Tag: attorneys

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AABANY Shows Up in Force at the 2025 NAPABA Convention in Denver

The Asian American Bar Association of New York (AABANY) was a prominent presence at the 37th National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) Convention, held at the Sheraton in downtown Denver, CO, from November 6 to 8, 2025. This year’s Convention boasted the second-largest convening in NAPABA history, with nearly 2,900 AANHPI attorneys, judges, law professionals and law students in attendance, including over 800 first-time attendees.

AABANY members presented and led various Continuing Legal Education (CLE) programs and were recognized during luncheons and social events throughout the three-day convention.  Over 175 people connected with each other on the AABANY@NAPABA WhatsApp group before, during and after the conference.

AABANY Get-Together at Maggiano’s

AABANY’s well-attended gathering at Maggiano’s Little Italy on Thursday evening was a big hit on one of the first nights of the Convention. The location was conveniently steps away from the Sheraton, drawing over 120 attendees, including friends old and new, many from outside of New York. Guests enjoyed a buffet of heavy hors d’oeuvres, such as domestic and imported cheeses, crostini, ravioli, wagyu meatballs, fried calamari, fried zucchini, and crab cakes, along with drink tickets good for one drink. It proved to be a festive start to the Convention’s social calendar, filled with the spirit of camaraderie that defined the Convention.

Awardees and Recognition for AABANY Members

NAPABA Awards presented across various events, including the NAPABA Best Under 40 Awards Reception (Thursday), Welcome Reception (Thursday), President’s and Trailblazer Award Reception (Friday), and luncheon plenaries (Friday and Saturday).

AABANY members and AABANY past annual dinner honorees were honored this year at the Convention: (click the link to read more about each award and the 2025 awardees):

The 17th Annual Trial Reenactment: “Born American: United States v. Wong Kim Ark”

The AABANY Trial Reenactment Team presented its 17th production on Friday afternoon, November 7, to a capacity audience. The program, titled “Born American: United States v. Wong Kim Ark,” examined the landmark Supreme Court case. The case focused on Wong Kim Ark, born in San Francisco in 1873 to Chinese immigrants, who was denied reentry to the U.S. in 1895 under the Chinese Exclusion Act. Wong successfully argued that the Fourteenth Amendment’s guarantee of birthright citizenship applied to him. The program’s exploration of birthright citizenship was especially relevant, coming shortly after President Trump signed an Executive Order on January 20, 2025, seeking to restrict this established constitutional precedent.

Some of the photos taken from the Trial Reenactments by AABANY can be seen at this link here.

The cast included: Hon. Denny Chin, Kathy Hirata Chin, Jacob Chen, Francis Chin, Anna Mercado Clark, Hon. Peggy Kuo, Clara Ohr, Yasuhiro Saito, Professor Rose Cuison-Villazor, Andy Hahn, Yang Chen, Linda Lin, and Vince Chang. To learn more about AABANY’s Trial Reenactments, go to reenactments.aabany.org. AABANY encourages anyone interested in performing one of our reenactments to make a request through that website. The current script will be made available in 2026.

AABANY Members as Panel Experts

AABANY members showcased their expertise by serving as presenters and panelists across a variety of CLE programs throughout the Convention. Some of the programs featuring current and former AABANY members included, but were not limited to:

Thursday’s Programming:

  • Agentic AI: Legal and Policy Frontiers in the U.S. and China (Benjamin Hsing, AABANY President; Christopher Chan)
  • International Law Committee & Women’s Leadership Network Joint Luncheon (Jennifer Choe-Groves)
  • Navigating First Decade of Legal Career (Dan Brody)
  • Navigating Uncertainty with Confidence (Blossom Kan)

Friday’s Programming:

