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The Bamboo Closet: To Stay In Or Not?

The Bamboo Closet: To Stay In Or Not?

The 2015 NAPABA Convention featured a panel about the shifting landscape for Asian-American LGBT attorneys. Entitled “The Bamboo Closet: To Stay in or Not,” the panel was moderated by Connie Montoya, who is an AABANY member and was co-chair of our Litigation Committee last year. The article was written by David Lat, another wonderful AABANY friend and Managing Editor of Above the Law.

For a recap of the AABANY Trial Reenactment at the NAPABA Convention, which also featured Connie Montoya, click here. For social media highlights from AABANY @ NAPABA, click here. For a full list of speakers at the NAPABA Rising Convention, click here. For the Best Under 40 highlights, click here. Click here for Francis Chin’s beautiful photos.

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Ms. JD Honors Awards – Call for Nominations

Ms. JD will close its 8th Annual Conference this year with the the Ms. JD Honors Reception, honoring recipients of the Ms. JD Honors awards – women and men who have made a notable
contribution to the legal field.  Nominations for the Ms. JD Honors awards (listed below) are
open until Wednesday, November 25, 2015.  For more information about
the nomination process, please go to: http://ms-jd.org/blog/article/ms.-jd-honors-awards-nominations-open-until-november-18-2015. 

This year’s awards are: 

Woman
of Inspiration Award – To a woman who, regardless of her practice
area or type of practice, inspires others by her commitment and passion to her
work. (2 available.)

Student
of Inspiration Award – To a male or female law student who
inspires others through their commitment and passion to their legal studies,
extracurricular activities or to a particular cause.

Road
Less Traveled Award – To a woman who is using her J.D. in a
unique, non-traditional, way to pursue an issue or cause that she is passionate
about. (Need not be in legal practice.)

Sharing
Her Passion Award – To a woman who has practiced for more than
ten years who is inspiring younger women lawyers through sponsorship,
mentorship, and sharing her passion for the practice. 

Women’s
Strength in Numbers Award – To two or more women who have
partnered with one another to create a unique program, business, or
organization. (The group may include men and the success need not be in legal
practice.)

TIM
Initiative Award – To a man who is an active champion for women’s
advancement in the legal profession. Ms. JD launched The Incredible Men (TIM)
Initiative in 2014 to celebrate men who not only value equality and diversity
in the profession, but earnestly and enthusiastically support women and women’s
initiatives.

Law
School Chapter Award – To a law school organization that
champions the advancement of women law students through, for example, chapter
initiatives (including pre-law initiatives), programming or recruitment.

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Academic Freedom, Free Expression, & China’s Quest for World-Class Universities

Academic Freedom, Free Expression, & China’s Quest for World-Class Universities

Academic Freedom, Free Expression, and China’s Quest for World-Class Universities

When: Thursday, December 3, 2015, 6:00 – 8:00 PM
Where: The New School, Starr Foundation Hall, 63 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10011

Endangered Scholars Worldwide, in collaboration with Scholars at Risk and UNO Press, presents an evening panel discussion featuring:

Teng Biao, Chinese human rights lawyer; visiting scholar, NYU School of Law
Jewher Ilham, author and activist for her imprisoned father, Ilham Tohti
And others

Moderator: Jerome Cohen, faculty director, US-Asia Law Institute, NYU School of Law 

This event is free and open to the public. Please register by following the link in the title.

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PRESS RELEASE: NAPABA Calls on the Justice Department to Appeal Fifth Circuit Decision on DAPA and expanded DACA

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For Immediate Release
Nov. 12, 2015

For More Information, Contact:
Brett Schuster, Communications Manager
[email protected], 202-775-9555

NAPABA Calls on the Justice Department to Appeal Fifth Circuit Decision on DAPA and expanded DACA

WASHINGTON — The National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) is deeply disappointed with the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals decision in Texas v. United States to continue to place on hold President Obama’s Deferred Action for Parents of Americans and Lawful Permanent Residents (DAPA) and expanded Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) initiatives. This decision prevents deportation relief to an estimated 4.9 million undocumented immigrants, of which an estimated 1.3 million are Asian Pacific American immigrants.

“The Fifth Circuit’s decision leaves millions of families in limbo and at risk of continuing to be torn apart,” said Jin Hwang, president of NAPABA. “NAPABA urges the U.S. Department of Justice to appeal this decision to the U.S. Supreme Court so that implementation of these programs can move forward and families can receive needed relief. This decision highlights the need of Congress to pass legislation to address the problems in the immigration system.”  

