On Thursday, November 7 , Cardozo Law School’s South Asian Law Student Association (“SALSA”) hosted its annual South Asian cultural celebration called “Dhamaka.” Dhamaka, meaning “celebration” in Hindi, is a school-wide event that SALSA hosts annually to celebrate South Asian culture and promote a sense of community through diversity. The event is particularly significant to the South Asian community at Cardozo, with Cardozo’s South Asian students coming from a range of ethnic and religious backgrounds but sharing and celebrating many of the same cultural aspects of identity. By showcasing the unifying power of diversity within the South Asian community at Cardozo, SALSA hopes it encouraged other Cardozo students to share and bond over aspects of culture that are commonly enjoyed by all, regardless of background.
Key highlights of Dhamaka included a cultural presentation by the members of Cardozo’s SALSA e-board, a Bollywood dance performance, henna art, trivia, and Indian food. Over 40 students from various backgrounds participated in the celebration.
Cardozo’s SALSA extends its profound gratitude to the Asian American Bar Association of New York (AABANY) for its sponsorship of the event. This year’s Dhamaka was especially memorable, as AABANY’s generous donation allowed SALSA to provide authentic South Asian food, which everyone raved about and thoroughly enjoyed. AABANY’s support was instrumental in making this event a true celebration of South Asian culture.
AABANY has a long history, from its founding in 1989, of working closely with New York area law school student associations, and we encourage SALSA and APALSA (Asian Pacific American Law Students Association) groups in the tri-state area to connect with AABANY and get involved in our numerous activities and events, all of which are open to law students. A great way to do so is to join AABANY as member, and from now until January 31, 2025, AABANY’s Student Outreach Committee and Membership Committee are running a special promotion, the Law School Group Discount, to allow groups of law students join for a 50% discount. A minimum of 20 law students is required, with a single payment to cover all participants. For more details, click here. To learn more about AABANY’s Student Outreach Committee click here. To learn more about AABANY’s Membership Committee click here.
On Saturday, November 9th, AABANY members had the opportunity to volunteer at AABANY’s Brooklyn Pro Bono Legal Clinic, hosted by the Chinese-American Planning Council. The Clinic was organized by AABANY’s Pro Bono and Community Service (PBCS) Committee, staffed by a dedicated team of attorney and non-attorney volunteers, offering free thirty-minute legal consultations for community members facing pressing legal challenges. The volunteers met with 17 clients, who had questions about torts, family, matrimonial, and immigration issues.
As usual, the Clinic facilitated a positive and supportive environment; each client was paired with an attorney, who thoughtfully listened to and addressed their legal concerns. Shadowers observed the attorneys in action, taking notes and learning from these real-world interactions. Language interpreters were also available, ensuring that there were no language barriers between clients and attorneys. This collaboration reflected the Clinic’s commitment to community engagement and empowerment.
Thank you again to our volunteer attorneys:
Volunteer Attorneys
Anna Chen
Jieman Tan
Gary Yeung
May Wong
Interpreters & Shadowers
Jaymark Hawlader
Junjie Wang
Nandar Win Kerr
Wendy Zeng
If you’re interested in making a difference in the community through future Pro Bono Clinics, we invite you to join us at the following upcoming events:
Wednesday, December 4, 2024 [register here], from 6:00 – 8:30pm, One Flushing Community Center, 133-29 41st Ave, 2nd Floor, Flushing, NY 11355
Saturday, January 11, 2025 [register here], from 12:00 – 2:30pm, Tentative Location – CPC Brooklyn Community Services, 4101 8th Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11232
We hope to see you there!
To learn more about the Pro Bono & Community Service Committee, visit probono.aabany.org.
WASHINGTON – Today, the United States Senate confirmed Sharad Desai to the U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona. Mr. Desai is the first Asian American Article III judge to serve in the District of Arizona.
“NAPABA applauds the historic confirmation of Sharad Desai,” said Thy Bui, President of NAPABA. “An active member of the community and an advocate of diversity and inclusion, Mr. Desai brings experiential diversity as an in-house counsel to a District where the AANHPI population has grown over 50 percent over the last decade.”
