Yesterday [October 4], the United States Senate confirmed Susan Kim DeClercq to serve on the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan. Judge DeClercq is the first federal judge of East Asian descent in Michigan.
“NAPABA congratulates Susan DeClercq on her confirmation to the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, a district where nearly half of all AANHPIs in Michigan live,” said Sandra Leung, President of NAPABA. “The first federal judge of East Asian descent in Michigan, Judge DeClercq is an experienced prosecutor with experience in private practice and corporate law. NAPABA is proud to have supported her nomination to the bench.”
Susan K. DeClercq has been Director and Counsel of Special Investigations at Ford Motor Company in Dearborn, Michigan, since 2022. Judge DeClercq previously served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney and Chief of the Civil Division since March 2014. Before joining the U.S. Attorney’s Office in September 2004, Judge DeClercq was an associate at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher, and Flom in Washington, D.C., and she clerked for Judge Avern Cohn on the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan. Judge DeClercq received her J.D., magna cum laude, from Wayne State University School of Law in 1999 and her B.A. from the University of Michigan in 1995.
“Ms. DeClercq is the 24th Article III judge nominated by President Biden and confirmed by the Senate,” said Priya Purandare, Executive Director of NAPABA. “With each confirmation, President Biden sets a new benchmark for future Presidential administrations.”
NAPABA thanks United States Senators Stabenow and Peters of Michigan for recommending and supporting her nomination.
When it comes to bringing people together for a weekend afternoon of fun, networking, and friendly competition, the Asian American Bar Association of New York (AABANY) knows how to serve up an ace. On Saturday, October 7, AABANY’s Solo and Small Firm Practice, Young Lawyers, and Immigration Law Committees organized an exciting Ping Pong social event at PingPod on the Lower East Side, and it was an afternoon filled with excitement, camaraderie, and impressive rallies.
Ping Pong enthusiasts from various legal backgrounds gathered at PingPod, each armed with a paddle and ready to showcase their skills. From beginners to seasoned pros, the event welcomed players of all levels. It was a fantastic opportunity for lawyers from both private and public sectors and recent law school graduates to let off some steam and engage in some friendly competition.
Participants also found themselves forging new connections, discussing legal topics, and even making potential career moves between rallies. Ping Pong truly served as the icebreaker, and the event demonstrated how professional connections can be made in the most unexpected settings.
Thank you to everyone for spending their Saturday afternoon with AABANY. Here’s to more exciting events and unforgettable moments brought by AABANY! Special thanks to Yen-Yi Anderson, Co-Chair of the Solo and Small Firm Practice Committee, Ada Wang, Co-Chair of the Young Lawyers Committee, and Susan Song, Co-Chair of the Immigration Law Committee, for their hard work planning and organizing this event.
The Pro Bono & Community Service (PBCS) Commmittee is launching a monthly Bring Your Own Lunch (BYOL) Sidebar Meeting, on Thursdays. The first one was held over Zoom on September 28. The PBCS Committee thanks Trusts & Estates Committee Co-Chairs Pang-Mei (P.M.) Natasha Chang and Yi Stewart for speaking at the inaugural event.
At the clinics, the PBCS Committee has been seeing more and more clients asking questions about estate planning. The attendees had the opportunity to discuss issues generally asked, such as setting up trusts vs. wills, spousal elective share, advanced directives, guardianships, and intestacy vs. probate.
For this area of practice, one should be familiar with the laws under EPTL and SCPA. To learn more about the Trusts & Estates Committee and how you can get more involved, sign up for their upcoming meeting on October 4 here.
The next BYOL Sidebar is on October 12, 2023 at 1pm. Please sign up here.
The next pro bono clinic is on October 14, 2023 from 12:30pm – 3:30pm. Please sign up here to volunteer.
On the evening of September 22, 2023, OCA-NY Asian Pacific American Advocates of New York presented a Community Award to AABANY. Honorees gathered in Chinatown to attend OCA-NY’s Community Service and Leadership Awards Gala, hosted at the House of Joy on Pell Street in Manhattan Chinatown.
