step backwards. We call on elected officials in Texas to oppose this bill and ensure that Texas does not repeat a historic mistake rooted in fear and bigotry.

Our associations will continue to advocate on behalf of Asian communities in opposition to this bill, including by building coalitions and identifying ways to engage with the legislature.

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The National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA), represents the interests of over 60,000 Asian Pacific American (APA) legal professionals and nearly 90 national, state, and local APA bar associations. NAPABA is a leader in addressing civil rights issues confronting APA communities. Through its national network, NAPABA provides a strong voice for increased diversity of the federal and state judiciaries, advocates for equal opportunity in the workplace, works to eliminate hate crimes and anti-immigrant sentiment, and promotes the professional development of people of all backgrounds in the legal profession.