NAPABA Committees & Networks | 2025 Co-Chair Applications are Open

Lead and Inspire:
Become a NAPABA Committee or Network Co-Chair

Deadline: September 12, 2025

NAPABA’s committees and networks are vibrant, peer-led communities that connect members through shared practice areas, professional interests, and lived experiences. Committees focus on substantive legal topics and advocacy priorities such as labor & employment law, civil rights, and emerging technologies. Networks bring together members with common career paths or life experiences—such as in-house counsel, military service, or solo practice. These groups foster knowledge-sharing, collaboration, and leadership development.

Serving as a co-chair is a meaningful opportunity to:

  • Lead within a respected national bar association
  • Develop and showcase your leadership and subject-matter expertise
  • Build lasting relationships with colleagues across the country
  • Shape impactful programs, events, and initiatives that align with NAPABA’s strategic goals

If you are ready to take on a leadership role within NAPABA, we invite you to apply for open 2025 Committee and Network Co-Chair Positions.

Eligibility Criteria

Ideal co-chair candidates will:

  • Bring relevant personal or professional experience to the committee or network’s focus
  • Show a clear commitment to NAPABA’s mission, especially in leadership development
  • Be a NAPABA or NAPABA affiliate member in good standing
  • Commit to serving a six-year term

Application Requirements

Please submit the following materials as a single PDF:

  • Resume or CV highlighting relevant experience
  • Statement of Interest demonstrating the following:
    • Your leadership experience in NAPABA, local NAPABA affiliates, or related organizations
    • Your commitment to integrity and professional excellence
    • Additional relevant experience not included in your resume
  • Professional Bio (a law firm or company profile is acceptable)

2025 Committees and Networks with Co-Chair Vacancies

  • Bankruptcy & Restructuring Committee
  • Cannabis/CBD/Hemp Law & Policy Committee
  • Civil Rights Committee
  • Dispute Resolution Committee
  • Energy, Environment & Sustainability Committee
  • Financial Services Network
  • Government Enforcement & Compliance Committee
  • Health Law Committee
  • Immigration Committee
  • In House Counsel Network
  • Intellectual Property Committee
  • International Law Committee
  • Labor & Employment Committee
  • Law School Professors and Administrators Network
  • LGBTQ Network
  • Litigation Committee
  • Mass Torts & Class Actions Committee
  • Military & Veterans Network
  • Partners Network
  • Pro Bono & Community Service Committee
  • Public Sector Network
  • Solo & Small Firm Network
  • Women’s Leadership Network
  • Young Lawyers Network

Questions?

Reach out to us at membership@napaba.org.

SAIL Scholarship Program: Applications Now Being Accepted

Deadline: June 30, 2025, by 5:00 p.m. ET

The NAPABA Law Foundation is accepting applications for the prestigious SAIL Scholarship Program—a unique opportunity designed to support and empower the next generation of leaders in the legal profession.

This scholarship provides more than just financial aid—recipients receive:

  • $7,500 in financial support (split evenly between their 2L and 3L years)
  • Private mentorship from legal professionals
  • Exclusive networking opportunities with executive-level leaders

Who Should Apply? Current 1L students (rising 2Ls in Fall 2025) who demonstrate:

  • Academic excellence (undergraduate and 1L performance)
  • Leadership experience and a “pay it forward” mindset
  • Volunteerism or service in the public interest
  • Knowledge of or commitment to impacting AAPI communities

This is a rare opportunity to receive ongoing support throughout law school—both financially and professionally—while building a foundation for a legal career rooted in service and leadership.

Do you know an outstanding first year law student? Please encourage your standout 1L students to apply.

Students: Review the SAIL Scholarship FAQ to understand eligibility and expectations before submitting your application.

Let the SAIL Scholarship help launch your journey to making a meaningful impact.

Please share this great opportunity with your networks.

Meet the 2024 SAIL Scholarship Recipient | Jennifer Shim

Jennifer Shim, a second-year law student at the University of Arizona James E. Rogers College of Law, was selected as the 2024 SAIL Scholar. A first-generation Korean American from New York City, Jennifer was recognized for her exceptional leadership, academic achievement, and commitment to public service.

Through the SAIL Scholarship, Jennifer is receiving mentorship, leadership development, and $7,500 to support her legal education.