  • Shark Tank Part III: Live Pitch Coaching (Steve Chung; Hannah Kim; Austin So; Susan Shin, former AABANY President)
  • Navigating AI Integration in Legal Practice (Eric Lin)
  • Trump & Tariffs: Protectionism and Economic Impact (Rudy Figueroa)
  • Sexual Violence Against Women: From the Code of Ur-Nammu to WWII ‘Comfort Women’ and Beyond (Linny Ng) 
  • Practicing with Bots: Training Lawyers in the AI Age (John Lee)
  • Advising Startups on Patent Strategy (Charles Chen) 
  • United States v. Wen Ho Lee – 25 Years Later (Stephen Chahn Lee)
  • AI, Ethics & Minority Rights (Shruti Chopra)
  • High-Stakes Investigations & Trials (Joon Kim)
  • General Counsel Roundtable (Linda Lin, former AABANY President)
  • What We’ve Got Here Is a Failure to Communicate: Pitfalls and Best Practices for Handling Asian Language Witnesses and Evidence (Elizabeth L. Mo)
  • Representing Clients in the Highest Stakes Investigations and Trials (Jennifer Wu, AABANY Board Member)
  • Disagreeing Better: What ADR Principles Can Teach Us on How to Bridge Divides in Polarized Times (Chris M. Kwok, AABANY ADR Committee Co-Chair)
  • Ask an Associate: Navigating Starting Your Career at a Law Firm (Brittany Clark)

Saturday Programming:

  • Originalism’s Impacts & AANHPI Communities (Chihiro Isozaki)
  • Workplace Discrimination and Arbitration (Rachel Lee, AABANY Issues Committee Co-Chair)
  • Birthright Citizenship Under Siege: The Fight for Asian American and Pacific Islander Belonging (Professor Rose Cuison-Villazor)
  • The Places You’ll Go! Careers in Specialized Fields (Ada Wang, AABANY Intellectual Property Co-Chair; Stacy Wu)
  • Birthright and Belonging: Who gets to be American in the 21st Century and Beyond? (Bethany Li)
  • Case Study: Creating a National Legal Organization (NAPABA) (Sandra Yamate)
  • Legal Career Paths: Partnership, In-House & Public Service (Christopher Arcitio)
  • There at the Beginning: Case Study on Creating a National Organization (Diane Yu, retired Chief of Staff and Deputy to the President of NYU, 2011 AABANY Annual Dinner Honoree)

Plenary Session Focus on the Portrait Project

During the Friday Plenary Lunch, discussion centered on the Portrait Project, NAPABA’s groundbreaking study of Asian Americans in the Law, supported by the American Bar Foundation and NAPABA. This research provides critical statistics demonstrating the persistent barriers to advancement and underrepresentation of the Asian American legal community in the profession’s top ranks, especially as diversity and inclusion programs face increasing national pressure. AABANY has been a financial donor to the Portrait Project.

AABANY 2010 Annual Dinner Honoree Sandra Leung, former General Counsel of Bristol Myers Squibb Company, was among the speakers, offering an in-house perspective on the representation of AANHPI attorneys. She spoke about the importance of AANHPI attorneys to be in leadership roles, stating “if you aren’t at the table, you’re on the menu.” That resonated with many attorneys who have felt not involved in the decision-making at one point or another in their careers.

Key findings highlighted by the Portrait Project indicated that while there has been progress in federal judicial appointments and General Counsel roles, underrepresentation at the highest levels persists. The research suggests Asian American attorneys would benefit from greater institutional support to counteract stereotypes, facilitate soft skills development and relationship-building, and increase leadership opportunities. Justice Goodwin Liu reinforced this theme, quoting a participant who stated, “Instead of another cooking class, talk to me about retention.”

AABANY Members Sworn into NAPABA Board

During the Premier Event, the 37th Anniversary Gala on Saturday evening, AABANY members Anushree Bagrodia (Vice President & Senior Managing Counsel, Mastercard), Sapna Palla (Past President; Trial Lawyer and Partner, White & Case LLP), and Vishal Chander (Board Member and Issues Committee Co-Chair; Managing Attorney, The Chander Law Firm, P.C.) were all officially sworn in as At-Large Members of the NAPABA Board.  

AABANY congratulates and thanks Anushree, Sapna and Vishal for their service on the NAPABA Board, along with  Glenn D. Magpantay (AABANY Board Member; Commissioner at the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights) for being appointed as a Northeast Alternate Regional Governor for NAPABA.

