Tag: NAPABA

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NAPABA 2026 Convention: Thursday Specialty Programs

Kick Off Your Convention Experience with NAPABA Specialty Programs!

The Convention Thursday Specialty Programs are intentionally designed to create dedicated spaces for attendees with shared identities, career stages, or professional interests. These programs offer a more intimate, focused environment where you can build meaningful relationships, exchange experiences, and strengthen your network within NAPABA’s community. This year’s Specialty Programs are:

  • Women’s Leadership Workshop
  • International Law Symposium
  • Public Service Network Workshop
  • Solo & Small Firm Boot Camp
  • Young Lawyers Workshop

CLE Information: All Thursday Specialty Programs except for the Young Lawyers Workshop are eligible for continuing legal education.

Registration Information:

  • Thursday Specialty Programs are included in Convention Registration.
  • One-day registration is available for anyone interested in attending only the Thursday Programming.
Register Now

Additional Thursday Activities

The Thursday Specialty Programs is just the beginning of Thursday’s activities. The NAPABA Village, our reimagined exhibit hall opens at 11 am. After an afternoon of learning and exploring the village, join us at the NAPABA Welcome Reception and Best Under 40s Awards Celebration. Our welcome reception is followed by NAPABA Committee and Network receptions.

See Full Agenda

Not a Member Yet or Need to Renew?

Your membership pays for itself. Members save up to $675 on Convention registration, receive early access to registration and the hotel block, and unlock exclusive year-round professional development, leadership, and networking opportunities. Join or renew now.  

Become a NAPABA member and enjoy savings that go beyond the cost of membership!

Join or Renew Today

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Breaking Barriers, Building Community: A Fireside Chat with Sandra Leung

On June 2, the Asian Employee Resource Group of the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office (DANY) hosted a fireside chat with DANY alum Sandra Leung in honor of Asian Pacific Islander Desi American (APIDA) Heritage Month. Leung is an Independent Director of Bausch Health Companies and recently retired as Executive Vice President and General Counsel (GC) of Bristol Myers Squibb, where she was the first Asian American and first woman to hold the role. Moderated by Grace Vee (Co-Chair of AABANY’s Prosecutors Committee; Associate General Counsel and Chief, State Civil Litigation Unit, Appeals Division, at Manhattan District Attorney’s Office)  and Emily Abrams, the event brought together prosecutors, attorneys, and members of the legal community for a conversation about Leung’s career and the lessons she’s carried from the DA’s office to the boardroom.

Leung credited her career to both her family history and her time at DANY, where she chose prosecution after a stint in legal aid exposed her to criminal justice firsthand. When she first started, diversity wasn’t yet something the profession really talked about. Despite that, she pushed through imposter syndrome, a feeling she said never fully goes away.  Leung learned to recognize it and work past it when it counted.

Eventually the hours and the need for more stability for a growing family pulled her toward in-house work, a path that led her to the GC role at Bristol Myers Squibb. From her time at the company, she learned that diversity was not only about being fair and ethical, but it was also good for business, because it prevents groupthink. She pointed to the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association’s model of mentorship and allyship as a blueprint for what the room could keep building. She closed by urging everyone not to let their differences divide them but to remember that the profession moves further when it moves together.

Leung’s decades of leadership have earned national recognition. Earlier this year, the ABA Commission on Racial and Ethnic Diversity in the Profession honored her with the 2026 Spirit of Excellence Award. At last year’s NAPABA Annual Conference, Leung received the Daniel K. Inouye Trailblazer Award, NAPABA’s highest honor, for her achievements and leadership in advancing Asian Pacific, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander lawyers. 

AABANY thanks Sandra Leung for sharing her insights and her journey, and thanks the Asian Employee Resource Group of the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office for hosting this celebration of APIDA Heritage Month.

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2026 NAPABA Convention Scholarship Program Applications Open Now!

Apply for a Scholarship Now!

