In-House Counsel Application Extended until Aug. 12 at 5 p.m. ET

The in-house counsel (IHC) application for the NAPABA Connects Program has been extended until Monday, Aug. 12! NAPABA Connects will take place in Austin, TX at the 2019 NAPABA Convention from Nov. 7-10.  

Overview
NAPABA Connects is an opportunity for law firm Convention sponsors at silver ($10,000) or higher level and solo and small firm ($3,000) level to foster relationships with IHC. All participants are invited to exclusive touch points intended to provide Connects participants with exclusive networking opportunities in an informal social setting during the Convention. Solo and small firm sponsors and gold or higher level sponsors may participate in formal one-on-one meetings to discuss potential work opportunities. All program participants must be registered and attending the NAPABA Convention.    

Not a sponsor? Click here to learn more about partnering with NAPABA!

In-House Counsel Application and Participation
NAPABA will offer participating IHC a registration reimbursement in the amount of $720. Only one IHC from each company may receive a registration reimbursement for conducting two one-on-one meetings and attending one touch point. Reimbursements will be disbursed after the Convention as concluded.

Participants must have outside counsel hiring authority and will be invited to participate in the program only if they are selected by law firm participants for one-on-one meetings. 

Touch Points

  • Friday VIP Sponsor Breakfast | 8-9 am
  • Saturday NAPABA Connects Reception | 5-6 pm

CLICK HERE TO APPLY

Deadline for the NAPABA Prospective Partners Program (PPP), August 15

The deadline to submit an application for the NAPABA Prospective Partners Program (PPP) is two weeks from today! PPP aims to increase the number of Asian Pacific American partners at major law firms through introduction, mentorship, and relationship building. Between 2010 and 2018, 72 percent of PPP participants have been promoted to partner or moved to senior in-house positions—84 percent of them within two years of participation! 
Click here to read our success report

In anticipation of the program’s tenth year, the PPP is inviting candidate applications and nominations for participation in the PPP sessions taking place at the 2019 NAPABA Convention in Austin, TX from Nov. 7-10. The application will close on Aug. 15, 2019

Learn More and Apply Here

Marking the 30th Anniversary of AABANY’s Founding

Please join us in celebrating AABANY’s founding date on July 28, 1989—30 years ago. On this day, Steve T. Min, as Incorporator, filed a Certificate of Incorporation on behalf of AABANY with the State of New York. Then, on October 20, 1989 AABANY’s incorporation was announced, and attorneys interested in learning about AABANY were invited to an inaugural reception at New York University Law School on November 9, 1989.

We acknowledge with respect and gratitude Tony Cheh, Rockwell Chin, Glenn Ikeda, Yat T. Man, Steve Min, Serene K. Nakano, and many others for their visionary actions in establishing AABANY. Thank you to all of our past and present Presidents, Board Members, Committee Chairs, members, and friends for their continual support in improving the study and practice of law, and the fair administration of justice for all by ensuring the meaningful participation of Asian-Americans in the legal profession. Now one of the most prominent and active minority bar associations in New York, AABANY has well over 1,200 members, including practicing attorneys in the private and public sectors, in-house lawyers, judges, professors, and law students.

We thank everyone who is or has been a member of AABANY over the course of the last 30 years, and we invite to join our association everyone who shares AABANY’s mission of advancing Asian Americans, Pacific Islanders, South Asians and all diverse and under-represented groups in the legal profession in New York.

We encourage all non-members to take advantage of our vast network of attorneys and judges, our twenty-seven different committees, as well as the numerous CLE opportunities that we offer to our members. Please click here to either renew or sign up as an AABANY member.

NAPABA and MAABA Celebrate Judge George Draper III’s Appointment as Chief Justice of the Missouri Supreme Court

For Immediate Release
July 25, 2019
For More Information, Contact:
Navdeep Singh, Policy Director
202-775-9555; [email protected]

The National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) and the Missouri Asian American Bar Association (MAABA) celebrate the appointment of member and supporter the Honorable George W. Draper III as the Chief Justice of the Missouri Supreme Court.

Judge Draper was first appointed to the Missouri Supreme Court in 2011. He first joined the bench in Missouri in 1994. He is the second African American to serve as Chief Justice. He is a graduate of Morehouse College and received his law degree from Howard University. He and his wife, the Honorable Judy P. Draper, are members of the NAPABA Judicial Council.

“NAPABA extends warm congratulations to the Hon. George W. Draper III, on his recent appointment, on his recent appointment as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Missouri. The second African American judge to serve on Missouri’s high court, Judge Draper has been outstanding in his support of diversity and inclusion in the state’s legal community, and a long-time friend to NAPABA and its Missouri affiliate, MAABA,” said NAPABA President Daniel Sakaguchi.

“We congratulate Judge Draper on his appointment as the Chief Justice of the Missouri Supreme Court. Judge Draper has been a stalwart supporter of MAABA since its inception, and we have confidence he will continue to be a fair and impartial judge and to protect the rights of all Missourians,” said Frances Barbieri, president of MAABA.

