| There’s one week left to apply as in-house counsel as part of NAPABA Connects, an exclusive program available to in-house counsel convention registrants and Solo and Small Firm, Gold, or higher-level firm sponsors. Through NAPABA Connects, diverse law firm attorneys are given a forum to meet one-on-one with in-house counsel to make meaningful connections and cultivate a business relationship. In-house counsel can grow their diverse preferred provider portfolios. In-house counsel and law firm participants will be matched for one-on-one meetings during NAPABA Convention. All participants are invited to attend the exclusive Sponsor Breakfast and NAPABA Connects VIP Reception during the NAPABA Convention December 9-12, 2021. To participate as in-house counsel, you must fill out NAPABA’s brief application form. You can be matched with diverse law firm attorneys to cultivate new business relationships, or you may choose from a list of participating firms to expand your network with existing provider firms who may be in your preferred network. NAPABA will also send a list of all certified minority or women-owned firms to participating companies that may already have a preferred provider firm list. The deadline to submit an IHC application is August 25 at 8 pm ET. For questions, please contact Operations Director, Maureen Gelwicks, at [email protected]. NAPABA Connects participants are eligible to receive a $750 reimbursement to the 2021 NAPABA Convention. You are encouraged to register by September 20, NAPABA’s early bird deadline. Attendees of the NAPABA Convention can earn up to 14 hours of CLE Credit, which will be focused on changes unfolding in this turbulent year as well as challenges lawyers have faced for decades. |
In the News: Paul, Weiss Partners Jeannie Rhee, Lawrence Wee, and Jennifer Wu Offer Advice to Young Asian American Lawyers in “For Asian American Lawyers, Good Mentorship Is Crucial”
In “For Asian American Lawyers, Good Mentorship Is Crucial,” a Law360 Guest Column published on August 16, Paul, Weiss partners Jeannie Rhee, Lawrence Wee, and Jennifer Wu discussed the importance of mentorships and common setbacks and stereotypes faced by Asian American lawyers. Wee and Wu are both AABANY members. Wee is a co-chair of AABANY’s Corporate Law Committee and a former AABANY Board Director, while Wu is a co-chair of the AABANY’s Women’s Committee. Rhee, Wee, and Wu stated that finding good mentors is vital for professional development and career advancement, but also took care to note that the mentor-mentee relationship is two-sided. The authors recommended that mentees find ways to anticipate their mentors’ needs and assist them, while also encouraging mentors to be good listeners and step into their mentees’ shoes. While they maintained that these relationships can help young lawyers learn to manage some challenges associated with being an Asian American in the legal profession, they also recommended that Asian American lawyers should seek out a range of mentors, whether they share the same cultural background or not.
As mentors, Rhee, Wee, and Wu encouraged younger lawyers to take risks, speak up during meetings and challenging cases, and actively seek out promotions and leadership opportunities, especially since Asian Americans can be seen as risk-averse and face obstacles such as the bamboo ceiling. The authors also cautioned young Asian American lawyers, warning them that they will encounter stereotypes and that not everyone would acknowledge that they are minorities. However, they urged young Asian American lawyers to be their best, most authentic selves and to engage in positive, open communication about race-related issues. They also encouraged Asian American lawyers to become active in affinity groups and seek out organizations dedicated to the Asian American community and the career advancement of Asian American lawyers. The link to the full article is here.
AABANY Members: Storytelling Arts Seeks Applicants for its Board of Trustees
Based in Hunterdon County, NJ, Storytelling Arts is a nonprofit community of storytellers and teaching artists who share the ancient art of oral storytelling with contemporary audiences. Diverse and inclusive stories open the door to rich discussions about relevant and often difficult issues we all face, especially during these challenging times. Storytelling Arts is currently seeking up to four (4) additional trustees, each of whom would serve a three-year term.
Currently, they have plans for increasing their roster of dynamic storytellers, teaching artists, and performers; expanding their program offerings; connecting with influencers, academics, and the theater community; and securing sustaining and multi-year funding for both operational and programmatic needs.
If contributing your time and services to help lead a relevant and responsive nonprofit organization that makes significant impacts throughout New Jersey sounds like something that you would find exciting and gratifying, please see the position description linked here and feel free to contact Theo Cheng at [email protected] for more details.