This lawsuit was filed in December 2014 and blocks the implementation of temporary deferred action programs. Of the 1.3 million undocumented Asian Pacific Americans, an estimated 400,000 will benefit from this temporary relief. Supporting the need for comprehensive immigration reform has long been a priority for NAPABA.

_______________________________________________________________________

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 approximately 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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Upcoming Pro Bono Opportunities with AABANY

AABANY SCRIE/DRIE CLINIC: Dec. 2

Assist elderly and disabled tenants complete applications for Senior Citizen Rent Increase Exemption (SCRIE) and Disability Rent Increase Exemption (DRIE).  These programs offer a lifeline to vulnerable populations who risk losing housing.  Volunteers will receive training before assisting applicants.  Bar admission and language skills are not required.  To participate, please click here to register.

When: December 2 at 2:00PM
Where: Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association (62 Mott St. 2nd Floor, NY, NY 10013)

AABANY Housing Part Petition Clinic: Dec. 16

Assist tenants suffering from lack of heat or other emergency conditions draft pro se petitions against landlords for housing repairs.  Volunteers will receive a brief training before assisting tenants.  Bar admission and language skills not required.  To participate, please click here to register.

When: December 16, 2015 at 6:00PM
Where: Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association, 2nd Fl. (62 Mott St. 2nd Floor, NY, NY 10013)

Queens Legal Services (QLS) Housing Part Petition Clinic

Assist tenants suffering from lack of heat or other emergency conditions draft pro se petitions against landlords for housing repairs.  Clinics will take place on the 4th Wednesday of every other month from 6:00PM – 8:30PM.  Bar admission not required.  Language skills not required, however the ability to speak Spanish or other languages may be useful.  To participate, contact Heejung Kook ([email protected]).

2015 Dates: October 28; December (TBD)

2016 Dates: February 24; April 27; June 29; August 24

Where: Central Astoria (2569 38th St., Ground Fl., Astoria, NY 11103)

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AABANY Speakers at NAPABA Rising 2015

The following made New York proud at the 2015 NAPABA Annual Convention in New Orleans. 

  • Solo/Small Firm Boot Camp
    Featuring Eve Guillergan; Edward Kang, Mentorship Program Coordinator; and Tsui Yee, Immigration & Nationality Law Committee Co-Chair
  • Asian Pacific Americans in Alternative Dispute Resolution: A New Frontier
    Featuring Theodore K. Cheng, Litigation – ADR Sub-Committee Chair
  • Lessons from Detroit: Advising Municipalities in Distress
    Featuring Commercial Bankruptcy & Restructuring Committee Co-Chair Vincent Roldan
  • The ABCs of Insurance Panel Counsel
    Featuring KALAGNY Immediate Past President Kyun Yi
  • Surviving The Lion’s Den: A Young Lawyer’s Guide to Navigating Office Politics
    Featuring Blossom Kan, In House Counsel Committee Co-Chair
  • Fishy Justice: SCOTUS Takes on Prosecutorial Discretion & Over-criminalization
    Featuring Vinoo Varghese, Former Board Member
  • The New Hollywood: How Technology is Transforming Entertainment Media
    Featuring Vernon Chu
  • Shattering Double Ceilings: How to Increase APA Women Leaders in Law
    Featuring Jennifer H. Wu
  • NAPALSA – Social Justice, Clerkships & Government Jobs, and Alternative Careers for JDs
    Featuring Hon. Doris Ling-Cohan
  • Luncheon & Plenary Session: The Voting Rights Act 50 Years Later: A Call to Action
    Featuring Jerry Vattamala
  • Asian-American LGBT Attorneys & The Bamboo Closet: To Stay In or Not?
    Moderated by Connie Montoya
  • Many Pros, Few Cons – More and More Lawyers Turning to Compliance
    Featuring Julie Kwon, Former Mentorship Program Coordinator, and Robert Shin
    Chaired by Michelle Rhee, Advisory Committee Member
  • Secret Handshakes: Practical Leadership and Professional Development Skills for APAs
    Moderated by Michael Yap
  • The 50th Anniversary of the Voting Rights Act: What’s Happened and What Does it Mean for 2016?
    Moderated by Jerry Vattamala
  • Sorry, I Thought You Were the Interpreter – When It’s Lawyers Who Are Being Profiled
    Featuring David Lat
  • Rising Waters: Practical Tips on Making It Rain
    Featuring Rio Guerrero, Immigration & Nationality Law Committee Co-Chair
  • The Ins & Outs of Becoming an Administrative Law Judge: A View from the Bench
    Moderated by Hon. Doris Ling-Cohan
  • Breakfast & Plenary Session: Women Leaders in Public Service
    Featuring 2015 AABANY Women’s Leadership Award Recipient Jenny R. Yang and 2016 AABANY Women’s Leadership Award Recipient Michelle K. Lee
  • Paradox of Abundance: The Ups & Downs of $50/Barrel Crude Oil
    Featuring Clara Ohr,  Immediate Past President 
  • Strategies for Effective Advocacy in Combating Human Trafficking
    Featuring Song Kim, Issues Committee Co-Chair
  • Justice for All: LGBT Civil Rights & the API Community
    Moderated by Glenn Magpantay, LGBT Committee Chair, and Carmelyn Malalis
  • Why and How to Become a Law Professor: Advocacy for APAs Through Legal Scholarship
    Featuring Elaine Chiu
  • NAPALSA Pre-Law Conference
    Featuring Christina Nguyen, Former Intern
  • General Counsel Roundtable
    Featuring Don Liu, Advisory Committee Member, and Ivan Fong, 2016 AABANY Corporate Counsel Leadership Award Recipient
  • AABANY Trial Reenactment: The Vietnamese Fishermen and The Ku Klux Klan – See the full cast, photos, and highlights of the event by clicking here.
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NYAWC Harvest, Nov. 12

