On April 24, a vibrant Wednesday evening in the heart of New York City, the Asian American Bar Association of New York’s Intellectual Property Committee convened again for the beloved recurring dinner, this time at Chili, nestled on 13 E 37th St. The event brought together members and friends of the IP Committee for an evening of Szechuan food, networking, and good conversation.
Attendees mingled, fostering connections and exchanging insights on the latest developments in intellectual property law. As guests exchanged stories and shared experiences, the room buzzed with excitement and energy. Seasoned practitioners offered guidance and wisdom to aspiring legal minds, while newcomers brought fresh perspectives and innovative ideas to the table. It was a true testament to the diversity and richness of talent within the Asian American legal community.
To all who joined us for this unforgettable evening, we extend our heartfelt thanks for your presence and participation. To learn more about the IP Committee and how you can get involved, go here.
On May 14, 2024, as part of AABANY’s efforts to expand its presence across the state, over a dozen current and prospective AABANY members participated in a trivia night against other bar associations in Western New York.
Although the three AABANY teams were not the most successful at trivia, they enjoyed networking and meeting new lawyers in the area at an event with approximately 50 new colleagues. Other participating organizations included NYS Academy of Trial Lawyers, WBASNY, Desmond Inn of Court, Mura Law, M&T Bank, and Hamberger & Weiss.
The event was so successful that AABANY is planning another one to take place later this year that will be open to more organizations. This event was led by Alysha Naik, AABANY Membership Director for FY25. To learn more about the Membership Committee, go here. Thanks to Alysha for helping to put the event together and for all the organizations that participated in this fun event.
Deadline to Submit Nominations | Tuesday, June 4, 2024
Join NAPABA in honoring outstanding attorneys and organizations that have made an impact in the legal profession within Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific (AANHPI) communities by submitting a nomination for the 2024 NAPABA Awards!
Join us November 7-10 in Seattle as we celebrate them and all of our membership at the 2024 NAPABA Convention.
The NAPABA Military and Veteran Service Award recognizes individuals within the AANHPI legal community serving the U.S. Armed Forces as uniformed personnel, civilians or veterans and is meant to acknowledge AANHPI attorneys who exhibit the highest integrity, competency, and commitment to serving others, the AANHPI community, and their country and whose character and commitment reflect the highest standards of the Armed Forces. Last year’s recipient, Lieutenant Colonel Brian Song, has exhibited those qualities in his military and legal service. Learn more about Brian.
The NAPABA Pro Bono Service Award recognizes an attorney or a team of attorneys for outstanding achievements in pro bono service that involved impact litigation to advance or protect civil rights or provided direct legal services to individuals in the furtherance of the administration of justice.
Last year’s honoree, Jennifer Wu, has shown her commitment to service in her client-centered approach and community leadership. Learn more about Jennifer.
The NAPABA Women’s Leadership Award recognizes the accomplishments of women lawyers and is presented to an individual who has achieved excellence in her field or who has demonstrated leadership and advancement of women or women’s issues.
Last year’s honoree, Jenny Ma, is an experienced litigator leading reproductive rights cases in state and federal courts. Learn more about Jenny.
The NAPABA Public Sector Leadership Award seeks to honor a NAPABA member in the public sector (government, non-profit, legal aid – federal or state) for their outstanding achievements in their legal profession.
Last year’s honoree, Jonathan Cruz, is the Deputy Attorney General for the California Department of Justice. Learn more about Jonathan.
The NAPABA In House Counsel Diversity Leadership Award honors an in-house NAPABA member who has demonstrated leadership and a commitment towards supporting NAPABA partners and diversity in the legal profession.Last year’s honorees, Ivan Fong and Simone Wu, exemplify leadership. Learn more about both of them.
The NAPABA In-House Counsel Rising Star Diversity Leadership Award honors an in-house NAPABA member with 10 or less years of in-house experience who has demonstrated leadership and commitment towards supporting NAPABA partners and diversity in the legal profession.
Please note: To be considered in the selection process nominees must be a NAPABA member. A NAPABA membership helps legal professionals raise their professional profile by providing members with exclusive opportunities and national recognition through awards. Not a member? Learn more on how to become a member today!
In celebration of AAPI Heritage Month this year, AABANY is presenting or co-sponsoring several events this month. We hope to see you all there! Follow the links for more details, and please note the registration deadlines.
May 4, 2024
AABANY Presents: Bi-Monthly Pro Bono Clinic in Brooklyn
12:00 pm – 3:30 pm, Chinese-American Planning Council, Inc. 4101 8th Avenue 4th Floor Brooklyn, New York 11232.
Registration is closed for this event.
May 7, 2024
AABANY Presents: Asian Americans and the Law: The Constitution in Action
4:30 pm – 6:30 pm, King & Spalding 1185 6th Ave New York, New York 10036.