Gala Keynote

The Gala featured a fireside chat with keynote speakers Katie Phang and Rich Ting. Their conversation spanned Rich Ting’s career transition from attorney to acclaimed actor, and explored the evolving landscape of Asian American representation in Hollywood during polarizing times. Fun fact: Rich Ting has a law degree and was about to start his legal career at a prominent law firm until Hollywood called … and now he no longer has to worry about keeping up his CLE credits.

Social Activities

Beyond the formal events, AABANY members gathered for a variety of social activities, including morning yoga sessions, board game night (organized by our own Jeffrey Mok, Board Director, Issues Committee Co-Chair, and Principal at Fish & Richardson), and karaoke (separate events sponsored by Groombridge Wu and Littler, both long-time sponsors of AABANY), as well as exploring the areas around Denver!

Thomas Tang Moot Court Competition

The national finals for the Thomas Tang Moot Court Competition took place during the NAPABA Convention. Law students from the New York area participated, alongside volunteer judges from AABANY. We congratulate  all participants and the winning team: Audrey La and Josh Shimabukuro from Loyola University Chicago School of Law, who had previously won the regional competition round in New York in October.

A Community and a Family

Despite flight cancellations and delays experienced by many AABANY members on their return home, the spirit of mutual support endured, with members reaching out, sharing resources, and ensuring everyone arrived home safely. This supportive behavior exemplified the core takeaway from the convention: AABANY is more than just a community—it is a family that comes together to uplift and assist one another. 

We look forward to the next NAPABA Convention in Los Angeles, scheduled for November 12-15, 2026 at the JW Marriott L.A. Live.

More photos, shared by various AABANY members, can be found at this album here.

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Volunteer to Judge the 76th Annual National Moot Court Competition – Earn 2 CLE Credits!

The City Bar is seeking attorneys (admitted 2+ years, preferably with litigation experience) to judge the Regional Rounds of the 76th National Moot Court Competition on Wednesday, November 19 and Thursday, November 20, 2025 at the New York City Bar.

Seventeen teams from the NYC area will compete for two spots in the National Rounds, held in January 2026. All Regional Round Judges are invited to a celebratory reception on January 30.

This year’s case explores key issues around Fourth Amendment protections and qualified immunity.

Please complete the Judge Volunteer Form by November 10 indicating the date(s) and time(s) you wish to participate.

If you have any difficulty accessing the form, please e-mail sglazer@nycbar.org indicating the date(s) you are available to judge. Shortly after we receive your form, we will email you the Record on Appeal, the confidential Bench Memorandum and the round(s) you are assigned to.

Feel free to circulate this invitation amongst colleagues admitted at least two years, preferably with a litigation background. If you have any questions about the competition or are interested in joining our Moot Court Competition Committee, please email sglazer@nycbar.org For general information about the competition, please visit our webpage.

Thanks, and Happy Mooting!

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Thank You to our Volunteers at the August Manhattan Pro Bono Clinic

We extend our sincere gratitude to AABANY, AALFNY, PBCS, AAFE, and all the dedicated volunteers who contributed to the success of our pro bono legal clinic in Manhattan on August 20, 2025.

During the clinic, our volunteers provided invaluable assistance to 13 clients, addressing a range of legal matters including housing, immigration, civil litigation, personal injury and employment. Our volunteer attorneys and interpreters thoughtfully addressed client concerns, offered clarity through their answers, and facilitated connections to appropriate legal resources via AABANY’s Legal Referral and Information Service (LRIS).

We are committed to offering services in both Mandarin and Cantonese to ensure continued support for individuals facing linguistic or cultural barriers when seeking guidance on substantive and procedural legal matters.

