Super Lawyers: Diversity, not Divinity – Rotating careers and keeping true to self launched Don H. Liu
In Tim Harper’s recent "Diversity, not Divinity" in Super Lawyers, Harper tells the story of AABANY Advisory Committee Member and Xerox Executive Vice President and General Secretary and Secretary Don H. Liu.
From his boyhood businesses and bicycle deliveries, plans to attend divinity school, realization that he liked “sinning far too much” to become a minister, civil rights ambitions, and his one day a month on the Xerox 1-800 helpline, Don shares the gambles he’s made on his way to the top. As much as you may believe that you know Don, this article provides some real insight into the multi-faceted inspirations and experiences that shape him today.
Illustrating Don’s passion and influence, Harper writes, “Liu doesn’t just talk diversity. He lives it. In 1999 when Liu got his first general counsel job… he had to build a new 13-lawyer in-house counsel team. Liu hired an executive recruiter and told him he wanted diversity. Initially the recruiter kept insisting that he couldn’t find qualified women or minority lawyers. Liu said: ‘You are talking to one, and I can’t be the only one out there. Find me diverse candidates, or I will find another headhunter.’”
Click on the article to read more.
NAPABA APPLAUDS ADMINISTRATIVE RELIEF ON IMMIGRATION AND CALLS FOR LEGISLATIVE ACTION
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 21, 2014
Contact: Emily Chatterjee
(202) 775-9555
WASHINGTON – The National Asian Pacific American Bar (NAPABA) welcomes President Barack Obama’s decision to take executive action and provide immigration relief—an important step towards fixing our broken immigration system. A key part of the President’s executive action is providing temporary relief from deportation to an estimated 4.9 million undocumented immigrants, of which an estimated 1.3 million are Asian Pacific American immigrants.
“NAPABA has long supported the need for commonsense immigration reform and applauds the President’s efforts to take action and provide relief,” said George C. Chen, president of NAPABA. “We recognize that President Obama’s actions are only temporary and continue to stress the need for legislative action and call on Congress to pass legislation to fully address the problems within the immigration system.”
Of the 1.3 million undocumented Asian Pacific Americans, an estimated 400,000 will benefit from this temporary relief. However, Asian Pacific American immigrants who have been waiting for decades to reunite with family members due to the visa backlogs in the family immigration system will not obtain any relief. It is estimated that 1.8 million people from Asian countries are waiting for a family-sponsored visa to join loved ones in the United States.
Supporting the need for comprehensive immigration reform has long been a priority for NAPABA. For many years, the NAPABA Board of Governors has passed policy resolutions on immigration, and immigration reform has been a focus of advocacy efforts for NAPABA members on the Hill and across the country within NAPABA’s state and local affiliates. A few weeks ago, NAPABA was proud to present Jose Antonio Vargas, an Asian Pacific American undocumented immigrant and Pulitzer-prize winning activist, as the keynote speaker of the 2014 NAPABA Convention in Arizona. In light of the administrative relief announced last night, Mr. Vargas may, after more than 20 years, finally be able to return home to the Philippines to see his mother.
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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 40,000 attorneys and approximately 70 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.
In a Queens Court, Women in Prostitution Cases are Seen as Victims
In a Queens Court, Women in Prostitution Cases are Seen as Victims
Long-time AABANY member Judge Toko Serita discusses victims at risk and Human Trafficking Intervention Court in the latest New York Times article by Liz Robbins, “In a Queens Court, Women in Prostitution Cases are Seen as Victims.”
Robbins discusses at length the less adversarial nature of Human Trafficking Intervention Court and its intention is to change the legal conversation around the multibillion-dollar sex trade by redefining the women in it as victims instead of criminals. “This court is not devised to solve the problems of trafficking,” Judge Serita said of the program, “but to address one of the unfortunate byproducts, which is the arrest of these defendants on prostitution charges.” Click on the link to the article to read more insights from Judge Serita and others.
The PALS Mentoring Program
ATTORNEY MENTORS
Strengthen the Legal Diversity Pipeline
by Sponsoring a PALS Mentee
The PALS Mentoring Program
Matches law students of color with practicing attorneys, who serve as professional development resources, and has done so for 30 years.
Attorney Mentors Make an Impact
● Join a community of diversity champion attorneys mentoring the next wave of leaders of color in the legal profession
● Be rewarded with your gift of sharing your time and talents with unparalleled networking opportunities
● Positively guide a mentee’s career path, course selection and the road to success!
Become a Mentor Today!
Commit 2-4 hours per month to a designated PALS Mentee.
MAKE A DIFFERENCE
Attorneys matched through the program will be required to review the PALS Mentoring Manual and sign a participation agreement with their mentee.
If you have any questions or concerns about the PALS Mentoring Program, please contact the Executive Director of PALS, Paula Donaldson at: executivedirector@palsprogram.org
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PALS Mission Statement:
PALS is dedicated to enhancing the skills and careers of minority law students and early career attorneys. PALS does this by offering customized mentoring, educational and professional development opportunities. PALS provides resources to augment the law school and employer training of, respectively, minority law students and beginning lawyers, and will continue to offer its services free of charge.
PALS is a 501©(3) not-for-profit organization
Providing Mentoring, Career and Skills Development for Minorities
in the Legal Profession Since 1984
Asian American Federation Statement on President Obama’s Immigration Action
Friday, November 21, 2014
New York City: The Asian American Federation applauds President Obama’s announcement to provide temporary relief to immigrant families by deferring the deportation of the parents of children who are U.S. citizens or legal residents. His plan is an important first step towards fixing our country’s broken immigration system. Ultimately, this executive action will impact over 4 million unauthorized immigrants in our country. Of the 4 million, over one-half million are from Asian countries.
As the city with the second largest Asian population in the country, we know that administrative relief is welcome news for many Asian New Yorkers and their families. The Asian population in NYC is now 1.2 million, making it the fastest growing group in the City. Rough estimates indicate that about 40,000 additional Asian immigrants in the city may be impacted by the relief plan.
We look forward to hearing the details in Spring 2015 when the actual process begins. We urge potential applicants to turn to our member agencies for accurate information.
Finally, many of our member agencies have been part of this important fight to recognize and include Asians in immigration legislation and reform, and the Asian American Federation applauds their leadership and dedication to this important issue.
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Established in 1989, the Federation is a pan-Asian non-profit organization representing a network of community service agencies in the Northeast. These agencies work in the fields of health & human services, education, economic development, civic participation, and social justice. The Asian American Federation’s mission is to raise the influence and well-being of the pan-Asian American community through research, policy advocacy, public awareness and organizational development.
Mokwha’s The Tempest
November 20th-23rd
Thursday–Saturday 8pm | Sunday 4 PM
Ellen Stewart Theatre | 66 East 4th Street
U.S. Premiere by Korean Company Mokwha
Adapted and Directed by Tae-Suk Oh
Traditional Korean aesthetics, language, and expressions inspire Director Oh’s unique theatre methodology: his work is rooted in Korea’s cultural past and present. The Tempest will introduce various aspects of Korean history, tradition, and culture to La MaMa’s stage.
“What instantly strikes one is the lightness and wit which Oh Tae-Suk handles the familiar story… an eloquent testament to the fusion of the best of east and west.”
– Michael Billington, The Guardian (UK)
We hope to see you at La MaMa soon!