OCA-NY is a national non-profit civil rights organization, dedicated to “promoting and protecting the political, economic, and cultural rights of Asian Pacific Americans in America.” Founded in 1973, OCA was established to advocate for Asian Americans on the national level, providing a robust platform for representation and change for Asian Americans across America. OCA’s New York Chapter hosts a variety of programs, focused on transforming public policy and engaging in active community advocacy.
This year’s Community Service and Leadership Awards Gala was the first in-person gala hosted by the New York chapter since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. The gala celebrated a wide range of renowned local leaders, as well as organizations that have made significant contributions to the community. AABANY congratulates our fellow honorees:
Tzi Ma, Lifetime Achievement Award
Assemblymember Steven Raga, Leadership Award
Mohamed Q. Amin, Trailblazer Award
Chinatown Ice Cream Factory, Community Award
As recognized by OCA-NY, AABANY has made significant contributions to the AAPI community through various initiatives and programs. Established in 2015, AABANY’s Pro Bono clinic has provided crucial legal assistance and support to members of the AAPI community who may be facing legal challenges but are hindered in finding legal advice and information that is linguistically and culturally accessible. This initiative has been supported by AABANY’s Legal Referral and Information Service (LRIS), started in 2020. Since then, LRIS has served as a vital resource for individuals seeking legal representation, ensuring that community members have access to reliable legal information and can connect with qualified attorneys who can assist them with their legal needs by speaking their language and understanding their cultural background and context. Responding to rising incidents of anti-Asian hate and violence, AABANY has also established an Anti-Asian Violence Task Force. Active since 2021, the Task Force has worked tirelessly to raise awareness, advocate for policy change, and provide support to victims and their families. Collectively, these initiatives reflect AABANY’s unwavering commitment to serving and advocating for the AAPI community, making a positive impact on and advancing the well-being of the AAPI community in New York and beyond.
At the gala, former AABANY President Vince Chang presented the award to AABANY, which was accepted by Yang Chen, Executive Director. OCA-NY presented each honoree with a Chinese character, rendered in calligraphy and framed, which OCA-NY believes best represented each honoree. AABANY’s character was 廉 (lián), symbolizing “fairness and integrity.”
Many members of AABANY’s leadership attended the gala to commemorate our accomplishments alongside those of other distinguished community leaders. At AABANY’s table were:
Karen Kim, President
Yang Chen, Executive Director
Vince Chang, Former President (and Immediate Past President of the New York County Lawyers Association, its first AAPI President)
Beatrice Leong, Co-Vice President of Programing & Operations
Francis Chin, Director of Technology, Professional Development Committee Co-Chair
Nandar Win Kerr, Professional Development Committee Vice-Chair
May Wong, Pro Bono and Community Service Committee Vice-Chair
Kevin Hsi,Government Service & Public Interest Committee Co-Chair
Also in attendance were: Yen-Yi Anderson, Solo & Small Firm Practice Committee Co-Chair; Glenn Magpantay, LGBT Committee Co-Chair; Richard In, active member; Tim Wong, former Treasurer.
The Community Service and Leadership Awards Gala at the House of Joy was a remarkable gathering that celebrated not only AABANY’s accomplishments, but also the collective strength of our community. AABANY extends our sincere appreciation to our colleagues, supporters, and the AABANY leadership who took part in the celebration. Together, our work reaffirms and reinforces our shared vision of building a brighter, more equitable future for New York’s AAPI community.
The Judge Thomas Tang and Dr. Pearl Tang Moot Court Competition is an appellate advocacy competition to help law students develop advocacy skills and to foster legal talents of the future. This year, the competition will be a hybrid competition with regional oral arguments occurring virtually and the National Competition in person coinciding with the 2023 NAPABA Convention in Indianapolis, Indiana on November 9-10, 2023.
We are seeking judges for the upcoming Regional Rounds, which will take place virtually via Zoom. This year’s problem may be found here.
We are seeking attorneys with a minimum of 5 years of litigation or appellate experience. Please consider judging a few rounds as we are in need of judges to enable us to hold the regional competitions that will allow the winners to advance to the national competition in Indiana.
