Tag: NAPABA

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NAPABA to Host Webinar Previewing Supreme Court Case on Birthright Citizenship

The National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) will host a webinar titled “SCOTUS Oral Argument Preview: Who is Allowed to be a U.S. Citizen? Defending Birthright Citizenship and the Role of Asian American History” on Thursday, March 26 at 3:00 p.m. ET.

The program will preview the upcoming U.S. Supreme Court oral arguments in Trump v. Barbara, a case addressing the scope of birthright citizenship under the Fourteenth Amendment. On April 1, 2026, the Court is scheduled to hear arguments concerning Executive Order 14160, which declared that only children born to U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents would automatically receive citizenship at birth. The executive order immediately faced legal challenges across the country.

NAPABA joined a broad coalition of bar associations in filing amicus briefs opposing the order. The March 26 webinar will discuss NAPABA’s role in defending birthright citizenship in the lower federal courts and before the Supreme Court, as well as the broader legal and historical context surrounding the issue.

The panel will feature Professor Beth Lew-Williams, Director of the Program in Asian American Studies and Professor of History at Princeton University. Professor Lew-Williams is the author of The Chinese Must Go: Violence, Exclusion, and the Making of the Alien in America (Harvard University Press, 2018), a widely acclaimed work examining the history of anti-Chinese violence and exclusion in the United States.

Also joining the discussion is Wendy M. Feng, Counsel at Seyfarth Shaw LLP and lead outside counsel for the legal team representing NAPABA in the litigation. The program will be moderated by Edgar Chen, NAPABA Special Policy Advisor.

Together, the panelists will examine the legal arguments in Trump v. Barbara, the historical foundations of birthright citizenship, and the role Asian American legal history plays in shaping contemporary constitutional debates.

Registration for the webinar is free and open to the public. Click here to learn more and register for the event.

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Advocate for the AANHPI Community with NAPABA at Lobby Day

May 19-20, 2026 | Washington, DC

Registration is open for NAPABA’s Lobby Day, and we want your voice!

Each year, NAPABA brings the AANHPI legal community to Capitol Hill to advocate directly with Congressional leaders and elevate the issues impacting our communities. Lobby Day is a powerful opportunity to turn your commitment into action and ensure your perspectives are heard and represented at the national level.

Why Participate?

  • Engage directly with Members of Congress and their staff
  • Receive advocacy training and issue briefings to prepare you for Capitol Hill
  • Connect with AANHPI attorneys and leaders from across the country
  • Represent and elevate your community’s voice at the national level

Register for Lobby Day

Learn More About Lobby Day

Stipend Applications Open

NAPABA is committed to ensuring that Lobby Day is accessible to members from all backgrounds and career stages. To support this goal, we offer limited travel and lodging support for active members who would otherwise face financial barriers to attending. Click the button below to learn more and apply for a stipend. The deadline to apply for a stipend is Tuesday, March 17, at 8:00 pm ET.

Apply for a Stipend

Your Lobby Day Social Media Toolkit

As part of Lobby Day, NAPABA will equip you with the tools and resources you need to be an effective advocate and share your participation in this important event. After registering, be sure to use our toolkit to share on your social media channels and invite others to join you.

Access Your Social Media Toolkit

For any questions about Lobby Day, please email the NAPABA Lobby Day Team at [email protected].

To participate in Lobby Day, you must be an active NAPABA member. Become a NAPABA member today!

Join or Renew Today

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NAPABA Welcomes the National Korean American Bar Association (NKABA) and the Chinese American Lawyers Association of Orange County (CALA OC)

For Immediate Release: February 19, 2026
Contact: Maureen Gelwicks, Deputy Executive Director

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) welcomes the National Korean American Bar Association (NKABA) as a National Associate and the Chinese American Lawyers Association of Orange County (CALA OC) as an Affiliate of NAPABA.

Formed in 2025, NKABA is a national nonprofit professional organization representing Korean American attorneys and law students across the United States. NKABA supports the professional growth of its members through education, mentorship, networking, and business development opportunities, while partnering with regional and local Korean American bar associations to advance shared goals. The organization also engages in advocacy efforts, including research and amicus work, and serves as a national network fostering connection and collaboration among Korean American legal professionals.

“We are honored to be a National Associate and welcome the opportunity to partner with NAPABA in our mission to empower Korean American attorneys nationwide,” said Samuel Yu, President of NKABA. “We hope this affiliation inspires deeper collaboration, stronger advocacy, and a shared commitment to justice.”

Established in 2024, CALA OC is a nonprofit organization dedicated to developing, empowering, and elevating Chinese American contributions to the legal community and civic life of Orange County. CALA OC advances its mission by supporting professional development, expanding the influence of the Chinese American legal community, and celebrating and preserving cultural heritage.