“Jennifer shows great promise as a leader who gives generously of her time and effort to the broader community. We could not be more delighted to help her as she completes her academic work and becomes part of the next generation of leaders in our profession,” said Ivan Fong, who, with his wife Sharon, endowed the NLF SAIL Scholarship Program.

Columbia Law School’s Paralegal Pathways Initiative: Applications Now Open for Spring 2025

The Paralegal Pathways Initiative (PPI) at Columbia Law School is a 12-week training program designed to support formerly incarcerated individuals as they transition into meaningful careers within the legal field. Through skills-based legal training and professional mentorship, PPI empowers participants to develop valuable career and interview skills. Applications are now open for the upcoming Spring 2025 class, and PPI wants to extend this opportunity to as many potential applicants as possible.

Application Requirements: Interested individuals should submit an application online through this link. The application package includes:

  • Resume 
  • Personal statement (500 words)
  • Response to a writing prompt (350-450 words) 
  • Two references 
  • [Optional] Additional materials/information

PPI encourages applications from individuals from marginalized communities, including those based on race, sexual orientation, religion, age, gender, or disability.

Eligibility Criteria:

  • 18 years old or older
  • Ability to commute to New York City
  • Have been formerly incarcerated and at least one year post-release
  • Demonstrate a genuine interest in the legal field
  • Commit to attending an in-person two-hour class one night a week for 12 weeks, and additional programming and workshops
  • Commit to contributing to a collaborative learning environment
  • Complete an interview

Application Deadline: Friday, November 15, 2024 

Contact Information: For more information, contact the PPI team at ppi@law.columbia.edu or follow @paralegalpathways_cls on Instagram. Please share this information with anyone who may be interested in applying.

2024 ADR Institute Applications Are Now Open: Apply by Aug. 14

November 6-7, 2024 | Seattle, WA
Application is Now Open
Apply by August 14, 2024 at 8 pm ET

The NAPABA ADR Institute is a multi-day career and skills development program created to provide a broad overview as well as substantive, hands-on training to members who are interested in pursuing a career in Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR). This program aims to diversify the pool of mediators and arbitrators in the United States and to increase the use of mediation and arbitration by those who attend the training. The NAPABA Dispute Resolution Committee will provide substantive leadership in the program development and execution as they seek to provide guidance and opportunities to those who may be members of the next generation of leading mediators and arbitrators in the country and to ensure that these mediators and arbitrators also include members of the AANHPI legal community. The training is designed for:

  • those interested in incorporating work as a mediator or arbitrator while still advocating;
  • those who are interested in pursuing a judicial career and will benefit from serving as a neutral to gain valuable experience before applying for or running for a judicial position; and
  • those who wish to pursue a career as a full-time mediator and/or arbitrator, either ad hoc or by joining an ADR provider.

Instructors are ADR thought leaders and the program is supported and guided by leading ADR organizations like JAMS, the American Arbitration Association, and CPR (International Institute for Conflict Prevention & Resolution). This program will provide MCLE-accredited training that will provide foundational training and a deeper understanding for the attendees who may pursue different avenues in ADR, including starting a mediation or arbitration practice at their firm, joining an ADR provider so to gain more experience as an arbitrator in their eventual bid to become a judge, or transition their practice to a full time neutral. Over the course of two days, participants will be exposed to topic areas such as:

  • Basic introduction to Mediation from a Mediator’s point of view
  • Basic introduction to Arbitration and its Phases
  • Selecting an Arbitrator: The Process
  • Conducting the Preliminary Hearing
  • Discovery & Motion Practice in ADR
  • The Arbitration Hearing
  • Scope and Authority of an Arbitrator
  • Writing an Award
  • Vacatur & Appeals
  • Ad hoc arbitration vs. Administrated Arbitration: Criteria for starting an ADR practice as a solo practitioner vs. joining an ADR provider
  • Training / Fellowship Opportunities 

Questions? Contact the NAPABA Programs Team.

Criminal Justice Act (CJA) Panel Applications Now Open for US Court of Appeals, 2d Cir.

The Criminal Justice Act Committee of the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit is accepting applications for service on the Court’s Criminal Justice Act Panel. CJA Panel Members represent indigent criminal defendants and petitioners for habeas corpus.