Sharad H. Desai has been Vice President and General Counsel for Honeywell International’s Integrated Supply Chain and Information Technology divisions in Phoenix, Arizona, since 2023. He has worked in senior legal counsel roles at Honeywell since 2015. From 2007 to 2015, Mr. Desai worked as an attorney with the Phoenix law firm Osborn Maledon, P.A., first as an associate and later as a partner. He began his legal career as a law clerk for Justice Rebecca White Berch on the Arizona Supreme Court from 2006 to 2007. Mr. Desai received his J.D. from New York University School of Law in 2006 and his B.A. and B.S. from the University of Arizona in 2003.
“Nearly 20% of President Biden’s confirmed Article III judges are AANHPI,” said Priya Purandare, Executive Director of NAPABA. “Today, 40 AANHPI Article III judges have been confirmed during the Biden Administration, and 70 AANHPI active Article III judges are serving.”
NAPABA thanks President Biden for nominating and Senator Sinema and Senator Kelly for supporting Sharad Desai’s historic nomination.
### The National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) represents the interests of over 80,000 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.
WASHINGTON – Today, the United States Senate confirmed Amir H. Ali to the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.
“NAPABA congratulates Amir Ali on his confirmation to the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia,” said Thy Bui, President of NAPABA. “Mr. Ali is an experienced civil rights litigator known for building coalitions, setting multiple landmark precedents at the U.S. Supreme Court and appellate courts that transcend ideology. NAPABA is proud to have supported his nomination.”
Amir H. Ali served as President and Executive Director of the MacArthur Justice Center from 2021-24 and Director of the Criminal Justice Appellate Clinic at Harvard Law School since 2018. Previously, Mr. Ali worked in private practice as an associate at Jenner & Block LLP in Washington, DC, from 2013-17. He also served as a law clerk for Justice Marshall Rothstein on the Supreme Court of Canada from 2012-13 and Judge Raymond C. Fisher on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit from 2011-12. Mr. Ali received his J.D., magna cum laude, from Harvard Law School in 2011 and his B.S.E. from the University of Waterloo in Ontario, Canada, in 2008.
“In President Biden’s single term, he has tied the number of AANHPI judges confirmed under the five terms of Presidents George W. Bush, Barack Obama, and Donald Trump,” said Priya Purandare, Executive Director of NAPABA. “Thirty-nine AANHPIs to Article III judges have been confirmed since 2021, and 69 AANHPI active Article III judges are serving.”
We thank President Biden for nominating and Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton for recommending and supporting Mr. Ali’s nomination.
### The National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) represents the interests of over 80,000 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.
WASHINGTON – Today, the United States Senate confirmed Judge Mustafa Kasubhai to the U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon. Judge Kasubhai is the first Asian American Article III judge in the District and the first American Muslim to serve within the Ninth Circuit.
“NAPABA congratulates Judge Mustafa Kasubhai on his confirmation to the U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon,” said Thy Bui, President of NAPABA. “A 2018 NAPABA Trailblazer, Judge Kasubhai represents the best and brightest of our profession and membership.”
Judge Mustafa Kasubhai has been a United States Magistrate Judge for the District of Oregon since 2018. Previously, Judge Kasubhai served as a Circuit Court Judge in Lane County, Oregon, from 2007 to 2018. Prior to his appointment to the state bench, Judge Kasubhai served on the Oregon Workers’ Compensation Board from 2003 to 2007. From 1997 to 2003, Judge Kasubhai worked in three different private practice roles—as a solo practitioner, as a partner at Kasubhai & Sanchez, and as an associate at Rasmussen, Tyler & Mundorff. Judge Kasubhai received his J.D. from the University of Oregon School of Law in 1996 and his B.S. from the University of California, Berkeley in 1992
“President Biden has nominated 42 AANHPIs to Article III courts, and 38 have been confirmed,” said Priya Purandare, Executive Director of NAPABA. “We thank President Biden for nominating and Senator Wyden and Senator Merkley for supporting Judge Kasubhai’s historic nomination.”
