NAPABA and NLF Announce a Milestone Agreement

For Immediate Release: Date: August 9, 2024Contact:
Priya Purandare, Executive Director

WASHINGTON – The National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) and the NAPABA Law Foundation (NLF) are proud to announce a milestone agreement that not only bolsters the services that NLF delivers to our community, but also advances the mission of both organizations to strengthen the representation of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islanders (AANHPIs) in the legal profession. The agreement draws on the talents of NAPABA to support the pivotal work of NLF and its impact on the next generation of lawyers.

For three decades, NLF has encouraged, inspired, and supported generations of law students as they pursued careers and opportunities in public interest law, including work on behalf of vulnerable AANHPI communities. NLF has awarded $1.8 million in scholarships, fellowships, and internships, and it has built lasting educational and community partnerships throughout the country.

The programs run by the NLF support the next generation of AANHPI lawyers and foster education and awareness about issues impacting AANHPI lawyers.

The shared-services agreement between NAPABA and NLF will reinforce NLF’s administrative, financial, fundraising, and programmatic activities.

“This is a game changer for NLF and our ability to grow and inspire law students and young lawyers,” said Nimesh Patel, President of NLF. “With NAPABA’s support, we can broaden our outreach and ensure the continued success of landmark programs such as the Judge Thomas Tang and Dr. Pearl Tang Moot Court Competition, and we can reach more students for the various scholarships, internships, and fellowships offered by the NLF.”

“My introduction to NAPABA ran through NLF early in my career,” said NAPABA Executive Director Priya Purandare. “I have witnessed first-hand the strong shared history between NAPABA and NLF, and their commitment to fostering the next generations of young AANHPI lawyers. Optimizing the relationship with NLF has long been envisioned as a part of NAPABA’s Strategic Plan, and as our AANHPI legal community continues to expand, I am thrilled that through our partnership, we can meet the growing needs of students and young attorneys to better serve all.

Learn more about NLF

###

The National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) represents the interest 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.

The NAPABA Law Foundation (NLF) promotes the development, advancement, leadership, and public service of Asian Pacific Americans in the legal profession through fellowships, scholarships, education, and community partnerships. NLF serves as an incubator of thoughtful leaders in the Asian Pacific Americans legal community.

NAPABA Applauds the Confirmation of Judge Meredith A. Vacca to the U.S. District Court for the Western District of New York

For Immediate Release: Date: August 1, 2024Contact:
Rahat N. Babar, Deputy Executive Director

WASHINGTON – Yesterday, [July 31, 2024,] the United States Senate confirmed Judge Meredith A. Vacca to the U.S. District Court for the Western District of New York. Judge Vacca is the first Asian American and woman of color to serve in the Western District, which includes Buffalo, Rochester, and Elmira.

“NAPABA congratulates Judge Meredith A. Vacca on her confirmation to the U.S. District Court for the Western District of New York,” said Anna Mercado Clark, President of NAPABA. “We are pleased to have supported the 50 AANHPI judges confirmed over the past eight years, spanning two Presidents. Our bipartisan judicial nominations approach and diverse membership have resulted in greater AANHPI representation on our judiciary across the country and political spectrum.”

Judge Vacca has been a judge on the Monroe County Court since 2021 and an Acting Justice on the New York State Supreme Court since 2023. She previously served as an Assistant District Attorney in the Monroe County District Attorney’s Office in Rochester, New York, from 2007 to 2020 and as an associate at Hamberger & Weiss LLP from 2005 to 2007. Judge Vacca received her J.D. from the University of Buffalo School of Law in 2005 and her B.A. from Colgate University in 2002.

“Judge Vacca, a board member of the Asian American Judges Association of New York, is active in our community,” said Priya Purandare, Executive Director of NAPABA. “As the 37th AANHPI judge confirmed by the Biden Administration, Judge Vacca will serve a rapidly growing Asian American district in upstate New York. We thank President Biden for nominating, Senate Majority Leader Schumer, and Senator Gillibrand for supporting Judge Vacca’s historic nomination.”

###

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.

2024 NAPABA Convention: Scholarship Deadline Reminder

Only One Week Until the General Convention Scholarship Closes on Tuesday, August 6, 8:00 pm ET!

