On April 1, 2024, AsAm News published an article by Ti-Hua Chang reporting on the retirement of Margaret Fung, co-founder of the Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund (AALDEF). After serving as Executive Director of AALDEF for most of the fifty years she’s been with the organization, she is now retiring from her position in October.
AALDEF, based in New York, is a national organization known for spearheading advocacy efforts in support AAPI workers’ rights, voting rights, and anti-Asian hate initiatives, among others. Margaret Fung, who pioneered many such civil rights activities, has been praised by community leaders, especially in Chinatown, for her continuous fight to improve the lives of the working people and immigrant communities. After hearing about her retirement, many wondered what the future of AALDEF will look like without her prominent contributions.
Executive Director of the Asian American Bar Association of New York (AABANY) Yang Chen stated, “AALDEF is the NAACP of the Asian American community and has done a lot of great work in the last 50 years. Now that Margaret is stepping down, the big question is: will they be able to perpetuate that, continue that.”
Whatever the future holds for AALDEF in the years to come, Margaret’s legacy as an AAPI civil rights advocate and trailblazer in the male-dominated legal field will continue to live on. AABANY honors Margaret for all that she has accomplished in a storied career.
AABANY congratulates Jennifer Wu, co-chair of AABANY’s Women’s Committee and Founding Partner at Groombridge, Wu, Baughman & Stone LLP, as a recipient of NAPABA’s Pro Bono Service Award. This recognition is well-deserved, acknowledging Jennifer’s exceptional commitment to Pro Bono service and unwavering dedication to advancing civil rights, aligning with NAPABA’s mission to promote justice, equity, and opportunity for Asian American Pacific Islanders. Jennifer’s exemplary legal and advocacy work also exemplifies the values and aspirations of the Asian American Bar Association of New York, making her an inspiring role model for the legal community at large. This award will be presented during the Gala on Saturday evening, November 11, at the NAPABA Convention in Indianapolis.
When asked what she felt when she first learned that she was getting this award, Jennifer recounts her initial feelings of overwhelming appreciation and gratitude for the NAPABA community. “To me, Pro Bono work has always been driven by a sense of purpose, with no expectation of accolades or recognition. Receiving the NABABA Pro Bono Service Award is like the cherry on top. It’s truly gratifying to receive recognition, particularly when you’re dedicated to serving a community that often goes unnoticed,” remarked Jennifer.
Jennifer’s Pro Bono career has been as exceptional as it has been unconventional. Her Pro Bono work differs significantly from what is traditionally associated with legal Pro Bono services. While many high-profile cases commonly involve courtroom appearances and legal battles, Jennifer’s approach is distinct. She provides legal guidance and support, helping victims and their families navigate issues that are more practical in nature. “While this type of work may not conform to what is conventionally recognized by the legal community,” Jennifer stated, “I am deeply honored by NAPABA’s acknowledgment.”
Jennifer demonstrates her exemplary dedication to the community through her active involvement in a wide array of groundbreaking initiatives and Pro Bono cases. Through her legal work, Jennifer has taken on the crucial role of representing victims of Anti-Asian violence, advocating for justice, and providing essential support to their families. Jennifer’s Pro Bono services have been extraordinary— she has taken on the representation of nearly every individual who has lost their life to anti-Asian violence in the past two years in New York City.
Notably, Jennifer Wu played a pivotal role in seeking justice for GuiYing Ma and her family, and raising awareness about the tragic incident. In March 2022, Jennifer orchestrated a press conference for GuiYing Ma’s family, and its subsequent national coverage in the New York Times granted them a vital platform to voice their story and demand justice. Then, in April of that same year, Jennifer worked closely with GuiYing’s family to craft an in-depth feature about her life, further shedding light on the incident’s impact. Currently, Jennifer is working with the Queens family attacked in a car and families of the Allen, Texas mall shooting, both of which are suspected to be hate crimes.
Growing up in an immigrant family in New Jersey, Jennifer recounted how her upbringing has affected her outlook on the importance of Pro Bono service and civil rights advocacy. As the first lawyer in her family, it struck her that Pro Bono services were not available for those that needed them. “I noticed that organizations out there simply don’t solve the problems that my immigrant family faces,” observed Jennifer. Asian immigrants, in particular, face a host of unique challenges in gaining access to legal services. “Many immigrants find themselves in a challenging middle ground—they’re not considered poor enough to qualify for legal aid, but they also lack the financial means to afford a top-tier lawyer who can represent them effectively,” Jennifer stated.
