Tag: chief justice

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NAPABA Condemns Executive Orders Undermining the Legal Profession

For Immediate Release:
Date: March 20, 2025		Contact:
Rahat N. Babar, Deputy Executive Director

NAPABA Condemns Executive Orders Undermining the Legal Profession

WASHINGTON – The legal profession is of constitutional significance. The right to counsel is fundamental, and the judiciary as a coequal branch of government is charged with peacefully resolving disputes that inevitably arise in a vast and complex nation. Undermining the legal profession undermines democracy.

Over the past few weeks, the Administration issued executive actions against three law firms: Covington Burling LLP, Perkins Coie LLP, and Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP. These actions included the suspension of security clearances and a review and termination of government contracts. For two of the firms, the Administration limited their access to federal government buildings and interactions between the firms and government officials.

One executive order accused global law firms of having a role “in the destruction of bedrock American principles.” Another executive order described one of the law firm’s activities as “dishonest and dangerous.” The executive actions plainly expressed a displeasure with the firms’ representation of certain clients that the Administration disfavors. Some of the executive actions are now subject to litigation.

The National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) condemns these attacks. From the founding of this Nation, lawyers have represented clients regardless of their stature in society. NAPABA is the national voice of the Asian Pacific American legal profession. We promote justice and equality. Members throughout our community zealously represent their clients each and every day, including those at the three law firms. When attorneys are unable to represent their clients free from intimidation and threats, our profession and justice system are jeopardized.

NAPABA also rejects the calls for the impeachment of judges simply because of their rulings. As Chief Justice John Roberts shared recently, “impeachment is not an appropriate response to disagreement concerning a judicial decision. The normal appellate review process exists for that purpose.” We agree.

For the NAPABA community, we ask you to engage and express our collective voice. Become a member. Join us at NAPABA Lobby Day. Attend the NAPABA Convention. Your leadership is pivotal.

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The National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) represents the interests of over 80,000 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.

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NAPABA and MAABA Celebrate Judge George Draper III’s Appointment as Chief Justice of the Missouri Supreme Court

For Immediate Release
July 25, 2019
For More Information, Contact:
Navdeep Singh, Policy Director
202-775-9555; [email protected]

The National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) and the Missouri Asian American Bar Association (MAABA) celebrate the appointment of member and supporter the Honorable George W. Draper III as the Chief Justice of the Missouri Supreme Court.

Judge Draper was first appointed to the Missouri Supreme Court in 2011. He first joined the bench in Missouri in 1994. He is the second African American to serve as Chief Justice. He is a graduate of Morehouse College and received his law degree from Howard University. He and his wife, the Honorable Judy P. Draper, are members of the NAPABA Judicial Council.

“NAPABA extends warm congratulations to the Hon. George W. Draper III, on his recent appointment, on his recent appointment as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Missouri. The second African American judge to serve on Missouri’s high court, Judge Draper has been outstanding in his support of diversity and inclusion in the state’s legal community, and a long-time friend to NAPABA and its Missouri affiliate, MAABA,” said NAPABA President Daniel Sakaguchi.

“We congratulate Judge Draper on his appointment as the Chief Justice of the Missouri Supreme Court. Judge Draper has been a stalwart supporter of MAABA since its inception, and we have confidence he will continue to be a fair and impartial judge and to protect the rights of all Missourians,” said Frances Barbieri, president of MAABA.

NAPABA Judicial Council Chair the Hon. Benes Aldana (Ret.) said, “We are so proud of our friend, Justice George Draper, who recently became the newest Chief Justice of Missouri. Throughout his career, Chief Justice Draper has exhibited steadfast commitment to safeguard individual rights on an equal basis for all. He is widely respected for his inclusive leadership and he has served as a role model and inspiration for many in the legal profession. We look forward to continuing our great relationship with him and his wife, Judge Judy Draper, both members of the NAPABA Judicial Council.”

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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 50,000 attorneys and over 80 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.

To learn more about NAPABA, visit www.napaba.org, like us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter (@NAPABA).

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