From the New York Asian Women’s Center:

Join NYAWC for our inaugural Harvest.

We invite you to join us to nourish yourself with food and drink in support of our work against violence. A collective of NYC’s finest chefs and mixologists whose talent is matched only by their philanthropic spirit come together for one night.

For $100, you get an open bar of signature cocktails and Tiger Beer, and to be personally served special tasting dishes by celebrity chefs the likes of Anita Lo and other rising talent.

To date, we will feature:

  • Iron Chef, James Beard Award Winning Chef, Anita Lo
  • Michelin starred Hemant Mathur
  • Formerly of Nobu, now owner and chef of East Wind Snack Shop, Chris Cheung
  • Amateur Muay Thai fighter, chef and founder of Rawsome Treats, Watt Sriboonruang
  • Brooklyn Commune co-owner, Chris Scott

Our star mixologists will be:

  • Lucinda Sterling, Managing Partner of MiddleBranch
  • Alicia Blegen of women-run, craft rum distillery, The Noble Experiment

Special guests:

  • Kim Williams, ABC’s Extreme Weight Loss Contestant
  • DJ G*LEE, Founder & Creative Director, Liaison Femme

Come eat and drink to your heart’s content. Meet other supporters. Let us feed your energy to continue the work that you do in our communities.

Get your tickets today!

We look forward to seeing you there.

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Highlights from AABANY @ NAPABA 2015

New York once again made a strong showing at the Annual National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (”NAPABA”) Convention. Held at the Hilton New Orleans Riverside from Nov. 5-8, the NAPABA Rising Convention brought together over 1,500 Asian Americans from all across the nation. Our members spoke on numerous panels, and we are preparing a separate blog post on that. Keep a look out!

Josh Hsu, former law clerk to the Hon. Denny Chin, and Karen Wu, past Co-Chair of the Pro Bono and Community Service Committee, were each recognized with NAPABA Best Under 40 Awards. The NAPABA Civil Rights Committee, which was formerly chaired by AABANY co-founder Rocky Chin, took home the NAPABA President’s Award. Some of AABANY’s own Co-Chairs – including Vincent Roldan, Dwight Yoo, Ligee Gu, Jenny Lee, Jane Chuang, and Chris Kwok – also ran the show during the NAPABA Committee Meetings. 

Check out the social media highlights below. More photos, in-depth coverage of panels, and more to come.

Read all about the achievements of the President’s Award Committee, which includes our co-founder Rocky Chin: https://t.co/UOCBUinnG5

Rio Guerrero is speaking at tomorrow’s rainmaking panel at 3:30pm!