NAPABA Co-Sponsors Resolution on Hate Crimes Adopted by the American Bar Association in Historic First
WASHINGTON – The National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) applauds the American Bar Association’s (ABA) adoption of Resolution 514, which calls for Federal, State, local, territorial, and tribal jurisdictions that have not already done so to enact bias-motivated crime legislation to encompass arson, trespass, mischief, harassment, intimidation, and other criminal conduct as predicate acts of hate crimes. This is the first ABA resolution that NAPABA has co-sponsored in its history, and it comes at a critical juncture in the history of our country as the nation confronts the twin scourges of both the pandemic and a precipitous rise in anti-Asian American hate crimes and incidents. “The number of reported hate crimes and incidents represents only the tip of the iceberg,” said NAPABA President A.B. Cruz III and NAPABA Past President Wendy Shiba, who serves as NAPABA’s delegate before the ABA’s House of Delegates, in a joint statement. “Racism, xenophobia, and hate crimes have been on the rise not only against Asian Americans, but against other groups of color and religion as well. This resolution recognizes that we are not alone in our suffering, and that a consistent, nationwide approach to battling bias-motivated crimes and improving the reporting and collection of data about such acts is required.”
The Resolution also urges all jurisdictions to enact civil remedies for victims to recover damages for bias-motivated crimes and urges all jurisdictions to require data collection on bias-motivated crimes and to adequately fund law enforcement best practices, policies, training on data collection, and victim services in response to such crimes. NAPABA extends its gratitude to the ABA’s Section of Civil Rights and Social Justice and to all the co-sponsors who have championed adoption of this resolution.
In addition to co-sponsorship of Resolution 514, this session NAPABA also co-sponsored Resolution 102, which urges members of the legal profession to devote at least 20 hours each year to efforts to advance and promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in the legal profession; and Resolution 801, urging support for the U.S. Department of the Interior’s Federal Indian Boarding School Initiative, which was launched after the discovery in the United States and Canada of unmarked mass gravesites at boarding schools designed to forcibly assimilate indigenous children. The Federal Indian Boarding School Initiative is designed to investigate, locate, and record such burial sites as well as to study the historical legacy of such schools. NAPABA is grateful to the other co-sponsors and leaders of these important efforts before the ABA House of Delegates, including by NAPABA Past President Jin Y. Hwang, who as NAPABA’s representative to the ABA’s Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Council and Chair of the Council’s Policy Innovation and Resolution Incubator Subcommittee, co-authored and co-shepherded Resolution 102.
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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 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. |
AABANY Teams up with AAIFF to Promote Two Films During AAIFF’s 44th Film Festival
This year, AABANY is teaming up with the Asian American International Film Festival to promote two films, A Rifle and a Bag and Americanish, during AAIFF’s film festival, which will run from August 11 – 22. AABANY members receive a 20% discount for all VOD screenings if they use the code AAIFF44_AABANY.
This year’s festival is a hybrid festival, mixing online screenings and live-streamed events with select in-person events. You can watch from home with an internet connection. Most films are available for viewing throughout the U.S. and Canada unless otherwise noted. You can access AAIFF’s full list of films and in-person events and screenings at this link:
A Rifle and a Bag
Somi and her husband are striving to forge a new identity after fighting alongside the Naxalites, a communist guerrilla group that has been waging war on the Indian State since the 60’s. After a decade of armed struggle for the rights of their tribal communities, the couple deserted the movement and surrendered to the police. Ever since, they have been trying to educate their son and reconcile their violent past with the desire to integrate into Indian society.
Americanish
In Jackson Heights, Queens, career-driven sisters Maryam and Sam and their newly immigrated cousin Ameera must navigate the consistent and sometimes conflicting demands of romance, culture, work, and family. Serving both as a lighthearted reimagination of and critical divergence from the classic romantic comedy, AMERICANISH tackles and celebrates the complex intersectionalities of womanhood by welcoming us into the world—with all its joys and tribulations—of these three marriage-aged women.
Region Restrictions: Tri-State (NY, NJ, CT)
How Screenings Work:
All films are VOD – on demand. If purchasing tickets in advance, you will receive an access link via email when the film becomes available to view. For most films, this will be August 11. If purchasing tickets during the festival (August 11 – August 22, 2021), you will receive the access link immediately.
You may watch the film anytime during the festival (Aug 11 to Aug 22). Once you hit play, you will have 48 hours to finish watching the film. If you do not finish the film within those 48 hours, you will need to purchase another ticket. Please note that some films may have additional restrictions. Please read the Film/Event page for any additional restrictions. For more info, please click this link.
