Press Release: New York Asian American Law Students Excel at National Asian Pacific American Bar Association Convention in New Orleans

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 18, 2015  

Contact: Yang Chen, Executive Director
(718) 228-7206

NEW YORK – November 18, 2015 – The Asian American Bar Association of New York (“AABANY”) is proud to congratulate Christina Nguyen and Azizah Ahmad on their recent honors from the NAPABA Law Foundation (“NLF”), which were presented on November 7, 2015 at the NAPABA Rising Convention at the Hilton New Orleans Riverside in New Orleans, Louisiana. NAPABA is the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association and it established the NLF in 1994. The NLF awards scholarships on a nationwide basis to law students who demonstrate a commitment to serve or contribute to the Asian Pacific American community as future leaders. We also congratulate Katherine Zhang, who was elected as Northeast Regional Director of the National Asian Pacific American Law Students Association (“NAPALSA”) at the NAPABA Rising Convention.

Christina Nguyen, a third-year law student at St. John’s University School of Law and former AABANY Legal Intern, received one of the two UPS/NLF Gold Mountain Scholarships for $5,000, awarded to law students in the Asian Pacific American community who are the first in their family to go to law school. Azizah Ahmad, first-year law student at Brooklyn Law School and former Senior Programs Associate for NAPABA, received one of two Anheuser-Busch/NLF Presidential Scholarships of $7,500, awarded to the law students who demonstrate particularly outstanding leadership potential to serve the Asian Pacific American community, as selected from all of the scholarship applicants by the NLF in consultation with the President of NAPABA. Katherine Zhang, who was elected as the Northeast Regional Director of NAPALSA, is a second-year law student and the President of the Asian Pacific American Law Students Association (“APALSA”) at Brooklyn Law School.

“We at AABANY are proud of Christina and Azizah to have their achievements and leadership potential recognized by the NLF with well-deserved scholarships,” said Yang Chen, Executive Director of AABANY. “We also congratulate Katherine for her election to Northeast Regional Director of NAPALSA. All three students exhibit traits that will serve them well as future leaders in the legal profession, both within the Asian Pacific American community and beyond. Congratulations to Christina, Katherine and Azizah.”

For more information, please contact Yang Chen, AABANY Executive Director, at (718) 228-7206, or direct any inquiries to [email protected].


Correction: A previous version of this press release erroneously identified the scholarship that Christina Nguyen won as the $2,000 NLF Scholarship. This was incorrect. She received one of the two $5,000 UPS/NLF Gold Mountain Scholarships. 


The Asian American Bar Association of New York is a professional membership organization of attorneys concerned with issues affecting the Asian Pacific American community.  Incorporated in 1989, AABANY seeks not only to encourage the professional growth of its members but also to advocate for the Asian Pacific American community as a whole.  AABANY is the New York regional affiliate of the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA).

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70+ Asian Pacific American, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties Organizations Urge U.S. Attorney General to Investigate Possible Profiling of Asian American Scientists

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For Immediate Release
Nov. 16, 2015

For More Information, Contact:
Brett Schuster, Communications Manager
[email protected], 202-775-9555

70+ Asian Pacific American, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties Organizations Urge U.S. Attorney General to Investigate Possible Profiling of Asian American Scientists

“We firmly believe that otherwise innocent actions by Americans must not become suspicious simply because of the person’s ethnic surname or perceived national origin.”

WASHINGTON — The National Council of Asian Pacific Americans (NCAPA) and the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) are joined by 70 organizations in sending a letter today to U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch seeking an independent investigation into what appears to be a trend of Asian American scientists being suspected of economic espionage, indicted and arrested, without the full support of the facts.

Science magazine has reported that in the past year alone, charges have been dropped against five Chinese-born scientists accused of crimes related to trade secrets theft or economic spying. The most recent cases of potential profiling involve U.S. citizens Dr. Xiaoxing Xi, chair of Temple University’s physics department, and Sherry Chen, a hydrologist and employee of the National Weather Service. All charges against both were dropped — but not before wreaking irreparable damage to their lives, careers, and reputations.

“We are deeply concerned at the prospect of anyone being targeted for their race, ethnicity, or national origin,” said NCAPA National Director Christopher Kang. “Two is a coincidence, and three is a trend. It is time for a full and independent investigation into the cases of Dr. Xi and Ms. Chen, so there is not even an appearance of profiling in cases moving forward.”