This phenomenon highlights the pressing need for legal services that bridge the gap for immigrant communities, making it clear that there is a substantial segment of the population that falls into this underserved category. Armed with her personal experiences and profound understanding of the immigrant experience, Jennifer hopes to dedicate her legal career to addressing this gap in service, reshaping the legal landscape to better serve the needs of all members of society.
Furthermore, “the immigrant community is not assimilated enough [to know about] government services [and] to trust the people that are there to help them. They don’t trust the police, they don’t trust the district attorney— they don’t even trust the hospitals treating them,” observed Jennifer. “When they don’t trust those institutions, their reaction is to withdraw, and not engage. This is okay, except when someone’s been really hurt. All of the sudden, they’re faced with these legal institutions that for their entire life, they’ve tried to avoid.”
Against this backdrop of general distrust of existing institutions, Jennifer views her Asian identity as a unifying force, a connection that can help close the gap between immigrant communities and the often intimidating legal system. Her immigrant background thus becomes a point of connection and relatability, enabling her to break down barriers and establish trust with individuals who may have been apprehensive about seeking help. Her commitment to building these crucial bridges not only helps immigrant families find the justice and support they need but also serves as a powerful testament to the impact of diversity and cultural understanding that facilitates the efficacy of her Pro Bono advocacy.
Aside from her illustrious Pro Bono career, Jennifer is actively involved in AABANY as a co-chair of AABANY’s Women’s Committee. When asked about her experience in the committee, Jennifer’s face lit up with a smile, and she warmly reflected on her involvement. “Though I’ve engaged in mentorship experiences in the past, they often felt awkward because they didn’t naturally evolve,” Jennifer declared, in an animated tone. “What makes the Women’s Committee so exceptional is that it provides an organic opportunity to connect and engage with a diverse and accomplished group of female Asian lawyers.” Her warmth and enthusiasm in discussing her role in the Committee demonstrates her dedication to empowering the next generation of legal professionals. To learn more about AABANY’s Women’s Committee, please click here.
To announce the release of the Endless Tide report, Jennifer delivered remarks at a press conference held on May 31 at the offices of Paul, Weiss in midtown Manhattan. During this event, Eva Zhao, the widow of Zhiwen Yan, the delivery worker who tragically lost his life in Forest Hills, spoke about her hardships and struggles in the wake of her husband’s murder. Significantly, the very next day, the perpetrator responsible for Zhiwen Yan’s tragic death was arrested, marking a significant breakthrough in a case Jennifer had worked diligently on. Jennifer’s relentless efforts and dedication in the Zhiwen Yan case played a pivotal role in bringing closure to the grieving family and securing justice for the victim. To read more about Jennifer’s involvement in this case, and her approach to anti-Asian violence casework, click here.
Please join AABANY in congratulating Jennifer on receiving the NAPABA Pro Bono Service Award, In the legal world and beyond, Jennifer Wu’s work serves as an embodiment of the power of empathy, cultural understanding, and unwavering dedication to justice.
On August 21, 2023, AsAm News published a piece written by Rachel Phua titled “The Pandemic Emergency May Be Over, But Anti-Asian Hate Is Not.” AABANY was featured in this article, which details the alarming ongoing hate crimes against Asians in America and its effects on Asian-Americans.
The research of Dr. Elaine Chiu, law professor at St. John’s University and past chair of AABANY’s Anti-Asian Violence Task Force, was cited to describe the discrepancy between official statistics and AABANY’s statistics regarding anti-Asian hate crimes. The article notes “although official statistics show that anti-Asian hate crime rates have fallen, AABANY found 233 anti-Asian incidents in New York City over the first three quarters of 2021, compared to 118 hate crimes the NYPD reported.”
In response to these persisting crime rates, AABANY has been pushing for hate crime prosecution reforms. The article noted that “AABANY wants the state and city to lower the standards needed to prove a hate crime, partly by changing the phrase ‘in substantial part’ to ‘in part,’ and including all offenses — unless explicitly excluded from the law — as possible acts of hate.” Chris Kwok, co-chair of AABANY’s Anti-Asian Violence Task Force, said they are working with state lawmakers to introduce a bill to update the law.
