Month: November 2023

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2023 NAPABA Convention | Gala Lineup

November 9-12, 2023 | Indianapolis, IN

NAPABA Call for Programs
The NAPABA Convention promises to be an unforgettable convening—one of the largest legal conferences in the nation. We are thrilled to welcome you and nearly 2,000 of your friends and colleagues to Indiana next week!

Our capstone event, the NAPABA 35th Anniversary Gala, will not only be a celebration of the accomplishments of our community, but also a recognition of the challenges that remain. We will highlight the diverse voices of our community, including the LGBTQ+ community. To that end, our Gala emcee Maulik Pancholy, a celebrated actor and author, and renowned activist will guide us through the evening. We are grateful to our featured speaker, Mia Yamamoto, a pioneering leader, attorney, and transgender activist who has devoted her life in service of others and will share her unique perspectives with us. It’s a Convention you won’t want to miss!

About Our Emcee | Maulik Pancholy

Recognizable from his roles on shows such as 30 Rock, Weeds, Whitney, Phineas and Ferb, and Sanjay and Craig, Maulik Pancholy is an award-winning actor, author and activist whose career has spanned hit television shows, animated series, the Broadway stage, and films.

Maulik’s debut middle-grade novel, The Best at It, is a Stonewall Honor Award winner, a Junior Library Guild Selection, included in Chicago Public Library’s Best of the Best Books of 2019, listed as one of Evanston Public Library’s 101 Great Books for Kids, and is in development for television at HBO Max.

It has received starred reviews from Kirkus Reviews, Publishers Weekly, and Booklist. Drawn from his own experience, The Best at It, is about a twelve-year-old, gay, Indian American boy coming into his own. It has been called, at once, “exuberant and heart-wrenching.” Released in 2022, his second novel, Nikhil Out Loud, has been named a Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection and received a starred review from Kirkus.

Maulik was appointed by President Barack Obama in 2014 to serve on the President’s Advisory Commission on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs). As a Commissioner, he co-founded the anti-bullying campaign, acttochange.org, which he continues to chair today.

For his advocacy on behalf of the AANPHI and LGBTQIA+ communities, he has received an Asian American Arts Alliance Award, the Human Rights Campaign’s Visibility Award, and was named to Out Magazine’s Top 100 list. He delivers keynote addresses on the topics of diversity and inclusion — and the importance of telling our own stories — in corporate settings as well as at universities and schools across the country.

About Our Keynote Speaker | Mia F. Yamamoto

Born in 1943 while her parents were incarcerated at the Poston Concentration Camp in Arizona, Mia Yamamoto’s life was shaped by the experiences in the camp as well as the politics and racial divide of the country before, during and after internment. She went on to serve in the U.S. Army, 4th Infantry Division, and was awarded a number of commendations and medals recognizing her service to the country during the Vietnam War.

She attended the UCLA School of Law, where she co-founded the Asian and Pacific Islander Student Organization. She went on to serve her community as a lawyer with the Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles and as a public defender. Since 1985, she’s been in private practice. 
Proudly and openly out as transgender, Mia has brought her personal experiences to build and guide organizations such as the Multi-Cultural Bar Alliance, a coalition of women’s, minority, and LGBT bar associations of Los Angeles that she co-founded; the Japanese American Bar Association as past president; and the Asian Pacific American Bar Association of Southern California, which she also co-founded. Mia also served on the Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Commission of the American Bar Association and is a founding Board member for International Bridges to Justice, a human rights nonprofit providing due process and rule of law education, along with advocacy against investigative torture.

She is a frequent media commentator on issues relating to criminal law and a variety of related issues and brings a unique perspective that we’re honored to bring to our Gala. 

Get Your Tickets for the Gala

The 35th Anniversary Gala tickets are available for purchase a la carte when you register for the 2023 NAPABA Convention. If you would like to attend, simply add the Gala to your registration for an additional fee when you register.

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NAPABA Honors the Legacy of David L. Kim with President’s Award

NAPABA Logo

For Immediate Release: 
Date: October 26, 2023 

WASHINGTON – During the 2023 Convention of the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA), Sandra Leung, the President of NAPABA, will bestow this year’s President’s Award posthumously upon David L. Kim, a pioneer within the Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AAHNPI) community. Every year, the NAPABA President pays tribute to a remarkable entity or individual who has demonstrated exceptional commitment to the Nation’s AANHPI population. NAPABA is proud to honor David Kim’s incredible legacy. NAPABA, along with so many others, mourns with the Kim family for their loss of David, who passed away in June 2023. 