### The National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) represents the interests of over 80,000 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.
On Saturday, October 12, 2024, AABANY hosted its 15th Annual Fall Conference, “Building a Strong Foundation for a Brighter Future,” at Fordham University of Law. The Conference was co-sponsored by Fordham Law School’s Center on Asian Americans and the Law, and AABANY greatly appreciates Fordham’s support of this event.
The conference began with a buffet-style breakfast. Attendees chatted over pastries, coffee, bagels, and other assorted breakfast items, reconnecting with colleagues, while also introducing themselves to unfamiliar faces.
The first part of the morning programs began at 9:00am and ran until 10:30am, presenting upon a diversity of topics, including:
This year’s conference theme was “Building a Strong Foundation for a Brighter Future,” and the morning programs explored this topic in great detail. “Problem-Solving Courts and Person-Centered Justice,” for example, discussed the emergence and proliferation of problem-solving courts within the New York judiciary, their impacts on recidivism, and the judiciary’s vision to further expand the breadth of problem-solving courts within New York. Another program, “Artificial Intelligence in the Legal Profession: Transforming Practices and Future Trends,” considered the impact of AI and Generative AI on the legal profession. By promoting innovation, adaptability, and responsible use of AI, the program sought to foster a forward-thinking legal community.
After a 15 minute break, the second part of the morning programs, scheduled between 10:45am and 12:15pm, commenced, exploring the following topics:
The third and final installation of AABANY’s “Pathways to the Bench” series, coordinated by the Young Lawyers Committee, Judiciary Committee, and Government Service and Public Interest Committee, was also held during the latter half of the morning session. While the first two segments of the series had focused on showing how someone can become a federal clerk or state court attorney and explaining the nuances of landing on the bench, this capstone program, titled “Pathways to the Bench: Steps to the Federal Judiciary,” centered around four AAPI judges, who each shared their particular pathways to the bench, hoping to inspire others to follow in their footsteps and to give them the tools to do so.
To see photos from the morning session please click here.
Opening at 10:30am, the Fall Conference offered its annual Diversity Career Fair, organized by the Career Advancement Committee, featuring public sector, corporate, and law firm employers, each hosting informational sessions, meet-and-greets, and more. Participating employers included the Law Firm of Hugh H. Mo, P.C., the Office of the New York State Attorney General, Rupp Pfalzgraf LLC, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, and several District Attorneys’ offices. Employers and prospective employees conversed extensively, exchanging questions and learning more about one another. Some employers also collected resumes and conducted on-site first round interviews, allowing candidates to express their interest in working for participating employers. To see photos from the Diversity Career Fair, please click here.
Throughout the day, AABANY also hosted Link-Up Sessions, organized by the In-House Counsel Committee and Corporate Law Committee, which provided an opportunity for participants to engage in live meetings with in-house counsel who had indicated a current or future need for outside legal services. Applicants were pre-screened by in-house counsel based on their needs, and selected participants were then invited to join one or more Link-Up Sessions at the Fall Conference. These sessions facilitated connections between corporate law firm attorneys and in-house counsel.
After the morning programs concluded, attendees grabbed lunch boxes and headed to the Costantino Room, where the Plenary Lunch Session began at 12:30pm. The program, titled “Organizing to be Heard: The Importance of Redistricting and Coalition Building in the NYC Asian American Community,” featured five speakers:
Hon. Marilyn D. Go (Ret.), Commissioner, New York City Districting Commission
Zohran Kwame Mamdani, Assemblymember, New York State Assembly
Elizabeth R. OuYang, Coordinator, APA VOICE Redistricting Task Force
Grace Pyun, Acting Executive Director and General Counsel, New York City Districting Commission
John Park, Executive Director, MinKwon Center
Vishal Chander, Managing Attorney, the Chander Law Firm PC, moderated this timely and important discussion.