Admission to practice before this Court is a necessary qualification for membership on the Panel. The Court seeks attorneys of superior experience and proven competence in federal appellate criminal defense work. The qualifications of attorneys applying for service on the Panel will be examined by the CJA Committee’s Attorney Advisory Group, which will make recommendations for membership on the Panel. Membership on the Panel will be for a term of one to three years, at the discretion of the Court. Attorneys currently serving on the panel need not reapply until the expiration of their present term.


Application forms for membership on the Criminal Justice Act Panel are available at the Court’s website, or by calling 212-857-8702.


A signed original application, one copy of each of your appellate briefs, and three paper copies of the completed application and your resumé, along with a CD containing both your completed applications and resumé, must be received by the Clerk of Court by 5:00 p.m. on Monday, April 3, 2023.


Please check the Court’s website periodically for CJA developments.

Proskauer Now Accepting Applications for its Silver Scholar Program

Proskauer LLP is now accepting applications for its Silver Scholar Program. The scholarship program grants recipients a summer associate position at Proskauer and a $30,000 cash award. The award is named after Edward Silver, the first elected Chairman of Proskauer, and a trailblazing labor lawyer. Silver’s storied commitment to diversity and equal opportunity is memorialized through this program. 

Proskauer is now accepting applications for this program from 1Ls. Applicants will need to submit the following materials: a resume, undergraduate and law school transcripts, a legal writing sample, a personal statement and three references. For more details, including a link to the online application, please click here.

The application deadline is January 16, 2023. Any additional questions can be directed to silverscholar@proskauer.com.

Commission on Judicial Nomination is Seeking Applications for Chief Judge of the New York Court of Appeals and State of New York

July 29, 2022

Contact: Henry M. Greenberg, Counsel

Phone: (518) 689-1492

e-mail: greenbergh@gtlaw.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Yesterday, the Commission on Judicial Nomination was formally notified by the Clerk of the Court of Appeals of the State of New York of the coming vacancy on the Court created by the resignation of Chief Judge Janet DiFiore, effective August 31, 2022.  Accordingly, the Commission is taking up the task of seeking recommendations and applications of persons who may be qualified to serve as Chief Judge of the Court of Appeals, as well as Chief Judge of the State of New York. 

Candidates for Chief Judge DiFiore’s vacancy may download an application from the Commission’s website (www.nysegov.com/cjn) or contact the Commission’s Counsel, Henry M. Greenberg, c/o Greenberg Traurig, LLP, 54 State Street, 6th Floor, Albany, New York 12208 [Tel.: (518) 689-1492; e-mail: greenbergh@gtlaw.com; Fax: (518) 689-1499].  Applications may be filed electronically by e-mailing them to CJN_Applications@gtlaw.com or submitted by mail to the Commission’s Counsel.  Applications must be submitted to the Commission no later than August 29, 2022.

The Commission was created by Article 6, § 2 of the New York State Constitution.  Consistent with its mandate, the Commission is entrusted with responsibility for evaluating, and then recommending to the Governor, candidates to fill vacancies on the Court of Appeals.  The Commission vigorously seeks out, carefully evaluates and then shall nominate to the Governor seven well-qualified candidates for the office of Chief Judge from the extraordinary, diverse community of lawyers admitted to practice in New York State for at least ten years.  The Governor’s appointment is subject to confirmation by the New York State Senate.

To fill past judicial vacancies on the Court, the Commission has nominated to the Governor a wide variety of lawyers, including private practitioners, public interest attorneys, law professors, government officials and sitting Federal and State judges. While prospective candidates must file an application with the Commission, recommendations may be made by anyone who believes that a prospective candidate could be an excellent Chief Judge of the Court of Appeals and the State of New York.  Recommendations of qualified candidates for a vacancy are encouraged and may be made to the Commission’s Counsel.  

If any person or organization wishes to receive copies of future Commission press releases, please provide an e-mail or mailing address to the Commission’s Counsel.  The Commission will register the address and make every effort to distribute future press releases in the designated manner.  Persons interested in learning more about the Commission are encouraged to visit its website: www.nysegov.com/cjn.

