Supporting Hon. Doris Ling-Cohan
AABANY is sharing the following information in response to the many inquiries we have received asking how to help her during this difficult time.
The Manhattan Democratic Committee (for the first time ever) voted in August to withhold their support for an incumbent: Justice Doris Ling-Cohan.
The MDC Screening Panel has since recognized that Justice Doris was not evaluated according to the rules that apply to incumbent judges. As reported in the press, the process was inappropriately swayed by a selected few who had direct non-disclosed conflicts and special interests.
Pursuant to the applicable rules, Justice Doris can rejoin the November ballot only by being nominated as a democratic candidate from the floor at the Manhattan Democratic Judicial Convention on Thursday, September 22.
Justice for the Justice will only be served if the judicial delegates vote in the majority to support Justice Doris for reelection at the Convention. The rumors that the Manhattan Democratic Committee has reversed its decision of non-support are false. Our fight continues.There is absolutely no question that Justice Doris is qualified, competent and works hard in her position as an Associate Justice on the Appellate Term of the First Department. Click here are a one-pager on Justice Doris’ credentials (Bio Ling-Cohan.pdf). Click here for a summary of her notable decisions (Noteworthy Decisions Ling-Cohan.pdf), which includes a groundbreaking 2005 decision in Hernandez v. Robles, which held that same-sex couples have a right to marry.
To defend her job and her honor, Justice Doris has consequently had to hire campaign staff and has been running a re-election campaign. There are two things you can do to help.
Make a Donation: Any amount is appreciated. Please fill out the contribution form (Contribution Form Ling-Cohan.pdf) and send your check to:
Re-Elect Justice Ling-Cohan c/o Lisa Kaplan52 East 1st Street #2A New York, NY 10003 (INCLUSION OF THE COMPLETED FORM IS VERY IMPORTANT)
Attend the Convention: The Manhattan Democratic Judicial Convention will take place on Thursday September 22 beginning at 5:30pm at Harlem Hospital’s Herbert G. Cave Auditorium at 506 Malcolm X Boulevard. The more of us who show up to show our support, the greater chance the delegates will be persuaded to put Judge Doris back on the ballot. Please click here to RSVP.
For additional information contact Lily Fan at [email protected] or Eve Guillergan at [email protected]
The Bamboo Closet: To Stay In Or Not?
The Bamboo Closet: To Stay In Or Not?
The 2015 NAPABA Convention featured a panel about the shifting landscape for Asian-American LGBT attorneys. Entitled “The Bamboo Closet: To Stay in or Not,” the panel was moderated by Connie Montoya, who is an AABANY member and was co-chair of our Litigation Committee last year. The article was written by David Lat, another wonderful AABANY friend and Managing Editor of Above the Law.
For a recap of the AABANY Trial Reenactment at the NAPABA Convention, which also featured Connie Montoya, click here. For social media highlights from AABANY @ NAPABA, click here. For a full list of speakers at the NAPABA Rising Convention, click here. For the Best Under 40 highlights, click here. Click here for Francis Chin’s beautiful photos.
2015 NAPABA Convention: Exclusive Book Signing
Exclusive Book Signing | Saturday, Nov. 7 at 1:45 pm
Join nationally renowned racial justice advocate and moderator of the Saturday Luncheon Plenary, Deepa Iyer, for an exclusive signing of her book “We Too Sing America: South Asian, Arab, Muslim, and Sikh Immigrants Shape Our Multiracial Future” after the Saturday Luncheon Plenary. Limited copies of the book will be available for purchase.
Saturday Luncheon Plenary—The Changing American Racial Landscape Post 9/11
Join legal scholars and community activists as they explore the changing American racial landscape and the intersections of public discourse, public policy, and civil rights laws in light of heightened racial anxiety and xenophobia in the decade and a half since 9/11. Speakers will focus on the post 9/11 environment and anti-immigrant sentiment, and present legal and community-based solutions.
- Deepa Iyer (moderator), Senior Fellow, The Center for Social Inclusion
- Nusrat Choudhury (panelist), Staff Attorney, ACLU
- Grande Lum (panelist), Director of the Community Relations Services, U.S. Department of Justice
- Peggy Nagae (panelist), Owner, Peggy Nagae Consulting
- Navdeep Singh (panelist), Policy Director, NAPABA
The 2015 NAPABA Convention will feature a rich and diverse array of over 65 CLE sessions, 3 plenary sessions, and our 27th Anniversary Gala. Registration will re-open onsite in New Orleans beginning on Thursday, Nov. 5.
Download the NAPABA Convention mobile app and map out your detailed schedule in advance! Search "NAPABA” in your Google or Apple stores.