Happy to see a few familiar faces. If you haven’t already checked out the list of speakers on our FB event, you… https://t.co/QWV2r7fhhK

Our Immigration & Nationality Law Committee Co-Chair Tsui Yee (middle) prepares for the last session of the Solo… https://t.co/Od9JAPvCvD

Advice from @Tsui_Yee: Manage clients’ expectations. Some people think that hiring a lawyer instantly fixes all legal problems. #NAPABA15

Our very own Karen Wu is among those who will be honored at the Best Under 40 Reception in the River room at 5pm. #napaba15

Congratulations to Best Under 40 Josh Hsu and Karen Wu! #napaba15 #representnewyork https://t.co/zZvFyuOvFz

Now that’s one smooth ride. Support NAPABA Law Foundation and maybe you will drive home in it. #napaba2015 https://t.co/mDSKq8AAQK

Some more faces from New York! See you at the Welcome Reception? #napaba15 https://t.co/9aF8EQhQFn

Tomorrow, the Civil Rights Committee will be honored at the @NAPABA Gala: https://t.co/UOCBUinnG5

Blossom Kan is offering advice on how to survive the lion’s den at #napaba15! Think about not only what other… https://t.co/HcgmsGxYk1

AABANY Commercial Bankruptcy & Restructuring Committee Co-Chair Vincent Roldan is sharing his lessons from… https://t.co/TbXpbhMhWP

Our Litigation Committee – ADR Subcommittee Chair Theo Cheng (far right) is presenting on Asians in ADR. By the… https://t.co/ggmIayzOSE

Here’s the list of NFALA speakers at the NAPABA Convention. We’ve got quite a bit of overlap. Definitely check… https://t.co/ixjrbwO8Vs

Jennifer Wu speaking on panel “Shattering Double Ceilings: How to Increase APA Women Leaders in Law.” #napaba15 https://t.co/YOqcW8bctH

“At my first oral argument, the judge was looking at me like I can’t believe she’s speaking and speaking in… https://t.co/uqTbPTuRGX

Former AABANY Board Member Vinoo Varghese moderates Fishy Justice, a panel on prosecutorial misconduct and… https://t.co/OmIbKNik38

Friday Plenary Lunch on Voting Rights https://t.co/sTH8A80CGi

Hello to @NAPABA ED Tina Matsuoka, who encourages everyone to keep out their phones to let people know how much… https://t.co/RPsWSxSwuT

Thx @NAPABA affiliates for inviting me to talk abt rapid response @AABAChicago @APABAPA @APABADC @aabany #NAPABA15 pic.twitter.com/u2j3xF9C1x

When language assistance and disability access is done properly, our communities come out and vote. #NAPABA15 pic.twitter.com/hF1kmJyTXt

Luncheon plenary session on the Voting Rights Act 50 Years Later: Call to Action. #napaba15 https://t.co/lfDJyzHMhA

Congrats to the Best Under 40 award winners! https://t.co/BA3wSVoQh0

Since our most diverse election in 2008, introduced legislative restrictions have unfairly targeted voters of color. #NAPABA15

Listening to @dale_e_ho at NAPABA Plenary lunch session on voting rights. Go Dale! #NAPABA15 #AABANY@NAPABA @aabany pic.twitter.com/icfPAa1LJS

Voter ID laws in Texas were found to be intentionally discriminating against black and Latino voters. #NAPABA15

.@aaldef’s Jerry Vattamala speaks about #AsianAmericans & 50th anniv of #VotingRightsAct at #NAPABA15 New Orleans pic.twitter.com/DFELd0sCby

While civil litigation is being brought against voter discrimination, elections are going forward with these unfair restrictions. #NAPABA15

FYI: You are not allowed to have segregated voting lines based on race. #BostonMA #AnnandaleVA #napaba15

Jerry Vattamala from #AALDEF talks about litigation efforts to protect rights of APAs to vote. #napaba15 https://t.co/O5336vxwxp

By the way, former Mentorship Program Coordinator Julie Kwon will be on the Many Pros, Few Cons Compliance panel in Grand Salon 3. #NAPABA15

#NAPABA15 @NAPABA #Legend #KarenNarasaki moderates deeply important discussion on the erosion of #VotingRightsAct pic.twitter.com/hNNhF5fWNN

Come to Connie Montoya’s panel at 2pm, LGBT Attorneys & the Bamboo Ceiling, in Eglinton Winton! #NAPABA15

