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Press Release: Asian American Bar Association of New York Honors Sylvia Fung Chin as 2016 Norman Lau Kee Trailblazer

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 13, 2016

Contact: Yang Chen, Executive Director
(718) 228-7206

NEW YORK – The Asian American Bar Association of New York (AABANY) is proud to announce that Sylvia Fung Chin is the recipient of the Norman Lau Kee Trailblazer Award this year at AABANY’s Seventh Annual Fall Conference on September 24, 2016, held at the offices of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP.

Named for Norman Lau Kee, a revered legal and community pillar of New York City’s Chinatown for decades, this Trailblazer Award honors an accomplished leader in the legal profession who is of Asian Pacific American (APA) descent or has demonstrated dedication to APA issues in the community. This award honors an individual who has carved a path for others to follow, served the community as a mentor and role model, and has made a lasting impact on the APA community through his or her dedication and commitment.

Sylvia Fung Chin, Partner Of Counsel at White & Case LLP, has risen to the summit of the profession and all the while has lifted up others as she rose. Elected to White & Case’s partnership in 1986, Sylvia has created a pipeline of leadership for women and minority attorneys. An accomplished corporate attorney who has practiced for nearly four decades, she has excelled in navigating complicated transactions and proposing creative solutions for unique situations. In addition to her current legal practice at White & Case, Sylvia also teaches as an adjunct associate professor at Fordham University School of Law and frequently lectures on the UCC, legal opinions, ethics and various other corporate finance topics. Sylvia’s continued excellence, perseverance, positivity, and creativity are unparalleled.

Sylvia has continuously given back to the APA legal community in countless ways. Among the founding board members of AABANY in 1991 and President of AABANY from 1994-1996, she led and built AABANY from the ground up and has served as a role model and friend to several leaders in the professional. For decades, Sylvia has opened the dialogue about minority advancement in the legal profession and created training programs for associates and young partners to build business and develop leadership skills.  Sylvia has brought to fruition several initiatives to serve the APA community, including the Asian Crime Victims Project, which offered help to crime victims at a time when resources were limited, and the AABANY Foundation, now known as the Asian American Law Fund of New York, which provides scholarships and internship opportunities for APA and South Asian law students in New York. Sylvia founded and co-chairs the White & Case Asian Affinity Group and has been instrumental in producing two videos entitled Kicking Glass from the Courtroom to the Boardroom and Kicking Glass: Two Decades and Counting, which explored the experiences and perspectives of Asian American women attorneys.

Sylvia serves as Co-Chair of the First Judicial District of the New York Bar Foundation, President of the Asian American Law Fund of New York, President-Elect of the American College of Commercial Finance Lawyers, a director of the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) Law Foundation, a trustee of the Fordham Law Alumni Association and on the governing Council of the ABA Business Law Section and the governing board of the ABA Center for Racial and Ethnic Diversity.  She is a member of the American Law Institute, the ABA Legal Opinions Committee, the Tribar Opinions Committee, and the Association Advisory Board of the Working Group on Legal Opinions.  She also served as Chair of the Diversity and Inclusion Committee of the ABA Business Law Section, President of the American College of Investment Counsel, President of AABANY, President of the NAPABA Law Foundation, Board Secretary of Women’s World Banking, Treasurer of NAPABA, and a Director of the New York County Lawyers Association.

“Sylvia Fung Chin, a trailblazer, founding Board member and Past President of AABANY, represents the very best of our profession,” says Susan Shin, President of AABANY. “She has achieved tremendous professional and personal success, yet she has never faltered in her loyalty and service to our community. She is a shining example for generations of lawyers to follow and emulate. AABANY, its members and numerous attorneys have benefited greatly from her leadership, guidance and mentorship. We proudly recognize Sylvia Chin as our 2016 Norman Lau Kee Trailblazer Award honoree.”

For more information, please contact Yang Chen, AABANY Executive Director, at (718) 228-7206, or direct any inquiries to main@aabany.org.

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

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Judge wins re-election ballot battle after being barred

Judge wins re-election ballot battle after being barred

This morning, we received the good news that the Manhattan Democratic Party reversed its judicial screening panel’s decision that would have led to trailblazer and celebrated jurist Justice Doris Ling-Cohan losing her chance to be re-elected to office. 