Congratulations to AABANY Member Shengyang Wu, on Receiving the New York Law Journal’s 2021 Rising Stars Award!
On August 4th, the New York Law Journal announced the winners of the coveted 2021 Rising Stars Award. This award recognizes the region’s most promising lawyers who are no older than 40 by the submission date. AABANY congratulates its member, Shengyang Wu, on being honored with this accolade. AABANY congratulates all recipients of this year’s NYLJ Rising Stars Award.
Shengyang is an attorney at Wenjie Sun and Associates, P.C. and a partner at Alpha Law. Shengyang also has volunteered at AABANY’s Pro Bono Clinic and is a panelist on AABANY’s Legal Referral and Information Service. AABANY commends Shengyang on his impressive professional achievements and the promise that he has demonstrated thus far in his career.
To read the official announcement in the New York Law Journal, click here.
AABANY Members: Applications for the U.S. Department of Justice Attorney General’s Honors Program and Summer Law Intern Program are now open!
The U.S. Department of Justice Office of Attorney Recruitment and Management is excited to announce that the Attorney General’s Honors Program (HP) and Summer Law Intern Program (SLIP) application is now open. The deadline for receipt of applications is Wednesday, September 8, 2021, at 11:59 PM ET. Applications must be submitted via the online application. There are many exciting opportunities throughout DOJ, including entry-level attorney positions (permanent and term-limited) as well as paid summer legal internships.
Detailed information about the HP and SLIP, including offices participating and the number of available positions, can be found at:
- HP: https://www.justice.gov/legal-careers/entry-level-attorneys
- SLIP: https://www.justice.gov/legal-careers/summer-law-intern-program
- Application Tips: https://www.justice.gov/legal-careers/application-tips-and-checklist.
Information about all of DOJ’s legal hiring programs, including experienced attorney hiring and volunteer internships, is online at https://www.justice.gov/legal-careers. The Department places a high value on diversity of experiences and perspectives and encourages applications from qualified candidates from all ethnic and racial backgrounds, veterans, LGBT individuals, and persons with disabilities.
NAPABA Congratulates Todd Kim on his Confirmation as Assistant Attorney General for Environment and Natural Resources
| Correction: NAPABA would like to note that Todd Kim is the second AAPI to serve as Assistant Attorney General for the U.S. Department of Justice Environment and Natural Resources Division. Shiro Kashiwa previously held the post from 1969-1972. WASHINGTON – The National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) congratulates Todd Sunhwae Kim on his confirmation to become Assistant Attorney General for the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) Environment and Natural Resources Division (ENRD). Mr. Kim will be the second Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) to helm the Division.“Todd Kim is intimately familiar with ENRD’s vast and varied portfolio and has the necessary experience to be ready on day one,” said A.B. Cruz III, President of NAPABA. “NAPABA congratulates Mr. Kim on his confirmation to lead the DOJ’s efforts to protect this nation’s environment and natural resources.”Previously, Mr. Kim served as an attorney in the appellate section of ENRD where he argued appeals on behalf of the United States in all thirteen U.S. Circuit Courts of Appeals. He ably represented ENRD’s interests, which span 10 sections and includes prevention and cleanup of pollution, land acquisition, protection of wildlife, management of public lands, protecting the rights and resources of federally recognized Indian tribes and their members, and prosecution of environmental crimes.In 2006, Mr. Kim was selected to serve as the first-ever Solicitor General for the District of Columbia, a position he held for over 11 years. Mr. Kim graduated from Harvard College and Harvard Law School and then clerked for the Honorable Judith Rogers on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia. He is an active member of NAPABA and the Asian Pacific American Bar Association of the Greater Washington, D.C. Area. |
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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 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. |
AABANY Members: CLE Opportunity – AAPF’s Critical Race Theory Summer School
AABANY Members:
In a few weeks the African American Policy Forum (led by Kimberlé Crenshaw and Luke Harris) presents the Critical Race Theory Summer School, which continues the tradition of everyday people coming together to envision and build a truly multiracial democracy. For example, the first CRT Summer School (pictured above) sowed seeds of scholarship and inclusion that many Americans have since found enlightening and transformative.
CLE credits are currently pending for this program, which features professors at Columbia Law School, UCLA law school, and other illustrious institutions. Summer School participants will gain knowledge, inspiration, and tools that can enhance their work advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in the legal profession.
Who should apply: The 2021 CRT Summer School is designed for lawyers and DEI practitioners. After five days of enlightening lectures and engaging breakout sessions, participants will have a firm grasp of CRT’s foundational concepts as well as toolkits, messaging guides, and a network of allies to sustain one another as we progress toward racial equity.