Registration is closed for this event.
May 8, 2024
AABANY Co-Sponsors: The Asian American/ Pacific Islander LGBTQ Struggle for Justice
12:30 – 2:00 PM, QUEENS SUPREME COURT 88-11 Sutphin Boulevard, 2nd Floor Courtroom 25 Jamaica, New York 11435
Registration is closed for this event.
May 8, 2024
Crowell & Moring Hosts: Asian American Pacific Islanders (AAPI) and the Fight for Marriage Equality
5:30pm – 8:30pm, Crowell & Moring
Two Manhattan West 375 Ninth Avenue New York, New York 10001
This event is the New York premier of the latest AABANY Trial Reenactment.
Registration is closed for this event.
May 9, 2024
AABANY Solo & Small Firm Practice Committee Presents: How to Start Your Solo and Small Firm Part II
6:30 PM to 8:00 PM
33 Whitehall St. Floor 8 New York, New York 10004
Registration is closed for this event.
May 10, 2024
AABANY’s Membership Committee Presents: Movie Night: Monkey Man
05/10/2024, New York
Registration is closed for this event.
May 14, 2024
AABANY Presents: May General Counsel Breakfast (Invitation Only)
9:00 am – 10:00 am
Registration is closed for this event.
May 14, 2024
AABANY Presents: Roots to Success for Asian Small Business Ventures
6:30 – 8:30 PM, Littler Mendelson P.C. 900 Third Avenue, Fl. 8 New York, New York 10022 Registration is closed for this event.
May 14, 2024
AABANY Military & Veterans Affairs Committee Presents: Group Outing to See An American Soldier 7:00 pm, Perelman Performing Arts Center
New York, New York 10006
Registration is closed for this event.
May 14, 2024
AABANY Co-Sponsors: Multi-Bar Association Trivia Night at Jack Rabbit
6:00 pm Jack Rabbit
1010 Elmwood Ave Buffalo, New York 14222 Registration is closed for this event.
May 15, 2024
AABANY Co-Sponsors: Trivia Night at Goldie’s Tavern 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm, Goldie’s Tavern
135 W 30th St New York, New York 10001
Registration is closed for this event.
May 16, 2024
AABANY Real Estate Committee Presents: “Fighting Real Estate and Deed Fraud in the Big Apple”
11:00 am – 12:00 pm, Virtual Click here to register by May 14 and find event details
The NAPABA Partners Summit is an interactive program designed to deepen relationships and bolster the collective impact of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) law firm partners. Participants will collaborate on issues facing AANHPI partners, strategies to successfully lead and progress within law firms, and how to forge meaningful connections with the next generation of AANHPI partners. This program is hosted in parallel with the In-House Summit, providing law firm partners an opportunity to expand their network and demonstrate support for current and former public company senior and experienced in-house AANHPI attorneys who seek to elevate into general counsel positions at Fortune 1000 companies. Content of the Partners Summit is designed for partners from large law firms.
Partners Summit programming will begin at lunch time on Thursday, August 29th and conclude at lunch time on Friday, August 30th. There will be a joint reception with In-House Counsel Summit attendees the evening of Thursday, August 29th.
Participation in the 2024 Partners Summit is open to law firm partners who meet the following criteria:
NAPABA Member
Experienced Law Firm Partner in a leadership position at firm
Demonstrated leadership within and commitment to NAPABA
The deadline to apply is May 15 at 8 pm ET so make sure your application is in before time runs out.
Eligibility requirements and more information: napaba.org/page/partnerssummit. We hope to see you at the 2024 Partners Summit in New York!
NAPABA | 1612 K St. NW, Suite 300 | Washington, DC 20006 | www.napaba.org
Have you registered for NAPABA’s 2024 Lobby Day, May 21-22, in Washington, DC? If not, we’ve extended the deadline for you to register.
This is our chance to advocate for issues that impact the Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) community with leaders on Capitol Hill. This year, we’ll be focusing on the following priority issue areas:
Anti-Asian Hate
Support legislation to preempt discriminatory alien land laws.
Support legislation to teach AANHPI history in K-12 education.
Support mental health resources in our community.
Oppose anti-Asian rhetoric.
Civil Rights
Support the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act.
Support the rights of the LGBTQ+ community.
Support funding for legal services and public defenders.
Immigration
Support the right to counsel for individuals navigating the immigration system.
Protect the rights of asylum seekers.
Judicial and Executive Nominations
Don’t delay. Make sure your voice is heard and register by May 1!
WASHINGTON – Today, President Joe Biden nominated Judge Anne Hwang to the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California.
“NAPABA applauds the Biden-Harris Administration for nominating Judge Anne Hwang,” said Anna Mercado Clark, President of NAPABA. “Active in the AANHPI community, Judge Hwang is a 2019 APABA Los Angeles Trailblazer in the Law awardee. She is well qualified to serve on the U.S. District Court, and we encourage the Senate to confirm Judge Hwang swiftly.”