The regional competitions will be held online via Zoom on Friday, October 13 and Saturday, October 14. Please sign up for judging at the links below by 11:59 pm ET on Tuesday, October 3:
Everyone is invited to the award reception in Indianapolis on Saturday, November 11, 2023, after the conclusion of the final round of competition. Thank you so much for your support in helping to develop the future generation of lawyers.
AABANY’s newly-formed Trusts & Estates Committee held its inaugural event in the courtroom of Hon. Rita Mella at New York County Surrogate’s Court on Chambers Street in lower Manhattan on September 20, 2023. About two dozen attendees, including many AABANY members and court staff, filled the ornate courtroom.
Yang Chen, the Executive Director of AABANY, presented welcome remarks, followed by Co-Chair P.M. Natasha Chang, who then introduced Co-Chair Yi Stewart. Yi introduced the Hon. Rita Mella, Surrogate Judge, New York County. (Yi was formerly Judge Mella’s law clerk.)
Judge Mella, both the host and honored guest, spoke on the history and role of Surrogate’s Courts, and the importance of diversity in the courts and among trusts & estates practitioners. Judge Mella disclosed that the Surrogate’s Court of New York County, which consists of only two judges (including Hon. Hilary Gingold) and their staff, processes approximately 10,000 cases a year. In addition to the probate and administration proceedings, the court handles adoption, guardianship, and miscellaneous proceedings. Among these cases, Judge Mella particularly noted the proceedings for settling 9/11-related personal injury and wrongful death claims which involve many who lived and worked in Manhattan Chinatown.
Judge Mella had pulled from the records room and laid on the table for exhibit the original wills of Alexander Hamilton, Babe Ruth, Herman Melville, Marilyn Monroe, and Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis. Committee members pored over the documents in fascination. Champagne and dim sum were served before everyone gathered on the steps of the courtroom gallery for a photo.
Congratulations to the T&E Committee, AABANY’s newest Committee, on a successful inaugural event. Thanks to everyone who came and took part, and thanks especially to Judge Mella and her staff for welcoming us into her beautiful and historic courtroom. To learn more about the T&E Committee and how you can get involved, go to https://www.aabany.org/page/1154. If you would like to join the Committee’s listserv, contact [email protected].
On September 6th, 2023, AABANY held its Queens Pro Bono Legal Clinic at the AAFE One Flushing Community Center. The clinic met with 31 clients, coming in with questions about housing, immigration, family law, and civil litigation. Volunteer attorneys and interpreters patiently addressed client concerns, answering questions and connecting them to lawyers through AABANY’s Legal Referral and Information Service (LRIS). We are extremely grateful to have volunteers willing to start early at 6pm and stay beyond 8:30pm to finish speaking with the clients.
We thank the AABANY Pro Bono & Community Service (PBCS) Committee and Asian Americans for Equality for organizing and hosting this event. We also thank Council Member Sandra Ung for partnering with us to make this service available to the community.
Thank you to our volunteers for supporting the clinic. Your time and dedication are essential for delivering crucial assistance to individuals seeking legal guidance. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to:
Volunteer Attorneys:
Richard In Lina Lee Beatrice Leong Lord Chester So May Wong Gary Yeung
Interpreters and Coordinators:
Gabriel Hisugan Jocelyn Jao Willow Liu Nuala Naranjo-Odoherty
Here is a list of upcoming Pro Bono Clinics:
● Brooklyn, October 14, from 12:30 pm to 3:30 pm, at Chinese-American Planning Council, Inc., 4101 8th Avenue. Sign up here to volunteer.
● Manhattan, October 18, from 6:30pm to 8:30pm, and AAFE Community Center, 111 Norfolk Street. Sign up here to volunteer.
● Queens, November 1, from 6:30pm – 8:30pm, at AAFE One Flushing Community Center, 133-29 41st Ave 2nd Floor. Sign up here to volunteer.
Click here for more information about our Pro Bono Clinics and the PBCS Committee.
With 50 days remaining before the start of the 2023 NAPABA Convention in Indianapolis, I wish to update you on NAPABA’s work in Indiana along with our advocacy efforts broadly.