“We thank the more than 70 organizations in our growing coalition — from 16 NCAPA organizations and the NAACP to the ACLU and People For the American Way,” Kang continued. “This is not a Chinese American issue or an Asian American issue. It is an American issue — to preserve our fundamental values of fairness and due process and to protect our civil rights and civil liberties.”

“Americans across the country are very concerned that individuals appear to be targeted for investigations based on their perceived race, ethnicity, or national origin,” said NAPABA President Jin Y. Hwang. “Attorney General Lynch must lead a thorough and independent investigation to assure the American public that the protections afforded by the Constitution and enshrined in Department policy prohibiting profiling are being followed. The broad and diverse coalition of more than 70 civil rights and legal organizations calling for this investigation highlights the importance of a fair and unbiased legal system to our country.”

Dr. Xiaoxing Xi and Sherry Chen will join a Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) press conference Tuesday, Nov. 17, at 9:30 a.m. EST in the Capitol (H-137) with Representatives Judy Chu (CA-27) and Ted Lieu (CA-33).

Earlier this month in a letter led by Representatives Ted Lieu, Judy Chu and Keith Ellison, 42 members of Congress called upon Attorney General Lynch to lead the Department of Justice in an independent investigation.

Learn more in NCAPA’s one-pager on this issue.

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The National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) is the national association of Asian Pacific American attorneys, judges, law professors, and law students. NAPABA represents the interests of approximately 50,000 attorneys and approximately 75 national, state, and local Asian Pacific American bar associations. Its members include solo practitioners, large firm lawyers, corporate counsel, legal services and non-profit attorneys, and lawyers serving at all levels of government.

NAPABA continues to be a leader in addressing civil rights issues confronting Asian Pacific American communities. Through its national network of committees and affiliates, 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 color in the legal profession.

To learn more about NAPABA, visit www.napaba.org, like us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter (@NAPABA).

The Bamboo Closet: To Stay In Or Not?

The Bamboo Closet: To Stay In Or Not?

PRESS RELEASE: NAPABA Calls on the Justice Department to Appeal Fifth Circuit Decision on DAPA and expanded DACA

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For Immediate Release
Nov. 12, 2015

For More Information, Contact:
Brett Schuster, Communications Manager
[email protected], 202-775-9555

NAPABA Calls on the Justice Department to Appeal Fifth Circuit Decision on DAPA and expanded DACA

WASHINGTON — The National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) is deeply disappointed with the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals decision in Texas v. United States to continue to place on hold President Obama’s Deferred Action for Parents of Americans and Lawful Permanent Residents (DAPA) and expanded Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) initiatives. This decision prevents deportation relief to an estimated 4.9 million undocumented immigrants, of which an estimated 1.3 million are Asian Pacific American immigrants.

“The Fifth Circuit’s decision leaves millions of families in limbo and at risk of continuing to be torn apart,” said Jin Hwang, president of NAPABA. “NAPABA urges the U.S. Department of Justice to appeal this decision to the U.S. Supreme Court so that implementation of these programs can move forward and families can receive needed relief. This decision highlights the need of Congress to pass legislation to address the problems in the immigration system.”  

This lawsuit was filed in December 2014 and blocks the implementation of temporary deferred action programs. Of the 1.3 million undocumented Asian Pacific Americans, an estimated 400,000 will benefit from this temporary relief. Supporting the need for comprehensive immigration reform has long been a priority for NAPABA.

_______________________________________________________________________

The National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) is the national association of Asian Pacific American attorneys, judges, law professors, and law students. NAPABA represents the interests of approximately 50,000 attorneys and approximately 75 national, state, and local Asian Pacific American bar associations. Its members include solo practitioners, large firm lawyers, corporate counsel, legal services and non-profit attorneys, and lawyers serving at all levels of government.

NAPABA continues to be a leader in addressing civil rights issues confronting Asian Pacific American communities. Through its national network of committees and affiliates, 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 color in the legal profession.

To learn more about NAPABA, visit www.napaba.org, like us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter (@NAPABA).

AABANY Speakers at NAPABA Rising 2015

The following made New York proud at the 2015 NAPABA Annual Convention in New Orleans. 