Attendees listened attentively as the panelists discussed the impacts of congressional, state, and local district lines on communities, ranging from their influence on election results to the distribution of government funds. They then discussed the 2020 Redistricting Cycle and how it brought into attention the importance of redistricting due to the significant growth of Asians in New York, laying out the legal framework of districting and the impacts of voting rights laws on redistricting. Being that many of the panelists played influential roles within the 2020 Redistricting Cycle, they also shared personal anecdotes and experiences from that time. With preparations for the 2030 Redistricting Cycle beginning soon, the speakers emphasized the importance of continuing to educate the community on this topic and how the AAPI community can be heard in that process. To see photos from the Plenary Lunch Session, please click here.
The afternoon session began at 2:30pm, running in two segments. The first segment went from 2:30pm to 4pm and included the following programs:
Topics covered included diversity, equity, and inclusion within the legal profession, how to interview clients, and how to understand implicit biases in the workplace. These programs exemplified the diversity of discourse that the Fall Conference sought to facilitate, providing crucial insights and exposing attendees to a broad range of ideas and perspectives. To see photos from the afternoon session, please click here.
After a packed day of learning, the Fall Conference concluded with a Cocktail Reception, sponsored by Falconeri, held in the Soden Lounge and Bateman Room. Attendees networked with one another, connecting over drinks and hors d’oeuvres.
During the Cocktail Reception, AABANY honored Hugh H. Mo with the 2024 Norman Lau Kee Trailblazer Award, bestowed annually to “an individual who has carved a path for others to follow, served the community as a mentor and role model, and made a lasting impact on the AAPI community through his or her dedication and commitment.” Hugh H. Mo, Founder and Principal of Mo Law and a co-founder of AABANY, perfectly exemplifies the award’s mission, having been a leader in the AAPI community and legal profession for nearly five decades. To read the full press release about Mr. Mo receiving this honor, please click here.
To see photos from the Cocktail Reception, go here and here.
AABANY thanks several groups for making the Fall Conference possible. First, we would like to thank the approximately 40 student volunteers who ensured that the CLE programs ran smoothly and without delay. They hailed from schools all across New York City and the northeast region, including:
Brooklyn Law School
Cardozo School of Law
Columbia Law School
CUNY School of Law
Fordham College at Lincoln Center
Fordham School of Law
Hunter College
New York Law School
Northern Highlands Regional High School
Rutgers Law School
Seton Hall Law School
St. John’s University School of Law
Syracuse University College of Law
Tufts University
The volunteers assisted with registration, handled inquiries, and checked-in and checked-out attendees for CLE credits. Their support was instrumental in making the Fall Conference a success, and AABANY extends our heartfelt appreciation. We also thank Catherine Tran and Joon Choe, co-chairs of the Student Outreach Committee, for their efforts in recruiting and coordinating these volunteers.
AABANY also thanks our generous sponsors, without whom the Fall Conference would not have been possible:
We would also like to acknowledge our 2024 Annual Dinner Sponsors for their generous year-round support of AABANY. In particular, we would like to recognize Broadridge Financial Solutions, our Diamond Sponsor, and Groombridge, Wu, Baughman & Stone LLP, our General Counsel Reception Sponsor. For a full list of the 2024 Annual Dinner Sponsors, please click here. Thanks again for your continued support and commitment to AABANY; it empowers us to fulfill our mission and produce events like the Fall Conference.
Furthermore, AABANY thanks all of our esteemed moderators and panelists for their time and participation in this year’s Fall Conference. We also extend our gratitude to the Program Chairs for organizing such an excellent lineup of programs. And, finally, we sincerely appreciate all the attendees for making this such a special and enlightening experience for the entire AABANY community. We hope to see you at upcoming AABANY events.
Each year, the NAPABA Margaret Brent Award Committee reviews the outstanding pool of well-qualified NAPABA members to select a woman to be nominated by NAPABA for the American Bar Association’s Margaret Brent Women Lawyers of Achievement Award. NAPABA is now accepting recommendations for the 2025 award cycle. The deadline to submit a recommendation is Wednesday, December 4, at 11:59 pm ET.
