Announcement from APALA-NJ: Carlia M. Brady Confirmed

The APALA-NJ Executive Board and Judicial & Prosecutorial Appointments Committee announces the confirmation of CARLIA M. BRADY to the Superior Court of New Jersey, Middlesex County.  Ms. Brady is the first Philippine-born NJ Superior Court Judge and will be the only Filipino-American sitting judge in the NJ Superior Court bench.

Download a copy of APALA-NJ’s press release here, which may also be found on their website www.apalanj.com.

APALA-NJ Applauds Gov. Christie’s Nomination of New Jersey Sup. Ct. Judge David F. Bauman

On December 10, 2012, Governor Chris Christie nominated Judge David F. Bauman to a seat on New Jersey’s highest court. Judge Bauman would be the first Supreme Court Justice of Asian Pacific American (APA) descent in the history of New Jersey.

“This is a proud day for the APA community. APALA-NJ commends Governor Christie for nominating yet another highly qualified APA candidate to the State’s highest court,” said Paul K. Yoon, President of APALA-NJ.

Read the full press release here.

Dear Members and Friends:

Early Bird Registration Has Been Extended To Friday 5/18 For The Eastern Super Regional Conference!

On behalf of the Asian Pacific American Lawyers Association of New Jersey (“APALANJ”) and my fellow Conference Co-Chairs, Ed Kiel, Esq. and Florelee Wan, Esq., we cordially invited you to join us in “Changing the Game” at the 2012 NAPABA Eastern Super Regional Conference as hosted by APALANJ:

WHO: The Asian Pacific American Lawyers Association of New Jersey (“APALANJ”) is one of the member affiliates in the Northeast Region of NAPABA that also comprises of – MA, CT, NY, NJ, PA & Toronto, Canada. APALANJ is the host of this year’s 2012 NAPABA “Super Regional Conference.”

WHAT: Unlike the usual and annual “Northeast Regional Conference,” this year’s 2012 NAPABA Eastern Super Regional as hosted by APALANJ is the first “Super Regional” to be held on the East Coast that would bring the NAPABA Northeast Region and the NAPABA Southeast Region together at one time at one place. The Southeast Region includes the following members from FL, GA, MD, TN, VA, & DC.

It is anticipated that this historic two and a half day “Eastern Super Regional” conference will draw between 250 to 400 legal professionals to meet, network, and attend substantive legal programs designed and presented to accentuate and emphasize how Asian Pacific Americans attorneys are “Changing the Game” as attorneys and or judges.

The conference will conclude with a Saturday Evening Gala Dinner and Installation of the APALANJ Officers.

WHEN: Thursday, May 31st through the evening of Saturday, June 2, 2012.

WHERE: Trump Taj Mahal Resort & Conference Center, Atlantic City, NJ.

OFFICIAL CONFERENCE WEBSITE, INFO & REGISTRATION (Early Bird Rates to end 5-18-2012):

http://2012napabasuperregional.apalanjevents.com/

This is a tremendous opportunity to be seen, be counted upon, and be a part of history. We look forward to having you join us as a fellow “Game Changer” in Atlantic City!

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Very truly yours,

Moly K. Hung, Esq.
Co-Chair, 2012 NAPABA Eastern Super Regional Conference Committee & VP, APALANJ

Celebrate APA Heritage Month with AABANY

May is Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, and AABANY is celebrating in a variety of ways:

  • May 14 – Hon. Jeffrey K. Oing, Justice of the Supreme Court, State of New York (and long-time AABANY member), will be speaking at Kramer Levin’s APA Heritage Month Celebration, at Kramer Levin’s midtown Manhattan office.  RSVP required by May 10.
  • May 18-20 – NYSBA Commercial and Federal Litigation Section Spring Meeting, in association with the Young Lawyers Section, at Mohonk Mountain House in New Paltz, New York.  Past President and current Judiciary Committee Co-Chair James Chou will be speaking on Sunday morning on the panel entitled, “Your Path Through the Court and to the Bench: What You Need to Know to Get Through a Day in Court.”
  • May 22, Asian American Arts Alliance (a4), Museum of Chinese in America (MOCA) and AABANY present: “Revisiting Vincent: The Legacy of the Vincent Chin Case 30 Years Later,” a re-enactment of the Vincent Chin trial, with introduction and talkback led by Hon. Denny Chin and Dean Frank Wu, at New York Law School, starting at 6:30 pm.  Tickets now available for purchase in advance.
  • May 24 – AABANY’s Litigation Committee hosts a Happy Hour at the Hill on 29th and Third Ave., starting at 6:30 pm.  Meet and mingle with members of the Litigation Committee.
  • May 24 – AALDEF’s Young Professionals Committee and Cadwalder Wickersham & Taft host a screening of the documentary “Sing Your Song,” about Harry Belafonte and his role in fighting for civil rights for all Americans.  AALDEF Staff Attorney Jerry Vattamala will take part in a Q&A after the screening and discuss the legacy of Harry Belafonte’s activism and its meaning for today’s generation.
  • May 30 – AABANY joins the Asian American Law Fund of New York (AALFNY) in hosting the Annual Summer Reception, open to the legal community and law students.  It will take place at Edwards Wildman Palmer starting at 6 pm, and there is no cost to attend but RSVP is required by May 25.
  • May 31 – June 2: NAPABA Eastern Super Regional Conference, hosted by APALA-NJ at Trump Taj Mahal in Atlantic City.  Many AABANY members and leaders will be there, speaking on panels and reconnecting with NAPABA friends.  Registration now open.

It’s another event-filled APA Heritage Month.  We hope to see you at one or more of the great programs listed above!

NAPABA Election: Message from Alex Lee, Esq.

Alex Lee, past president of APALA/NJ, friend of AABANY and active member of NAPABA, is a candidate for NAPABA VP-Communications and send this message to everyone at AABANY:

Dear AABANY member:

This email is a reminder to vote in this year’s NAPABA elections – you have until 11:59PM PDT, this coming Friday, September 23rd to cast your votes. By now, you should have received an electronic ballot and/or a paper ballot via The NAPABA Lawyer newsletter.  If you haven’t, this may because NAPABA has an out of date email or snail mail address on file – please check with your home affilliate to ensure the correct information was sent to NAPABA when annual dues were paid in June/July but in any case, please also contact Andre Harrison in the NAPABA DC office at [email protected].

I know usually NAPABA elections generate limited interest for most people as often candidates run uncontested. This year is no different – of the seven races, just one – Vice President of Communications – is contested. However, that contested race happens to be mine – – I’m running against Bijal Vikal of White & Case in Palo Alto, California – and coming from your sister affiliate across the Hudson, I would greatly appreciate your vote and support. Attached are my candidacy statement and CV so you can take a look at my qualifications.

I’m very proud (some would say to the point of obnoxiousness, LOL!) of my roots in the NY/NJ area.  I was born in New Jersey, went to grad school in Manhattan, and have lived on and off for many years in the city.  My first mentorship during law school was through AABANY and I’ve always tried to attend AABANY events when I can.

I consider myself good friends with many of AABANY’s past presidents and officers.  So when people ask why I’m running for NAPABA Board, a big reason is to continue and maintain NY/NJ representation at the national level.  Of the current slate of candidates, none (other than myself) are from the Northeast.  This fall, when Andy Hahn and Joe Centeno step down from their Board positions, the Northeast representation on the Board could be reduced to just our two regional governors.  That’s about 10%.  Considering the Northeast is 25-30% of the total NAPABA membership, we will be grossly under-represented.

We deserve better than that and if elected, I pledge to ensure that the Northeast will be heard at the Board level.

If you have any suggestions or comments or just want to chat, have a beer, etc., please feel free to contact me. Meeting fellow attorneys from around the country and the tri-state area has been one of the most rewarding aspects of NAPABA for me and I hope to continue to expand my friendships with all of you in the coming years. Thanks for your time and support and if you haven’t already, please try to make plans to attend the National Convention in Atlanta this November.

Regards,
Alex Lee

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Law Offices of Alexander M. Lee
354 Bloomfield Avenue, Suite 201
P.O. Box 205
Caldwell, New Jersey 07006
Tel: 973/364-1688
Fax: 973/364-1689
E-Mail: [email protected]
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The attachments are:

Alexander Lee CV

Alexander Lee Candidacy Statement