The Judge Thomas Tang and Dr. Pearl Tang Moot Court Competition is an appellate advocacy competition sponsored annually by the NAPABA Law Foundation. The purpose of this Competition is to help law students develop advocacy skills and to foster legal talents of the future.
The Competition was founded in 1993 and is named in honor of the late Honorable Thomas Tang, a respected jurist who served on the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit from 1977 until his passing in 1995.
This prestigious moot court competition is an incredible opportunity for law students to develop their advocacy skills and engage in complex international legal issues. Whether you’re a seasoned competitor, coach, volunteer or judge, or just starting your journey in moot court, the 2025 TTMC promises to be an exciting and enriching experience.
For assistance in seeking sponsorship to compete, please send an email to [email protected].
Key details:
Problem Release: August 1, 2025
Registration Closes: September 10, 2025
Brief Submission Deadline: October 3, 2025
Regional Rounds: In person at the U.S. of International Trade in New York City, NY (October 17, 2025) and Zoom (October 18, 2025) (with the first 12 teams who register to participate and the remainder to compete via zoom).
National Competition at the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association Annual Conference: Denver, CO, on November 7-8, 2025.
Stay updated by registering for competition notifications here.
The NAPABA Law Foundation is accepting applications for the prestigious SAIL Scholarship Program—a unique opportunity designed to support and empower the next generation of leaders in the legal profession.
This scholarship provides more than just financial aid—recipients receive:
$7,500 in financial support (split evenly between their 2L and 3L years)
Private mentorship from legal professionals
Exclusive networking opportunities with executive-level leaders
Who Should Apply? Current 1L students (rising 2Ls in Fall 2025) who demonstrate:
Academic excellence (undergraduate and 1L performance)
Leadership experience and a “pay it forward” mindset
Volunteerism or service in the public interest
Knowledge of or commitment to impacting AAPI communities
This is a rare opportunity to receive ongoing support throughout law school—both financially and professionally—while building a foundation for a legal career rooted in service and leadership.
Do you know an outstanding first year law student? Please encourage your standout 1L students to apply.
Students: Review the SAIL Scholarship FAQ to understand eligibility and expectations before submitting your application.
Let the SAIL Scholarship help launch your journey to making a meaningful impact.
Please share this great opportunity with your networks.
Meet the 2024 SAIL Scholarship Recipient | Jennifer Shim
Jennifer Shim, a second-year law student at the University of Arizona James E. Rogers College of Law, was selected as the 2024 SAIL Scholar. A first-generation Korean American from New York City, Jennifer was recognized for her exceptional leadership, academic achievement, and commitment to public service.
Through the SAIL Scholarship, Jennifer is receiving mentorship, leadership development, and $7,500 to support her legal education.
“Jennifer shows great promise as a leader who gives generously of her time and effort to the broader community. We could not be more delighted to help her as she completes her academic work and becomes part of the next generation of leaders in our profession,” said Ivan Fong, who, with his wife Sharon, endowed the NLF SAIL Scholarship Program.
WASHINGTON – The National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) extends its sincere condolences to the family and friends of Justice David H. Souter, who passed away yesterday. Justice Souter served on the Supreme Court of the United States for 19 years.
“Justice Souter’s devotion to public service defined his life,” said NAPABA President Thy Bui. “From a small law firm in Concord, New Hampshire, to the highest court in the land, he left an indelible mark on the Nation’s jurisprudence. On behalf of the entire NAPABA community, we celebrate his legacy and send our condolences to his loved ones.”
Justice Souter graduated from Harvard College, studied as a Rhodes Scholar, and graduated from Harvard Law School. After practicing at the firm of Orr and Reno, Justice Souter joined the New Hampshire Attorney General’s Office, ultimately rising to become the New Hampshire Attorney General in 1976. Two years later, the governor of New Hampshire appointed Justice Souter to the state trial court bench. In 1983, Justice Souter joined the New Hampshire Supreme Court, and in 1990, President George H.W. Bush nominated him to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit. The U.S. Senate confirmed his nomination unanimously. Only two months later, President Bush nominated Justice Souter to the U.S. Supreme Court, and the U.S. Senate confirmed his nomination by a vote of 90 to 9. Justice Souter retired from the Court in 2009.