The other plenaries include:
Friday Luncheon Plenary — The Voting Rights Act 50 Years Later: A Call to Action
Given that this year marks the 50th anniversary of the landmark Voting Rights Act of 1965, we invite you to join noted civil rights scholars and community activists as we celebrate this milestone while also recognizing the continued challenges that prevent diverse communities from full and equal access to the political process.
- Karen Narasaki (moderator), Commissioner, U.S. Commission on Civil Rights
- Dale Ho (panelist), Director, Voting Rights Project, ACLU
- Natasha Korgaonkar (panelist), Assistant Counsel, NAACP Legal Defense and Education Fund
- Terry Ao Minnis (panelist), Director, Census and Voting Programs, Asian Americans Advancing Justice
- Nina Perales (panelist), Vice President, Litigation, Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund
- Jerry Vattamala (panelist), Director, Democracy Program, Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund
Saturday Breakfast Plenary — Women in Public Service
Join us for an inspiring discussion with two pioneering Asian Pacific American (APA) women as they share their paths to leadership in public service. They will reflect on their insights and experiences to inspire and encourage the next generation of women lawyers and all APAs in the legal profession.
- Ivan K. Fong (moderator), Senior Vice President, Legal Affairs and General Counsel, 3M Company
- Michelle K. Lee (panelist), Director, U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
- Jenny Yang (panelist), Chair, U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
27th Anniversary Gala
Featuring a conversation with the Honorable Mazie K. Hirono, U.S. Senator, Hawaii, facilitated by the Honorable David Louie, Former Attorney General, Hawaii.
Scholarship Application – National Asian Pacific American Bar Association
Scholarship Application – National Asian Pacific American Bar Association
Deadline to Apply: July 13, 2015 at 11:59 pm PDT
NAPABA strives to keep the Convention affordable for our members and offers one of the best values among legal education conferences. Apply today and take advantage of NAPABA’s scholarship fund to help defray costs for attendees through registration fee waivers, travel stipends, and lodging stipends.
Application Requirements
- Submission of this application is not a guarantee of assistance. The decisions are final and not subject to appeal.
- If you are awarded a scholarship, you must be or become a direct member of NAPABA. To become a member, please click here.
- Scholarships are non-transferable.
- Group applications will not be accepted.
- Please note that all monetary stipends shall be awarded in the form of reimbursements. Please fill out the reimbursement form, attach original receipts, and return by December 31, 2015.
Registration Fees
To estimate your registration costs, please use the early-bird rates below:
- Attorney: $595
- Government/Judges/Public Interest: $325
- Student: $150
Speaker Resources – National Asian Pacific American Bar Association
Speaker Resources – National Asian Pacific American Bar Association
Missed your opportunity to submit a CLE panel discussion? It’s not too late. Fill out the Call for Speakers form below and show your interest in lending your expertise to a CLE panel. Please note that your submission does not guarantee that you will be put on a panel, but you may be contacted if there is an opening.
Before you Arrive
- Register for the NAPABA Convention. All speakers receive a complimentary registration the day of their speaking engagement. If you plan on attending more than one day, please register for the entire Convention.
- Make your hotel reservation.
- Apply for a scholarship.
- Take part in a call with your Program Chair or Moderator to review the expectations of your particular panel.
- All NAPABA CLE panels are allotted 75 minutes. Rehearse your presentation and be sure to stay within the time allotted so that all speakers have an opportunity to speak. A Q&A session with audience members should be slated for the end of the presentation.
On-Site Tips
- Arrive on-site early and pick up your badge and registration packet.
- Report to the room in which your presentation will take place 10 minutes early.
Follow the link in the title to fill out the Call for Speakers.
NAPABA Call for Programs Deadline Extended
Deadline Extension: April 12, 2015, 11:59 PM PDT
The National Asian Pacific American Bar Association is now accepting program proposals for the 2015 NAPABA Convention, which will be held in New Orleans, LA, from November 5-8. We welcome program submissions on topics that celebrate the diversity of NAPABA and will provide practical solutions and advice for our attendees’ future development and advancement.
Submission Guidelines
Carefully review the detailed submission guidelines before you begin the submission process.
Submission Resources
Sample speaker invitation letter
Ready to Begin? Submit Now.
Submit your program proposal online.
You must fill out all required information in order to submit. After you push the submit button, you will be taken to a screen that confirms your submission. Click “Edit your response” and bookmark the url if you wish to make any edits to your submission before the deadline.
Timeline*
- Program proposals due: April 12, 2015
- Notification to program chairs: May 8, 2015
- Speaker release form/bios due: June 30, 2015
- Required materials (timed agenda and specialty credit information) for CLE accreditation due: July 31, 2015
- Course materials due: August 31, 2015
*Late/incomplete submissions will not be accepted. If materials are not received by the CLE deadlines, NAPABA will NOT seek CLE credit for the program/panel.
Questions?
Please direct inquiries to Priya Purandare, NAPABA Meetings & Membership Manager, at [email protected].