Apply for the Court’s Criminal Justice Act Panel by April 11, 2022

The Criminal Justice Act Committee of the United States Court of Appeals for the  Second Circuit is accepting applications for service on the Court’s Criminal Justice Act  Panel. CJA Panel Members represent indigent criminal defendants and petitioners for habeas corpus

Admission to practice before this Court is a necessary qualification for membership on the Panel. The Court seeks attorneys of superior experience and proven competence in federal appellate criminal defense work. The qualifications of attorneys applying for service on the Panel will be examined by the CJA Committee’s Attorney Advisory Group,  which will make recommendations for membership on the Panel. Membership on the  Panel will be for a term of one to three years, at the discretion of the Court. Attorneys currently serving on the panel need not reapply until the expiration of their present term. 

Application forms for membership on the Criminal Justice Act Panel are available at the Court’s website at www.ca2.uscourts.gov, or by calling 212-857-8702. 

A signed original application, one copy of each of your appellate briefs, and three paper copies of the completed application and your resumé, along with a CD containing both your completed applications and resumé, must be received by the Clerk of Court by  5:00 p.m. on Monday, April 11, 2022. Please check the Court’s website (www.ca2.uscourts.gov) periodically for CJA .

For further information or questions, please contact Jasmine_Beard@ca2.uscourts.gov.

NAPABA Now Accepting Nominations and Applications for the 2020-21 Board of Governors

The National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) is now accepting nominations for Officer and Director Candidates and applications for At-Large Candidates for the 2020-21 NAPABA Board of Governors.

In 1988, NAPABA was successfully formed by visionary leaders who provided the passion, determination, and support needed to transform the concept of a national Asian Pacific American bar association into a vibrant, diverse, and flourishing organization. Today, NAPABA is the voice for 50,000 Asian Pacific American attorneys, judges, law professors, and law students and represents the interests of nearly 90 national, state, and local Asian Pacific American bar associations.

The organization has grown exponentially over the past decade—maturity, stature, and staff. As a result, the NAPABA Board of Governors has continued to evolve as an oversight and governing body committed to the mission and purpose of NAPABA. The governing Board of 23 and national staff of seven (7) complement and support each other—together focused on NAPABA’s mission through different perspectives and actions.

NAPABA is committed to having a governing board that reflects the diverse Asian Pacific American legal community and has the right blend of skill, expertise, community connections, and diverse perspectives as a whole. To that end, the NAPABA Board of Governors embarked on a positive, forward looking, transformation—transitioning the Board from an operationally engaged group to a more strategically focused governing board that will employ a “best practice” standing committee framework to better execute its organizational oversight responsibilities.

The NAPABA Board of Governors now includes five (5) Officers and four (4) Directors elected by the membership, ten (10) Regional Governors chosen by the NAPABA regions, and four (4) At-Large Board Members who are appointed by the Board of Governors. In addition, the NAPABA Board of Governors has established three (3) Standing Committees: Governance, Nominations and Elections; Finance; and Programs. These new Standing Committees may include a mix of Board and non-Board members and will allow committee members to collectively oversee key strategic areas important to NAPABA, as well as assess matters of consequence in depth, and provide recommendations to the entire Board. Stay tuned for future opportunities to lend your talent and support to NAPABA and participate in NAPABA Standing Committees. 

The Nominating and Elections Committee is now accepting nominations for Officer and Director candidates and applications for At-Large Board Member candidates for the 2020-21 NAPABA Board of Governors. 

Click here to apply or nominate.

New CJA Panel Applications Being Accepted

The Criminal Justice Act Committee of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York is soliciting applications from highly qualified and experienced criminal defense attorneys for membership on the CJA Panel for the District.

Applications will be accepted from attorneys who are available for case assignments in either the Brooklyn or Central Islip Courthouses, or both. The Committee is also seeking applications from practitioners whose experience is uniquely suited to handling petitions for post-conviction relief.

Assignments to the Panel will be for a three-year period, beginning January 1, 2020.

Applications are available at the Clerk’s Offices at the Courthouses in Brooklyn and Central Islip. The form of the application has also been posted at the Court’s website at:

https://www.nyed.uscourts.gov/forms/cja-panel-application-form

Your application must be received by October 11, 2019. Please mail it to:

Douglas C. Palmer, Clerk of Court
United States District Court, Eastern District of New York
225 Cadman Plaza
East Brooklyn, NY 11201

Or submit via E-Mail at: clerk-of-court@nyed.uscourts.gov