Thanks again to all the volunteers at the August 20th Manhattan Pro Bono Clinic for their time, professionalism, and contribution:

Volunteer attorneys:

Vishal Chander

Marcus Cheung

Francis Chin

Justin Lee

Beatrice Leong

Lily Li

Andrew Sun

Peter Wei

Cecilia Yang

Gary Yeung

Interpreters/shadowers:

Sam Hou

Emily Kam

Xiaofei (Lucy) Liu

Dazhen Lu

Albert Tong

Shang Zhai

We invite you to continue supporting our community by joining us at our upcoming Pro Bono Clinics:

September 17th [Manhattan link here] from 6:30-8:30pm, AAFE Community Center, 111 Norfolk Street, NY, NY 10002

September 20th [Brooklyn link here], from 12:30 – 3:30pm, CPC Brooklyn Community Services, 4101 8th Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11232

October 1st [Queens link here], from 6:30 – 8:30pm, One Flushing Community Center, 133-29 41st Ave, 2nd Floor, Flushing, NY 11355

Thanks once again to all our volunteers for attending the Pro Bono Clinic. We look forward to your participation in our future clinics!

To learn more about the Pro Bono & Community Service Committee, visit probono.aabany.org.

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LGBTQ, Solo and Small Firm Practice, and Student Outreach Committees Host Popcorn Chicken and Bubble Tea Social

On August 14, 2025, AABANY’s LGBTQ, Solo and Small Firm Practice, and Student Outreach Committees hosted a Popcorn Chicken and Bubble Tea Social event at Anderson & Associates in Lower Manhattan. AABANY members, attorneys, law students, interns, and all participants were able to enjoy a variety of snacks from popcorn chicken, takoyaki, and buns to tea and traditional boba. Everyone enjoyed the opportunity  to meet both new and familiar faces, and all attendees made good use of the time to network and chat.

The Chairs and Co-Chairs of each co-sponsoring Committee, Gregory Hom, Yen-Yi Anderson, and Albert Tong shared their upcoming events and encouraged everyone to continue attending similar events in the future by checking AABANY’s calendar. Thanks to everyone who came out. To learn more about the LGBTQ Committee, click here. To learn more about the Solo and Small Firm Practice Committee, click here. To learn more about the Student Outreach Committee, click here.

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Thank You to Our Volunteers at the August 6 Pro Bono Clinic in Queens

We extend our sincere gratitude to AABANY, the Asian American Law Fund of New York (AALFNY), AABANY’s Pro Bono & Community Service (PBCS) Committee, Asian Americans for Equality (AAFE), and our dedicated volunteers for contributing to the success of our pro bono legal clinic in Queens on August 6th, 2025. 

The clinic began with an orientation by Gary Yeung, Co-Chair of the PBCS committee, where volunteers were instructed on how to fill out intake forms and interact professionally with the clients.

At the clinic, our volunteers offered essential support to clients facing challenges in housing, worker’s compensation, finance, and immigration. Seasoned volunteer attorneys, along with student observers and interpreters, helped alleviate client stress by providing legal insights, language assistance, and access to a broad range of legal resources including referrals to AABANY’s Legal Referral and Information Service (LRIS).

College and law students gained legal knowledge and experience through shadowing, notetaking, and asking intake questions. Many clients had limited proficiency in English, and volunteers who spoke Mandarin and Cantonese aided both attorneys and clients by acting as interpreters.

Clients most frequently encountered housing-related issues and immigration issues. These included problems such as co‑op boards neglecting to hold their required annual shareholder meetings and landlords breaching leases. Clients also brought concerns about their loved ones’ immigration status, for example, asking if they would be let back into the country if they were to travel outside the United States. Volunteers helped clients understand their circumstances and outlined general next steps should they choose to pursue further legal action.

Many volunteers stayed afterwards to connect. Law students were able to converse with experienced lawyers about the types of problems encountered during the client consultations and asked them further questions about their various legal fields. Afterwards, some remaining volunteers went to grab dessert at Yuan Yang, located on Prince Street nearby.

