The national Thomas Tang Moot Court Competition, an appellate advocacy competition sponsored by the NAPABA Law Foundation, takes place every year at the NAPABA Convention. The event will be held in-person on November 8, 2024 (Friday) and November 9, 2024 (Saturday) in downtown Seattle, WA near the Hyatt Regency. For more information on the event, please click here.
The event’s Planning Committee is currently seeking volunteers. Specifically, the Committee is looking for judges (either current or previous judges on the bench or veteran attorneys of over 6+ years of practice) and volunteer bailiffs. The timeslots run on Friday, November 8 from 9:00am to 4:00pm in 1.5 hour increments, and on Saturday, November 9 from 8:30AM to 9:50AM and 11:05AM to 12:20 PM.
Washington — The NAPABA Law Foundation (NLF) announced today [Aug. 12] that Jennifer Shim, a second-year law student at the James E. Rogers College of Law, University of Arizona has been awarded a SAIL Scholarship for her outstanding professional promise and leadership potential.
“Jennifer exhibits the very best not only in her academic excellence, but especially in her demonstrated leadership and commitment to the community,” said NLF president Nimesh Patel. “NLF and SAIL are proud to be a small part of her journey as she continues to serve her community, complete her studies and embark on her legal career.”
A New York City native, Ms. Shim is a first-generation Korean American and was raised by her mother alongside with her younger sister. She is a member of the Arizona Law Review; serves as incoming president of the Asian Pacific American Law Students Association and as an Arizona Law Ambassador; and established the JAG Vanguard Society at her law school. She received her M.A. in International Peace and Security from King’s College London and her B.A. summa cum laude in International Criminal Justice from the John Jay College of Criminal Justice, City University of New York. Among her many work experiences in the U.S. and abroad, she is completing a judicial internship with the Honorable John Hinderaker, U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona and works as a graduate program coordinator for the University of Arizona. She was an International English Language Testing System examiner for the Oxford International Education Group and the British Council; an assistant professor at Joongbu University in South Korea; and a key spouse for the U.S. Air Force, where she served as the focal point between military families and unit leadership at the 355th Civil Engineering Squadron, Davis Monthan Air Force Base in Tucson, Arizona. Next year, she will be a summer associate at Ballard Spahr LLP.
“We are excited to welcome Jennifer into the fifth cohort of SAIL Scholars,” said Ivan Fong, who with his wife Sharon endowed the NLF SAIL Scholarship program. “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.”
Two unique aspects of the SAIL Scholarship program are that, in addition to monetary support, SAIL Scholars will also receive mentoring and leadership development from each other and from a network of legal and community leaders. “A second feature of this scholarship program,” said Sharon Fong, “is that the recipients commit to ‘paying it forward’ — by supporting each other, future SAIL Scholars and the communities in which they will live and work.”
The 2024 NLF SAIL Scholarship selection committee was comprised of the Honorable Theodore Chuang, U.S. District Judge for the District of Maryland; Nimesh Patel, Chief Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Officer at Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP; and Caroline Tsai, Executive Vice President, Chief Legal and Corporate Affairs Officer at FIS.
NLF is a 501(c)(3) non-profit that carries out its work primarily by awarding scholarships and fellowships that promote the interests of the Asian Pacific American community. Since its founding, the Foundation has awarded more than $500,000 in scholarships and nearly $1 million in fellowships and internships.
SAIL Scholarship Now Accepting Applications! Deadline: July 1, 2024
NAPABA Law Foundation invites eligible students to apply for the 2024 SAIL Scholarship, made possible due to the generosity of Sharon and Ivan Fong.
The SAIL Scholarship is a scholarship awarded to an individual who will be a 2L student starting in the 2024 Fall Semester (current 1L students should apply) who has outstanding professional promise and leadership potential. Applicants will be evaluated for (a) academic excellence in their undergraduate school years and first year of law school, (b) leadership experience, (c) volunteerism or service in the public interest, (d) knowledge of social and cultural issues of any one or more AANHPI communities or commitment to making a significant impact on issues affecting one or more AANHPI communities, or both, and (e) commitment to “pay it forward.”