There is only one week left to apply for a general convention scholarship to the 2024 NAPABA Convention in Seattle, November 7-10. The deadline to apply is 8:00 pm ET on Tuesday, August 6.

Scholarships may be used towards Convention registration, airfare, lodging, and/or ground transportation. Learn more about our scholarships and eligibility requirements here.

APPLY FOR A GENERAL SCHOLARSHIP

LAW STUDENT CONVENTION SCHOLARSHIP

Closes September 17 at 8 pm ET

We also have scholarships available for law students to attend the 2024 NAPABA Convention. You must be a current NAPABA member and a law student to apply. The deadline to apply for the law student scholarship is 8:00 pm ET on Friday, September 17.

Please note that you may not apply for more than one Convention scholarship, e.g. law students may not apply for both scholarships.

APPLY FOR A LAW STUDENT SCHOLARSHIP

REGISTER FOR CONVENTION

Haven’t registered for the Convention yet? Register before August 20 to take advantage of the Early Bird Registration Rate.

REGISTER FOR #NAPABA24

QUESTIONS? Contact our Meetings Team at [email protected].

2024 NAPABA Convention: Punchlines and Punditry: Acclaimed Comedian and Keynote Zarna Garg and Gala Host Katie Phang are AANHPI Women Lawyers who are Scripting their own Headlines

Gala Keynote Speaker | Zarna Garg

NAPABA is thrilled to announce that our keynote speaker for the 2024 NAPABA Convention will be Zarna Garg.

A comedy trailblazing Indian immigrant mom from New York City, she masterfully infuses humor, wit, and fearless social commentary into her comedy special for Amazon Prime, “One in a Billion,” and her insightful podcast, “The Zarna Garg Family Show,” dissecting modern family dynamics. She headlined her sold-out Practical People Win tour and is the opener for comedy legends Tina Fey and Amy Poehler on their Restless Leg Tour. Zarna has also crossed over to the film world, starring in “A Nice Indian Boy.” Her comedy has been praised by The New York Times and Variety, and with appearances at the prestigious Just For Laughs Comedy Tour and Netflix is a Joke Festival.

Zarna has firmly established herself as a staple in the comedy world. Boasting a devoted social media following of 2M+, she passionately advocates for change and representation in comedy.

Register for the 2024 NAPABA Convention and add the Gala, available for purchase a la carte!

Host | Katie Phang

We’re also excited to announce the dynamic MSNBC’s Katie Phang will be joining us as our Gala Host!

The host of “The Katie Phang Show” on MSNBC, she also serves as a Legal Contributor for NBC News/MSNBC, leveraging her significant trial experience to provide analysis and commentary on the latest legal issues across the globe. “The Katie Phang Show” sheds light on the intersection of law, politics and culture on the local and national levels.

She recently hosted MSNBC’s “The Culture Is: AAPI Women,” featuring a thought-provoking roundtable dialogue with seven Asian American and Pacific Islander women who are shaping American culture. She also writes columns for MSNBC Daily and previously co-hosted CNBC’s primetime show, “Money Court.”

She was a trial attorney and media relations/crisis management consultant who received her J.D., cum laude, from the University of Miami School of Law after earning her B.A. in Political Science (with an International Relations concentration) from Yale University. As a Miami-based trial attorney, Phang was the Co-Founder and Co-Owner of Phang & Feldman and she practiced law focusing on commercial litigation, family law, real estate litigation, hospitality litigation, and criminal defense & special investigations. Katie has been awarded the AV-Preeminent Rating in Litigation, Bankruptcy, Criminal Law, & Family Law, and has been recognized as a Super Lawyer and Top Lawyer in Corporate and Business Law for several years.

NAPABA Condemns Attack Against Former President Trump

For Immediate Release:

Date: July 14, 2024

Contact:
Rahat N. Babar, Deputy Executive Director

WASHINGTON – The National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) unequivocally condemns the heinous attack on former President Donald Trump during a gathering this past weekend, which tragically left one spectator dead and several wounded.  