In April 2023, we announced our Indiana Advocacy Action Plan following the decision from the Board of Governors to remain in Indianapolis for the 2023 NAPABA Convention. The Plan’s four-prong strategy aimed to meaningfully engage community stakeholders in Indiana and advance the dignity and interests of the LGBTQ+ and AANHPI communities in the time leading up to and beyond the Convention. Since then, I can report to you on the following actions:
Immediate Investment. NAPABA and Indiana Legal Services, Inc. (ILS), announced a partnership to deliver direct legal support to LGBTQ+ and immigrant communities in Indiana. The partnership will fund law student interns at ILS starting this fall for the 2023-2024 academic year. The legal internships will be housed within the ILS LGBTQ+ Project and Immigrants’ and Language Rights Center. Financial support for these legal internships was generously provided by the NAPABA Law Foundation’s Underserved Communities Fellowship.
Lasting Impact. Starting this October, NAPABA–in partnership with the Asian Pacific American Bar Association of Indiana, Alliance for Justice, and Dentons Bingham Greenebaum LLP–will be convening a wide array of community leaders in Indianapolis for our multi-part civic engagement series entitled, “Joining Forces, Building Community and Empowerment.” The workshop is designed for Indiana leaders to build organizational, operational, and advocacy skills in their efforts to advocate and better serve their communities. NAPABA will host additional workshops in the months ahead, including another convening of community leaders on Thursday, November 9, 2023, at the Convention, and culminate in a day of advocacy activities at the Indiana Statehouse in 2024.
Showcasing Our Values. The 2023 NAPABA Convention in Indianapolis is centered on uplifting NAPABA’s values and our community. Our Friday Plenary Luncheon program will focus on “Gender Equality and the Rights of Transgender Athletes,” featuring Justice Sabrina McKenna of the Supreme Court of Hawai`i as the moderator. At our Gala program on Saturday, the keynote speaker will be attorney and civil rights activist Mia Yamamoto, a prominent leader and advocate for human rights and for the rights of the LGBTQ+ and AANHPI communities. During the Convention’s substantive program, we will highlight issues such as AANHPIs and the fight for marriage equality, a reflection on the civil rights movement, how our community can advance the cause for justice, #WhyWomenLeave, and more.
Beyond Indiana. Though we are focused on Indiana, NAPABA remains at the forefront in our core advocacy work across the nation.
We continue to oppose vigorously alien land laws that would strip the rights of AANHPIs to pursue a livelihood and fair housing. NAPABA and our affiliates are engaged with state and federal policymakers to oppose such laws along with grassroots community leaders and the press. Along with our coalition partners, NAPABA has cautioned Congress to be mindful of its rhetoric and “to consider the impact that proposed legislation could have on AANHPI communities, and to work with AANHPI groups to find ways to address national security concerns while creating an environment that welcomes people who are committed to the success and safety of our country.” We have raised the alarm over a recent amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act that, if enacted, would impose restrictions on individuals from certain countries like China to purchase agricultural land. In court, we are supporting, as amicus curiae, litigation challenging Florida’s discriminatory statute.
In the aftermath of U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Students for Fair Admissions v. UNC/Harvard, NAPABA has not only presented educational programs to our members about the ruling, but also engaged with partners to explore best avenues to support diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts across the profession.
NAPABA has stood in solidarity with the LGBTQ+ community. For example, in the face of federal legislation that targeted the transgender community, NAPABA opposed a bill that would ban transgender and intersex girls and women from participating in school sporting activities that align with their gender identities. Such harmful and discriminatory policies are wholly inconsistent with NAPABA values. Similarly, NAPABA denounced a misguided decision from the U.S. Supreme Court in 303 Creative LLC v. Aubrey Elenis, which held that a website design business–notwithstanding state anti-discrimination laws–may refuse to deliver services to same-sex couples. We called on Congress again to pass the Equality Act, which would amend federal law to prohibit discrimination on the basis of sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity.
NAPABA endorsed the Southeast Asian Deportation Relief Act of 2023, a bill that would deliver relief to Southeast Asian American refugees and create a pathway for the return of nearly 2,000 refugees to the United States who have already been removed to Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia.