In an extraordinary reversal of a decision made by its own screening panel, the Manhattan Democratic Party will nominate Ling-Cohan to be put on the ballot for re-election as a state Supreme Court justice this fall at the party’s Sept. 22 convention, sources said.

The screening panel had found Ling-Cohan not qualified for re-election — setting off a firestorm within the Democratic Party.

Click on the link in the title to read the article.

While this news is good, the fight is not over yet. Justice Ling-Cohan still needs the votes of delegates at the nominating convention on September 22, 2016 to be placed on the ballot. While Justice Ling-Cohan and her supporters may be breathing a sigh of relief, her reputation has undoubtedly been harmed by the negative statements in the press. Also, work still needs to be done to get the necessary votes at the nominating convention next week.

If you’d like to volunteer to support Justice Ling-Cohan in her efforts to get re-elected, contact yang.chen@aabany.org.

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Important Information for Those Interested in Attending the Diversity Career Fair and Expo (DCF) at the 2016 AABANY Fall Conference

If you are planning to attend the DCF please note the following:

  1. The DCF is being held in conjunction with AABANY’s Fall Conference at Skadden, on Saturday, September 24. To attend the DCF you must first be registered for the Fall Conference. You must also complete an intake form. DCF is scheduled to take place from 2 pm to 5 pm. More details here on the Fall Conference website.
  2. The early bird registration deadline is today, September 9. Registration closes on September 16. Due to capacity limits, we cannot accept registrations after September 16.
  3. If you are an AABANY member who has not paid to attend the Fall Conference, you can attend DCF – and only DCF – for free. You may not attend any of the programs at the Fall Conference, including the lunch session and the cocktail reception at the end of the day.
  4. To register to attend DCF for free as an AABANY member, contact Margaret Langston at margaret.langston@aabany.org, so that she will have your name on a list that we can give to Skadden for building security. You must notify Margaret by no later than September 16.
  5. If you are not an AABANY member, you can join online and pay the appropriate membership fee at http://www.aabany.org/?page=J2.  Once you have done that, follow the instructions above in paragraph 4.
  6. If you are not an AABANY member and you are not interested in joining but you wish to attend DCF, then you must register for and pay to attend the Fall Conference at http://www.aabany.org/events/event_details.asp?legacy=1&id=820602. Note the deadlines above at paragraph 2.
  7. If you wish to apply for onsite interviews, we have extended the deadline to apply to September 14. To apply, you must submit applications for on-site interviews to resume@aabany.org and comply with these Pre-Screening Requirements. In the subject line, please list 2016 DCF, your name and the employers that you applying to (e.g., “2016 DCF – Jane Doe – Brooklyn and Queens DA”). You must do so by September 14, to give us enough time to review your application and match you for interviews. Either a member of the Career Placement Committee or the employer will notify you if you are selected for an interview.
  8. If you have not already done so, please submit a copy of your resume to resume@aabany.org by Monday, Sept. 12. In the subject line, please list 2016 DCF, your name and “Informational Tables.” Your resume will be included in a resume book that will be circulated to participating employers.
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Press Release: NAPABA Applauds Nomination of Abid R. Qureshi to United States District Court for the District of Columbia

For Immediate Release
Sept. 6, 2016                                                   

For More Information, Contact:
Brett Schuster, Communications Manager
bschuster@napaba.org, 202-775-9555

WASHINGTON — Today, President Obama nominated Abid R. Qureshi to the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. If confirmed, Qureshi will be the first Pakistani American and Muslim American to serve as an Article III federal judge. The National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) applauds his nomination and encourages the Senate to swiftly confirm him to the bench.

“Abid Qureshi is an experienced litigator with extensive commercial and pro bono experience who has the temperament and qualifications to ably serve as a judge for the District Court for the District Columbia,” said Jin Y. Hwang, president of NAPABA. “I urge the Senate to quickly confirm Mr. Qureshi to the District Court.”

Qureshi is a partner at Latham & Watkins LLP, where he chairs the Global Pro Bono Committee. He is the former co-chair of the firm’s Washington, D.C., Litigation Department where he managed the largest litigation department in the firm. He is a complex commercial litigator with a focus on False Claims Act, federal securities, health care fraud, and white collar criminal matters. He also handles complex internal corporate investigations.