We are grateful that the former president is safe and for the swift response by law enforcement. Our thoughts remain with the families affected by this terrible tragedy. Political violence is antithetical to our core values as a community and as a Nation. Our constitutional democracy and the rule of law rest on the peaceful resolution of our differences, whether it be through our institutions like the courts or at the ballot box.

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.

2024 NAPABA Convention: Apply for a Scholarship Today!

The NAPABA Convention offers one of the best values among legal education conferences—providing direct access to our extended community and opportunities to meaningfully connect with thousands of AANHPI attorneys. Participate in a multitude of program offerings, meetings, receptions, and initiatives aimed at advancing your personal and professional goals.

NAPABA recognizes, however, that attending the Convention can pose financial challenges to many of our members. Through our Convention and law student scholarship program, we offer financial assistance and access to the transformative NAPABA Convention. This opportunity is only open to active NAPABA members, like you, and we invite you to apply!

Learn more about our scholarships and eligibility requirements here

GENERAL CONVENTION SCHOLARSHIP
Closes August 6 at 8 pm ET

APPLY FOR A GENERAL SCHOLARSHIP

LAW STUDENT CONVENTION SCHOLARSHIP
Closes September 17 at 8pm ET

APPLY FOR A LAW STUDENT SCHOLARSHIP

QUESTIONS? Contact our Meetings Team at [email protected].

REGISTER FOR CONVENTION

Haven’t registered for the Convention yet? Now’s your chance! Register before August 20 to take advantage of the Early Bird Registration Rate.

REGISTER FOR #NAPABA24

NAPABA Applauds the Nomination of Ryan Y. Park to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit

For Immediate Release:Date: July 3, 2024Contact:
Rahat N. Babar, Deputy Executive Director

WASHINGTON – Today, President Joe Biden nominated North Carolina Solicitor General Ryan Y. Park to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit. If confirmed, General Park would be the first Asian American to serve on the Fourth Circuit, which covers Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, and West Virginia.  

“NAPABA applauds President Biden’s historic nomination of Solicitor General Ryan Y. Park,” said Anna Mercado Clark, President of NAPABA. “A brilliant litigator, General Park has presented oral arguments in more than 25 cases and twice at the U.S. Supreme Court. A former law clerk of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Justice David H. Souter, General Park has over a decade of public service at the state and federal levels. We are pleased to support his nomination.”

Ryan Y. Park has been the Solicitor General of North Carolina since 2020 and previously served as Deputy Solicitor General of North Carolina from 2017 to 2020. From 2014 to 2017, he worked as an associate at Boies, Schiller, and Flexner LLP and in the Office of the Legal Advisor at the U.S. Department of State from 2012 to 2013. He served as a law clerk to Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Justice David H. Souter on the U.S. Supreme Court from 2013 to 2014, for Judge Robert A. Katzmann on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit from 2011 to 2012, and for Judge Jed S. Rakoff on the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York from 2010 to 2011. General Park received his J.D., summa cum laude, from Harvard Law School in 2010 and his B.A., with distinction, from Amherst College in 2005.

“President Biden has nominated 41 AANHPIs to Article III courts, and 36 have been confirmed—more than any President in history,” said Priya Purandare, Executive Director of NAPABA. “We thank President Biden for nominating General Park and ask the Senate to confirm him swiftly.”

NAPABA Announces Launch of New Program: The NAPABA ADR Institute

November 6-7, 2024 | Seattle, WA
Application Opens July 9, 2024

NAPABA is proud to launch its newest program, the NAPABA ADR Institute. This multi-day career and skills development program will provide a broad overview of the practice and substantive, hands-on training to members who are interested in pursuing a career in Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR). This program aims to diversify the pool of mediators and arbitrators in the United States and to increase the use of mediation and arbitration by those who attend the training.

The training is designed for:

  • those interested in incorporating work as a mediator or arbitrator while still advocating;
  • those who are interested in pursuing a judicial career and will benefit from serving as a neutral to gain valuable experience before applying for or running for a judicial position; and
  • those who wish to pursue a career as a full-time mediator and/or arbitrator, either ad hoc or by joining an ADR provider.

Learn more about this exciting new program and add a calendar reminder for July 9, when applications open.

Add a reminder to your calendar:

Apple •  Google •  Office 365 •  Outlook Web •  Outlook •  Yahoo

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.

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