Attending the 2026 NAPABA Convention is a powerful opportunity to advance your legal career, offering exclusive access to premier programs, industry leaders, and a robust network of legal professionals. We understand that the cost of attending may present a barrier for some. That’s why NAPABA offers a registration scholarship, exclusively for current NAPABA members, to help make participation possible.

The Convention Scholarship Program provides financial support in the form of a registration discount that may be applied toward a full or one-day Convention registration, as well as ticketed events. The scholarship program may not be used for travel reimbursements.

Only active NAPABA members are eligible for Convention scholarships. Join or renew your membership and then apply for the scholarship.

Learn More About Scholarships

General Scholarship

Deadline: July 28 at 8pm ET

Apply for the General Scholarship

Law Student Scholarship

Deadline: September 14 at 8pm ET

Apply for the Law Student Scholarship

Note: You may not apply for more than one Convention scholarship, e.g. law students may not apply for both scholarships.

Questions

View additional resources about the Convention or contact us at convention@napaba.org if you have any questions.

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NAPABA Welcomes the Federation of Asian Canadian Lawyers Western Chapter (FACL Western) and the Pasifika Attorneys Law Society (PALS)

For Immediate Release:Contact:
July 6, 2026press@napaba.org

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Continuing to expand its network and strengthen its representation across North America and the Pacific, the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) welcomes the Federation of Asian Canadian Lawyers Western Chapter (FACL Western) as its newest affiliate and the Pasifika Attorneys Law Society (PALS) of Guam as its sixth national associate.

Founded in 2025, FACL Western is a nonprofit organization serving Asian Canadian legal professionals across Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba. As part of the broader Federation of Asian Canadian Lawyers network, FACL Western advances advocacy, mentorship, professional development, and community engagement throughout Western Canada.

“FACL Western is thrilled to become an affiliate of NAPABA. For our members, this affiliation opens the door to a large community of mentors, peers, and leaders, along with the resources and opportunities that come with NAPABA’s network. What excites me most is collaborating with organizations facing similar challenges and learning from their experience while bringing our distinctly Canadian perspective to the table,” said Angad Bedi, President of FACL Western.

Established in 2025, PALS is a national organization dedicated to advancing the professional interests and representation of Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander attorneys across the United States and its territories. The organization provides a dedicated professional home and network of peer support for Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander legal professionals while promoting advocacy, collaboration, and partnerships with bar associations and community organizations nationwide.

“We share NAPABA’s belief that representation in the legal profession matters—not just symbolically, but structurally. This partnership gives our mission to elevate Pasifika voices a powerful platform, ensuring those once identified as statistically invisible will no longer be overlooked,” said Henry Aho & Puanani Norwood, Co-Founders of PALS.

“We are proud to welcome FACL Western and PALS into the NAPABA community,” said Joseph Yao, President of NAPABA. “FACL Western reflects the continued growth of NAPABA’s presence throughout Canada, strengthening our cross-border community of Asian legal professionals. At the same time, PALS represents an important step forward in deepening representation and engagement for Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander attorneys within our national network. Together, these organizations broaden the perspectives, leadership, and advocacy that make our community stronger.”

PALS and FACL Western 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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Apply Now for NAPABA’s Prospective Partners Program

Apply Today and Take the Next Step in Your Career!

The Prospective Partners Program provides strategic mentorship and leadership development for senior associates and of counsel who are on track for partnership consideration within the next 12–18 months. Join a powerful network of senior in-house counsel and law firm partners who are committed to helping you navigate this important career transition with confidence.

  • Dates: November 12–13, 2026, during NAPABA’s Convention in Los Angeles, CA
  • Cohort: Highly selective, limited to 10 participants
  • Program Fee: $400 for NAPABA members | $650 for non-members
Apply For the Prospective Partners Program (PPP)

Not a Member Yet? Join Now & Save Big!