Recently, in another step toward equity, NAPABA endorsed California Senate Bill 403, which would add caste as a protected characteristic under California’s civil rights laws, and called for a ban on caste discrimination throughout the nation.
This is only a snapshot of our efforts. Undoubtedly, we are making progress, but we are nowhere near done. As California just recognized when it lifted the ban on publicly funded travel to other states with objectionable laws targeting the LGBTQ+ community, NAPABA believes in the importance and the power of showing up. Our work is only possible because of the strength, energy, and passion of our members, our committees, our affiliates, and our sponsors. So many of you step up each and every day to better our community, often in the shadows of the public eye, with the only hope that the next generation will enjoy the gains that we endeavor to make today. We are incredibly grateful.
I look forward to seeing all of you in Indianapolis.
On Thursday, September 7, 2023, students and practitioners alike attended the AABANY Oyster Happy Hour at Sagaponack NYC. Nearly thirty folks attended for a night of oysters, bar bites, and networking. The Membership Committee annually hosts this Oyster Happy Hour at Sagaponack NYC and, this year, strategically partnered with the Student Outreach and Young Lawyers Committees to give law students an opportunity to network with practitioners as they kicked off their fall semesters. Thank you to everyone who attended and to our co-sponsoring committees including the Military & Veteran Affairs Committee. And a special thanks to the folks at Sagaponack NYC for the great food and service as always. If you have any ideas for fun AABANY membership events, please email [email protected].
NAPABA committees and networks enable our members to gain access to a robust knowledge-sharing network of seasoned AANHPI professionals. NAPABA’s committees focus on substantive practice specialties or specific service areas, such as civic engagement. NAPABA’s networks encompass individuals with similar experiences, such as solo practice or military service. These peer-led groups serve as a networking community and enable members to learn best practices and stay on top of the latest legal trends.
NAPABA is seeking committee or network co-chair recommendations from the membership to fill vacancies and we urge you to consider contributing your expertise and experiences in a meaningful way within NAPABA. Serving as a co-chair presents a unique chance to take up a leadership role within NAPABA, connect with AANHPI attorneys in your practice area or who share similar experiences, and enhance your professional profile. Many of our committee and network co-chairs have later served on NAPABA’s Board of Directors.
Who can become a co-chair?
An appointee must:
Have demonstrated proven leadership skills;
Have demonstrated the highest standards of personal integrity and trust professionally and personally;
Have personal and professional experience relevant to the goals/objectives of the Committee;
Have demonstrated a commitment to the furtherance of the Committee’s goals, including leadership and pipeline development;
Be a member in good standing of NAPABA or a NAPABA affiliate; and
Be willing to serve for a six-year term.
What information do I need to provide?
We request applicants submit the following materials in a SINGLE PDF:
A Resume or similar material that demonstrates personal or professional experience relevant to the goal(s) and objective(s) of the committee or network.
A Statement of Interest demonstrating the following:
Proven leadership skills in NAPABA, local NAPABA affiliates, or other professional activities
The highest standards of personal integrity and trust in all professional and personal activities
Additional details outlining your personal or professional experience relevant to the goal(s) and objective(s) of the committee or network not outlined in your resume.
Biography
Where do I apply?
Ready to apply? Click on the button below to start your application! The deadline to apply is Monday, September 18, 2023 at 5:00 pm ET.
Committees and networks with co-chair vacancies:
Committees
Bankruptcy & Restructuring Committee
Cannabis/CBD/Hemp Law & Policy Committee
Civil Rights Committee
Corporate Transactions Committee
Data Privacy & Security Committee
Dispute Resolution Committee
Diversity and Inclusion Committee
Energy, Environment & Sustainability Committee
Entertainment Law Committee
Government Enforcement & Compliance Committee
Immigration Committee
Insurance Law Committee
Litigation Committee
Mass Torts & Class Actions Committee
Pro Bono & Community Service Committee
Real Estate Committee
Tax Committee
Trusts & Estates Committee
Wellness Committee
Networks
In-House Counsel Network
Law School Professors & Administrators Network
LGBTQ Network
Partners Network
Public Sector Network
Solo & Small Firm Network
If you have any questions about our committees or networks or the application process, please contact [email protected].