We thank again all the volunteers at the August 6th Queens Pro Bono Clinic for their time, professionalism, and contribution:

Lawyers

Wendy Cheng

Richard In

Lord Chester So

Wendell Y. Tong

May Wong

Meng Zhang

Shadowers

Katelyn Hai

Cindy Huang

Nikita Kohli

Haau-Yi Li

Zhibiao Peng

Albert Tong

Shang Zhai

Haoyue Wang

We invite you to continue supporting our community by joining us at our upcoming Pro Bono Clinics:

August 20th [Manhattan link here] from 6:30-8:30pm, AAFE Community Center, 111 Norfolk Street, NY, NY 10002

September 17th [Manhattan link here] from 6:30-8:30pm, AAFE Community Center, 111 Norfolk Street, NY, NY 10002

September 20th [Brooklyn link here], from 12:30 – 3:30pm, CPC Brooklyn Community Services, 4101 8th Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11232

Thanks once again to all our volunteers for attending the Pro Bono Clinic.

We look forward to your participation in our future clinics!

To learn more about the Pro Bono & Community Service Committee, visit probono.aabany.org.

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Kings Supreme Court, Criminal Term, Announces NYSCEF Voluntary E-Filing Pilot Program

Kings County Supreme Court, Criminal Term has been selected to be the first court of criminal jurisdiction in New York State to introduce E-filing (NYSCEF). A voluntary pilot program for Criminal Term E-filing will commence on Monday, September 8th, 2025.  

This pilot program allows attorneys to opt into e-filing, providing flexibility during this initial phase. While participation is not mandatory, the program aims to demonstrate the benefits of e-filing and encourage widespread adoption.

The future site where attorneys would log on and file documents is linked here: NYSCEF Home. Attorneys admitted to the New York State Bar can access the NYSCEF site by logging on with their registration credentials, agreeing to the posted terms, and establishing an account.

If there are any further questions about this program, please contact Brian McAllister, Chief Clerk for Criminal Matters, at Kings County Supreme Court, Criminal Term, at bmcallis@nycourts.gov or via phone at (347) 296-1100.

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Congratulations to Pauline Yeung-Ha, New President of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, NY Chapter

We are thrilled to share that AABANY member and former AABANY Board member, Pauline Yeung-Ha, Partner at Grimaldi Yeung Law Group LLP, is beginning her term as the President of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, New York Chapter (NY NAELA), effective July 1, 2025. Having served as President-Elect, Pauline is now leading the New York Chapter. 

According to the National Academy of Elder Law Attorney (NAELA) Website, NAELA, founded in 1987, is a national association of attorneys devoted to addressing legal issues affecting older adults and individuals with special needs. To enhance the quality of legal services unique to the needs of aging individuals and those with disabilities, NAELA emphasizes the importance of continuing legal education, advocacy, and examining public policy issues. Membership in NAELA reflects a dedication to the highest professional and ethical standards, which includes adherence to the NAELA Aspirational Standards for the Practice of Elder and Special Needs Law. 

In assuming her role, Pauline stated, “During my tenure, NY NAELA and its members will continue to strongly advocate for the legal and care needs of our growing elder population throughout New York State and support the elder law attorneys who do this important work.”

Grimaldi Yeung Law Group LLP, in announcing Pauline’s new role, stated that Pauline’s “integrity, dedication, and compassion” will continue to drive NAELA’s mission of serving older adults and people with disabilities through education, advocacy, and community.

Please join AABANY in congratulating Pauline on her new role as President of NY NAELA. We wish her all the best in this impactful endeavor. 

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AABANY Hosts 2025 Annual Dinner at Cipriani Wall Street 

On May 29, 2025, the Asian American Bar Association of New York (AABANY) hosted its 36th Anniversary Annual Dinner at the elegant Cipriani Wall Street, under the theme: “Together We Thrive: The Power of Us!” Held once again during Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month, the event welcomed approximately 750 guests, including attorneys, judges, prosecutors, in-house counsel, government officials, and community leaders.

The evening began with an invitation-only General Counsel Reception, attended by nearly 50 General Counsels and many invited guests. We extend our deepest thanks to the General Counsel Reception sponsor, Groombridge, Wu, Baughman & Stone, for helping us launch the evening on a high note.

Simultaneously, guests gathered in the West Ballroom for the Cocktail Reception, where attendees reconnected, made new connections, and posed for photos at the step-and-repeat.

