Author: Aaron Fong

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PBCS Pro Bono Clinic In Collaboration With AAFE – 11/06/2021

AABANY’s Pro Bono & Community Service (PBCS) Committee would like to thank the remote and in-person volunteers who assisted at the Manhattan Chinatown pro bono clinic.  This was the first pro bono clinic to take place at the 2 Allen Street, Manhattan location of Asian Americans for Equality (AAFE).  PBCS and AABANY would like to thank AAFE for their co-sponsorship.  

Fourteen attorneys, non-attorneys, and interpreter volunteers provided 20 clients with legal information and consultation services.  Volunteers performed these services in a wide variety of languages and dialects- including Mandarin Chinese, Cantonese, Taishanese, and Fujianese- reflecting the ability of the pro bono clinic to meet the unique needs of NYC’s Chinatown community.

A substantial number of consultations pertained to housing issues, which remain relevant amid the COVID-19 pandemic.  Many clients were informed of their legal rights and choices as tenants.  In one instance, a client, who is a tenant in rent-stabilized housing, discovered that landlords of rent-stabilized units could not arbitrarily raise the rent of such units for “maintenance-related issues” without the permission of the Homes and Community Renewal agency of New York.  The client also discovered that they were provided with a rental lease that was not authorized for use in rent-stabilized housing units.    

To learn more about PBCS, please click here.  

We would once again like to thank the pro bono clinic volunteers for their dedication and support, which make the work of the clinic possible.  Everyone is encouraged to sign up to volunteer below:

To volunteer at AAFE’s Clinics (Queens and Manhattan) – https://airtable.com/shrtPeVTibQA9qNgD  
To volunteer at CCBA’s Clinics (Manhattan) – https://airtable.com/shrQFecVpU1u5ltAy

Thank you to ALL of our 11/6 volunteers:

AABANYAAFE
Aaron Fong ^Gabriel Hisugan *
Estelle Lu ^*Ivy Au ^
Eugene KimVicky Qiu ^
Johnny ThachYini Fang ^
Judy (Ming Chu) Lee
Karen Kithan Yau *
Kendall Park ^*
Kensing Ng
Kwok Ng
Megan Gao

^ = non-attorney volunteers
* = remote volunteers

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NAPABA Partners with Queens-Based Main Street Patrol to Encourage Young Adults to Get Vaccinated Against COVID

Hailing from Flushing, Queens, Main Street Patrol protects elders from hate and abuse as they go about their daily routines. They have partnered with NAPABA to encourage young adults to get vaccinated against COVID. Check out their fun and informative PSA on keeping us all safe—not only in the streets, but in life. Get vaccinated!

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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NAPABA Celebrates the Historic Confirmation of Tana Lin to the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington

On Oct. 21, the U.S. Senate confirmed Tana Lin to the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington. 

“NAPABA congratulates Tana Lin on her historic confirmation to become the first Asian American Article III district court judge in the state of Washington,” said A.B. Cruz III, president of NAPABA. “She is a devout public servant who has an exemplary legal career as a civil rights attorney and former public defender who’s enforced civil rights statutes, federal anti-discrimination laws, and a variety of other complex litigation matters.

“In addition to her impeccable qualifications, Judge Lin has a life experience that many in our community can relate to. She immigrated to the United States from Taiwan when she was three years old, worked her way through school, and is a leader in the community. Judge Lin has also served as a past board member of the Asian Bar Association of Washington, where she continues to be an active member.”

AAPIs represent nearly 10% of the population and constitute the largest community of color in the state of Washington. President Biden has nominated two AAPIs to the Federal courts in Washington State.

With 30 years of legal experience, Judge Lin has been named as a Super Lawyer for Washington for her practice at Keller Rohrback LLP. She has worked at the Public Defender Service for the District of Columbia, the Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Department of Justice, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, and the Michigan Poverty Law Program. Judge Lin is a graduate of the New York University School of Law and Cornell University. 

NAPABA commends President Biden for nominating Judge Lin to the bench and thanks Senators Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell for their support of her nomination. Judge Lin’s confirmation increases the number of active AAPI Article III judges to 40 nationwide: 10 federal appellate court judges and 30 federal district court judges.