NAPABA Judicial Council Chair the Hon. Benes Aldana (Ret.) said, “We are so proud of our friend, Justice George Draper, who recently became the newest Chief Justice of Missouri. Throughout his career, Chief Justice Draper has exhibited steadfast commitment to safeguard individual rights on an equal basis for all. He is widely respected for his inclusive leadership and he has served as a role model and inspiration for many in the legal profession. We look forward to continuing our great relationship with him and his wife, Judge Judy Draper, both members of the NAPABA Judicial Council.”

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The National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) is the national association of Asian Pacific American (APA) attorneys, judges, law professors, and law students. NAPABA represents the interests of over 50,000 attorneys and over 80 national, state, and local bar associations. Its members include solo practitioners, large firm lawyers, corporate counsel, legal services and non-profit attorneys, and lawyers serving at all levels of government. NAPABA engages in legislative and policy advocacy, promotes APA political leadership and political appointments, and builds coalitions within the legal profession and the community at large. NAPABA also serves as a resource for government agencies, members of Congress, and public service organizations about APAs in the legal profession, civil rights, and diversity in the courts.

To learn more about NAPABA, visit www.napaba.org, like us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter (@NAPABA).

GSPI and Prosecutors Committees Co-Sponsor July Membership Mixer

On Thursday, July 18, 2019, AABANY’s Membership Committee, Government Service & Public Interest (GSPI) Committee, and Prosecutors Committee hosted a Membership Mixer with members, colleagues, and friends at Stout NYC on West 33rd Street. 

Members and non-members alike enjoyed reconnecting with familiar faces and building new relationships. We filled an entire side room in the cellar of Stout. The date of the mixer coincided with the birthday of former Prosecutors Committee Co-Chair Helen Ahn, who sadly passed away last November. To read the tribute to her in the Winter 2018 issue of The Advocate, click here. The Prosecutors Committee brought a birthday cake to mark the occasion and to honor Helen’s memory.

The Membership Committee held a special raffle. To be eligible for prizes, attendees had to follow AABANY’s Instagram account and post about the Membership Mixer. A special shout out to Jimei Hon and Melanie Rios for winning free memberships, and Abraham Lee for winning an international whiskey flight courtesy of BARO by Chefs Society.

To learn more about the GSPI Committee, go here. To learn more about the Prosecutors Committee, go here.

Join the Membership Committee and the Prosecutors Committee for an outing to watch a Yankees game at Yankee Stadium on August 16. To view the event, click here.

NAPABA Extends Condolences on the Passing of U.S. Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens

For Immediate Release
July 17, 2019
For More Information, Contact:
Navdeep Singh, Policy Director
202-775-9555; [email protected]

The National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) extends its sincere condolences to the family of retired United States Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens, who passed away on July 16th in Florida at the age of 99. He was the longest-lived Supreme Court justice in United States history. Justice Stevens was appointed by President Gerald Ford in 1975 and served until 2010. His thirty-five year tenure on the bench made him the third-longest-serving Justice in the history of the Court.

“Justice Stevens had a significant impact on the United States and our understanding of the law and its evolution,” said NAPABA President, Daniel Sakaguchi. “He was part of and authored decisions in landmark cases that came before the Supreme Court. He will be remembered for his impartial commitment to the rule of law, his efforts to safeguard principals of liberty and equality and his dedicated service to the country, both on the bench and as veteran of World War II.”

###

The National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) is the national association of Asian Pacific American (APA) attorneys, judges, law professors, and law students. NAPABA represents the interests of over 50,000 attorneys and over 80 national, state, and local bar associations. Its members include solo practitioners, large firm lawyers, corporate counsel, legal services and non-profit attorneys, and lawyers serving at all levels of government. NAPABA engages in legislative and policy advocacy, promotes APA political leadership and political appointments, and builds coalitions within the legal profession and the community at large. NAPABA also serves as a resource for government agencies, members of Congress, and public service organizations about APAs in the legal profession, civil rights, and diversity in the courts.

To learn more about NAPABA, visit www.napaba.org, like us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter (@NAPABA).

St. John’s University School of Law’s Symposium Invitation

Thanks to Prof. Elaine Chiu, Co-Chair of AABANY’s Academic Committee and professor at St. John’s University School of Law, for sharing this announcement with us.

A Review of Professor Tanya Hernández’s Acclaimed Book:

Multiracials and Civil Rights: Mixed-Race Stories of Discrimination

On behalf of the St. John’s University School of Law’s Journal of Civil Rights and Economic Development, along with the Ron Brown Center for Civil Rights, St. John’s enthusiastically invites you to be a part of their next symposium issue. They are proud to announce that their Journal will be working with Fordham Law Professor Tanya Hernández. Professor Hernández recently published her acclaimed book, Multiracial and Civil Rights: Mixed-Race Stories of Discrimination, and they want to continue the important scholarship, analysis, and dialogue that her book inspires.

The Journal is calling for any and all writers to provide a serious commentary to Professor Hernández’s inspirational book. Commentaries can be a short essay or a longer book review. Professor Hernández will review all commentary and provide a written collective response.