Yang Chen, AABANY’s Executive Director, was quoted in the article stating that “before Covid came, Trump had already reoriented the US-China relationship. Covid set Trump on fire,” and noted lingering concerns over foreign policy rhetoric at the federal level.
For Immediate Release: October 17, 2023 Contact: Rahat N. Babar, Deputy Executive Director for Policy
WASHINGTON – On Sunday, an unimaginable nightmare visited a Palestinian American family in Plainfield, Illinois, a suburban region outside of Chicago. Local law enforcement officials have accused the family’s landlord of murdering a six-year-old child and attempted murder of the child’s mother in their home. The Will County Sheriff’s Office concluded that the perpetrator targeted the family because of their Islamic faith.
No words can capture the anguish and devastation that this vile act of hate has brought. We send our deep, heartfelt condolences to the family, and we stand with the Palestinian, Arab, and Muslim communities throughout the United States.
Acts of hate must have no quarter anywhere. As the nation responds to the current conflict in the Middle East, we must not overlook our common humanity. Hate, whether in the form of anti-Asian hate, Islamophobia, anti-Semitism, white supremacy, or any other act of bigotry must be condemned across the board.
On Monday, the Federal Bureau of Investigation released its national crime statistics for 2022, reminding us that our work to eradicate hate must continue. With unrelenting focus, NAPABA, the Asian American Bar Association of Greater Chicago, the South Asian Bar Association of Chicago, and the Filipino American Lawyers Association of Chicago are committed to do so.
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The National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA), represents the interests of over 60,000 Asian Pacific American (APA) legal professionals and nearly 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 Asian American Bar Association of New York (AABANY) submitted a letter on April 24, 2023 to the United States Commission on Civil Rights (USCCR) expressing concern about the ongoing issue of anti-Asian hate and violence in the United States, particularly in New York. In the letter, we highlighted the increase in incidents during the COVID-19 pandemic and outlined the efforts of AABANY’s Anti-Asian Violence Task Force (AAVTF) in addressing these issues, including hosting webinars, publishing reports, advocating for legislative changes, and providing resources to support victims. While we appreciate the USCCR for drawing attention to anti-Asian crimes, we believe that there is much more work to be done. AABANY presented three recommendations to combat anti-Asian hate crimes: improved hate crime data reporting, recognition of the community as a victim and investigative partner, and appropriate training for prosecutors and law enforcement. We emphasized the importance of collaboration between the government, law enforcement, and community organizations to ensure the safety of the Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) community.
To read AABANY’s public comment in its entirety, please click here. AABANY gratefully acknowledges the efforts of Chris Kwok, Issues Committee Chair, and AABANY Student Leaders Jinny Lim, J.D. candidate, Seton Hall Law School ‘24, and Catherine Tran, J.D. Candidate, Columbia Law School ‘25, in preparing this submission.
The National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA), in collaboration with the American Bar Foundation, is proud to announce the release of A Portrait of Asian Americans in the Law 2.0: Identity and Action in Challenging Times (Portrait Project 2.0). Building on the results of the original Portrait Project report published in 2017, this five-year follow-up study provides comprehensive data and analysis on the progress and experiences of Asian Americans in the legal profession.
“Portrait Project 2.0 is a crucial resource for lawyers, policymakers, researchers, and advocates seeking to advance diversity in the legal profession,” said Sandra Leung, president of NAPABA. “By spotlighting the experiences of Asian American attorneys, this new report calls attention to our community’s successes and challenges, and provides troves of data that will inform efforts to promote equity and inclusion in a variety of sectors and organizations. We are proud that this report quantifies the advances we have made on the bench and in the C-Suite. However, we recognize that Asian Americans remain underrepresented in the highest ranks of law firms, education, and in public service and commit to investing in career development in those sectors.”
“The findings of Portrait Project 2.0 highlight the importance of NAPABA’s ongoing work to develop innovate programs to help attorneys at all stages of their career lifecycle, from law school to retirement, to advance and find personal fulfillment in their profession,” said Priya Purandare, executive director of NAPABA. “As we learned five years ago, legal employers and legal networks must make more strategic investments in supporting Asian American attorneys by facilitating relationship-building, helping young lawyers develop soft skills, and providing leadership opportunities. Further, they must invest in meaningful interventions that combat institutional bias and stereotypes. This report underscores the opportunity top organizations across sectors have to attract and retain top-talent by creating supportive and value driven cultures.”