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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.
WASHINGTON – The National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) is proud to announce that this week, the American Bar Association’s Commission on Women in the Profession has named NAPABA members Justice Maryka Omatsu and Judge Holly Fujie as recipients of the 2025 Margaret Brent Women Lawyers of Achievement Award. Each year, the Commission honors up to five outstanding women lawyers who have achieved professional excellence and paved the way for other women in the legal profession.
Justice Maryka Omatsu is an icon of the Asian Canadian bar who, in 1993, set the stage for others to follow in her footsteps as the first Canadian woman of East Asian descent to be appointed as a judge in the entire country. She began her legal career in the 1970s as a human rights and environmental rights attorney who represented First Nations communities and held numerous prestigious appointments, including as Chair of the Ontario Boards of Inquiry and later Chair of the Ontario Human Rights Appeals Tribunal.
A third generation Japanese Canadian born and raised in Hamilton, Ontario, Justice Omatsu’s parents were incarcerated by Canadian authorities during the Second World War in a manner similar to the Japanese American experience. Justice Omatsu rose to nationwide prominence as a key leader of, and counsel for, the National Association of Japanese Canadians Redress negotiating team, who helped secure an historic human rights settlement between the Canadian Government and affected Japanese Canadians for their mistreatment during the war. In early 2006, Justice Omatsu set forth a vision for a Canadian analog to NAPABA and led the creation of the Federation of Asian Canadian Lawyers (FACL). In 2013, NAPABA conferred Justice Omatsu with its Daniel K. Inouye Trailblazer Award.
“Justice Maryka Omatsu continues to inspire and open doors for women in the legal profession and to do so across the largest land border in the world–serving as a role model for lawyers in both Canada and the United States,” said NAPABA President Thy Bui. “Through her distinguished career, towering achievements, and tenacious and proactive advocacy, she has secured lasting, systemic positive change for Canadian women on the bench, in the legal profession, and beyond.”
For over four decades, Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Holly Fujie has been a strong, vocal, and effective champion for, and mentor to, countless women and minorities in the legal profession.
Judge Fujie was only the third woman and the first Asian American to serve as the President of the State Bar of California. Prior to joining the bench, she was a renowned litigator, handling complex litigation for a variety of clients, primarily in the financial services industry. Judge Fujie broke barriers as one of the first Asian American women elected to equity partnership at major Los Angeles firm at a time when there were nearly no other Asian American women attorneys becoming law firm partners in California.
She is Vice President of NAPABA’s Judicial Council and Co-Chair of the Multicultural Bar Alliance of Southern California. She serves on the Boards of the Asian Pacific American Women Lawyers Alliance, the Women Lawyers Association of Los Angeles, and the California Judges Foundation, and previously chaired Senator Dianne Feinstein’s Judicial Advisory Committee for the Central District of California. In 2010, NAPABA bestowed its Daniel K. Inouye Trailblazer Award on Judge Fujie.
Throughout her career, Judge Fujie has individually mentored numerous women seeking to join and advance in the legal profession. But she believes that it is not merely enough to give advice to mentees but to actively do all she can to help them achieve success.
“Judge Holly Fujie continues to inspire and mentor so many in the California bar and across the country,” said Priya Purandare, Executive Director of NAPABA. “Her commitment to opening doors for women in the profession is matched only by her passion and dedication on a deeply personal level to ensuring that as many can succeed as possible.”
