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NAPABA and MNAPABA Condemn Attacks on Minnesota Lawmaker

For Immediate Release:
Date: June 15, 2025		Contact
Rahat N. Babar, Deputy Executive Director

WASHINGTON – In the early morning hours of Saturday, June 14, an armed perpetrator shot two Minnesota state legislators and their respective spouses in the suburbs outside of Minneapolis.  State Representative Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, died. State Senator John A. Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, survived and sustained injuries from the attack. The Governor of Minnesota called the events “an act of targeted political violence.”

The National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) and the Minnesota Asian Pacific American Bar Association (MNAPABA) unequivocally condemn these horrific attacks. We send our heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of the victims, along with the people of Minnesota.

Our democracy must not tolerate acts of political violence. They are antithetical to the core values of our community and our Nation. The rule of law demands the peaceful resolution of our differences, whether it be through our institutions like the courts or at the ballot box. Despite the intensity of our public discourse, we cannot forget our common humanity.

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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 over 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.

The Minnesota Asian Pacific American Bar Association (MNAPABA) is a community of Minnesota Asian Pacific American and Asian lawyers that supports one another, celebrates each others’ accomplishments, creates opportunities for dialogue on issues of importance to APAs, and highlights APA issues to the legal community at large. MNAPABA (formerly NAPABA-MN) is an affiliate of the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA).

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Thank You to Our Volunteers at the June 4th Pro Bono Clinic in Queens

We would like to express our sincere gratitude to AABANY, the Asian American Law Fund of New York (AALFNY), AABANY’s Pro Bono & Community Service (PBCS) Committee, Asian Americans for Equality (AAFE), and our dedicated volunteers for contributing to the success of our pro bono legal clinic in Queens on June 4, 2025. Thanks to your support, our team of volunteers was able to meet with 15 clients and provide assistance on a range of legal issues, including housing and real property, consumer debt, family and matrimonial matters, and civil litigation.

Our volunteer attorneys and interpreters demonstrated great care and expertise in addressing the concerns of our clients. They offered clear explanations and effectively connected individuals with appropriate legal resources through AABANY’s Legal Referral and Information Service (LRIS).

We remain dedicated to providing services in both Mandarin and Cantonese to ensure we can continue to support individuals facing linguistic or cultural barriers when seeking legal guidance.

We would like to acknowledge the contributions of our volunteer attorneys at the June 4th Queens Pro Bono Clinic:

Volunteer Attorneys
Wendy (Wen-Hsien) Cheng
Kevin Hsi
Richard In
David Mou
Johnny Thach
May Wong
Gary Yeung
Jungeun Yu
Meng Zhang
Interpreters/Shadowers
Nikita Kohli
Emily Lai
Christine Shea
Albert Tong

We invite you to join us for our upcoming pro bono clinics:

  • June 18 [Manhattan link here], from 6:30 – 8:30pm, AAFE Community Center, 111 Norfolk Street, NY, NY 10002 
  • July 12 [Brooklyn link here], from 12:30 – 3:30pm, CPC Brooklyn Community Services, 4101 8th Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11232
  • August 6 [Queens link here], from 6:30 – 8:30pm, One Flushing Community Center, 133-29 41st Ave, 2nd Floor, Flushing, NY 11355

Thank you once again for your commitment to pro bono service and for making a meaningful difference in our community.

We look forward to your participation in our future clinics! 

To learn more about the Pro Bono & Community Service Committee, visit  probono.aabany.org.

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2025 NAPABA Awards | Celebrating Last Year’s Honorees

Join Us As We Celebrate Our Community

Each year, NAPABA celebrates legal professionals and organizations whose work exemplifies excellence, impact, and leadership in service of the Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) community. This year’s honorees will join an illustrious list of past recipients—Vice President Kamala Harris, U.S. Senator Mazie Hirono, Rear Admiral A.B. Cruz III (ret. USN), former Principal Deputy Solicitor General of the United States Neal Katyal, Executive Vice President, General Counsel & Secretary of Medtronic Ivan Fong, former Mayor of San Francisco Edwin Mah Lee (posthumous), Ambassador Gary Locke, Ambassador Katherine Tai, civil rights attorney Dale Minami, Chief Justice Tani Cantil-Sakauye, Chief Judge Sri Srinivasan, Judge Amul Thapar, President of Queens College Frank Wu, and activist and author Helen Zia to name a few—whose achievements have shaped the legal profession and advanced justice nationwide.