This year’s dedicated faculty include:
Core faculty – Kimberlé Crenshaw, Luke Charles Harris, Devon Carbado, Sumi Cho, Daniel Martinez HoSang, and Gary Peller.
Associate faculty: Barbara Arnwine, David Blight, Bennett Capers, Jennifer Chacón, Anthony Cook, Jesse Hagopian, Justin Hansford, Cheryl Harris, Tanya Hernández, Emily Houh, CJ Hunt, Gloria Ladson-Billings, Chris Lehmann, Bradley Mason, Melissa Murray, Viet Thanh Nguyen, Priscilla Ocen, Russell Robinson, Jason Stanley, Alvin Starks, Courtney Symone Staton, David Stovall, Kirsten West Savali, Robert A. Williams, and Ezra Young
Apply to the 2021 CRT Summer School now to gain access to the “forbidden knowledge” of critical race theory and learn more about how you can be part of the solution in the legal profession. Since we expect seats to fill up quickly, we encourage you to apply now at https://www.aapf.org/crtsummerschool.
Congresswoman Grace Meng Secures Millions to Help Implement Her Hate Crimes Act Recently Signed into Law by President Biden
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Grace Meng (D-Queens) announced today that she secured $30 million in a key spending bill to expand provisions in her COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act, which President Biden signed into law on May 20th to help combat the ongoing hate and violence against Asian Americans and other impacted communities.
Meng attached the funding to the Commerce, Justice, Science Appropriations bill. The measure now heads to the House floor where it is expected to pass later this month. The money would be provided directly to community-based organizations to implement the COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act’s goal of community engagement, empowerment, and education. One of the major provisions in the new hate crimes law directs federal agencies to work with community-based organizations to raise awareness of hate crimes during the COVID-19 crisis.
“Community-based organizations are the heartbeat of our communities,” said Congresswoman Meng. “Since the beginning of the pandemic, they have been on the front lines standing against the rise in bigotry and attacks. They’ve worked tirelessly to help victims and stop this spike in discrimination and intolerance; and they have done all this under-resourced. As my COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act addresses the problem, we must be certain that community groups have the resources they need to carry out parts of the new law. I am so proud of the new $30 million grant program that would advance community-based approaches to addressing hate crimes. This vital funding would reinforce and expand the critical ground work that these community groups have been doing; it would help them scale up and expand out. I look forward to this funding being approved by the full House and passed by the Senate – so that our neighbors can live free from hate and violence.”
Community-based organizations and civil rights groups can use the funds for:
- Implementing and facilitating educational classes and community services for defendants convicted of hate crimes (directly related to the community harmed by the offensive).
- Culturally competent and linguistically appropriate public education campaigns on the collection of data and public reporting of hate crimes.
- Safety ambassadors to escort vulnerable community members in public places.
- In-language support for victims and/or surviving families of hate crimes including mental health support.
- Providing bystander, de-escalation trainings in multiple languages.
- Other community-based strategies deemed appropriate for communities of color and other vulnerable and historically disadvantaged communities.
The Commerce, Justice, Science spending bill funds the U.S. Department of Justice, Department of Commerce, and science-related initiatives. Meng is a senior member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies which determines the funding levels for the measure. The $30 million is allocated under a new grant program called “Community-Based Approaches to Advancing Justice.”
Other provisions of Meng’s COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act include, among other things, creating a position at the Department of Justice to facilitate expedited review of COVID-19 hate crimes, encouraging more reporting of incidents in multiple languages, and expanding public education campaigns aimed at raising awareness of hate crimes and reaching victims.
Meng reintroduced the COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act in March with Senator Mazie Hirono (D-HI). It was passed in Congress with overwhelming and bipartisan support; 364 to 62 in the House and of 94 to 1 in the Senate.
“The Community-based Approaches to Advancing Justice grant, championed by Congresswoman Grace Meng, recognizes that our communities are in crisis,” said Jo-Ann Yoo, Executive Director of the Asian American Federation. “Victims and their families continue to struggle to overcome the terrible physical, mental, and economic toll of hate violence: our seniors are terrified to step outside their doors, and parents are afraid to send their children to school even after months of isolation at home. While the nation’s attention may have shifted from the wave of violence that continues to batter our communities, we are still being called on every day to do the urgent work needed to protect them from further attacks. The Congresswoman clearly understands. This grant is an ambitious and necessary step to enhance and expand community engagement, empowerment, and education against hate. The Asian American Federation is hugely inspired by Congresswoman Grace Meng’s efforts. We thank her for her commitment to support and protect the millions of hard-working Asian Americans that continue to help our nation confront a global pandemic despite the bias they face.”
