Tag: in-house counsel

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NAPABA Connects: In-House Application EXTENDED DEADLINE

New Deadline to Apply: July 9 at 8 PM ET

The application to be a part of NAPABA Connects, an exclusive program available to in-house counsel convention registrants and Solo and Small Firm, Gold, or higher-level firm sponsors is still open. IHC Participants with two or more meetings with firms will be reimbursed for their Convention registration, up to $735.

In-house counsel and law firm participants will be matched for one-on-one meetings during the NAPABA Convention. All IHC participants are required to attend at least one NAPABA Connects touchpoint during the Convention November 7-10, 2024. Details will be given in further communications.

To participate as in-house counsel, you must fill out our application form. You can be matched with diverse law firm attorneys to cultivate new business relationships, or you may choose from a list of participating firms to expand your network with existing provider firms who may be in your preferred network. NAPABA will also send a list of all certified minority or women-owned firms to participating companies that may already have a preferred provider firm list.

Apply Now

The deadline to submit an application is Tuesday, July 9 at 8 pm ET. For questions, please contact Strategic Partnerships Manager Naomi Mortensen.

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The In-House Counsel Committee Hosts a Dinner at Sagaponack

On April 23, 2024, the AABANY In-House Counsel Committee held its first dinner of the fiscal year at Sagaponack in Manhattan’s Flatiron neighborhood. Committee members gathered to enjoy a family-style seafood dinner while getting to know new and old faces in their field. 

As the appetizers rolled in, Committee Co-Chair Kazuko Wachter began the dinner with introductions, which was followed by a table full of conversations about individual experiences working in-house and their lives outside the office. Aimed at senior in-house counsel attorneys, this dinner featured members with long-term experience in their respective companies, many of whom work in the Fintech industry. With ten people in attendance, the dinner encouraged close and personal discussions among the attendees. From talking about their busy work days to sharing their favorite K-Dramas, the event was a chance for the members to get to know each other and hopefully stay connected. 

The Committee hopes its members will use these dinners to create relationships and expand their network with attorneys who share similar interests and experiences working in-house. For more information about the In-House Counsel Committee, visit their page here.

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2024 NAPABA Awards

Deadline to Submit Nominations | Tuesday, June 4, 2024

Join NAPABA in honoring outstanding attorneys and organizations that have made an impact in the legal profession within Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific (AANHPI) communities by submitting a nomination for the 2024 NAPABA Awards!

Join us November 7-10 in Seattle as we celebrate them and all of our membership at the 2024 NAPABA Convention. 

Here are just a few of the awards we’re seeking nominations for. Visit our Awards page to see all of the awards, requirements, and information for application.

The NAPABA Military and Veteran Service Award recognizes individuals within the AANHPI legal community serving the U.S. Armed Forces as uniformed personnel, civilians or veterans and is meant to acknowledge AANHPI attorneys who exhibit the highest integrity, competency, and commitment to serving others, the AANHPI community, and their country and whose character and commitment reflect the highest standards of the Armed Forces. Last year’s recipient, Lieutenant Colonel Brian Song, has exhibited those qualities in his military and legal service. Learn more about Brian. 

The NAPABA Pro Bono Service Award recognizes an attorney or a team of attorneys for outstanding achievements in pro bono service that involved impact litigation to advance or protect civil rights or provided direct legal services to individuals in the furtherance of the administration of justice.

Last year’s honoree, Jennifer Wu, has shown her commitment to service in her client-centered approach and community leadership. Learn more about Jennifer.

The NAPABA Women’s Leadership Award recognizes the accomplishments of women lawyers and is presented to an individual who has achieved excellence in her field or who has demonstrated leadership and advancement of women or women’s issues.

Last year’s honoree, Jenny Ma, is an experienced litigator leading reproductive rights cases in state and federal courts. Learn more about Jenny.

The NAPABA Public Sector Leadership Award seeks to honor a NAPABA member in the public sector (government, non-profit, legal aid – federal or state) for their outstanding achievements in their legal profession.

Last year’s honoree, Jonathan Cruz, is the Deputy Attorney General for the California Department of Justice. Learn more about Jonathan.


The NAPABA In House Counsel Diversity Leadership Award honors an in-house NAPABA member who has demonstrated leadership and a commitment towards supporting NAPABA partners and diversity in the legal profession.Last year’s honorees, Ivan Fong and Simone Wu, exemplify leadership. Learn more about both of them.

The NAPABA In-House Counsel Rising Star Diversity Leadership Award honors an in-house NAPABA member with 10 or less years of in-house experience who has demonstrated leadership and commitment towards supporting NAPABA partners and diversity in the legal profession.

Please note: To be considered in the selection process nominees must be a NAPABA member. A NAPABA membership helps legal professionals raise their professional profile by providing members with exclusive opportunities and national recognition through awards. Not a member? Learn more on how to become a member today! 