Qureshi has been recognized by Super Lawyers and the National Law Journal for his excellence in the profession. He is a graduate of Cornell University and Harvard Law School.

NAPABA commends President Obama for nominating Abid R. Qureshi to the bench. NAPABA thanks Representative Eleanor Holmes Norton for recommending Qureshi to the White House.

For more information, the media may contact Brett Schuster, NAPABA communications manager, at202-775-9555 or bschuster@napaba.org.

The National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) is the national association of Asian Pacific American attorneys, judges, law professors, and law students. NAPABA represents the interests of almost 50,000 attorneys and approximately 75 national, state, and local Asian Pacific American 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 continues to be a leader in addressing civil rights issues confronting Asian Pacific American communities. Through its national network of committees and affiliates, 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 color in the legal profession.

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

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NAPABA Prospective Partners Program Application Deadline | Sept. 15, 2016

Don’t miss out on this year’s Prospective Partners Program (PPP)! The PPP aims to increase the number of Asian Pacific American partners at major law firms through introduction, mentorship, and relationship building. In anticipation of the program’s seventh year, the PPP is inviting candidate applications and nominations to participate in PPP sessions taking place at the 2016 NAPABA Convention in San Diego.

For more information and to apply by Sept. 15, click here.

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New Report on Asian Elders in New York City

CONTACT:
Howard Shih, (212) 344-5878, x219
howard.shih@aafederation.org

New York City:  This morning, the Asian American Federation released our latest report, Asian American Seniors in New York City: An Updated Snapshot.  In our report, we highlight the demographic changes and economic challenges facing New York City’s fastest-growing senior population.  Asian Americans now represent 16% of all seniors ages 50 years and older, yet programs and resources available to Asian seniors have failed to keep pace with this growth.  When it comes to New York City’s social service funding, for example, only 2.7% went to senior programs focused on Asian seniors.

The funding gap can be traced to two major factors.  One, the consolidation of many social service grants into fewer, larger grant opportunities has led to the exclusion of Asian-led social service providers from the competitive process.  Asian-led organizations are often smaller and have less capacity to take on larger grants, despite being in the best position to serve Asian seniors because of the trust and deep roots they have developed in their communities.  Secondly, the model minority myth disguises the reality that Asian seniors in New York City are among the poorest seniors in the country.  Thus, the goal of this report is to dispel these myths and highlight the great need among Asian seniors.

Key findings of this report include:

  • Growth in the Asian senior population in New York City is driven by Asian seniors immigrating late in life and by Asian immigrants aging into senior status.
  • Major shifts in demographics are changing the ethnic mix of the Asian senior population in New York City. South Asian and “Other” Asian groups have senior populations that have more than tripled in size from 2000 to 2014.
  • The high rates of limited English proficiency among Asian seniors contribute to increased social isolation.
  • The diversity of languages spoken in the Asian community makes outreach and provision of services a great challenge.
  • Asian seniors in New York City are less well-educated than Asian seniors nationally and other seniors in New York City. As a consequence, Asian seniors are more likely to be poor and low-income than Asian seniors nationally and other seniors in New York City.
  • Because some Asian seniors immigrated later in life, they are less likely to have health insurance coverage and to receive Social Security benefits than other seniors.

In order to address the increasing needs among Asian seniors, the Federation makes the following recommendations to the City:

  • Increase the resources available for programs serving Asian seniors.
  • Build capacity within Asian-led senior programs, which are more likely to provide culturally and linguistically appropriate services for Asians seniors.
  • Ensure that outreach to Asian seniors is conducted in-language and through trusted information sources for each community, including ethnic media and community-based social service organizations.
  • Alleviate poverty by increasing access to social safety nets for more recent arrivals.
  • Increase access to adult literacy and job skills programs for low-income Asian seniors who are still active in the labor force.
  • Offer employment and volunteer opportunities for Asian seniors in order to increase their income and decrease their social isolation.
  • Create affordable senior housing, including culturally-appropriate assisted living facilities.

Jo-Ann Yoo, executive director of the Federation, said, “Since our 2003 report on Asian elders, the size and composition of our senior population have changed dramatically. Our updated report underscores the reality that the current capacity of social services is not nearly enough to meet the needs of this population. What we hope this report offers is some concrete ways in which our city and state leaders can begin to build real infrastructure to serve our seniors.”

