2019 NAPABA Regional Conferences

Save the Date!

Central Regional Conference

August 23-24
Hotel Alexander
Indianapolis, IN

Hosted by:
Asian American Bar Association 
of Indiana

Book Your Hotel

A block of rooms has been reserved at Hotel Alexander at a discounted rate. The room block will be available until July 26 at 5 p.m. ET or until the block has sold out. 

Click here to book your room today!

Special Guest Speaker George Takei

The NAPABA Central Regional Conference will include a viewing of the film, And Then They Came For Us, followed later in the evening by special guest speaker George Takei, which will include a book signing of his new book, They Called Us Enemy. Copies will be available at the conference. 

Northeast Regional Conference 

September 21
Fordham Law School for NYC
New York, NY

Hosted by:
Asian American Bar Association
of New York

Book Your Hotel

A block of rooms has been reserved at Empire Hotel at a discounted rate. The room block will be available until Aug. 30 at 5 p.m. ET or until the block has sold out. 

Click here to book your room today!

Apply to the NAPABA 2019 Leadership Advancement Program!

 Apply today for the 2019 Class!
Washington, D.C. | July 19-21, 2019

NAPABA’s Leadership Advancement Program is a year-long program to develop mid-career Asian Pacific American attorneys’ leadership skills, while providing an opportunity to foster genuine relationships with peers within the profession, especially between in-house counsel (IHC) and law firm attorneys. This year, the first part of the program will be held in Washington D.C. The program will commence with a weekend of team-building and leadership training from Friday, July 19 through midday Sunday, July 21. The first two days will consist of leadership assessments, training on understanding and improving your leadership style, team building, and better understanding your career vision to help support you in pursuing career goals, including addressing the unique hurdles facing Asian Pacific Americans. The last half-day is devoted to launching team-based community projects that will allow participants to forge meaningful and mutually beneficial relationships. 

NAPABA’s Leadership Advancement Program (LAP) is distinct from the In-House Counsel Summit (IHC Summit). NAPABA’s LAP is a professional and personal development program for mid-career IHC and law firm attorneys through leadership skills development, candid and open dialogue, and relationship-building. The IHC Summit is offered only to IHCs looking for professional leadership development and opportunities in association with NAPABA 20/20 initiative focused on career advancement for APA in-house counsel.

Applications for NAPABA’s LAP program will be accepted through May 13 at 8:00 p.m. EDT. Apply now!

Enrollment

Enrollment in the program is limited to 24 participants, with an even balance between IHC and law firm attorneys. All NAPABA members are encouraged to apply, although the selection committee will focus on the following criteria this year:

  • Law firm candidates: this year’s program will prefer candidates with between six and 10 years of experience
  •  In-house candidates: preference for a minimum of three to four years of IHC experience, with six to 10 years of overall practice experience

NAPABA will provide the trainers, program materials, venue, and in-program meals. If accepted, attendees will be expected to commit $100 as a program fee and provide their own travel to Washington, DC and accommodations, if required.

Tentative Schedule

Fri., July 19 
Leadership Assessment and Team Building: The program will consist of leadership exercises, assessments, and team-building. 

Sat., July 20
Leadership Training: The program will consist of leadership training sessions aimed at helping attorneys achieve the highest level of leadership and success in law firms and corporations. 

Sun., July 21
Community Project (Half-day): Participants will design a community project that will encourage team-building and leadership development throughout the year.  

To learn more about NAPABA’s Leadership Advancement Program, please visit https://www.napaba.org/page/19_LeaderWorkshop or email Leadership Advancement Program Chair, Charles Jung

Invitation to NY/NJ Regional Network – Federal Listening Session – Tuesday, May 21, 2019

In commemoration of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, celebrating the national theme, “Unite Our Mission by Engaging Each Other,” the New York/New Jersey Regional Network of the White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders will host a listening session for Asian American and Pacific Islander-serving agencies and organizations on Tuesday, May 21, 2019, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., at 26 Federal Plaza, 6th Floor GSA Conference Center, Rooms A and B, New York, NY  10278.  Please join regional executives representing the federal agencies comprising the Regional Network as they provide you up-to-date information about their respective programs and services, and listen to your suggestions on how they may engage better with their communities, as well as any concerns or issues you may wish to raise.  If you are interested in attending, please contact Everett Lo at [email protected] by close of business Friday, May 2, 2019, providing the name(s) and email address(es) of your participant(s), to whom a building access letter will be issued by return email.

