Month: January 2026

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ABA Presidential Appointments Are Live!

Applications for 2026–2027 are open, and NAPABA is ready to endorse you.

The American Bar Association has officially published its 2026–2027 Presidential Appointments, and this is your moment to step into national leadership. These appointments are high-impact, highly competitive, and the application period moves quickly.

NAPABA is calling on qualified members to apply now for these coveted positions and to seek NAPABA’s endorsement. Click to view 2026-2027 vacancies.

Why This Matters

Advancing AANHPI leadership at the national level is core to NAPABA’s mission.

For nearly ten years, NAPABA has proudly endorsed members to serve on ABA Standing and Special Committees, Commissions, Task Forces, Working Groups, and other key bodies. This ensures that our community has a seat at the table where policy, practice, and priorities are shaped.

If you have:

  • A proven record of leadership
  • Deep subject-matter expertise
  • A commitment to contributing meaningfully to the ABA’s mission

…this is an opportunity to amplify your impact and NAPABA’s voice on a national stage.

How to Secure a NAPABA Endorsement

Members seeking NAPABA’s endorsement will be reviewed by the NAPABA Presidential Appointment Selection Committee. To be considered, you must submit a complete endorsement request by the deadline below.

Deadlines to Note:

  • January 27, 2026 (8:00 PM ET) – Deadline to submit a NAPABA endorsement request
  • February 10, 2026 – Deadline to self-nominate directly through the ABA website

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Attorneys Needed as Volunteer Judges at NYSBA New York City High School Mock Trial Tournament

The Justice Resource Center, in partnership with the New York State Bar Association (NYSBA), administers the NYC High School Mock Trial competition.

They are currently recruiting licensed attorneys to volunteer to judge at least one round for this year’s competition. 

More than 90 schools from all five boroughs will compete between February and May 2026 in this year’s competition. The first few rounds occurs between February and March at three courthouses in New York. Mock Trial rounds will be bench trials and will take roughly two to three hours. A judge’s orientation will be scheduled for late January and will be hosted on Zoom. 

Attorneys can earn up to three (3) CLE credits for judging at least one trial. To see if you are eligible for CLE, you can read more about the requirements here: https://nysba.org/nys-mock-trial/

If you’re interested in volunteering, please complete the Judges Application (click here) and submit it to info@jrcnyc.org.  Deadline to register is January 16. You can choose to serve at three courthouses in Brooklyn, Queens, and Manhattan.

Please click here for this year’s Mock Trial case packet, which you are welcome to review for more information about this year’s case. 

Please feel free to share this opportunity with your friends and colleagues.

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Apply Now: New York Legal Education Opportunity Program (NY LEO) 2026 Cohort Applications

The New York Legal Education Opportunity Program is designed to prepare students entering law school with the tools needed for academic success in law school. Through an intense five-week summer program, NY LEO assists college graduates in acquiring the fundamental and practical skills necessary to succeed in law school. The NY LEO Program is administered by the Honorable Kathie E. Davidson, Dean of the New York State Judicial Institute and Salihah R. Denman, J.D., LL.M., Director of NY LEO. All classes and activities are administered and implemented at the New York State Judicial Institute. Students live on the Judicial Institute’s campus and participate in the program full-time. Experienced law professors provide instruction in first-year law school core courses as well as in legal research, writing and analysis. As part of the program, NY LEO Fellows will also have the opportunity to visit courts in session and meet with members of the judiciary and other legal professionals.

Since 2007, the NY LEO Program has assisted college graduates who are from groups traditionally underrepresented in the law in acquiring the fundamental and practical skills necessary to succeed in law school. The program is available to qualified candidates who are residents of New York State. 

The December 1st and January 1st deadlines have passed, but please see below for the spring dates of Cohort Interviews and their application deadlines:

To learn more about the NY LEO and how to apply visit  http://ww2.nycourts.gov/attorneys/leo.

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