  • Solo/Small Firm Boot Camp
    Featuring Eve Guillergan; Edward Kang, Mentorship Program Coordinator; and Tsui Yee, Immigration & Nationality Law Committee Co-Chair
  • Asian Pacific Americans in Alternative Dispute Resolution: A New Frontier
    Featuring Theodore K. Cheng, Litigation – ADR Sub-Committee Chair
  • Lessons from Detroit: Advising Municipalities in Distress
    Featuring Commercial Bankruptcy & Restructuring Committee Co-Chair Vincent Roldan
  • The ABCs of Insurance Panel Counsel
    Featuring KALAGNY Immediate Past President Kyun Yi
  • Surviving The Lion’s Den: A Young Lawyer’s Guide to Navigating Office Politics
    Featuring Blossom Kan, In House Counsel Committee Co-Chair
  • Fishy Justice: SCOTUS Takes on Prosecutorial Discretion & Over-criminalization
    Featuring Vinoo Varghese, Former Board Member
  • The New Hollywood: How Technology is Transforming Entertainment Media
    Featuring Vernon Chu
  • Shattering Double Ceilings: How to Increase APA Women Leaders in Law
    Featuring Jennifer H. Wu
  • NAPALSA – Social Justice, Clerkships & Government Jobs, and Alternative Careers for JDs
    Featuring Hon. Doris Ling-Cohan
  • Luncheon & Plenary Session: The Voting Rights Act 50 Years Later: A Call to Action
    Featuring Jerry Vattamala
  • Asian-American LGBT Attorneys & The Bamboo Closet: To Stay In or Not?
    Moderated by Connie Montoya
  • Many Pros, Few Cons – More and More Lawyers Turning to Compliance
    Featuring Julie Kwon, Former Mentorship Program Coordinator, and Robert Shin
    Chaired by Michelle Rhee, Advisory Committee Member
  • Secret Handshakes: Practical Leadership and Professional Development Skills for APAs
    Moderated by Michael Yap
  • The 50th Anniversary of the Voting Rights Act: What’s Happened and What Does it Mean for 2016?
    Moderated by Jerry Vattamala
  • Sorry, I Thought You Were the Interpreter – When It’s Lawyers Who Are Being Profiled
    Featuring David Lat
  • Rising Waters: Practical Tips on Making It Rain
    Featuring Rio Guerrero, Immigration & Nationality Law Committee Co-Chair
  • The Ins & Outs of Becoming an Administrative Law Judge: A View from the Bench
    Moderated by Hon. Doris Ling-Cohan
  • Breakfast & Plenary Session: Women Leaders in Public Service
    Featuring 2015 AABANY Women’s Leadership Award Recipient Jenny R. Yang and 2016 AABANY Women’s Leadership Award Recipient Michelle K. Lee
  • Paradox of Abundance: The Ups & Downs of $50/Barrel Crude Oil
    Featuring Clara Ohr,  Immediate Past President 
  • Strategies for Effective Advocacy in Combating Human Trafficking
    Featuring Song Kim, Issues Committee Co-Chair
  • Justice for All: LGBT Civil Rights & the API Community
    Moderated by Glenn Magpantay, LGBT Committee Chair, and Carmelyn Malalis
  • Why and How to Become a Law Professor: Advocacy for APAs Through Legal Scholarship
    Featuring Elaine Chiu
  • NAPALSA Pre-Law Conference
    Featuring Christina Nguyen, Former Intern
  • General Counsel Roundtable
    Featuring Don Liu, Advisory Committee Member, and Ivan Fong, 2016 AABANY Corporate Counsel Leadership Award Recipient
  • AABANY Trial Reenactment: The Vietnamese Fishermen and The Ku Klux Klan – See the full cast, photos, and highlights of the event by clicking here.

Highlights from AABANY @ NAPABA 2015

New York once again made a strong showing at the Annual National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (”NAPABA”) Convention. Held at the Hilton New Orleans Riverside from Nov. 5-8, the NAPABA Rising Convention brought together over 1,500 Asian Americans from all across the nation. Our members spoke on numerous panels, and we are preparing a separate blog post on that. Keep a look out!

Josh Hsu, former law clerk to the Hon. Denny Chin, and Karen Wu, past Co-Chair of the Pro Bono and Community Service Committee, were each recognized with NAPABA Best Under 40 Awards. The NAPABA Civil Rights Committee, which was formerly chaired by AABANY co-founder Rocky Chin, took home the NAPABA President’s Award. Some of AABANY’s own Co-Chairs – including Vincent Roldan, Dwight Yoo, Ligee Gu, Jenny Lee, Jane Chuang, and Chris Kwok – also ran the show during the NAPABA Committee Meetings. 

Check out the social media highlights below. More photos, in-depth coverage of panels, and more to come.

Read all about the achievements of the President’s Award Committee, which includes our co-founder Rocky Chin: https://t.co/UOCBUinnG5

Rio Guerrero is speaking at tomorrow’s rainmaking panel at 3:30pm!