With award presentations now thoughtfully spread across the NAPABA Convention to create more meaningful moments of celebration, there’s never been a better time to nominate someone whose work inspires you. Let’s shine a spotlight on the leaders shaping our future.

View This Year’s Award Categories

2024 Award Honorees

2024 President’s Award

Nancy P. LeePriya PurandareWendy C. Shiba

INSPIRE Award

Military & Veteran Service Award

In-House Counsel Leadership Award

Don LiuMarty LorenzoHannah Kim

In-House Counsel Leadership Rising Star

Pro Bono Service
Award

Public Sector
Leadership Award

Stephanie Chu ClausenMuhammad FaridiJin Hee Lee

Women’s Leadership
Award

Manisha M. Sheth

Affiliate of the Year

APA-Owned Law Firm of the Year

Law Firm Community Champion

Daniel K. Inouye Trailblazer Awards

Joseph J. Centeno

Robert S. Chang

The Honorable Leslie E. Kobayashi

The Honorable Goodwin LiuChristy Goldsmith Romero

Best Under 40 Award

Onchantho Am

Aaron Bains

Aaron Bains

Nyssa P. ChopraMinsuk Han

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AABANY IP Committee Enjoys Malaysian Cuisine at May Dinner

On Monday, May 12, 2025, the AABANY Intellectual Property Committee hosted its monthly dinner, this time at Rasa, a Malaysian restaurant located in Greenwich Village. Members and guests gathered to enjoy an evening of flavorful food and engaging conversation.

The dinner provided a relaxed and friendly setting for attendees to connect with others who share an interest in intellectual property law. Participants ranged from seasoned IP practitioners to law students and newcomers to the legal field. The event was open to both AABANY members and non-members, and several first-time attendees joined the group—bringing new energy and fresh perspectives to the table.

Over plates of satay, roti, and nasi lemak, conversations covered recent developments in IP law, career paths in the field, and opportunities for collaboration within the AABANY community. The dinner also offered a great chance for committee members to catch up and welcome new faces into the fold.

Thank you to everyone who attended and helped make the evening a success! The IP Committee looks forward to hosting more dinners and events in the coming months. New members are always welcome—bring a friend and join us next time!

To learn more about the IP Committee and how you can participate, visit the IP Committee’s page on the AABANY website.

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Applications Open: 2025 ADR Institute & Prospective Partners Program

NAPABA programs are designed to accelerate your career growth and provide opportunities to build relationships with mentors and peers — and two of these member-exclusive programs are now accepting applications.  

ADR INSTITUTE

The Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Institute is a multi-day career and skills development program designed to provide a broad overview and hands-on training for those interested in pursuing a career in the in-demand ADR field. Whether you’re looking to integrate ADR into your current legal practice or aiming to become a full-time mediator or arbitrator, this program is for you.

Led by the NAPABA Dispute Resolution Committee and featuring instruction from ADR thought leaders and guidance from top organizations like JAMS, AAA, and CPR, the Institute offers:

  • Foundational and advanced ADR training
  • Mentorship and insights from leading neutrals
  • Networking with professionals committed to advancing the field
  • A potential boost for those interested in becoming an ADR provider

Deadline to Apply: July 9, 2025

Learn More about the ADR Institute

PROSPECTIVE PARTNERS PROGRAM

This program is a unique opportunity for senior associates and of counsel attorneys who are on the cusp of partnership. Now in its fourteenth year, PPP aims to increase the number of NAPABA member partners at major law firms through strategic mentorship, introductions, and relationship building. Through this program, participants:

  • Pitch to real in-house counsel and receive immediate feedback to improve their skills
  • Are paired with law firm partner mentors
  • Build lasting connections that support career advancement and business development

Over 80% of past participants now hold leadership roles in law firms, companies, and throughout government. This is a low-risk, high-reward opportunity to practice and grow.

