Contact: Rahat N. Babar, Deputy Executive Director for Policy
WASHINGTON -On January 30, 2024, the Florida State Bar confirmed following public reporting that the Florida Supreme Court eliminated all funding for the Bar’s diversity and inclusion initiatives in its next budget. This ends the existence of the Bar’s Diversity and Inclusion Committee. Created in 2010, the Committee’s mission was to advance diversity and inclusion within the state’s legal profession and administer, among other programs, the Voluntary Bar Association Diversity Leadership Grant, which supported “initiatives and programs which encourage diversity, diversity training and dialogue among lawyers in Florida.”
The National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA), together with the Asian Pacific American Bar Association of Tampa Bay (APABA-TB), the Greater Orlando Asian American Bar Association (GOAABA), and the Jacksonville Asian American Bar Association (JAABA) express concern with the decision to discontinue funding and its adverse impact on essential work performed by the Florida State Bar. Regardless of this action, we remain steadfast in our collective mission to support the Asian Pacific American legal community, and we will continue to focus unrelentingly on advancing diversity and inclusion within the legal profession.
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The National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) represents the interests of over 60,000 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.
NAPABA committees and networks enable our members to gain access to a robust knowledge-sharing network of seasoned AANHPI professionals. NAPABA’s committees focus on substantive practice specialties or specific service areas, such as civic engagement. NAPABA’s networks encompass individuals with similar experiences, such as solo practice or military service. These peer-led groups serve as a networking community and enable members to learn best practices and stay on top of the latest legal trends.
NAPABA is seeking committee or network co-chair recommendations from the membership to fill vacancies and we urge you to consider contributing your expertise and experiences in a meaningful way within NAPABA. Serving as a co-chair presents a unique chance to take up a leadership role within NAPABA, connect with AANHPI attorneys in your practice area or who share similar experiences, and enhance your professional profile. Many of our committee and network co-chairs have later served on NAPABA’s Board of Directors.
Who can become a co-chair?
An appointee must:
Have demonstrated proven leadership skills;
Have demonstrated the highest standards of personal integrity and trust professionally and personally;
Have personal and professional experience relevant to the goals/objectives of the Committee;
Have demonstrated a commitment to the furtherance of the Committee’s goals, including leadership and pipeline development;
Be a member in good standing of NAPABA or a NAPABA affiliate; and
Be willing to serve for a six-year term.
What information do I need to provide?
We request applicants submit the following materials in a SINGLE PDF:
A Resume or similar material that demonstrates personal or professional experience relevant to the goal(s) and objective(s) of the committee or network.
A Statement of Interest demonstrating the following:
Proven leadership skills in NAPABA, local NAPABA affiliates, or other professional activities
The highest standards of personal integrity and trust in all professional and personal activities
Additional details outlining your personal or professional experience relevant to the goal(s) and objective(s) of the committee or network not outlined in your resume.
Biography
Where do I apply?
Ready to apply? Click on the button below to start your application! The deadline to apply is Monday, September 18, 2023 at 5:00 pm ET.
Committees and networks with co-chair vacancies:
Committees
Bankruptcy & Restructuring Committee
Cannabis/CBD/Hemp Law & Policy Committee
Civil Rights Committee
Corporate Transactions Committee
Data Privacy & Security Committee
Dispute Resolution Committee
Diversity and Inclusion Committee
Energy, Environment & Sustainability Committee
Entertainment Law Committee
Government Enforcement & Compliance Committee
Immigration Committee
Insurance Law Committee
Litigation Committee
Mass Torts & Class Actions Committee
Pro Bono & Community Service Committee
Real Estate Committee
Tax Committee
Trusts & Estates Committee
Wellness Committee
Networks
In-House Counsel Network
Law School Professors & Administrators Network
LGBTQ Network
Partners Network
Public Sector Network
Solo & Small Firm Network
If you have any questions about our committees or networks or the application process, please contact [email protected].