Happy to see a few familiar faces. If you haven’t already checked out the list of speakers on our FB event, you… https://t.co/QWV2r7fhhK

Our Immigration & Nationality Law Committee Co-Chair Tsui Yee (middle) prepares for the last session of the Solo… https://t.co/Od9JAPvCvD

Advice from @Tsui_Yee: Manage clients’ expectations. Some people think that hiring a lawyer instantly fixes all legal problems. #NAPABA15

Our very own Karen Wu is among those who will be honored at the Best Under 40 Reception in the River room at 5pm. #napaba15

Congratulations to Best Under 40 Josh Hsu and Karen Wu! #napaba15 #representnewyork https://t.co/zZvFyuOvFz

Now that’s one smooth ride. Support NAPABA Law Foundation and maybe you will drive home in it. #napaba2015 https://t.co/mDSKq8AAQK

Some more faces from New York! See you at the Welcome Reception? #napaba15 https://t.co/9aF8EQhQFn

Tomorrow, the Civil Rights Committee will be honored at the @NAPABA Gala: https://t.co/UOCBUinnG5

Blossom Kan is offering advice on how to survive the lion’s den at #napaba15! Think about not only what other… https://t.co/HcgmsGxYk1

AABANY Commercial Bankruptcy & Restructuring Committee Co-Chair Vincent Roldan is sharing his lessons from… https://t.co/TbXpbhMhWP

Our Litigation Committee – ADR Subcommittee Chair Theo Cheng (far right) is presenting on Asians in ADR. By the… https://t.co/ggmIayzOSE

Here’s the list of NFALA speakers at the NAPABA Convention. We’ve got quite a bit of overlap. Definitely check… https://t.co/ixjrbwO8Vs

Jennifer Wu speaking on panel “Shattering Double Ceilings: How to Increase APA Women Leaders in Law.” #napaba15 https://t.co/YOqcW8bctH

“At my first oral argument, the judge was looking at me like I can’t believe she’s speaking and speaking in… https://t.co/uqTbPTuRGX

Former AABANY Board Member Vinoo Varghese moderates Fishy Justice, a panel on prosecutorial misconduct and… https://t.co/OmIbKNik38

Friday Plenary Lunch on Voting Rights https://t.co/sTH8A80CGi

Hello to @NAPABA ED Tina Matsuoka, who encourages everyone to keep out their phones to let people know how much… https://t.co/RPsWSxSwuT

Thx @NAPABA affiliates for inviting me to talk abt rapid response @AABAChicago @APABAPA @APABADC @aabany #NAPABA15 pic.twitter.com/u2j3xF9C1x

When language assistance and disability access is done properly, our communities come out and vote. #NAPABA15 pic.twitter.com/hF1kmJyTXt

Luncheon plenary session on the Voting Rights Act 50 Years Later: Call to Action. #napaba15 https://t.co/lfDJyzHMhA

Congrats to the Best Under 40 award winners! https://t.co/BA3wSVoQh0

Since our most diverse election in 2008, introduced legislative restrictions have unfairly targeted voters of color. #NAPABA15

Listening to @dale_e_ho at NAPABA Plenary lunch session on voting rights. Go Dale! #NAPABA15 #AABANY@NAPABA @aabany pic.twitter.com/icfPAa1LJS

Voter ID laws in Texas were found to be intentionally discriminating against black and Latino voters. #NAPABA15

.@aaldef’s Jerry Vattamala speaks about #AsianAmericans & 50th anniv of #VotingRightsAct at #NAPABA15 New Orleans pic.twitter.com/DFELd0sCby

While civil litigation is being brought against voter discrimination, elections are going forward with these unfair restrictions. #NAPABA15

FYI: You are not allowed to have segregated voting lines based on race. #BostonMA #AnnandaleVA #napaba15

Jerry Vattamala from #AALDEF talks about litigation efforts to protect rights of APAs to vote. #napaba15 https://t.co/O5336vxwxp

By the way, former Mentorship Program Coordinator Julie Kwon will be on the Many Pros, Few Cons Compliance panel in Grand Salon 3. #NAPABA15

#NAPABA15 @NAPABA #Legend #KarenNarasaki moderates deeply important discussion on the erosion of #VotingRightsAct pic.twitter.com/hNNhF5fWNN

Come to Connie Montoya’s panel at 2pm, LGBT Attorneys & the Bamboo Ceiling, in Eglinton Winton! #NAPABA15