The program kicked off with a warm welcome by CeFaan Kim, returning as our Master of Ceremonies for the second year. He then invited Immediate Past President Joseph D. Eng Jr. to the stage. In his thoughtful remarks, Joseph reaffirmed AABANY’s commitment to empowering AAPI voices and encouraged the audience to uplift one another, noting, “The brightness of our futures depends not only on how we respond to challenges, but how we lift each other up in the process.”

Honoring Leadership and Service

AABANY proudly presented the 2025 Women’s Leadership Award to Professor Elaine Chiu of St. John’s University School of Law, recognizing her unwavering commitment to advancing inclusion and supporting students from marginalized communities. A moving tribute video chronicled her career and community service, including her leadership of AABANY’s Anti-Asian Violence Task Force and her role in publishing the landmark report, Endless Tide: The Continuous Struggle to Overcome Anti-Asian Hate in New York. In her speech,  Elaine acknowledged how nearly everyone in the room shared a respect for the law since “the law feeds and nourishes our families, but it also feeds and nourishes our beliefs about humanity, our country, and our identity as Americans.” She spoke about how, throughout her formative years and career, she always had wanted to help people and had faith and hope in the rule of law. She urged the audience to hold faith in the legal system and to “show up, stand up, and speak up.”

Next, Executive Director Yang Chen introduced the updated prologue to the documentary Voices Against Anti-Asian Hate, produced by AABANY’s Anti-Asian Violence Task Force. The documentary features interviews with survivors of anti-Asian hate crimes and community supporters. Yang announced that the documentary has been submitted to the Asian American International Film Festival and spoke of the film’s impact in sharing survivor stories and elevating awareness. With that, dinner was served. 

Celebration and Recognition

As guests enjoyed a delicious dinner, they took the opportunity to network and connect with fellow attendees. Yang Chen returned to the stage to recognize the many judges and dignitaries in attendance.

The Law Firm Leadership Award was then presented to Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, LLP, in recognition of the firm’s outstanding commitment to cultivating legal talent and building a pipeline of future leaders. Partner Eric Huang accepted the award on behalf of the firm.

The evening’s final honoree, Henry Hadad, received the 2025 AABANY Corporate Leadership Award. A video tribute highlighted his impactful career in intellectual property law and his dedication to promoting diversity and inclusion in the legal profession. In his remarks, Henry honored role models like Sandra Leung and emphasized the role of IP law in the American Dream: “The ability to protect your inventions, brands, and artistic creations is part of the American Dream.” He closed with a powerful reminder: “Whatever your politics, the erosion of the law threatens us all… . We must protect the integrity of our legal system, our government, our courts, our judges, and our colleagues.”

Spotlight on the Don H. Liu Scholars

This year’s Don H. Liu Scholars—Chloe Guo, Mikka Vapor, and Teja Kim—were recognized for their achievements and potential. A short film highlighted the legacy of the program, followed by inspiring remarks from past Scholars Jin Kim and Manleen Singh, who shared the program’s lasting impact on their professional journeys.

Presidential Remarks and Closing

AABANY President Benjamin C. Hsing delivered his remarks with warmth and humor, acknowledging those who made the evening possible and recognizing the resilience of the legal profession in these challenging times. He spoke about the importance of providing “first chances”—opportunities that can launch careers and create lasting impact. He declared, “Together, through the power of us, we can do that!” 

Ben then welcomed President-Elect Varuna Bhattacharyya to close the evening. She encouraged attendees to become members, congratulated the honorees and Don Liu Scholars, and expressed her appreciation to the many sponsors, officers, Board members, and Committee Chairs who made the night possible.

Afterparty and Acknowledgments

The celebration continued at the Mezzanine afterparty, where guests mingled into the night until 11:00 PM.

We thank the 2025 Annual Dinner Planning Committee, all our volunteers, and President Benjamin C. Hsing for their tireless work in making the evening a success.