Award Amount: The NAPABA Law Foundation will award from the SAIL Scholarship Fund at least one $7,500 scholarship each year, half of which would be distributed to the recipient in his or her second year of law school and the remainder of which would be distributed to the recipient in his or her third year of law school, subject to the Scholar’s continued (i) strong academic performance and good character; and (ii) dedication to the concepts set forth in scholarship.
WASHINGTON – During the 2023 Convention of the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA), Sandra Leung, the President of NAPABA, will bestow this year’s President’s Award posthumously upon David L. Kim, a pioneer within the Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AAHNPI) community. Every year, the NAPABA President pays tribute to a remarkable entity or individual who has demonstrated exceptional commitment to the Nation’s AANHPI population. NAPABA is proud to honor David Kim’s incredible legacy. NAPABA, along with so many others, mourns with the Kim family for their loss of David, who passed away in June 2023.
“David Kim not only was a game-changer for corporate philanthropy to benefit the AANHPI community, but he created the model,” said Sandra Leung, President of NAPABA. “His impact will be felt for generations to come. For our NAPABA family, David’s commitment and generosity have been invaluable in ensuring that NAPABA and the NAPABA Law Foundation (NLF) thrive—especially in the early years following our founding. He will be greatly missed.”
During his long career — which included serving as President and CEO of the National Asian Pacific Center on Aging, President of the Iambic Group, LLC; Vice President of Multicultural Markets at AARP, Chief of Staff of the U.S. Mint, and Global Director of Asian Marketing and Community Relations at Anheuser Busch — David blazed the trail for so many. He harnessed corporate resources to invest in long-overlooked AANHPI populations. He shared wisdom, generosity, and counsel with so many in our community with a degree of selflessness and kindness that left an indelible mark on a generation.
David’s contributions were integral to the growth and development of NAPABA and NLF. For over three decades, he delivered opportunities for generations of AANHPI law students who now stand as leaders in the legal profession. Programs like the Thomas Tang Moot Court Competition, a training ground for law students, have flourished because of his generosity. Beyond his professional achievements, David is remembered fondly for his warmth, incredible sense of humor, and enduring friendship.
“On behalf of NAPABA, I am truly grateful to David’s family for allowing us to honor his legacy during NAPABA’s 35th Annual Convention in Indianapolis,” said Sandra Leung. “This award is a testament to the lasting impact of his life’s work within the AANHPI community and the legal profession as a whole.”
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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.
Registration is open for the 2023 Judge Thomas Tang and Dr. Pearl Tang Moot Court Competition, sponsored by the NAPABA Law Foundation. This year marks the 30th anniversary of an annual tradition that fosters crucial advocacy skills among law students nationwide. A total of $10,000 in scholarships is being offered to the top law student competitors in brief writing and oral advocacy.
The registration fee is $550 per team and each law school may enter up to two teams. Click here to learn more and register. The registration deadline is September 8, 2023, at 11:59 PM PST.
$130,000 Investment will build the pipeline of future leaders in our community.
For Immediate Release: June 27, 2022 Contact:Mary Tablante, Associate Strategic Communications & Marketing Director
WASHINGTON – NAPABA and the NAPABA Law Foundation are proud to announce the expansion of the NLF Community Law Fellowship program to include a new two-year fully funded fellowship placement at NAPABA. The Community Law Fellow will work to serve the AA & NHPI community and build NAPABA’s capacity to support the membership’s commitment to public service and advocacy.
“We are excited to offer this opportunity to build the pipeline of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander attorneys with expertise and skill to create change in our communities through advocacy and policy,” said NAPABA Acting President A.B. Cruz III. “This fellowship is another example of the ways that NAPABA and NLF, along with our members and supporters, can create an active legal community that is willing, ready, and able to serve.”
Established by a generous gift from Paul W. Lee of Goodwin Procter LLP the NAPABA Law Foundation Partners and In-House Counsel Community Law Fellowship was launched in 2004 to address the need for attorneys working on behalf of the AA & NHPI populations. NAPABA’s support of the program will establish the 12th Fellowship.
“The Community Law Fellowship is one of the premier ways that the NAPABA legal community can make an investment in the future of public service,” said Juliet K. Choi, Chair of the NLF Fellowship and Scholarship Selection Committee and first NLF Community Law Fellow (2004). “We are proud that we can we leverage the power of NAPABA and NLF to serve the Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander community.”