Pro-tip: Make pro bono work a part of your practice where you can. Make a big deal about voter registration changes. #NAPABA15

Vattamala: "Sign up for the exit poll, volunteer three hours to be a poll monitor in 2016. Protect the rights of… https://t.co/MUHd2DjOO2

Hearing Judge McKenna, @RachelVSee, David Tsai, Eric De Los Santos, & our very own @montcon speak about the bamboo closet. #napaba15

Julie Kwon, our past Mentorship Program Coordinator, and Robert Shin, President-elect Susan Shin’s husband, speak… https://t.co/u5RzxzeLlg

What does it mean to be Asian, LGBT, and an attorney? #napaba15 https://t.co/6P9p916LL1

Judge McKenna had only just graduated high school when the DSM removed homosexuality as a mental disorder. #NAPABA15 pic.twitter.com/z2YaGqxv0a

"In the most literal way possible, being laid off from a big law firm saved my life.” @RachelVSee #NAPABA15 pic.twitter.com/UDaV8ImV1y

If you’re a minority, you can’t be defeatist & count yourself out. Keep applying. People may pass you over, but you’re qualified. #NAPABA15

Advisory Committee member Michael Yap moderates panel entitled “Secret Handshakes: Practical Leadership and… https://t.co/kLCCAULR0Z

David Lat of @atlblog presents on "Sorry, I Thought You Were the Interpreter – When It’s the Lawyers Who Are… https://t.co/zbx0iAtI1m

Our very own rockstar Hon. Doris Ling-Cohan moderates "The Ins and Outs of Becoming an Administrative Judge: A… https://t.co/Obe3fFqXWS

Delightful post-panel pic with our own @ericdslaw @montcon! #WeAreNFALA #NAPABA15 @FLOW_Law @falanewyork @aabany pic.twitter.com/8k4k0AxRBN

NFALA’s @kiddynomitjj presents the implicit bias panel @ #NAPABA15 w/ @atlblog’s @DavidLat! #NFALAfamily #WeAreNFALA pic.twitter.com/QLZYe4ohfx

Pro-tip for those with judicial ambitions: You can’t get your name out there if you’re not involved politically. #NAPABA15

Captain and Judge Benes Aldana – #NAPABA15 #Trailbazer recipient pic.twitter.com/t6BcNCrdLE

Captain & Judge Benes Aldana: "Do what you can to bend the arch of the moral universe towards justice.” #NAPABA15

Enjoyed presenting continuing legal education on becoming an Administrative Law Judge this afternoon #NAPABA15 pic.twitter.com/S7mTQiCjV6

Congratulations to Assemblyman @RobBonta, who advocates for teaching Asian American history in public schools!

The trailblazers from Hawaii are wearing such beautiful lei. Congratulations to David Louie! pic.twitter.com/pv4pMWscOX

Congratulations to Justice McKenna – language access advocate, pro bono enthusiast, and LGBT trailblazer! #NAPABA15

Hanging out with our friends at #kalagny https://t.co/MGilWiB0Xw

Thanks to the @NAPABA Women’s Leadership Network for organizing the Women in Public Service breakfast plenary… https://t.co/zWduQlCHxJ

Our Immediate Past President Clara Ohr presents on The Paradox of Abundance: The Ups and Downs of $50/Barrel… https://t.co/34nzJhFQJH

The AABANY team prepares for its annual trial reenactment at #napaba15. We’ll be in Grand Salon 7. Get excited! https://t.co/KdeidNxvop

It’s started! Vietnamese Fishermen v. KKK. #napaba15 https://t.co/ml3JXf0HA6

Louis Beam being deposed. “The deposition did not begin well.” #napaba15 #reenactment https://t.co/ZVm2IR8VjX

Thanks to Judge Chin and Kathy Hirata Chin for leading these wonderful annual trial reenactments! pic.twitter.com/LygnpFzjD0

Judge Chin gives the background behind our historical reenactments. Vietnamese Fisherman is number 9. #napaba15 https://t.co/rXKnTXY3Os

Don Liu recognizes NAPABA’s Best Under 40 award recipients. #napaba15 #bu40 https://t.co/wooM5Lax8V

NAPABA 2015-16 Board of Governors has been sworn in. Congrats! #napaba15 https://t.co/rMbX7AnbR9

Just a couple of guys in tuxes at the President’s Party. #napaba15 https://t.co/UdsaCtOGo7

//photos.gstatic.com/media/slideshow.swf

On Saturday, Nov. 7, the AABANY Trial Re-enactment Team, led by Hon. Denny Chin and Kathy Hirata Chin, took to the stage at the NAPABA National Convention to perform “Vietnamese Fishermen v. KKK.” Set in the aftermath of the Fall of the Saigon, when Vietnamese immigrants arrived in the Gulf Coast and became fishermen, the case recounts their experience as targets of terrorizing tactics from the Ku Klux Klan designed to drive them out. The Vietnamese fishermen fought back with a lawsuit seeking a preliminary injunction against these actions.