We are especially grateful to our generous sponsors, whose support enables AABANY to continue its vital work on behalf of the AANHPI legal community and the broader community we serve. Special thank-yous and acknowledgement to our Diamond, GC Reception, Platinum, and Gold Sponsors:

Diamond: Broadridge 

General Counsel Reception: Groombridge, Wu, Baughman & Stone

Platinum: Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer (f/k/a Kramer Levin)

Gold: 

Lastly, we thank everyone who attended the 2025 Annual Dinner for making our 36th anniversary so special and memorable. You can view the photo albums from the 2025 Annual Dinner at the links below.

2025 Annual Dinner Photos by J. McClinton

2025 Annual Dinner Photos by Karen Zhou

2025 Annual Dinner Photos by Gerald Pineda

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2025 NAPABA Convention | Early Bird Registration Starts Now!

2025 NAPABA Convention

Get ready—NAPABA is heading to the Mile High City! Registration is now open for the 2025 NAPABA Convention, our signature event and one of the largest annual gatherings of attorneys, judges, law professors, and students. NAPABA is committed to fostering a welcoming, inclusive community open to all—where everyone is empowered to engage, contribute, and lead. We hope you and your colleagues join us.

This year’s Convention in Denver promises thought-provoking programs, dynamic networking, and countless opportunities to connect with peers and leaders who are shaping the future of the legal profession. Whether you’re looking to advance your career, grow your community, or simply be inspired—there’s something here for you.

Early Bird pricing only lasts for a limited time. As a current NAPABA member, you’ll get the best deal for the Convention if you register now!

Register Now

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW | REGISTRATION & HOUSING

When you register early, you’ll be first in line for our special hotel rates, a la carte plenaries, and gala tickets! This year, a room block has been secured at the Sheraton Denver Downtown Hotel, the Convention host hotel. We’ve also secured overflow hotels at the Hilton Denver City Center and the Sonesta Denver Downtown, both within walking distance to the Sheraton Denver Downtown Hotel. The unique booking link will be provided AFTER you register for the 2025 NAPABA Convention.

To enhance your Convention experience and put you in control of your schedule, the Friday and Saturday Plenary Luncheons and the 37th Anniversary Gala will be available for purchase a la carte. To attend these ticketed events, you must add them to your registration for an additional fee.

SCHOLARSHIPS

NAPABA strives to keep the Convention affordable for our members and offers one of the best values among legal education conferences. Scholarships may be used towards Convention registration, airfare, lodging, and/or ground transportation.

  • General Convention Scholarship Application | Deadline: August 5 at 8 pm ET
  • Law Student Scholarship Program Application | Deadline: September 16 at 8 pm ET
Learn More About Scholarships

QUESTIONS

Additional resources about the Convention are on our website. For further questions, email us at convention@napaba.org.

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Applications Open for the 2025-2026 Leadership Advancement Program

Deadline to Apply: March 17, 2025

Applications are now open for NAPABA’s Leadership Advancement Program. This experiential program provides Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) attorneys a unique opportunity to develop and harness their leadership style and foster deep and lasting connections with their peers, including both in-house counsel and law firm attorneys.

This exclusive, year-long experience is designed to transform rising AANHPI attorneys into bold, confident leaders.

This isn’t just another leadership program—it’s your chance to:

  • Discover your leadership style, sharpen your strengths, and understand your weaknesses
  • Master the art of communication, listening, and influence
  • Overcome challenges with confidence and strategic thinking
  • Connect with 24 peers who will become your advisors, champions, and lifelong community

This is YOUR time. If you’re ready to lead with purpose and power, don’t wait! Spots are limited so take the first step into becoming the leader you’re meant to be by submitting your application.

Apply to be a Part of This Year’s Cohort

WHO SHOULD APPLY

The program is designed for developing mid-career AANHPI attorney leadership skills. Enrollment in the program is limited to 24 participants, with an even balance between IHC and law firm attorneys. All NAPABA members are encouraged to apply, although the selection committee will focus on the following criteria this year:

  • Law firm candidates: preference for candidates with between six and 10 years of experience.
  • In-house candidates: preference for a minimum of three to four years of IHC experience, with six to 10 years of overall practice experience.
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