Also receiving the Margaret Brent Women Lawyers of Achievement Award this year are:
Anita S. Earls; Senior Associate Justice, North Carolina Supreme Court, Durham, NC
Bridget Marsh; Executive Vice President and General Counsel, LSTA, Inc., New York, NY
Jami Wintz McKeon; Chair, Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP, Philadelphia, PA
NAPABA congratulates all the recipients who will be honored during the ABA’s Annual Meeting in Toronto on August 10.
### 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.
You can’t rush art so the deadline has been extended for the “Our History, Our Voice” Video Contest for Middle and High School Students across the United States. All submissions must be received by 11:59 PM EST on April 30, 2025.
This is a joint project of the Center on Asian Americans and the Law at Fordham Law School, the AAPI Crime Victims and Education Fund, and NAPABA. Participants will introduce and highlight the impact of one case from the list of cases in a thoughtful and creative way that will bring attention to this event in Asian American legal history.
ELIGIBILITY
Participants need to be between the ages of 13 and 18 and currently enrolled in middle school or high school.
There is a limit of one (1) entry per person, per case.
Please share the link for the contest landing page broadly to all of your circles, most especially those involving middle and high school aged children. Our stories need to be told, and then passed along and retold, most especially by young people.
Application Deadline: Friday, April 25, 2024 | 11:59 pm ET
We are thrilled to invite you to apply for the 2025 Collaborative Bar Leadership Academy (CBLA) – an exclusive, transformative experience designed to elevate aspiring and current bar leaders like you! The CBLA will take place in the heart of Washington, D.C., from June 29 – July 1, 2025. This is your chance to accelerate your leadership journey and connect with fellow bar leaders from across the country.
Why Apply for CBLA?
This isn’t just another leadership program – it’s a game-changing opportunity to take your career to the next level:
Expand Your Network – Connect with influential leaders from NAPABA and top national bar associations.
Learn from Experts – Gain invaluable leadership insights from renowned professionals in an intimate, collaborative setting.
Sharpen Your Skills – Acquire the tools you need to lead effectively, whether in a local or national bar association.
Impact Your Future – Leave with the skills and confidence to organize, manage, and inspire in any bar leadership role.
Spots are limited! Apply today to ensure you don’t miss out on this once-in-a-lifetime experience!
Application Deadline: Friday, April 25, 2024, at 11:59 PM ET.
Eligibility Requirements
Be an active member of NAPABA
Complete a two-part application process, including a virtual component
Submit your resume to Keevin Woods ([email protected]) and Matthew Archer-Beck ([email protected]) with the subject line: “[Applicant’s Name]’s CBLA 2025 Resume”
Note: Incomplete applications will not be considered, so make sure everything is in order!
The Collaborative Bar Leadership Academy (CBLA) is a joint initiative of the American Bar Association, its Commission on Racial and Ethnic Diversity in the Profession and the Commission on Disability Rights, the Hispanic National Bar Association, the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association, the National Bar Association, the National LGBT Bar Association, the National Native American Bar Association, and the South Asian Bar Association of North America. Together, we aim to empower and prepare leaders to shape the future of the legal profession. Our coordinated effort is designed to strengthen the pipeline of bar association leaders through leadership training, professional development training, and networking.
Don’t miss this incredible opportunity to develop, connect, and lead in the legal world. We can’t wait to see you in Washington, DC!
Over 40 national, state, and local bar associations join NAPABA to oppose Executive Order 14160.
NAPABA corrects the federal government’s misreading of U.S. v. Wong Kim Ark.
NAPABA highlights the detrimental impact on the Asian American community if EO 14160 is upheld.
WASHINGTON – The National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) and 43 of its affiliates and national associates from across the country joined forces to defend the fundamental constitutional guarantee of citizenship. Led by NAPABA, the coalition filed an amicus brief, which can be found here, with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit in State of Washington v. Donald J. Trump.
The Fourteenth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution promises every person equal treatment under the law. It also includes an equal claim of citizenship to all persons born in the United States, regardless of the stature or circumstances of their parents.