In 2018, former governor Jerry Brown appointed Judge Hwang to the Los Angeles County Superior Court. Prior to her appointment, Judge Hwang served as a Deputy Federal Public Defender in the Office of the Federal Public Defender for the Central District of California from 2006 to 2018, becoming Chief Deputy Federal Public Defender in 2018. Before entering public service, Hwang was an associate at Irell and Manella LLP from 2002 to 2006. Hwang received a Bachelor of Arts from Cornell University and a Juris Doctor from the University of Southern California School of Law.
“The U.S. District Court for the Central District of California is the most populous federal judicial district, serving over 19 million, including a significant AANHPI population with nearly 12% of the Los Angeles population alone. If confirmed, Judge Hwang is well suited to serve the people of the Central District of California,” said Priya Purandare, Executive Director of NAPABA.
NAPABA thanks President Biden for nominating Judge Anne Hwang and Senators Padilla and Butler for supporting her nomination.
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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.
Are you a mid-career attorney seeking to cultivate your leadership style and build community? NAPABA invites you to apply for the 2024-25 NAPABA Leadership Advancement Program (LAP). This is your unique opportunity to transform as a leader, ground your career vision, and foster genuine relationships with peers within the profession.Learn more about this year-long experiential program. The deadline to apply is just three weeks away.
NAPABA provides its members with exclusive leadership opportunities like this to help members raise their professional profile and develop leadership skills. As a current NAPABA Member, we urge you to apply for this preeminent program.
If you know someone who would be interested in this opportunity, forward them this email.
Contact: Rahat N. Babar, Deputy Executive Director for Policy
WASHINGTON – In the ongoing litigation against Florida’s discriminatory alien land law (“SB 264”), the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit granted a preliminary injunction yesterday in favor of two of the plaintiffs and halted enforcement of the law against them. In temporarily blocking SB 264, the court held that the plaintiffs demonstrated a substantial likelihood that the statute is preempted by federal law and that they have shown an imminent risk that the law would cause them irreparable harm. The plaintiffs, lawfully present Chinese immigrants, first brought the suit because they were stymied in their efforts to purchase homes when the law went into effect.
“We are grateful that the court recognized the real harm that discriminatory statutes such as SB 264 are imposing on the Asian American community,” said Anna Mercado Clark, President of NAPABA. “As litigation continues, NAPABA will continue to oppose alien land laws, whether in the halls of Congress, in statehouses, or in court, until these discriminatory policies return to the dustbin of history, where they belong.”
In a robust concurrence, Judge Nancy Abudu acknowledged that “SB 264 was enacted for the specific purpose of targeting people of Chinese descent.” Judge Abudu concluded that the plaintiffs have shown a substantial likelihood that statute also violated the Equal Protection Clause of the United States Constitution. In doing so, Judge Abudu excoriated the District Court’s fraught reliance on the widely discredited century-old Terrace v. Thompson, 263 U.S. 197 (1923), case, determining that it “may have had support in 1923, but it is now 2024” and such laws are now subject to strict scrutiny.
NAPABA, together with its four Florida affiliates, joined an amicus brief before the Eleventh Circuit in the case, continuing our long history for over a decade of leading efforts to overcome the state’s legacy of anti-Asian alien land laws. This includes when Florida became the last state in the United States over five years ago to abolish such discriminatory language from its constitution, only to enact SB 264 last year. Throughout the country, NAPABA and its affiliates continue to fight these discriminatory measures through legislative advocacy and educating lawmakers and the wider public on the painful history and legal implications of wrongfully restricting the property rights of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities.
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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.
Prudential Financial, Inc. in Partnership with NAPABA
NAPABA is pleased to partner with Prudential Financial, Inc. (Prudential) to provide a meaningful summer internship opportunity for a highly motivated first-year law student. Through this partnership, NAPABA and Prudential will select a student to join the 2024 summer law intern class at Prudential.
The summer internship will provide interns with the opportunity to work with attorneys who support the broad reach of Prudential’s businesses.
The 1L summer internship will run for 10 weeks, from May 28th to August 2nd, 2024. The starting hourly wage in this position will be $31.00. In addition, if an intern works beyond their standard regular schedule, they will be compensated for all time worked including, where applicable, overtime.
The program will be hybrid at Prudential’s Newark, NJ location. A minimum of 2-3 days a week will be in the office for general intern programming.
Deadline to apply: 5:00 pm EST on Monday, January 22, 2024
If you have any questions, please contact Naomi Mortensen, Strategic Partnerships Manager. All correspondence must include “Prudential Internship” in the subject line.
Prudential and its affiliates are Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employers and are committed to diversity in our workforce.