Participating federal agencies include:

  • Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
  • Environmental Protection Agency
  • General Services Administration
  • National Labor Relations Board
  • Small Business Administration
  • Social Security Administration
  • U.S. Department of Commerce
    • U.S. Census Bureau
  • U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
    • Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
    • Health Resources and Services Administration
    • Office for Civil Rights
  • U.S. Department of Homeland Security
    • Customs and Border Protection
    • Immigration and Customs Enforcement
    • U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service
  • U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
  • U.S. Department of Justice
    • Community Relations Service
  • U.S. Department of Labor
    • Employee Benefits Security Administration
    • Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs
    • Occupational Safety and Health Administration
    • Wage and Hour Division
  • U.S. Department of Treasury
    • Internal Revenue Service
  • U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
    • Veterans Benefits Administration
    • Veterans Integrated Services Network

We look forward to speaking with you, and engaging in a thoughtful dialogue to ensure that our communities are aware of the programs and benefits available from our Regional Network.  Thank you.

Thank you to Everett Lo for sharing this information. Please direct all inquires to him at [email protected].

NYC Family Justice Center, Manhattan Advanced Trainings

The NYC Family Justice Center, Manhattan (MIFJC)’s Advanced Training series includes a variety of topic-specific trainings for service providers, community leaders, and city agency staff who are working with populations directly or indirectly affected by intimate partner violence, sex trafficking, and/or elder abuse.

All trainings listed below are free and located at the MFJC 80 Centre Street 5th Floor New York, NY 10013. For more information, please email Indhira Castro at [email protected].

Please click on the link below to register for the sessions you wish to attend. If you plan to attend more than one of the scheduled sessions, you must select each one. Once the training is no longer listed or available to select, it has reached maximum capacity of participants.

Register Here!

Title IX Protections for Survivors of IPV & Gender-based Violence

Wednesday, April 17th

10:00 – 12:00 PM

Facilitated by: Legal Momentum

Disability & Intimate Partner Violence

Wednesday April 17th

1:00 – 3:30 PM

Facilitated by: Barrier Free Living (BFL)

Animal Abuse & Intimate Partner Violence

Friday, April 19th

10:00-12:00 PM

Facilitated by: American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA)

Grounding & De-escalation Techniques for Survivors of Intimate Partner Violence

Friday, April 26th

10:00 – 12:00 PM

Facilitated by: NYC Health and Hospitals


PRESS RELEASE: AABANY APPLAUDS DIANE GUJARATI’S RENOMINATION TO SERVE AS U.S. DISTRICT JUDGE IN THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK

NEW YORK – April 16, 2019 – The Asian American Bar Association of New York (“AABANY”) enthusiastically supports the renomination of Board Member Diane Gujarati to serve as a United States district court judge in the Eastern District of New York.  “We are pleased with the renomination of our former Board Director Diane Gujarati to the bench,” said Brian Song, President of AABANY.  Ms. Gujarati was first nominated by President Obama in 2016, and subsequently renominated by President Trump in 2018.  Her nomination was unanimously approved by the Senate Judiciary Committee.

“Diane is actively involved with AABANY on various levels and served with distinction as a dedicated member of our Board.  Her intelligence, work ethic, judgment and dedication to serving the community will make her an exceptional federal judge,” continued Mr. Song

Asian Pacific Americans (“APAs”) are significantly under-represented in the Federal Judiciary, including in New York State.  If confirmed, Ms. Gujarati will be the first Article III judge of South Asian descent in the Second Circuit.  “We welcome the announcement of Diane’s renomination,” said Dai Wai Chin Feman, Co-Chair of AABANY’s Judiciary Committee.  “She is a trailblazer in the community and will be an excellent addition to the federal judiciary. Diane has already been approved by the Senate Judiciary Committee, and we look forward to her taking the bench in the Eastern District.”