“Since the beginning of the pandemic, Rep. Meng’s leadership has been tireless and inspiring,” said Gregg Orton, National Director of the National Council of Asian Pacific Americans (NCAPA). “Her relentless pursuit of justice and greater opportunities for the Asian American community has resulted in meaningful progress in the fight against anti-Asian hate; and we are deeply appreciative of her willingness to work with us towards these solutions. The inclusion of a new grant program at DOJ that will support the work of community-based organizations responding to hate crimes comes at a critical time. So many of our community organizations, who were already under-resourced, have been pushed even further beyond their limits to respond to hate. This provision must be preserved by the Senate.”
“ADL applauds Congresswoman Meng and the Appropriations Committee in their continued efforts to fight against hate,” said Jonathan Greenblatt, CEO of the Anti-Defamation League (ADL). “We welcome the creation of the Community-Based Approaches to Advancing Justice grant program and similar initiatives. Congress and the Administration must continue to prioritize – and fully fund – community-driven, whole-of-society approaches to address all forms of hate.”
“Congresswoman Meng is to be congratulated for her commitment to non-carceral approaches to conflict resolution,” said Laura M. Esquivel, Vice President for Federal Policy and Advocacy at Hispanic Federation. “We urge support for the ‘Community-Based Approaches to Advancing Justice’ grant program which will directly fund trusted community-based groups to build stronger, safer communities through community empowerment and education.”
“It is a long time coming for dollars to assist in the work we struggle to accomplish,” said Ken Cohen, Regional Director of the NAACP New York State Conference Metropolitan Council. “The NAACP embraces the concept and hopes the funding will find its way to the Branches of New York City, New York State and the many other organizations that do this work with little or no funding.”
“The fight for justice must be community-led and organized. By securing a $30 million grant program for community-based organizations, Representative Grace Meng is taking the appropriate steps necessary to ensure that every city in America is safer tomorrow than it was yesterday,” said Alphonso David, President of the Human Rights Campaign. “Vulnerable communities across the country, including trans and non-binary people of color, will be better equipped to prevent and respond to hate crimes because of funding for community-based strategies. The Human Rights Campaign is proud to support this provision in the Commerce, Justice, and Science FY2022 appropriations bill and urges Congress to swiftly enact it into law.”
“SALDEF applauds U.S. Representative Grace Meng’s successful effort in securing $30 million in funding to expand provisions in the COVID 19 Hate Crimes Act, which will support community- based organizations’ engagement, empowerment and education initiatives in regard to hate crimes,” said Kiran Kaur Gill, Executive Director of the Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund (SALDEF). “This will directly help communities impacted by hate crimes and provide critical resources to support these efforts. As a community that has been disproportionately targeted by hate crimes, Sikh Americans understand the importance of addressing these issues head on and the consequences if they are gone unchecked. These resources are critical to curbing the discrimination and violence and, by allocating them to community-based organizations, they will go where they are most needed – on the front lines. We sincerely appreciate Representative Meng’s action on this issue. “
“AABANY is immensely appreciative of Congresswoman Meng’s leadership in combating anti-Asian hate,” said Terrence Shen, President of the Asian American Bar Association of New York (AABANY). “Providing these resources to AAPI community groups is critical because they have generally been underfunded, but nonetheless deeply connected to the AAPI community. These organizations have been doing critical work since early in the COVID-19 pandemic. The increased funding will meaningfully amplify their efforts.”
“This grant program demonstrates a commitment for community-based responses to anti-Asian hate and racism, and builds upon the historic COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act passed in May,” said John C. Yang, President and Executive Director of Asian Americans Advancing Justice | AAJC. “We are pleased that Congress will be funding community organizations that have the cultural competency to reach, serve, and support our diverse Asian American communities through mental health services, public education campaigns, training on how to respond to anti-Asian hate and harassment, and more. We thank Rep. Grace Meng for her strong and steadfast advocacy to ensure that Congress follows through on its promises to meet the needs of our communities. We also extend our appreciation to the organizations that have long been working, and have stepped up during the COVID-19 pandemic, to protect and support those who are the most vulnerable.”