If you are interested, please provide a short abstract of your commentary.  All entries would be reviewed by the Journal’s editorial board. The editorial board will promptly notify authors who are accepted for publication in the Journal.

The editorial board is reviewing submissions on a rolling basis. If you are interested, please send the following information to [email protected].

·       Your name, title, and professional affiliation;

·       Your curriculum vitae/resume;

·       Your contact details including phone number and email address;

·       A one to two page abstract summarizing your essay or review and indicating what your expected page length will be.

Submission Deadlines:

Abstract Deadline: August 15, 2019

Selected Author Notification Date: September 15, 2019

Essay/Book Review Deadline: December 31, 2019

If you have any questions about this call for papers or the Journal of Civil Rights and Economic Development, please contact the Research and Symposium Director, Matthew Harnish, at [email protected].

AALFNY/AABANY Summer Reception at Paul Hastings LLP

On July 2nd, at Paul Hastings LLP, AABANY and AALFNY held their annual Summer Reception, featuring Hon. William Tong, Attorney General of the State of Connecticut, as the event’s distinguished guest speaker, and the recognition of AALFNY’s fellowship recipients. 

Sylvia Chin, President of AALFNY, delivered the opening remarks, introducing AALFNY’s board members and thanking all attendees for their support and contributions to both organizations. AABANY Executive Director Yang Chen followed up with the introduction of the AABANY board members as well as AABANY’s interns. 

After opening remarks, Sylvia recognized the recipient of AALFNY/SABANY Public Internship Fellowship, Vaishali S. Ramlal (New England Law School ‘20), who is working this summer with the Bronx Public Defenders.

AABANY also congratulates the law students who were selected for the 2019 Sonia and Celina Sotomayor Judicial Internship Program in the greater New York area. AABANY proudly supports the SCSJIP as a partner bar association. Many of this year’s SCSJIP interns attended the reception.

The event’s guest speaker, Hon. William Tong, is the first Chinese-American appointed attorney general in United States history. He delivered a heartfelt address that discussed his past and the future of immigration in the United States. He discussed his humble beginnings as a cook in his family restaurant. From his own personal experiences to the current state of immigration in the United States, AG Tong invited the audience to reflect on what was happening to immigrants trying to enter the country today. He asked, “What would have happened to my family if my parents came to the U.S. under today’s laws?” The right to claim asylum, he argued, should be given to anyone seeking the aid of the United States. 

The event concluded with attendees mingling over food and drinks provided by Paul Hastings. We thank Paul Hastings for hosting the annual Summer Reception and all the attendees for joining us for a memorable evening.

Congratulations to Meredith Miller on Being Elected as President of the Network of Bar Leaders

AABANY congratulates Meredith Miller, member of the LGBT Bar Association of Greater New York , and Founder of Miller Law, PLLC, on her election as President of the Network of Bar Leaders for the upcoming year. Many congratulations for the rest of the elected leadership as well. AABANY is a proud member of the Network of Bar Leaders, and we are pleased to recognize Margaret Ling, AABANY’s Director of Development, as a member of the Network of Bar Leaders’ Executive Council.

Congratulations to Bridgette Ahn, Immediate Past President of the Network of Bar Leaders, for a spectacular year as President. We are proud to count her as an AABANY member!

President
Meredith R. Miller
Member Organization: LGBT Bar Association of Greater New York  

First Vice President
Yacine Barry-Wun 
Member Organization: New York Women’s Bar Association

Second Vice President
Eve GuillerganMember Organization: Korean American Lawyers Association of Greater New York

Treasurer
Michael Kohan 
Member Organization:  Queens County Bar Association

Recording Secretary
Edwina F. Martin 
Member Organization: Staten Island Women’s Bar Association

Corresponding Secretary
Denisse Mira  Organization: Hispanic National Bar Association 

Executive Council
Gloribelle Perez, Dominican Bar Association 
William F. Dahill, Federal Bar Association
Domenick Napoletano, Brooklyn Bar Association
Ron Katter, Jewish Lawyers Guild
Margaret Ling, Asian American Bar Association of New York 
Jason Clark, Metropolitan Black Bar Association Hon. Jeffrey Levin, New Rochelle Bar Association  
Tanya Blocker, Association of Black Women Attorneys   
Bridgette Y. Ahn, Immediate Past President (Mandatory Position)

The 2019 NAPABA Prospective Partners Program is Now Accepting Applications

In anticipation of the program’s tenth year, the NAPABA Prospective Partners Program (PPP) is inviting candidate applications and nominations for participation in the PPP sessions taking place at the 2019 NAPABA Convention in Austin, TX from Nov. 7-10. The application will close on Aug. 15, 2019

The PPP aims to increase the number of Asian Pacific American partners at major law firms through introduction, mentorship, and relationship building. Between 2010 and 2018, 72 percent of PPP participants have been promoted to partner or moved to senior in-house positions—84 percent of them within two years of participation! Click here to read their success report. 

Learn More and Apply Here