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NAPABA In-House Counsel Mentoring Program – Why Join?

Applications Due October 17, 2023

The NAPABA In-House Counsel Mentoring Program has operated for nearly two decades and is responsible for hundreds of professional relationships that have resulted in the development of in-house counsel leaders who have shined in their career.

This program provides mentee attorneys the opportunity to expand their professional network and find meaningful support and connection with other diverse attorneys who understand the challenges of the practice and can foster new ideas that inspires career growth. Mentors will harness their leadership skills and expertise to pass along perspective, wisdom, and practical skills gained throughout their career.

Interested in Applying?

The deadline to apply is October 17, 2023. For questions, please contact Sumbal Abid, Operations Manager.


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AABANY Labor & Employment Law Hosts Kick-Off Meeting at Littler Mendelson, P.C.


The Labor & Employment Law (“L&E”) Committee of AABANY held its kick-off meeting on the evening of June 8, 2023 in person at Littler Mendelson, P.C.’s New York City office.  20 people attended the kick-off meeting: practicing attorneys (including the L&E Committee chairs), law students, and recent law school graduates.  At this kick-off meeting, the L&E Committee chairs and all attendees introduced themselves to the rest of the group; firm attorneys, in-house counsel, a mediator/arbitrator, and other legal professionals shared their respective experiences in the profession to provide some advice to the law students, recent graduates, and junior attorneys in the room.  Following this initial portion of the kick-off event, all attendees networked and conversed over light refreshments for the rest of the evening.

The L&E Committee will be creating more networking opportunities by hosting more meetings, informational panels or sessions, and social events throughout the rest of the year.  The next event is currently being planned.  Once the details for the next L&E Committee event are finalized, we will update the AABANY calendar and send email updates.  If you are interested in attending our future L&E Committee events (which are sometimes also co-hosted by other AABANY committees), please check AABANY’s calendar and update your email preference in your account to receive the L&E Committee’s emails. 

For more information on the L&E Committee, click here.  Additionally, if you have any ideas or suggestions for an event through the L&E Committee, please fill out AABANY’s “Contact Us” form.

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Save the Date for the In-House Counsel Summit & Partners Summit  

August 10-11 | New York, NY

Mark your calendars and save the date for NAPABA’s 2023 In-House Counsel (IHC) Summit, August 10-11, taking place in New York. We are proud to announce that hosted in conjunction with the IHC Summit is the inaugural Partners Summit. These two distinct gatherings will bring together senior Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) attorneys who seek to advance and influence the profession. Space is limited for each program; applications will open mid-April. 

In-House Counsel Summit 
The IHC Summit is a career and skills development program designed to help current and former public company senior and experienced in-house attorneys make the jump into the C-Suite, with a focus on diversifying the legal leadership of Fortune 1000 companies. Drawing on the collective experience of senior leaders in the AAPI community, participants will receive tailored guidance and training necessary to successfully climb up, and thrive on top of, the corporate ladder.

The focus during the 2023 IHC Summit is to bolster efforts to reach the 50×25 Initiative (of at least 50 General Counsels in Fortune 1000 companies by 2025). Participants will be exposed to experienced and established faculty, including current and former General Counsels, C-Suite Executives, and senior professionals from search firms. Through a series of panels and support that offer practical learnings including soft skills, participants will learn how to get a seat at the Fortune 1000 table and thrive as a legal leader once they get there. For eligibility requirements, learn more here.

Partners Summit 
The Partners Summit is an interactive program designed to deepen relationships and bolster the collective impact of AAPI law firm partners. Participants will collaborate on issues facing AAPI partners, strategies to successfully lead and progress within law firms, and how to forge meaningful connections with the next generation of AAPI partners. While hosted in conjunction with the In-House Summit, this program provides law firm partners an opportunity to expand their network and demonstrate support for current and former public company senior and experienced in-house AAPI attorneys who seek to elevate into general counsel positions at Fortune 1000 companies. 

During the 2023 Partners Summit, NAPABA and law firm leaders will facilitate collaborative conversations providing participants key insights and strategies on business development, origination credit, and advancement and mentorship. For eligibility requirements, learn more here.

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AABANY SOC & In-House Counsel Committees Present- Pre-OCI Series: How to Get an In-House Job

On July 21, 2022, AABANY’s Student Outreach & In-House Counsel Committees hosted a virtual event to advise on the On-Campus Interviewing (OCI) process, specifically how to get an in-house counsel position. The event, part of the Student Outreach Committee’s Pre-OCI Series, ran from 5-6pm virtually on Zoom. The panel was moderated by Vivian Lee and Sharon Yang and featured the following panelists:

  • Michael J. Eng (MassMutual)
  • Kelly Koyama-Garcia (Louis Vuitton)
  • Madhu Goel Southworth (AMC)

Panelists discussed their individual career paths, the importance of knowing the business of the company before going in-house, how junior attorneys can best prepare themselves for an in-house role, and potential challenges for marginalized attorneys. The discussion was then followed by a Q&A session.