“David Kim not only was a game-changer for corporate philanthropy to benefit the AANHPI community, but he created the model,” said Sandra Leung, President of NAPABA. “His impact will be felt for generations to come. For our NAPABA family, David’s commitment and generosity have been invaluable in ensuring that NAPABA and the NAPABA Law Foundation (NLF) thrive—especially in the early years following our founding. He will be greatly missed.” 

During his long career — which included serving as President and CEO of the National Asian Pacific Center on Aging, President of the Iambic Group, LLC; Vice President of Multicultural Markets at AARP, Chief of Staff of the U.S. Mint, and Global Director of Asian Marketing and Community Relations at Anheuser Busch — David blazed the trail for so many. He harnessed corporate resources to invest in long-overlooked AANHPI populations. He shared wisdom, generosity, and counsel with so many in our community with a degree of selflessness and kindness that left an indelible mark on a generation.   

David’s contributions were integral to the growth and development of NAPABA and NLF. For over three decades, he delivered opportunities for generations of AANHPI law students who now stand as leaders in the legal profession. Programs like the Thomas Tang Moot Court Competition, a training ground for law students, have flourished because of his generosity. Beyond his professional achievements, David is remembered fondly for his warmth, incredible sense of humor, and enduring friendship. 

“On behalf of NAPABA, I am truly grateful to David’s family for allowing us to honor his legacy during NAPABA’s 35th Annual Convention in Indianapolis,” said Sandra Leung. “This award is a testament to the lasting impact of his life’s work within the AANHPI community and the legal profession as a whole.” 
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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 Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander 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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Critical Update: New York Attorneys’ Registration Process Changes Starting December 1, 2023

AABANY has received a request from the Honorable Joseph A. Zayas, Chief Administrative Judge, and the Honorable Norman St. George, First Deputy Chief Administrative Judge of the New York Office of Court Administration, to disseminate important information to our members. Effective December 1, 2023, all New York attorneys will be required to register and renew their registration using the Office of Court Administration’s Online System. This vital update ensures compliance with registration requirements, and we encourage all members of the bar to review the full details of this important announcement. You can access the complete information in the provided PDF document by clicking here. Stay informed and be prepared for this important change in registration procedures.

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NAPABA and SABA North America Statement in Response to SABA Chicago’s Leadership Change

WASHINGTON – [On October 19,] the South Asian Bar Association of Chicago (SABA Chicago), an affiliate of the South Asian Bar Association of North America (SABA North America) and the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA), announced that it learned about abhorrent, antisemitic comments, which were made on a social media account owned by the then-SABA Chicago president.  She is no longer president, and the president-elect of SABA Chicago has now assumed the presidency.

The legal profession is held to a high standard when it comes to our conduct, and our leaders are held to an even higher one.  Words that are infused with violence and antisemitism have no place in our public discourse.  SABA North America and NAPABA, in no uncertain terms, unequivocally condemn such abhorrent statements.  We stand against hate, no matter the form, and we are focused on building a community where respect, compassion, and dignity prevail.

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 Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander 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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AABANY Asia Practice Committee Presents: An Autumn Adventure to Remember – Cold Spring Foliage Hiking Trip

On October 28, 2023, AABANY’s Asia Practice Committee hosted a foliage hiking trip in Cold Spring, New York.  The Membership Committee was a co-sponsor of the hiking trip. This event was a perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of city life, offering all participants a refreshing break and the opportunity to connect with fellow nature enthusiasts.

Our chosen path for the day was the Bull Hill Trail, a delightful 3- to 4-hour hike that was accessible to both seasoned hikers and newcomers. The trail was well-marked and easy to follow, and its scenic views of the Hudson River and the surrounding area were nothing short of breathtaking. As we meandered through the woods, we found ourselves immersed in a stunning display of fall foliage, with trees cloaked in vibrant shades of red, orange, and gold.  

One of the highlights of our journey was the discovery of ruins from a burned-down mansion, adding a touch of history and intrigue to the hike. It prompted us to ponder the stories and events that had once unfolded in this now-abandoned place. After the hike, a group of 10 participants gathered for dinner at the Riverview restaurant.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to all the participants who made this journey memorable.  The Asia Practice Committee looks forward to organizing more enriching events that promote the beauty of nature, the spirit of adventure, and the bonds of community. To learn more about the Asia Practice Committee and how you can get more involved, click here.