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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From Asian American Studies Center and Program at Hunter College: “Arts and Activism: Reflections from Curtis Chin and Bino Realuyo” on October 20th

Between the AIDS crisis, attacks on the National Endowment for the
Arts, and the Miss Saigon controversy, artists and activists in the
early ’90s needed to find new ways to build solidarity and counter
invisibility. Founded in 1991, the Asian American Writers Workshop
(AAWW) was a product of these times.

Join a discussion with two of the organization’s co-founders – Curtis
Chin, award-winning writer and documentary filmmaker, and
acclaimed novelist Bino Realuyo – and learn how the AAWW built the
foundation from its roots. The discussion will be moderated by
Vivian Louie, Director of the Asian American Studies Center and
Program at Hunter College and Professor of Urban Policy and
Planning.

RSVP WITH THE LINK BELOW
bit.ly/aas1020
Co-sponsored by Hunter College’s English Dept., Sociology Dept., and
The Urban Policy & Planning Dept.

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NAPABA Receives Grant from American Arbitration Association’s International Centre for Dispute Resolution Foundation to Combat Anti-Asian Bullying in Schools

In recognition of October as National Bullying Prevention month, the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) is proud to announce that the American Arbitration Association’s International Centre for Dispute Resolution (AAA-ICDR) Foundation has awarded it grant funding under its Rapid Response Fund which focuses on conflict-resolution initiatives helping Asian American/Pacific Islander communities combat the surge in anti-Asian hate across the United States. 

“NAPABA is grateful to the AAA-ICDR Foundation for its generous support on this critical project,” said A.B. Cruz III, president of NAPABA. “With thousands of cases of anti-Asian hate crimes and incidents—and seemingly no end in sight—we must do all we can to protect the most vulnerable victims of hate—children, and stand up for them harnessing the power of our nationwide network of affiliates as trained advocates.”  

The award, made through the NAPABA Law Foundation, will be used, in part, to develop a toolkit to combat COVID-19-driven anti-Asian bullying in schools as well as for other anti-bullying advocacy efforts. The toolkit will seek to equip and train NAPABA affiliates on legal and non-legal responses alike and provide best practices on how to interact with school officials. The toolkit is aimed at educating not only NAPABA lawyers on conducting best advocacy practices, but also to help families, students, educators, and communities understand the availability of remedies including appropriate alternative dispute resolution approaches to addressing anti-Asian bullying. For more on the AAA-ICDR Foundation and its Rapid Response efforts to combat the surge in anti-Asian hate, please visit here. 

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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Register for the 2021 NAPABA Convention: One Spectacular Convention, Two Ways to Participate


Click here to register.

The 2021 NAPABA Convention is offering more than 50 programs, including networking receptions, CLE sessions, Thursday specialty programming, and plenaries featuring high-profile experts on today’s top issues. 

Have it your way and attend either in-person at the Marriott Marquis in Washington, DC, December 9-12 or with our virtual pass where you can tune in live for our plenary sessions, the Trailblazer Award Reception, and 33rd Anniversary Gala, and watch CLEs on-demand all from the comfort of your home or office. With the flexibility of attending in-person or virtually, NAPABA can provide a personal experience based on your professional needs. Whether you’re looking to earn CLE credit, grow your business, or connect with others, you can customize your Convention experience to match your goals.

Register by the early bird deadline of Friday, October 8, and be entered into a raffle to win free registration for the 2022 NAPABA Convention.


Thursday Specialty Programming
Developed by NAPABA committees and networks, we are proud to present specialty programming on Thursday of Convention week. This series of workshops is designed to provide experiential learning opportunities in an immersive and interactive environment. Specialty programming allows participants to delve more deeply into issues with experts in the field beyond what may be possible during a general CLE session.

International Law Symposium | 1:00 – 3:45 pm 
This year’s International Law Symposium will focus on how to succeed in an international legal career and the cultural issues in international dispute resolution.

Solo & Small Firm Boot Camp | 1:00 – 3:45 pm
The Solo & Small Firm Boot Camp provides programming that is specifically tailored to the needs of solo and small firm practitioners, as well as those interested in starting a solo or small firm practice. This year’s programming will focus on social media marketing tips for small firms and how automating law practices will reduce stress and deliver exceptional customer service.