In advising junior attorneys how they can best prepare themselves for an in-house role, some panelists emphasized the importance of drafting experience and the ability to think and speak on the fly. While discussing the potential challenges marginalized attorneys may face, some panelists stated that things are getting better. Some panelists highlighted the importance of being above the radar by taking high visibility assignments and “knocking it out of the ballpark.”

As general career advice, some panelists advised junior attorneys to expect the unexpected, as many of the panelists never planned on working in-house themselves!

AABANY thanks the Student Outreach & In-House Counsel Committees for organizing the event, along with all panelists, moderators, and students who attended. To learn more about the Student Outreach Committee, please visit https://www.aabany.org/page/121. To learn more about the In-House Counsel Committee, please visit https://www.aabany.org/page/149 .

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AABANY’s In-House Counsel Committee Holds 2022 Summer Soiree at Castell Rooftop Lounge

On Wednesday, June 29, 2022, AABANY’s In-House Counsel Committee held its annual Summer Soiree at the Castell Rooftop Lounge located atop AC Hotel New York Times Square. The beautiful midtown skyline served as the perfect backdrop to a memorable night filled with hors d’oeuvres, a variety of drinks, wines, cocktails, and many conversations. Around 100 senior in-house lawyers and senior law firm attorneys and partners attended the networking event. This was the first Summer Soiree held in person since 2019, with the 2020 soiree being canceled due to COVID-19, and the 2021 soiree held over Zoom at the beginning of 2022 as the Winter Soiree. Everyone seemed happy to be gathering in person again for this popular event.

Photo by Karen Zhou

Attendees discussed various topics ranging from career pivots during the pandemic to favorite pastimes and hobbies. While munching on mini lobster rolls and sipping curated cocktails, attendees also heard from AABANY’s Co-VP of Programs and Operations, Beatrice Leong, In-House Counsel Committee Co-Chair, Blossom Kan, and Immediate Past President, Terry Shen. Some spectacular photographs from the night taken by Karen Zhou can be found linked here. 

The attendees formed a diverse cohort, representing 74 companies across industries, including Apple, Meta, Johnson & Johnson, McKinsey & Company, Inc., and top global and regional law firms. 

Photo by Karen Zhou

We thank and acknowledge the following sponsors for helping us make this event possible:  

Broadridge

Baker McKenzie

BDO

Covington & Burling LLP

Thank you to all our attendees, and we hope to see everyone again at next year’s Summer Soiree. To learn more about the In-House Counsel Committee go to: https://www.aabany.org/page/149 

Photo by Karen Zhou

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2022 NAPABA IHC Summit Application Closes in TWO DAYS!

NAPABA IHC Summit

July 28-29, 2022 | Chicago, IL

The deadline to register for the 2022 NAPABA In-House Counsel (IHC) Summit is just around the corner! Current or former senior public company in-house attorneys who are ready to make the jump into the C-Suite will receive tailored guidance and training based on where they are in their careers. Here is a sneak peek at this year’s topics: 

  • Board & C-Suite Expectations of Today’s GC
  • The Process, Winning Trends & Making the Slate in 2022
  • Strategies to Achieve the Public Company Role

Space is limited! The program is accepting the first 60 qualified applicants—apply by 8:00 pm ET on Wednesday, June 8!

APPLY HERE.

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In-House Counsel Committee Hosts Winter Soiree to Network over Wine and Trivia

On Wednesday, January 26th, AABANY held a virtual Winter Soiree featuring a lively sommelier-led wine tasting and trivia games. Organized by the In-House Counsel Committee, the event brought together more than 50 senior in-house lawyers and corporate law firm attorneys. Companies represented included Mastercard, MetLife, Google, and Goldman Sachs. Attendees streamed in from a variety of locations across the United States, from California to New York.

The evening was full of fun, excitement, and laughter as Brooklyn Winery guided attendees through a Chardonnay and Cuvée Noir tasting. Attendees received tasting kits ahead of the event, which included bottles of wine, a bottle opener, tasting glasses, “make your own wine label cards” and virtual wine games instructions. There were two rounds of trivia, the first focusing on wine and winemaking, the second on wine and pop trivia. Attendees also mingled in breakout sessions after each round to get to know each better or to catch up.

Susie Dare from Marsh & McLennan won the trivia games and was gifted a tasting kit from Brooklyn Winery – congratulations, Susie!

Social media post by attendee featuring wines tasted and activity sheet.

The event was made possible by our headline sponsors:

We would also like to thank our sponsors 

Thank you to all our attendees, and we hope to see everyone again at next year’s soiree (which we hope will be in person). To learn more about the In-House Counsel Committee go to: https://www.aabany.org/page/149