Now is the perfect time to become a member of NAPABA, an organization representing more than 80,000 attorneys, judges, law professors, and law students, along with over 90 affiliated bar associations across the United States, Canada, and U.S. territories. As a powerful convenor, connector, and professional development home, NAPABA advances opportunity, strengthens relationships, and cultivates leadership across the legal profession. NAPABA welcomes everyone committed to advancing the interests of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities in the legal profession and beyond to join us as members.

Become a NAPABA member and enjoy savings that go beyond the cost of membership!

Join or Renew Today

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AABANY Hosts Dumplings & Discussion with Sandra Leung

On June 10, the Asian American Bar Association of New York (AABANY) hosted an installment of its Dumplings & Discussion event series featuring Sandra Leung, independent Board Member of Bausch Health Companies, retired General Counsel for biopharmaceutical company Bristol Myers Squibb, and past President of the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA). Over delicious dumplings and other dim sum dishes, Sandra shared her extensive career experiences with a captivated audience. 

In addition to her 18 years as General Counsel at Bristol Myers Squibb—the first Asian American and the first woman to serve as their General Counsel—Sandra is also the 2025 recipient of NAPABA’s highest honor, the Daniel K. Inouye Trailblazer Award. In her illustrious career, Sandra was also the first Asian American woman to serve as an Assistant District Attorney in the Manhattan District Attorney’s office. Her board service includes serving on the boards of the Minority Corporate Counsel Association (MCCA) and the Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund (AALDEF). Furthermore, she was a founding member of the Leadership Council on Legal Diversity (LCLD). 

Sandra shared her journey in conversation with moderator and event organizer Jeffrey Mok, Principal at Fish & Richardson, AABANY Board Director, and Co-Chair of AABANY’s Intellectual Property Committee. The audience learned about Sandra’s favorite type of dumpling (homemade veggie dumplings) before launching into Sandra’s career path.

Sandra offered advice for the many young lawyers present, focusing on the path to in-house work and the importance of loving the work you do. The room was spellbound by her compelling storytelling and wealth of experiences and advice, ranging from tales of microaggression to humorous stories to accounts of stressful experiences.

While winding down the discussion and taking questions, Sandra offered cogent advice to the audience to put yourself out there: “If you’re not at the table, you’re on the menu.” 

Sandra’s work ethic, charisma, and initiative left a strong impression on attendees, who continued mingling at the networking reception after the discussion. 

AABANY is grateful to Sandra Leung for her warmth and openness and to Fish & Richardson P.C. for graciously hosting the event. Thank you to all our attendees for joining and being part of a memorable evening!

See here to read about past Dumplings & Discussion chats.

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Registration for NAPABA Meet & Greet in Chicago on July 31 Now Open

Chicago, IL | July 31, 2026

The next NAPABA Meet & Greet is coming to Chicago, IL! Join NAPABA for an evening of meaningful networking, connection, and engagement with the NAPABA community.

  • Date: Friday, July 31, 2026
  • Time: 5:00–6:30 P.M. CT
  • Location: Provided after Registration

Registration Rates:

  • Member: $25/per person
  • Non-Member: $50/per person
Register Now

These convenings turn individual efforts into collective impact, helping shape the future of the legal profession. Whether you want to collaborate, share experiences, or simply reconnect with peers, this event is an opportunity to deepen your ties within the NAPABA community.

Please note: Capacity is limited, and registration is required. Walk-up guests will not be permitted, so be sure to secure your spot as soon as possible.

See you in Chicago!

Not yet a member? Join or renew your NAPABA membership today to access exclusive benefits (like discounted Meet & Greet rates) designed to empower your legal career!

Join or Renew Your Membership

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NAPABA Applauds SCOTUS Birthright Citizenship Decision in Trump v. Barbara

For Immediate Release:
June 30, 2026		Contact:
press@napaba.org

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the Supreme Court of the United States upheld the fundamental constitutional guarantee of birthright citizenship. In Trump v. Barbara, the Court found that Executive Order 14160, which sought to limit the scope of birthright citizenship, did not comply with the Citizenship Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment.