“We have seen the Asian senior population double since 2000,” said Howard Shih, research and policy director of the Federation.  “With Asian seniors now comprising 16% of New York City’s senior population, we can no longer ignore their needs. We must address their language, health, and housing needs – among all the others – if we hope to support their longevity.”

AARP, who generously funded this report, recognizes the importance of highlighting the needs of Asian seniors.  “AARP proudly supports the Federation’s report revealing insight into our rapidly-growing AAPI 50-plus community. As AARP is committed to raising the issues and needs of AAPI 50-plus communities, we hope this report will continue to debunk the model minority myth and be used by individuals, community-based organizations, nonprofit groups, media, funders, and policymakers to build the case for funding, policies, legislation, and advocacy to improve the lives of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders 50-plus,” stated Daphne Kwok, AARP’s Vice President of Multicultural Leadership, Asian American & Pacific Islander Audience Strategy.

Beth Finkel, State Director of AARP New York, added, “Like the Federation, AARP is fighting to increase funding for transportation services and improve job opportunities and affordable housing for older city residents while combatting social isolation and elder abuse. We need our leaders to acknowledge changing demographics and implement policies that make New York a better place to live, work, play, and age. The City would be wise to heed the recommendations of the Federation’s report.”

A long-time supporter of our research on seniors, Long Mountain Road Foundation, a foundation run by the Lederer family, had this to say: “For many years, Midori Shimanouchi Lederer, assistant to filmmaker turned social activist Michael Todd (of Around the World in 80 Days), worked tirelessly to support members of New York City’s aging Asian American community. She was the founder of Japanese American Social Services, Inc. as well as a founding board member of the Asian American Federation. Her sister, Ida Shimanouchi, a beloved English teacher at Fieldston’s Ethical Culture School for decades, staunchly supported this work with her time and funds. In their honor, the Long Mountain Road Foundation proudly supports this important new work by the Asian American Federation.”

State and city leaders also responded to the value of the report’s findings.  Queens Borough President Melinda Katz stated, “The Asian American Federation’s report offers an important snapshot of New York’s seniors of Asian descent, a substantial number of whom reside here in Queens. Findings of note were that Asians are the fastest-growing segment of the seniors in New York City, and these same seniors are among the poorest seniors in the country. As policymakers and officials shape resource priorities over the next few years, it is critical to consider these findings and help ensure that services for elders meet growing demands and match both cultural and linguistic needs. Queens is thankful to AARP and the Asian American Federation for their tireless work in producing this snapshot of this fast-growing segment of our city’s population.”

Assemblyman Steven Cymbrowitz (D-Brooklyn), Chair of the Aging Committee, said, “With more New Yorkers than ever living longer and more active lives, it is critical that we give all of our seniors an appropriate level of supportive services to meet their unique needs. As the Assemblyman who represents one of the largest Asian American communities in New York City, I commend the Federation for compiling this comprehensive report and providing data that will help policymakers more accurately target the problems that impact our City’s Asian American seniors.”

Council Member Margaret S. Chin, chair of the Council’s Committee on Aging and a long-time advocate of Asian seniors and their needs, said, “This comprehensive report provides more evidence that our City’s aging population is not only growing, it is becoming much more ethnically, culturally, and linguistically diverse. The challenge of serving this changing senior population is huge – particularly for the many Asian American communities located throughout the five boroughs. I commend the Asian American Federation for compiling this report, which should be used by City and State agencies as a guide to help seniors live longer, happier, and more active lives.”

Council Member Barry S. Grodenchik acknowledged the importance of giving voice to our seniors’ needs.  “Seniors built our communities and continue to enrich us with their wisdom; it is imperative that our city be able provide social services to diversifying senior communities. The Asian American Federation’s reports have consistently highlighted how our city can work toward ensuring that all seniors have access to vital services.”

Similarly, Council Member Paul Vallone, Chair of the Subcommittee on Senior Centers, said, “Understanding the demographic changes and challenges facing the Asian senior population is a critical first step in being able to provide them with the best services possible. I thank the Asian American Federation and look forward to working with them to determine the best ways to support our Asian seniors.”

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