Deadline to Apply: July 9, 2025

Learn More about the PPP

Note: Registration for the NAPABA Convention is required to participate in both programs.

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2025 NAPABA Lobby Day

NAPABA hosted its annual Lobby Day on May 20-21, 2025, bringing together members of our community from across the country to Washington, DC. During meetings with Congressional representatives, attorneys, law students, and community leaders advocated for supporting the AANHPI community, advancing a fair and humane immigration system, defending the rule of law and legal profession, and advancing democracy and civil rights.

60+ Meetings20+ States Represented (plus the
District of Columbia and Guam)

Highlights of Our Lobby Day Include:

Robust Representation
With our participants hailing from over 20 states, the District of Columbia, and Guam taking part in over 60 meetings with congressional offices on both sides of the aisle, NAPABA demonstrated its strength and its commitment to amplifying AANHPI voices in the halls of power.

Advocacy Training
Prior to the meetings, we organized targeted training sessions to equip our participants with the necessary tools and strategies to effectively communicate our policy priorities.

Policy Priorities
Throughout our meetings, we tackled issues critical to the AANHPI community. We advocated for language access protections, opposed discriminatory measures like anti-Asian alien land laws, and supported teaching AANHPI history in schools, including recognizing the legacy of Fred Korematsu. We backed voting rights legislation, LGBTQ+ rights, and funding for legal services. We called for the protections of judges, the right to counsel in immigration settings, and supporting asylum seekers.

Our priorities during Lobby Day reflected the day-to-day policy developments impacting the AANHPI community. Most recently, on May 28, the federal government announced that it would “aggressively revoke visas for Chinese students.” During Lobby Day, we opposed legislation that would impose an outright ban on the issuance of student visas to any citizen of China. Such policies are a relic of history and harken to the 1800s when our communities endured discriminatory laws like the Chinese Exclusion Act. They were wrong then, and they remain wrong today.

Meaningful Engagements
We met with numerous lawmakers and their staff, fostering meaningful dialogues, and building relationships that will be instrumental in advancing our policy objectives. Our Lobby Day participants skillfully articulated our positions, presented compelling arguments, and shared personal stories to humanize the issues that we face. On the evening before our training at our Congressional Reception on Capitol Hill, our participants heard from leaders directly, including Sen. Mazie Hirono (HI), Rep. Ted Lieu (CA-36), and Rep. Grace Meng (NY-06). Our participants also heard from Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-08) during the debrief session.

Regardless of the political dynamics in the Nation’s capital, NAPABA demonstrated its power during Lobby Day. Our members fanned out on the Capitol grounds, engaged with key Congressional offices, and called for their elected representatives to support policies that advance our communities. We are the national voice of the AANHPI legal community, and we stand for the rule of law. Learn more about NAPABA’s advocacy at napaba.org/page/advocacy.

Visit Our Advocacy Page
Visit Our Organizational Statements

Thank You to Our Host

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Thank You to Our Volunteers at the May 31st Pro Bono Clinic in Brooklyn

We extend our sincere gratitude to Volunteers, AABANY, Asian American Law Fund of New York (AALFNY), AABANY’s Pro Bono and Community Service (PBCS) Committee, and the Chinese-American Planning Council, for your invaluable contributions to the Pro Bono Legal Clinic held in Brooklyn on May 31, 2025. Thanks to your dedication, we were able to assist 21 clients with a wide range of legal concerns, including housing, matrimonial and family law, probate, personal injury, workers’ compensation, immigration, tax, business fraud, public benefits, and civil litigation.