“Chinese American Lawyers Association of Orange County (CALA OC) is excited to join NAPABA and its impressive national network, as we empower our members and elevate our community while navigating the moment in which we live, a pivotal inflection point in American history,” said Amy Chen, President of CALA OC.

“We are proud to welcome NKABA and CALA OC into the NAPABA family,” said Joseph Yao, President of NAPABA. “These organizations exemplify the leadership, collaboration, and dedication to community that define and strengthen our growing national network.”

NKABA and CALA OC join a community of over 90 local, state, regional, and national bar associations in the United States and Canada. Individual members of national associates and affiliates are entitled to discounted NAPABA membership and the benefits that accompany it. For more information about how to become a NAPABA national associate or affiliate, please visit our webpage and learn more here about the benefits of becoming a NAPABA member.

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NAPABA Annual Lobby Day and Congressional Reception on May 19-20 in Washington, D.C.

In observance of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month (AANHPIHM), please join NAPABA on May 19-20, 2026 in Washington, DC for NAPABA’s annual Lobby Day.

At Lobby Day, the NAPABA community travels from across the United States to the Nation’s capital to demonstrate not only the strength of our community, but also to advance the critical issues facing the Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) community with leaders on Capitol Hill. Let’s bring our collective voice to the halls of Congress.

Lobby Day activities and events include:

  • Training
  • Hill Visits
  • Debrief Reception
  • Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Congressional Reception.

Congressional Reception

NAPABA members and community leaders from across the country will gather from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM ET for a Congressional Reception recognizing Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. The event will bring together Lobby Day participants, members of Congress and their staff, as well as leaders from the AANHPI community.

For the full Lobby Day schedule, click on this link: Schedule

NAPABA Lobby Day Eligibility

Please note that only active NAPABA members or active members of NAPABA affiliates are eligible to participate in Lobby Day. To become a NAPABA member, click here.

Questions? Email [email protected].

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Upcoming NLF Fellowship and Scholarship Opportunities

The NAPABA Law Foundation offers many ways to advance your legal journey and strengthen your connection to the legal community. Be sure to mark your calendars for upcoming deadlines!

2026–2028 Community Law Fellowship

Application Deadline: Sunday, February 15, 2026, 5 pm ET

About the Fellowship:

This two-year fellowship supports early-career attorneys as they gain hands-on legal experience at a nonprofit or community-based organization. The Fellowship provides:

  • A $60,000 annual salary, paid directly to the host organization
  • Health and fringe benefits provided by the host
  • A $10,000 completion bonus for the Fellow
  • Opportunities to work on behalf of underserved communities and grow as a public interest leader

Details and Instructions
2026-2028 Fellowship Application

Han C. Choi Scholarship

Application Deadline: Friday, March 20, 2026, 5 pm ET

About the Scholarship:

The NAPABA Law Foundation has partnered with the Choi Family to create the Han C. Choi Scholarship to honor a NAPABA Trailblazer, mentor, and leader who embodies grit and courage in the face of great adversity. The Scholarship Fund will benefit a 1L or 2L law student who exhibits academic excellence, leadership, volunteerism, mentorship experience, and demonstrates an interest in AAPI civic issues. Special consideration will also be given to applicants who have been adversely affected by cancer (as a survivor, or family member of a victim or survivor).

2026 Application

Fred T. Korematsu Summer Fellowship

Application Deadline: Friday, March 20, 2026, 5 pm ET

About the Fellowship

In partnership with the Fred T. Korematsu Institute, NLF will be accepting applications for the Fred T. Korematsu Summer Fellowship Program. The program will provide $6,000 to a law student for a meaningful summer internship at a public interest organization. The fellow will work to further Fred T. Korematsu’s legacy as a civil rights pioneer. Initial funding was provided by Parkin Lee and The Rockefeller Group.

2026 Application Guide

2026 Application

SAIL Scholarship

Application Deadline: Tuesday, June 30, 2026, 5 pm ET

About the Scholarship

The SAIL Scholarship is a scholarship awarded to an individual who will be a 2L student starting in the 2026 Fall Semester (current 1L students should apply) who has outstanding professional promise and leadership potential. The amount awarded is $7,500, split equally over 2 years.  

FAQ

2O26 Application

Questions? Contact NAPABA at [email protected].

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NAPABA Supports the Language Access for All Act of 2026

For Immediate Release: January 23, 2026
Contact: Rahat N. Babar, Deputy Executive Director

WASHINGTON – The National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) applauds the introduction of the Language Access for All Act of 2026 in Congress. The bill, if enacted, would ensure that all individuals have meaningful access to critical Federal services, regardless of English proficiency.