The Margaret Brent Women Lawyers of Achievement Award, established in 1991, recognizes and celebrates the accomplishments of women lawyers who have excelled in their field and have paved the way to success for other women lawyers. These women demonstrate excellence in a variety of professional settings and personify excellence on either the national, regional, or local level. Most recently, NAPABA nominated Gina Shishima, who was honored with this prestigious award in August 2024.
If you are interested in submitting a recommendation, please visit our webpage to learn more about qualifications and requirements.
Criteria
The individual achieved professional excellence in her field AND
Influenced other women to pursue legal careers, OR
Opened doors for women lawyers in a variety of job settings that historically were closed to them, OR
Advanced opportunities for women within a practice area or segment of the profession.
Nominees may be ABA members or nonmembers. Sitting members of the ABA Commission on Women in the Profession may not be nominated.
Nomination Application Requirements
Nominators may be asked to register for a SurveyMonkey account if they still need to register before gaining access to the application portal. A. Nominee’s Resume – Include the nominee’s resume or biography describing her background and contributions.
B. Award Criteria Narrative – In no more than three typed pages, provide specific, concrete examples for criterion #1 and at least one of criteria numbers 2 through 4 below:
The individual achieved professional excellence in her field AND
Influenced other women to pursue legal careers, OR
Opened doors for women lawyers in a variety of job settings that historically were closed to them, OR
Advanced opportunities for women within a practice area or segment of the profession.
C. Articles and Letters – To present a comprehensive picture of the nominee, please include (1) up to 10 news or magazine articles written by or about the candidate and (2) no more than 5 letters of support from individuals or organizations. The Commission relies on the entire nomination packet in selecting each year’s honorees. The limitation on articles and letters of support will be observed; anything in excess of 5 letters or ten articles will not be considered. A letter of support can have a maximum of 5 signatories only. For this category, the number of pages is capped at 80.
D. Complete Submission Package Only complete submissions will be considered.
Karis Consulting Group provides community organizing, strategic advising, and coalition-building support for Asian American and Pacific Islander organizations to empower the voice and capacity of the community. Interns will provide support for client work in a variety of sectors, gaining valuable community organizing skills and building relationships with top leaders in the nonprofit and government sectors. Individuals of all ethnicities and backgrounds located in the US are encouraged to apply.
About Karis Consulting Group (KCG)
Karis Consulting Group’s mission is to advance equity and empower communities to thrive by activating diverse voices and engaging in meaningful civic participation.
Internship Responsibilities
Interns will be expected to have strong administrative and communication skills.
Event Planning: Plan outreach, prepare memos, draft invitations, support fundraisers, manage logistics
Office Administration: Create/update spreadsheets, use office tools and Google Suite to manage tasks
Graphic Design: Design flyers using Canva
Communication: Draft emails, take meeting notes, strong writing and verbal skills for internal communication with firm and external stakeholders
Social Media/Podcast: Create social media posts
Compensation
Interns will receive $15 an hour.
Requirements
Applicants are expected to submit a resume, cover letter, and references (none from family members).
Open to high school graduates, college students, and graduate students
Interns are expected to work 10-15 hours per week. How you break up those hours can be discussed.
Interns must be located in the US but can work virtually (preference for DC or New York).
Application deadline is November 27, 2024 by 11:59 PM ET.
On October 28, 2024, the Student Outreach Committee and Corporate Law Committee hosted a panel discussion titled “Navigating OCI with Corporate Attorneys” at Paul Hastings LLP. The event was designed to equip students with practical advice on navigating the On-Campus Interviewing (OCI) process, featuring insights from seasoned corporate attorneys and law firm partners.