Ms. Gujarati began her legal career by serving as a law clerk to the Honorable John M. Walker, Jr. of the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit.  She then worked as a litigator at Davis Polk & Wardwell before beginning a dedicated, lengthy career in public service.  In 1999, Ms. Gujarati joined the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York as an Assistant United States Attorney in the Office’s Criminal Division.  Since April 2012, Ms. Gujarati has served as Deputy Chief of the Criminal Division.  She previously served as Deputy Chief and then Chief of the White Plains Division and as Deputy Chief of the Appeals Unit in the Criminal Division.  In addition to her work as a federal prosecutor, Ms. Gujarati taught as an Adjunct Professor of Clinical Law at New York University School of Law.  In September 2016, Gujarati was nominated by President Obama to serve as a judge in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York, with the support of Senators Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand. Ms. Gujarati also served as an AABANY board member and has been an active member of several AABANY committees, including as a Board Liaison to AABANY’s Prosecutors’ Committee.  Ms. Gujarati graduated summa cum laude from Barnard College of Columbia University and received her J.D. from Yale Law School.

_________________________________

For more information, please contact Yang Chen, AABANY Executive Director, at (212) 332-2478, or direct any inquiries to [email protected].

The Asian American Bar Association of New York is a professional membership organization of attorneys concerned with issues affecting the Asian Pacific American community.  Incorporated in 1989, AABANY seeks not only to encourage the professional growth of its members but also to advocate for the Asian Pacific American community as a whole.  AABANY is the New York regional affiliate of the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA).

###

Additional information about AABANY is available at www.aabany.org

Follow our blog at www.blog.aabany.org

Follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/aabany

Find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/aabany

Find us on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/in/aabany
Attachments area

GSPI and Pro Bono Joint Committee Dinner

On March 28, the Government Service and Public Interest (GSPI) and Pro Bono Committees enjoyed some traditional Chinese delicacies at Bite of Hong Kong in Chinatown. The committees gathered for a joint year-end celebration to thank and recognize members and volunteers that made the Pro Bono Clinics, trainings, panels, and other activities a success this past year.

Thank you to everyone who attended the dinner. Thanks also to our Committee Chairs for their leadership: Kevin Hsi, Beatrice Leong and Jonathan Hernandez (GSPI); and Karen Yau, Pauline Yeung-Ha, Judy Lee and Asako Aiba. To learn more about the Pro Bono Clinic and get involved, click here. To learn more about the GSPI Committee, go here. To learn more about the Pro Bono Committee, go here.

Axe Throwing with the Women’s Committee

Last week, on March 29, the Women’s Committee spent their Friday night throwing axes at Indoor Extreme Sports in Long Island City. Members strived to hit bullseyes by putting their strength and coordination skills to the test.

Thank you to everyone who attended! To learn more about the Women’s Committee and get involved, click here.

Submit Your Application for the 2019 New York Legal Education Opportunity Program

The New York State Judicial Institute will host the 2019 New York Legal Education Opportunity Program (NY LEO) on the campus of the Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University, located in White Plains, NY, June 3-July 12, 2019. The program is designed to ensure a diverse legal community by promoting academic success in law school for individuals historically underrepresented in the legal profession.

Through an intense six-week summer program, NY LEO assists minority, low income, and economically or educationally disadvantaged college graduates in acquiring the fundamental and practical skills necessary to succeed in law school.

NY LEO is administered by the Honorable Juanita Bing Newton, Dean of the New York State Judicial Institute. Admissions are rolling. For more information about this free program and eligibility requirements, visit: www.nycourts.gov/attorneys/leo, call: 914.824.5800, or email: [email protected].