The 77-page report — authored by Tyler Dang, Katherine Fang, Benji Lu, Michael Tayag, and California Supreme Court Justice Goodwin Liu — combines detailed analysis of employment data in various legal sectors with qualitative insights from focus groups and results of a wide-ranging national survey completed by over 700 Asian American lawyers.
This five-year update offers fresh insights into Asian American career advancement and political participation against the backdrop of a rise in anti-Asian hate. Among the key findings:
Asian American attorneys indicated greater engagement with social and political issues. Those seeking to change practice settings ranked a desire to advance issues important to them among their most significant reasons for doing so. This was ranked among the least significant reasons in 2016.
47% of survey respondents reported having become more involved in community organizations, protests, or other forms of advocacy on behalf of Asian Americans since March 2020, suggesting recent societal events may be influenced this behavior.
There has been progress in the appointment of federal judges and in the ranks of general counsel. The number of Asian American federal judges has increased over the past five years, comprising 6% of active federal judges compared to 3.4% in 2016.
Underrepresentation of Asian Americans in the top ranks of the legal profession persists. Asian Americans are the largest minority group at major law firms, but they have the lowest ratio of partners to associates — and the highest attrition rate. Further, they remain underrepresented among law clerks, law professors, state court judges, and state and federal prosecutors.
Asian American attorneys would likely benefit from greater institutional supports that counteract stereotypes and facilitate relationship-building and leadership opportunities.
NAPABA thanks Justice Goodwin Liu and the American Bar Foundation for their continued partnership, support, and investment in our vision of a community where Asian Pacific Americans achieve representation, success, and influence within the legal profession and beyond. #
The National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA), represents the interests of over 60,000 Asian Pacific American (APA) legal professionals and nearly 90 national, state, and local APA bar associations. NAPABA is a leader in addressing civil rights issues confronting APA 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.
NAPABA | 1612 K St. NW, Suite 300 | Washington, DC 20006 | www.napaba.org
On May 31, 2022, AABANY released its second report on anti-Asian hate and violence in New York City, entitled Endless Tide: The Continuing Struggle to Overcome Anti-Asian Hate in New York. The report examines the increased incidents of violence against Asian Americans in 2021 and proposes solutions to combat the lack of justice. Endless Tide is dedicated to the memory of Vincent Chin, a Chinese American autoworker murdered 40 years ago in an act of racial violence outside of Detroit.
AABANY held a press conference on the morning of May 31 at the offices of Paul, Weiss in midtown Manhattan. Remarks were delivered by Eva Zhao, the widow of Zhiwen Yan, the delivery worker who was murdered in Forest Hills.
“I want justice.” said Eva Zhao. “I really don’t want to see another family go through the same kind of pain.”
(On June 1, Glenn Hirsch was arrested on charges of murdering Zhiwen Yan.)
AABANY was also joined by numerous elected officials and community leaders including Council Member Sandra Ung, State Senator John Liu, Assembly Member Ron Kim, Partner at Paul, Weiss and former United States Attorney General Loretta Lynch, and Regional Director New York/New Jersey for the ADL Scott Richman.
“We can make people safe, We can make people feel welcomed in their communities. We can give them peace and security.” Loretta Lynch noted. “We can eliminate this hate that is based on nothing more than a distinction without a difference.”
Endless Tide has received widespread coverage in the media since its release. The report has been cited by more than a dozen different publications to date, including CNN, CBS News, NBC News, and the New York Law Journal:
AABANY thanks everyone who made this project possible. Special thanks to NAPABA for selecting AABANY as a recipient of its 2022 Affiliate Grant Program. The NAPABA Affiliate Grant Program supports affiliates and national associates in carrying out activities to further their missions and goals. To read the full report, please click on the image above. To view the press conference, please click here.