Our volunteer attorneys and interpreters demonstrated exceptional patience and commitment in addressing client questions, offering guidance, and connecting them with further legal support through AABANY’s Legal Referral and Information Service (LRIS). We are proud to offer our services in both Mandarin and Cantonese, allowing us to continue our mission of providing crucial support to individuals facing linguistic or cultural barriers in accessing quality legal care.

Thank you to our volunteer attorneys at the May 31st Brooklyn Pro Bono Clinic:

Volunteer Attorneys
Francis Chin
Jenny Dai
Kwok Ng
Shuyao Wang
Yilan Wang
May Wong
Gary Yeung
Jungeun (Evelyn) Yu
Interpreters & Shadowers
Sam Chen
Jingjuan Guo
Nandar Win Kerr
Nikita Kohli
Samuel Liu
Albert Tong

We invite you to continue supporting our community by joining us at our upcoming pro bono clinics:

  • June 18 [Manhattan link here], from 6:30 – 8:30pm, AAFE Community Center, 111 Norfolk Street, NY, NY 10002 
  • July 12 [Brooklyn link here], from 12:30 – 3:30pm, CPC Brooklyn Community Services, 4101 8th Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11232
  • August 6 [Queens link here], from 6:30 – 8:30pm, One Flushing Community Center, 133-29 41st Ave, 2nd Floor, Flushing, NY 11355

We look forward to your participation in our future clinics! Have a wonderful weekend!

To learn more about the Pro Bono & Community Service Committee, visit probono.aabany.org.

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Thank You to Our Volunteers at the May 21st Pro Bono Clinic in Manhattan

We extend our sincere gratitude to AABANY, the Asian American Law Fund of New York (AALFNY), AABANY’s Pro Bono and Community Service (PBCS) Committee, Asian Americans for Equality (AAFE), and all the dedicated volunteers who contributed to the success of our Pro Bono Legal Clinic in Manhattan on May 21st, 2025.

During the clinic, our volunteers provided invaluable assistance to 10 clients, addressing a range of legal matters including housing, immigration, civil litigation, and nuisance issues. Our volunteer attorneys and interpreters thoughtfully addressed client concerns, offered clarity through their answers, and facilitated connections to appropriate legal resources via AABANY’s Legal Referral and Information Service (LRIS).

We are committed to offering services in both Mandarin and Cantonese to ensure continued support for individuals facing linguistic or cultural barriers when seeking guidance on substantive and procedural legal matters.

Thank you to our volunteer attorneys at the May 21st Manhattan Pro Bono Clinic:

Volunteer Attorneys
Ming Cheung
Francis Chin
Justin Lee
Beatrice Leong
Jasmine Sripa
Kenny Ip
Interpreters & Shadowers
Albert Tong
Collette Chang
Sisu Chou
Emily Kam
Kenny Ip

We invite you to join us for our upcoming pro bono clinics:

  • June 18 [Manhattan link here], from 6:30 – 8:30pm, AAFE Community Center, 111 Norfolk Street, NY, NY 10002 
  • July 12 [Brooklyn link here], from 12:30 – 3:30pm, CPC Brooklyn Community Services, 4101 8th Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11232
  • August 6 [Queens link here], from 6:30 – 8:30pm, One Flushing Community Center, 133-29 41st Ave, 2nd Floor, Flushing, NY 11355

We look forward to your participation in our future clinics! Have a wonderful weekend everyone!

To learn more about the Pro Bono & Community Service Committee, visit probono.aabany.org.

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AABANY Members and Friends March in the Fourth Annual AAPI Cultural and Heritage Parade

On Sunday, June 1, 2025, AABANY members and friends marched together in the Fourth Annual AAPI Cultural and Heritage Parade in Midtown Manhattan.

Around noon, our group gathered on West 44th Street and Sixth Ave near the New York City Bar Association building to line up for the parade. As everyone was arriving, the street filled with marchers anticipating the start of the procession, many practicing their dances, taking pictures with their groups, and enjoying conversation with the organizations around them.