Executive Order 14160 upends that promise. It refuses to recognize the birthright citizenship of any child born in the United States to a mother who is lawfully present on a temporary basis, like those on work or student visas, and a father who is neither a U.S. citizen nor a lawful permanent resident.
In our amicus brief, NAPABA and the coalition highlight the core principles established in United States v. Wong Kim Ark, 169 U.S. 649 (1898). The Court upheld the conferral of citizenship to children born in the U.S. to non-citizen parents under the Fourteenth Amendment’s Citizenship Clause. The brief underscores the historical significance of this precedent, the role of Asian Americans in shaping our nation’s foundational immigration and civil rights precedents, and the disproportionate harms that EO 14160, if upheld, would visit upon Asian American communities.
EO 14160 distorts the holding of Wong Kim Ark. The federal government misreads the Court’s 1898 description of Wong’s parents as having a permanent residence in the U.S. Our brief explains this oversimplification by recounting the historical discrimination Chinese migrants faced in the late 19th century. Under this backdrop, their presence in the country was a far cry from the lawful permanency afforded to today’s green card holders. At that time, the Chinese immigrants were excluded from full participation in civic life and systematically denied the ability to integrate into American society. They faced mass violence and a cascading series of exclusionary laws designed to expel them. By drawing this parallel, NAPABA underscores how EO 14160 would disproportionately harm Asian American communities, echoing the same past exclusionary motives.
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our exemplary legal team for their tireless work behind the brief, including Rahat N. Babar, who serves as NAPABA’s Deputy Executive Director and General Counsel, Edgar Chen, who serves as NAPABA’s Special Policy Advisor, and Chris M. Kwok, who serves as co-chair of NAPABA’s Dispute Resolution Committee.
Are you joining us for NAPABA’s largest advocacy day on Capitol Hill? NAPABA Lobby Day is your opportunity to meet with policymakers and champion the pressing issues affecting our communities. Now is the time to come together, take action, and make our voices heard to drive meaningful change.
NAPABA Supports the AANHPI Community
Ensuring Language Access
Protecting the Legacy of Fred Korematsu
Recognizing the Rich History and Vibrancy of the AANHPI Community
NAPABA Calls for Fair and Humane Immigration System
Advancing the Right to Counsel
Supporting Asylum Seekers
Protecting Immigrants from National Origin Discrimination
NAPABA Defends Rule of Law & the Legal Profession
Protecting Judges from Threats
Supporting Funding for Legal Services Corporation
Strengthening the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program
Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month Congressional Reception
Tuesday, May 20, 2025 | 6-8 PM ET
Join NAPABA members and community leaders from across the country as we celebrate AANHPI Heritage Month with members of Congress. The reception will bring together Lobby Day participants, members of Congress and their staff, and leaders in the AANHPI community.
In-House Counsel (IHC) + Partners Summits August 28-29 | New York
We are excited to announce that applications are now open for the NAPABA In-House Counsel (IHC) Summit and Partners Summit, taking place August 28-29, 2025, in New York City! These premier gatherings bring together top legal professionals for two days of high-impact networking, strategic career development, and actionable insights from industry leaders.
Which Summit Is Right for You?
In-House Counsel (IHC) Summit
Partners Summit
Designed for senior in-house attorneys looking to accelerate their leadership trajectory, this program features guidance and insights from General Counsels, C-Suite Executives, and search firm leaders on how to navigate leadership transitions and position yourself for top legal roles at Fortune 1000 companies.
A dynamic program for law firm partners to strengthen leadership skills, develop business strategies, and connect with the next generation of NAPABA legal leaders. Hosted alongside the IHC Summit, this event also provides a unique opportunity to build relationships with senior in-house attorneys from Fortune 1000 companies.
Engage with Fortune 1000 legal decision-makers Gain actionable strategies to elevate and advance your career Expand your network and forge meaningful connections with top in-house attorneys and law firm partners
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.
### 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.
Engage with Fortune 1000 legal decision-makers