Women’s Leadership Workshop | 1:00 – 5:00 pm 
The 2021 Women’s Leadership Workshop will explore the potential pitfalls of the new hybrid workplace, how to mitigate the fall out, and how to make the benefits of a hybrid office work for you. We will focus on skills and perspectives necessary for women who have just started out their careers, women changing jobs and navigating a new organization remotely, and those responsible for leading teams remotely. Get what you need to shine on-line and in person in this new hybrid work world!

To learn more about what these specialty programs have in store for you at the Convention, click here!


Special Note
NAPABA is strongly committed to the safety and well-being of our members and guests at the Convention. Please review our full COVID-19 Safety Protocol including requirements for entry into the Convention. Additionally, please review our full cancellation and registration transfer policy. Registration for the Convention will close on Monday, December 6, 2021, at 11:59 pm ET. Registrations after this date, including walk-in or onsite registration, will not be permitted under any circumstance.   

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NAPABA Congratulates Judge Florence Pan on her Confirmation to the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia

The National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) congratulates Judge Florence Pan on her historic and overwhelmingly bipartisan (68-30) confirmation to serve as a judge on the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. Judge Pan will become the first Asian Pacific American (APA) woman to serve as an Article III judge in the District of Columbia.

In 2009, Judge Pan was nominated by President Obama to the Superior Court of the District of Columbia and was confirmed by unanimous consent by the Senate. She was the first judicial nominee to be confirmed under the Obama Administration, and became the first APA judge to be appointed to any court in the District of Columbia. Judge Pan has over a decade of judicial experience serving in the Criminal, Family Court, and Civil Divisions, and has presided over more than 650 trials. She also has sat by designation on the D.C. Court of Appeals twice.

“Judge Florence Pan, who has ably served our nation’s capital for over a decade on the Superior Court of the District of Columbia, is now the first Asian American woman to serve on the U.S. District Court,” said A.B. Cruz III, President of NAPABA. “NAPABA applauds the Senate’s historic bipartisan vote confirming this eminently qualified jurist.” Previously, Judge Pan served for 10 years as an Assistant U.S. attorney in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia, including two years as the deputy chief of the appellate division. She also held positions in the Department of the Treasury and at Main Justice, notably in the Office of the Solicitor General. Judge Pan taught at Georgetown University Law Center and American University, Washington College of Law, and is active in her community having served as the Secretary of NAPABA’s Judicial Council.

Judge Pan is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania and Stanford Law School. Following law school, she clerked for the Honorable Ralph K. Winter, Jr., of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit and the Honorable Michael B. Mukasey of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York.

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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NAPABA Receives Grant from The Asian American Foundation to Serve as National Network Partner for Anti-Asian Hate Crimes Response

The National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) is proud to announce that The Asian American Foundation (TAAF) has named it a National Network partner in its investment, coordination, and collaboration efforts to combat anti-Asian hate. NAPABA, along with other leading advocacy organizations, has received initial grant funding to support ongoing activities in anti-hate tracking, protection, response, and prevention measures. TAAF has invited NAPABA to partner in this effort in part due to recognizing NAPABA’s work in building a national civil rights infrastructure that harnesses the legal power, strength in numbers, geographic diversity, and linguistic abilities of NAPABA’s nearly 90 affiliated Asian Pacific American organizations.

“TAAF recognizes that the prolonged underinvestment in Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) populations resulted in our communities being unprepared for, and more vulnerable to the most recent onslaught in anti-Asian hate,” said A.B. Cruz III, president of NAPABA. “We are grateful not only to be a grant recipient, but also an ongoing partner with TAAF and its network of organizations dedicated to the common cause of protecting our AAPI populations.”

To address anti-AAPI hate locally, TAAF is piloting AAPI Action Centers led by on-the-ground partner organizations that will serve as hubs for addressing hate in their respective cities. These Action Centers will first be piloted in New York City, Chicago, and Oakland. Each Action Center will be connected to each other, and they will feed into the umbrella of TAAF’s Anti-Hate National Network to ensure best practices are being transmitted between the national and local levels of work. NAPABA intends to leverage its strength in numbers—which includes three affiliates in New York City, five in Chicago, and 10 affiliates in northern California—to contribute its expertise in assisting hate crimes and help hate incident victims seek pro bono legal assistance.

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.