Moderators Joon Choe (Andersen Tax LLC) and Cat Tran (Columbia Law School ‘25) facilitated a dynamic conversation with panelists Kevin Lam (Partner, Kirkland & Ellis LLP), Tracy Feng (Partner, Paul Hastings LLP), Gordon Mak (Partner, Allen Overy Shearman Sterling LLP), and Kyle Zhu (Senior Associate, Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP). The discussion covered a range of topics critical to students preparing for OCI.
The discussion began with panelists sharing what drew them to their practice areas and how their experiences at their firms shaped their careers. They emphasized the importance of exploring different practice areas early on and encouraged students to stay curious. When selecting a law firm, panelists advised considering factors like firm culture, mentorship, and growth opportunities. They suggested attending firm receptions and informational interviews to gain a better sense of each firm’s environment.
As OCI timelines have accelerated in recent years, the panelists recommended that students prepare in advance by updating resumes and starting to network early. They emphasized the importance of proactive engagement, advising candidates to build relationships with attorneys and mentors. To stand out in applications, the panelists suggested tailoring resumes and cover letters to highlight unique experiences and interest in certain law firms.
Networking and interviewing were other key areas of focus. Panelists shared tips on building authentic connections, suggesting students follow up after events with personalized emails. For virtual interviews, they highlighted the importance of a professional setup and preparing thoughtful questions to ask interviewers. On diversity and inclusion, panelists recommended asking specific questions about firms’ D&I initiatives to gauge their commitment. The event ended with a Q&A session on international work opportunities and networking strategies, followed by a networking reception for further conversation and opportunities for attendees to connect with the panelists and each other.
We hope this event provided attendees with the tools and confidence to navigate the legal recruiting landscape. Thank you again to Paul Hastings LLP for their partnership, our panelists for their insights, and to all who attended, for making the evening a success.
To learn more about the Corporate Law Committee, please click here. To learn more about the Student Outreach Committee, please click here.
From Nov. 7 through 9, NAPABA held its National Convention in Seattle at the Hyatt Regency, for three days of programming, meetings, plenary sessions and the 36th Anniversary Gala capping things off on Saturday night.
AABANY members and friends once again came out in large numbers, with nearly 150 people signed up for AABANY’s WhatsApp group. The group’s members updated each other on programs they planned to attend, made lunch and dinner plans, and connected with each other about various receptions, parties and events around Seattle.
The AABANY Trial Reenactment Team presented its latest production, “AAPIs and Education: Tape v. Hurley and Gong Lum v. Rice” on Friday afternoon, Nov. 8, to a capacity audience. The program told the stories of Mamie Tape and Martha Lum and their efforts to fight discrimination in public education, through narration, reenactment of court proceedings and historic photographs. This was the sixteenth in a series of historic reenactments presented by the Asian American Bar Association of New York. For more information about AABANY’s trial reenactments, visit reenactments.aabany.org.
We congratulate all the awardees and honorees recognized at the Convention, with special shout-outs to the following AABANY member honorees:
We also congratulate Sapna Palla, past AABANY President, and Anushree Bagrodia, current Co-Chair of AABANY’s In-House Counsel Committee, for joining the NAPABA Board as At-Large Members!
Thanks to all the outgoing NAPABA Board members for their service, and congratulations to AABANY member and past Board officer, Anna Mercado Clark, on her highly successful year as President.
We congratulate Muhammad Faridi, AABANY Member and President of the New York City Bar Association, on receiving the Pro Bono Service Award.
Thanks and congratulations to the many AABANY members who organized a panel or spoke at one. We know that it is not easy to get a program selected for the NAPABA Convention and that much hard work goes into putting on a quality program for the many attendees who come from across the continent to learn from you all. Please send us your photos and, if possible, a short recap about your program. You can send it to [email protected].
Many bonds were made and strengthened among AABANY attendees over the course of the Convention, and many new connections were made with the approximately 3400 registered attendees from across North America. Judging by many social media posts from those who attended, a great time was had by all. We hope everyone got back to New York City safe and sound, and we are looking forward to another inspiring NAPABA Convention when it moves to Denver, Colorado, Nov. 6-9, 2025.