As we did in last year’s parade, we wore matching red and new blue t-shirts, the front showcasing the AABANY logo and website link on the back pointing to the AABANY Pro Bono website. To attract more attention, AABANY Immediate Past President Joseph Eng Jr., along with his son Max and friends from Summit, NJ, brought a Chinese lion head and a drum to perform a traditional Chinese Lion Dance during the parade. While waiting for the parade to begin, other marchers took pictures with the lion and enjoyed the music and dance as Joe, Max, and friends practiced for their performance. They also taught any willing members of our group how to do a lion dance and play the drums.

In-House Counsel Committee Co-Chair Jack Chen came with his son Cameron, who led AABANY marchers with his spirited dance moves, walking in front of the AABANY group. 

Around 1:30 pm, we saw the floats in the front begin to move, and excitement rose among our group as our time to march in the parade drew near. Once we reached the entry point on Sixth Avenue, the drum was beating and the sun was shining, making it the perfect time to walk along the avenue with pride. Everyone was enjoying the 10-block march, especially as we got to see the performances of other groups and the fancy fast cars that formed the procession.

After the parade, several of the participants enjoyed a family-style lunch at Tang Pavilion on West 55th Street. The delicious meal at Tang Pavilion hit the spot, capping off a gorgeous Sunday for a parade along Sixth Avenue, making up for the long wait for the parade to start.

Thanks to everyone who marched with AABANY, and thanks especially to Joe, his son Max, and their friends, who provided the lion dance for our group. Special kudos go to Cameron for so enthusiastically leading from the front in his Captain America outfit!

To see more photos from the event, go here.

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GSPI and Judiciary Committees Co-Sponsor “A Legacy of Leadership and Resilience: Then and Now in the Context of Korematsu and Thind”

On May 20, 2025, the GSPI and Judiciary Committees co-sponsored “A Legacy of Leadership and Resilience: Then and Now in the Context of Korematsu and Thind” in conjunction with the Queens County Women’s Bar Association (QCWBA) and the Equal Justice in the Courts Committee (QSC-EJIC).  The event featured Queens Supreme Court Justice Karen Lin, QCWBA President Preet Gill, Court Attorney Liman Mimi Hu, Queens Civil Court Judge Soma Syed, St. John’s University School of Law Professor Philip Lee, and Associate Law Clerk Johnny Thach.  Welcome remarks also included Queens Supreme Court Justice Frederick D.R. Sampson and Judge Shahabuddeen A. Ally, Administrative Judge of the Civil Court of the City of New York.
 
In celebration of AANHPI Heritage Month in May, the event highlighted three landmark cases in American history on race, civil rights, and belonging: United States v. Thind, Gong Lum v. Rice, and Korematsu v. United States.  Thind was a 1923 case which held that Thind, an Indian man who served for the U.S. in World War I, was not Caucasian and therefore ineligible for naturalized citizenship.  Lum was a 1927 case that upheld racial segregation and denied admission to a Chinese American nine-year-old student to an all-white school district.  Korematsu was a 1944 case that upheld the conviction of a Japanese American man for violating an exclusion order mandating people of Japanese ancestry, including Japanese Americans, to be incarcerated in internment camps under suspicions, with no factual basis, of being enemy aliens involved in espionage and sabotage.
 
The featured speakers, divided in teams, examined each case through multiple lenses: the historical background around each case, the remarkable individuals who stood for justice and challenged exclusionary and racist policies and laws at the time, the holding of each case, and what transpired after.  Professor Lee emphasized the theme of Asian Americans as “perpetual foreigners” and the construction of race in the context of racial triangulation.
 
The event was well-attended with over 100 people.  Momos from Bajeko Sekuwa and bubble tea from YAAAS Tea were provided as food and refreshments.  Thank you to the speakers, organizers, co-sponsors, and attendees.  Click here to learn more and join the GSPI Committee and here to learn more and join the Judiciary Committee.

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