May is Asian American Heritage Month. And in 2022 we have a serious #stopasianhate situation since a certain someone dubbed Coronavirus the “Kung Flu.” Enter an entire cohort of killer Nuyorasian Artists — New York’s premier Asian American performers — tearing up the stage and changing the dynamic with their world class talent: Top notch performers from Broadway, Stand Up Comedy, Burlesque, Rock and Classical Music (with a twist) join forces for one electrifying show. Curated and hosted by notorious comedienne/rapper Kate Siahaan-Rigg alongside child star-turned-Broadway actress Olivia Oguma. This program lasts about 75 minutes and is recommended to boost your immunity against boredom, inaction, xenophobia, and orientalism.
Monday May 2nd, 7pm at Joe’s Pub 425 Lafayette Street.
A special message to AABANY members from event curator and AABANY Annual Dinner master of ceremonies Kate Siahaan-Rigg:
From the first ever Asian American to play Hamilton on Broadway to a legendary burlesque dancer, to an award winning classical duo to a rising comedy star. Part of the reason violence against Asian Americans has exploded in the face of rhetoric around Corona Virus and the rise in xenophobia is becasue Asians have always been marginalized and shut out of the cultural converation about what it is to be an American. Artists are on the front lines of visibility and speaking up for our community. By showing up and speaking up and practicing their art in a public way, AAPI artists are part of the inclusion of all of us and actively fight racism.
I have assembled the best of the best and we intend to sing, dance, get crazy, have fun and celebrate our place in the cultural conversation. Please come. Friends and family discount code: HELLOKITTY
Make your voice heard on issues that are important to AAPI communities
This year’s NAPABA Lobby Day will be held on May 18 and 19 in observance of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month! This is our second virtual Lobby Day and 11th annual event.
Lobby Day is an opportunity for NAPABA members from across the country to educate members of Congress and Congressional staffers on issues of importance to the AAPI community. This year, our agenda includes addressing anti-Asian hate with a focus on what Congress and the federal government can do to stop bias from taking root and how to support victims.
Register today to ensure that your voices and advocacy for justice, equity, and opportunity for all AAPIs are heard from your home districts to the halls of Congress!
The deadline is register is April 30. Learn more about Lobby Day and bookmark the page for the latest information. If you have any questions, please contact [email protected].
We pause to remember the lives of eight people lost, including six Asian women, in the Atlanta-area shootings one year ago. As we continue to grapple with the continued impact of anti-Asian hate and violence on our communities, we hope you are taking care and finding space for reflection and healing. We invite you to join and share events from the NAPABA community and affiliates.
Georgia Asian Pacific American Bar Association: March 16 Remembrance Event “Lest We Forget” Wednesday, March 23, 2022 | 5:00 – 7:00 pm ET Location: Nelson Mullins – Atlanta, GA
Join GAPABA in partnership with The AAPI Crime Victims & Education Fund, The GAPABA Law Foundation, NAAAP-Atlanta, and Asian Americans Advancing Justice – Atlanta. Register for the event here.
All proceeds go towards the AAPI Crime Victims & Education Fund. If you would like to make an extra online donation, you may do so here.
On March 15, 2022, the Asian Pacific American Bar Association of Colorado is hosting a press conference and panel discussion at the Colorado School of Public Health’s Injury & Violence Prevention Center where members of the media and community are invited to learn about the issues impacting the AAPI community and what the community needs in order to end gun violence and hate crimes. Following the press conference, a panel will discuss resources for coping with the trauma associated with community victimization, and tools for where we – as a community – go from here. Register here to attend in-person or via Zoom.
Asian American Bar Association of Houston and Asian American Bar Foundation of Houston: “Break the Silence: Justice for Asian Women” Wednesday, March 16, 2022 | 6:00 pm CT Location: Discovery Green, Downtown Houston
On March 16, 2022, the Asian American Bar Association of Houston is sponsoring the Houston component of the National Asian Women’s rally on the one-year anniversary of the tragic Atlanta spa shootings.
Similar rallies will take place simultaneously in Atlanta, Houston, New York, San Francisco, Sacramento, Washington D.C., and other cities around the country. The Houston rally will be held at Discovery Green in downtown Houston at 6:00 pm CT.
The goal of the event is to uplift the experiences of API women by acknowledging the complexities of their struggles, demanding change, and celebrating women’s strength. Conscious of the anniversary of the Atlanta shootings, and the one too many tragedies in over the last year, this event is meant to emphasize that the violence enacted on API women’s bodies does not solely define their identities and existence.