In March 2025, President Donald Trump revoked Executive Order 13166 and designated English as the official language of the United States. For nearly 25 years, EO 13166 required that every federal agency meet the needs of individuals with limited English proficiency when it delivers critical services. EO 13166 brought the full import of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits entities that receive federal funding from discriminating based on national origin, to life. NAPABA objected to the revocation of EO 13166 at the time and called on Congress to act in response. Following our advocacy efforts, NAPABA welcomes the introduction of the Language Access for All Act of 2026, which would restore the key guarantees of EO 13166.

Language access is particularly important for the Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) community. The majority of the Asian American community are immigrants. Nearly 32% of the community is limited English proficient. The Asian American population is comprised of over 50 different ethnicities and speak over 100 different languages. NAPABA has long championed linguistic access for AANHPI communities in the legal system, including through our groundbreaking report, which highlighted and provided recommendations on the state of language access in federal and state courts and agencies. Every individual deserves access to critical, federally funded services.

NAPABA is grateful to Rep. Grace Meng, the Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, along with Rep. Judy Chu, Rep. Juan Vargas, Rep. Daniel Goldman, for their leadership and introducing the Language Access for All Act of 2026. This action coincides with the anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court’s historic decision in Lau v. Nichols, 414 U.S. 563 (1974), which recognized the right of English learners to participate meaningfully in public school education and served as a catalyst for language access throughout the Nation. We call on Congress to advance this legislation swiftly.

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NAPABA Applauds the Appointment of Justice Sanjay T. Tailor to the Illinois Supreme Court

For Immediate Release: January 21, 2026
Contact: Rahat N. Babar, Deputy Executive Director

WASHINGTON – The National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) congratulates Justice Sanjay T. Tailor on his groundbreaking appointment to serve as a justice on the Illinois Supreme Court.

“Justice Tailor’s appointment marks a historic milestone in NAPABA’s mission for its members, the Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) lawyers, and their broader communities,” said Joseph Yao, President of NAPABA.  “In 2022, NAPABA’s Portrait Project 2.0 found that only nine Asian American jurists served on state high courts, a number that remained constant until now. As the first Asian American to serve on the Illinois Supreme Court, Justice Tailor has broken barriers and serves as a beacon of achievement for our legal community and for anyone aspiring to such heights.”

Justice Tailor brings more than two decades of judicial experience to the Illinois Supreme Court. He has served for 23 years on Illinois’s trial and appellate courts, including as an Associate Judge and Circuit Judge and, most recently, as a Presiding Justice of the First District Appellate Court. Prior to joining the bench, he served as an Assistant State’s Attorney in Cook County and practiced law in the private sector. Justice Tailor taught as an adjunct professor at Loyola University of Chicago School of Law. He earned his B.A. from the University of Delaware and his J.D., with honors, from Loyola University of Chicago School of Law.

“Through his many leadership roles, including as the president of the Asian American Judges Association of Illinois, and through his engagement with NAPABA affiliates like the Asian American Bar Association of Greater Chicago (AABA Chicago) and the South Asian Bar Association of Chicago (SABA Chicago), Justice Tailor has demonstrated a deep commitment to public service and the community throughout his career,” said Priya Purandare, Executive Director of NAPABA. “His groundbreaking appointment highlights the importance of continued efforts to ensure that those in the AANHPI legal community are recognized, supported, and elevated to positions of leadership across the country.”

“We are proud and thrilled to see Illinois become one of a small number of states that have a judge on its highest court who is Asian American,” said Stephen Lee, President of AABA Chicago.  “AABA formed decades ago in part to help Asian American attorneys become judges and to help our judiciary better reflect the people whom it serves, and this is a huge milestone not just for Justice Tailor and Asian American attorneys but for everyone.”

“The South Asian Bar Association of Chicago proudly congratulates Justice Tailor on this historic appointment as the first Asian and South Asian Justice to serve on the Illinois Supreme Court,” said Saman Haque, President of SABA Chicago. “This milestone reflects the strength of our justice system and the importance of representation. As a founding member of SABA Chicago, Justice Tailor has remained steadfast in his commitment to inclusion and equity, and to mentoring and encouraging attorneys to hone their craft. We celebrate this achievement and look forward to the lasting impact of Justice Tailor’s leadership and service.”

NAPABA extends its sincere congratulations to Justice Sanjay Tailor and wishes him continued success in his service on the Illinois Supreme Court.

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MNAPABA and NAPABA Statement in Support of AANHPI and Immigrant Communities

For Immediate Release: January 19, 2026Contact: Rahat N. Babar, Deputy Executive Director

MINNEAPOLIS / WASHINGTON – The Minnesota Asian Pacific American Bar Association (MNAPABA) and the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) stand firmly in support of the Asian Pacific American and the broader immigrant communities in Minnesota. 