The NLF Community Law Fellow placement at NAPABA is a two-year fellowship program designed for a recent law school graduate who is interested in pursuing a career in public interest law and policy. The Fellow will directly support NAPABA’s advocacy and policy program with a focus on supporting and leading initiatives within our anti-hate project. The Fellow will also support other NAPABA community engagement programs, educational programs, and legislative advocacy.
We encourage all interested applicants to apply and for others to share this with any prospective candidates.
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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 APA communities.Through its national network, NAPABA provides a strong voice for increased diversity of the federal and state judiciaries, advocates for equalopportunity 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.
In recognition of October as National Bullying Prevention month, the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) is proud to announce that the American Arbitration Association’s International Centre for Dispute Resolution (AAA-ICDR) Foundation has awarded it grant funding under its Rapid Response Fund which focuses on conflict-resolution initiatives helping Asian American/Pacific Islander communities combat the surge in anti-Asian hate across the United States.
“NAPABA is grateful to the AAA-ICDR Foundation for its generous support on this critical project,” said A.B. Cruz III, president of NAPABA. “With thousands of cases of anti-Asian hate crimes and incidents—and seemingly no end in sight—we must do all we can to protect the most vulnerable victims of hate—children, and stand up for them harnessing the power of our nationwide network of affiliates as trained advocates.”
The award, made through the NAPABA Law Foundation, will be used, in part, to develop a toolkit to combat COVID-19-driven anti-Asian bullying in schools as well as for other anti-bullying advocacy efforts. The toolkit will seek to equip and train NAPABA affiliates on legal and non-legal responses alike and provide best practices on how to interact with school officials. The toolkit is aimed at educating not only NAPABA lawyers on conducting best advocacy practices, but also to help families, students, educators, and communities understand the availability of remedies including appropriate alternative dispute resolution approaches to addressing anti-Asian bullying. For more on the AAA-ICDR Foundation and its Rapid Response efforts to combat the surge in anti-Asian hate, please visit here.
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 APA 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.
Sharon and Ivan Fong recently began a scholarship fund for rising 2L law students who demonstrate outstanding professional promise, community service, and commitment to the APA community.
Applicants will be evaluated for (a) academic excellence in their undergraduate school years and first year of law school, (b) leadership experience, (c) volunteerism or service in the public interest, (d) knowledge of social and cultural issues of any one or more AAPI communities or commitment to making a significant impact on issues affecting one or more AAPI communities, or both, and (e) commitment to “pay it forward.”
The NAPABA Law Foundation will award from the Sharon and Ivan Fong Scholarship Fund at least one $5,000 scholarship each year, half of which would be distributed to the recipient in his or her second year of law school and the remainder of which would be distributed to the recipient in his or her third year of law school.
Applicants must apply by June 30, 2020 at 5:00 PM ET. However, if applicants submit all but the reference letters by the deadline (and commit to getting the references in soon thereafter), applications will not be considered late.
The NLF Public Interest Internship provides support for at least one law student to gain meaningful legal experience during a 2018 summer internship at a public interest organization that provides direct legal services, impact litigation, and/or legal advocacy on behalf of the AAPI community.
With great sadness, AABANY announces the passing of Han C. Choi on March 26, 2018. Known by many around the country as a leader, mentor, trailblazer and friend, Han was active in NAPABA and was the Managing Partner of the Atlanta office of Ballard Spahr LLP.
AABANY, together with KALAGNY and CAPABA, held a fundraiser on March 22, the proceeds of which were donated to the Han C. Choi Scholarship Fund, administered by the NAPABA Law Foundation.
As announced on the Ballard Spahr website:
A memorial service for Mr. Choi will be held at 3 p.m. on Sunday, April 15, at First Presbyterian Church of Atlanta, 1328 Peachtree Street, Atlanta, Georgia. Han’s family has requested that memorial donations in his name be made to the NAPABA Law Foundation’s Han C. Choi Scholarship Fund, https://www.napabalawfoundation.org/foundation-scholarships, or the Decatur Education Foundation’s Han C. Choi Memorial Scholarship, https://decatureducationfoundation.org/han/.