The National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) applauds the Court’s decision. It upheld what NAPABA has emphasized throughout the litigation: a constitutional right that the Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) community has understood and relied upon for nearly 130 years—ever since a young Chinese American fought for his birthright citizenship in United States v. Wong Kim Ark, 169 U.S. 649 (1898). The Fourteenth Amendment promises every person equal treatment under the law and includes an equal claim of citizenship for persons born in the United States, regardless of the circumstances of their parents. EO 14160 attempted to upend that promise, and we are grateful that the Court invalidated it.

In three federal courts of appeals and in the Supreme Court, NAPABA led a nationwide coalition of its affiliates and national associates to defend birthright citizenship in this litigation. We underscored the significance of Wong Kim Ark, the crucial role of Asian Americans in shaping our nation’s immigration and civil rights jurisprudence, and the disproportionate impacts that EO 14160 would have on AANHPI communities.  NAPABA highlighted how the congressional debates over the Fourteenth Amendment contemplated that the children of Chinese migrants, despite being heavily despised and vilified, would receive birthright citizenship.  Lastly, we maintained that the federal government distorted the holding of Wong Kim Ark and created a faulty legal and historical analogy that Chinese migrants in the late 19th century were akin to today’s lawful permanent residents (i.e., green card holders).

NAPABA is thankful to its legal team for their exemplary work: Rahat N. Babar, who serves as NAPABA’s Deputy Executive Director and General Counsel, Edgar Chen, who serves as NAPABA’s Special Policy Advisor, Chris M. Kwok, who formerly served as co-chair of NAPABA’s Dispute Resolution Committee, and Seyfarth Shaw LLP (Wendy M. Feng, Owen Wolfe, and Lori Chen).

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Save the Date: 2026 Tang Moot Court Competition

The 2026 Judge Thomas Tang and Dr. Pearl Tang Moot Court Competition (TTMC) will occur through October and November of this year, with judging opportunities on Zoom, in person in New York City, and in person at the National Competition in Los Angeles at the NAPABA Convention.

TTMC is an appellate advocacy competition sponsored annually by the NAPABA Law Foundation. Its purpose is to help law students develop advocacy skills and to foster legal talents of the future.

Look out for these dates, and consider signing up to judge as many rounds as you can this year. Sign-up links will be released soon.

Friday, October 9, 2026 – Regional Competition IN PERSON in NEW YORK CITY
– At the U.S. Court of International Trade (all day competitions)
– Students from across the country will compete in person in NYC

Saturday, October 17, 2026 – Regional Competition via ZOOM
– Students from across the country will compete online

Friday, November 13, 2026 – National Competitions in person in Los Angeles
– Winners of regional competitions will compete all day in LA at the NAPABA Convention

Saturday, November 14, 2026 – National Semi-Finals and Finals in person in Los Angeles,
– Followed by an Awards Reception on Saturday evening November 14, 2026

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The ADR Institute Application is Now Open

Don’t Miss Your Opportunity to Advance Your Career!

The ADR Institute is a two-day career and skills development program designed to provide participants with both a broad overview of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) and substantive, hands-on training for careers in mediation and arbitration. Led by experts in the mediation and arbitration field, the program seeks to diversify the pool of mediators and arbitrators in the United States and expand the use of ADR among program participants.

  • Dates: November 11–12, 2026, in Los Angeles, CA
  • Cohort Size: Limited to 20–25 participants
  • Program Fee: $500 for NAPABA members | $750 for non-members
Apply for the ADR Institute

Not a Member Yet? Join Now & Save Big!

Now is the perfect time to become a member of NAPABA, an organization representing more than 80,000 attorneys, judges, law professors, and law students, along with over 90 affiliated bar associations across the United States, Canada, and U.S. territories. As a powerful convenor, connector, and professional development home, NAPABA advances opportunity, strengthens relationships, and cultivates leadership across the legal profession. NAPABA welcomes everyone committed to advancing the interests of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities in the legal profession and beyond to join us as members.

Become a NAPABA member and enjoy savings that go beyond the cost of membership!

Join or Renew Today

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