On Wednesday, January 7, a federal immigration enforcement agent in Minneapolis shot and killed Renee Good. We send our heartfelt condolences to her family and loved ones. Press reports indicate that a federal investigation of the tragedy is underway.

The horrific shooting has exacerbated the existing fear and apprehension within immigrant communities across the state, especially as the national discourse recently turned to disparaging comments against immigrants and refugees in Minnesota and elsewhere across the country. 

On Friday, January 16, Kaohly Her – the mayor of Saint Paul, Minnesota, and the first woman and first Asian American in the role – stated that her office “received reports of federal law enforcement officers going door-to-door asking people where the Asian people live right now in our very own city.”

The allegations in these reports are immensely disturbing. While the residents of Minnesota have the right to engage in First Amendment activities, and as the federal government increases its presence in the region, MNAPABA and NAPABA unequivocally oppose any instances of racial profiling by government enforcement agents, actions that are incompatible with the rule of law. Instead, such actions endanger the public and diminish trust in law enforcement. 

The Minneapolis–Saint Paul region has a vibrant Asian Pacific American community, including one of the largest Hmong populations in the nation. The diverse communities of immigrants and refugees add to the strength and rich tapestry of Minnesota.  Their dignity and constitutional rights must be respected.

For additional information, please see MNAPABA’s supplementary statement, which can be found here.

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The National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) represents the interests of more than 80,000 Asian Pacific American (APA) attorneys, judges, law professors, and law students, as well as over 90 national, state, and local APA bar associations. Founded in 1988, NAPABA promotes justice, equity, and opportunity for APA legal professionals and Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities. We foster professional development, advocacy, and community involvement.

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NAPABA Applauds the Confirmation of Judge John Truong to the Superior Court of the District of Columbia

For Immediate Release: January 15, 2026
Contact: Rahat N. Babar, Deputy Executive Director

WASHINGTON – The National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) congratulates Judge John Truong on his confirmation to serve as an Associate Judge on the Superior Court of the District of Columbia.

“Judge John Truong is a talented and experienced litigator who has deep ties to the D.C. legal community,” said Joseph Yao, President of NAPABA. “With a long career in public service, coupled with his leadership in the community – including as a former president of the Asian Pacific American Bar Association of the Greater Washington, D.C. Area (APABA-DC) and a recipient of the NAPABA Best Under 40 Award in 2009 – Judge Truong will be an exceptional addition to the court that serves the Nation’s capital city.”

Prior to his confirmation, Judge Truong was Deputy Chief in the Civil Division of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia, where he prosecuted fraud and misconduct cases. He has previously represented federal officials and agencies in civil litigation, prosecuted criminal offenses, and practiced at Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP. Judge Truong also taught as an Adjunct Professor at George Washington University Law School. He clerked for Judge Ricardo M. Urbina of the U.S. District Court for D.C. and holds a B.A. from the University of Southern California, an M.A. from American University, and a J.D. from American University’s Washington College of Law.

“Judge Truong is a role model for our legal community. His professional achievements reflect the values that NAPABA works to advance every day,” said Priya Purandare, Executive Director of NAPABA. “We are confident that Judge Truong will continue to serve the community with distinction in this important role.”

NAPABA thanks President Trump for the nomination and the U.S. Senate for its confirmation of Judge Truong.

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ABA Presidential Appointments Are Live!

Applications for 2026–2027 are open, and NAPABA is ready to endorse you.

The American Bar Association has officially published its 2026–2027 Presidential Appointments, and this is your moment to step into national leadership. These appointments are high-impact, highly competitive, and the application period moves quickly.

NAPABA is calling on qualified members to apply now for these coveted positions and to seek NAPABA’s endorsement. Click to view 2026-2027 vacancies.

Why This Matters

Advancing AANHPI leadership at the national level is core to NAPABA’s mission.

For nearly ten years, NAPABA has proudly endorsed members to serve on ABA Standing and Special Committees, Commissions, Task Forces, Working Groups, and other key bodies. This ensures that our community has a seat at the table where policy, practice, and priorities are shaped.

If you have:

  • A proven record of leadership
  • Deep subject-matter expertise
  • A commitment to contributing meaningfully to the ABA’s mission

…this is an opportunity to amplify your impact and NAPABA’s voice on a national stage.

How to Secure a NAPABA Endorsement

Members seeking NAPABA’s endorsement will be reviewed by the NAPABA Presidential Appointment Selection Committee. To be considered, you must submit a complete endorsement request by the deadline below.

Deadlines to Note:

  • January 27, 2026 (8:00 PM ET) – Deadline to submit a NAPABA endorsement request
  • February 10, 2026 – Deadline to self-nominate directly through the ABA website

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