Pro-tip: Make pro bono work a part of your practice where you can. Make a big deal about voter registration changes. #NAPABA15

Vattamala: "Sign up for the exit poll, volunteer three hours to be a poll monitor in 2016. Protect the rights of… https://t.co/MUHd2DjOO2

Hearing Judge McKenna, @RachelVSee, David Tsai, Eric De Los Santos, & our very own @montcon speak about the bamboo closet. #napaba15

Julie Kwon, our past Mentorship Program Coordinator, and Robert Shin, President-elect Susan Shin’s husband, speak… https://t.co/u5RzxzeLlg

What does it mean to be Asian, LGBT, and an attorney? #napaba15 https://t.co/6P9p916LL1

Judge McKenna had only just graduated high school when the DSM removed homosexuality as a mental disorder. #NAPABA15 pic.twitter.com/z2YaGqxv0a

"In the most literal way possible, being laid off from a big law firm saved my life.” @RachelVSee #NAPABA15 pic.twitter.com/UDaV8ImV1y

If you’re a minority, you can’t be defeatist & count yourself out. Keep applying. People may pass you over, but you’re qualified. #NAPABA15

Advisory Committee member Michael Yap moderates panel entitled “Secret Handshakes: Practical Leadership and… https://t.co/kLCCAULR0Z

David Lat of @atlblog presents on "Sorry, I Thought You Were the Interpreter – When It’s the Lawyers Who Are… https://t.co/zbx0iAtI1m

Our very own rockstar Hon. Doris Ling-Cohan moderates "The Ins and Outs of Becoming an Administrative Judge: A… https://t.co/Obe3fFqXWS

Delightful post-panel pic with our own @ericdslaw @montcon! #WeAreNFALA #NAPABA15 @FLOW_Law @falanewyork @aabany pic.twitter.com/8k4k0AxRBN

NFALA’s @kiddynomitjj presents the implicit bias panel @ #NAPABA15 w/ @atlblog’s @DavidLat! #NFALAfamily #WeAreNFALA pic.twitter.com/QLZYe4ohfx

Pro-tip for those with judicial ambitions: You can’t get your name out there if you’re not involved politically. #NAPABA15

Captain and Judge Benes Aldana – #NAPABA15 #Trailbazer recipient pic.twitter.com/t6BcNCrdLE

Captain & Judge Benes Aldana: "Do what you can to bend the arch of the moral universe towards justice.” #NAPABA15

Enjoyed presenting continuing legal education on becoming an Administrative Law Judge this afternoon #NAPABA15 pic.twitter.com/S7mTQiCjV6

Congratulations to Assemblyman @RobBonta, who advocates for teaching Asian American history in public schools!

The trailblazers from Hawaii are wearing such beautiful lei. Congratulations to David Louie! pic.twitter.com/pv4pMWscOX

Congratulations to Justice McKenna – language access advocate, pro bono enthusiast, and LGBT trailblazer! #NAPABA15

Hanging out with our friends at #kalagny https://t.co/MGilWiB0Xw

Thanks to the @NAPABA Women’s Leadership Network for organizing the Women in Public Service breakfast plenary… https://t.co/zWduQlCHxJ

Our Immediate Past President Clara Ohr presents on The Paradox of Abundance: The Ups and Downs of $50/Barrel… https://t.co/34nzJhFQJH

The AABANY team prepares for its annual trial reenactment at #napaba15. We’ll be in Grand Salon 7. Get excited! https://t.co/KdeidNxvop

It’s started! Vietnamese Fishermen v. KKK. #napaba15 https://t.co/ml3JXf0HA6

Louis Beam being deposed. “The deposition did not begin well.” #napaba15 #reenactment https://t.co/ZVm2IR8VjX

Thanks to Judge Chin and Kathy Hirata Chin for leading these wonderful annual trial reenactments! pic.twitter.com/LygnpFzjD0

Judge Chin gives the background behind our historical reenactments. Vietnamese Fisherman is number 9. #napaba15 https://t.co/rXKnTXY3Os

Don Liu recognizes NAPABA’s Best Under 40 award recipients. #napaba15 #bu40 https://t.co/wooM5Lax8V

NAPABA 2015-16 Board of Governors has been sworn in. Congrats! #napaba15 https://t.co/rMbX7AnbR9

Just a couple of guys in tuxes at the President’s Party. #napaba15 https://t.co/UdsaCtOGo7

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