The AABANY Trial Re-enactment Team played to a capacity crowd that was fully engaged from start to finish. The cast included no less than seven Past Presidents of AABANY: Hon. Denny Chin, Andy Hahn, Vincent Chang, Yang Chen, Robert Leung, Jean Lee and Clara Ohr.

During the post-performance discussion, one of the audience members stated that he was a young boy in New Orleans during the time of the events being re-enacted, and he appreciated learning about the case. He also shared that over the past three decades, progress has been made to improve relations between Asian Americans in the local fishing industry with the general community of fishermen in the Gulf Coast.

The Vietnamese Fishermen re-enactment is the ninth case presented by the AABANY Trial Re-enactment Team. Thanks to Judge Chin and Kathy Chin for leading us in yet another successful and impactful trial re-enactment. Stayed tuned for information about the New York premiere. 

In the meantime, save the date for the re-enactment of last year’s “Justice Denied: Wards Cove v. Atonio” at the New York City Bar Association on Dec. 7. Free for AABANY members. To register go to http://bit.ly/wardscove120715.

Full cast:

  • Janicelynn J. Asamoto
  • Vincent T. Chang
  • Yang Chen
  • Theodore K. Cheng
  • Francis H. Chin
  • Andrew T. Hahn, Sr.
  • Kathy Hirata Chin
  • Jean Lee
  • Lauren U.Y. Lee
  • Robert Leung
  • Hon. Kiyo A. Matsumoto
  • Concepcion A. Montoya
  • Clara J. Ohr
  • Vinoo Varghese
  • Jessica C. Wong
  • Michael Yap

The slideshow presentation featuring historical photographs is courtesy of David Weinberg of Jury Group. Thank you!

(Thanks to AABANY Program Associate Simone Nguyen for photos from the rehearsal and performance.)

(Source: http://bit.ly/)

Press Release: NAPABA Selects Five Affiliates as Recipients of Its New Affiliate Grant Program

For Immediate Release
Nov. 2, 2015                    

For More Information, Contact:
Brett Schuster, Communications Manager
[email protected], 202-775-9555

WASHINGTON — The National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) will present five affiliates with grants as part of its new Affiliate Grant Program (AGP). NAPABA recognizes the importance of its state and local affiliates and its national associates as a support network for Asian Pacific American (APA) attorneys, APA communities, and those interested in APA legal issues. The NAPABA AGP was established to support affiliates and associates to carry out activities to further their missions and goals. The program offers the opportunity for organizations to receive funding – up to $3,000 annually – for projects related to member development and pro bono activities.

Eligible projects include: educational workshops; community outreach; legal service projects; professional educational seminars; and activities that involve advocating for the interests of APA lawyers, the legal profession, and APA communities. Grants are distributed based upon the capacity of the projects to benefit the state or local affiliate, the national associate, or the community.

“The Affiliate Grant Program was conceived as a way to enable affiliates to directly impact their local APA communities on a micro-level,” said NAPABA President George C. Chen. “NAPABA is proud to support our state and local affiliates and our national associates in their efforts to make their communities a better place. Our affiliates and associates have supported NAPABA for many years, and we are pleased to be able to return the support through this new Affiliate Grant Program.”

The five affiliates receiving AGP grants are:

  • Free Legal ClinicsSouth Asian Bar Association of Washington (SABA-WA)
    The program will offer free legal clinics to the South Asian community within the Pacific Northwest on a quarterly basis at a local recreation center.
  • Citizenship WorkshopAsian Pacific American Bar Association of South Florida (APABA-SFLA)
    APABA-SFLA will hold a free legal clinic to assist individuals in the APA community with their U.S. citizenship applications and fee waivers, with APABA-SFLA members and volunteer attorneys assisting individuals at any stage of the application process.
  • Judicial Pipeline ProjectAsian Pacific American Bar Association of Los Angeles (APABA-LA)
    APABA-LA will identify potential APA judicial candidates for the state and federal bench, assist and advise these candidates in the application and vetting process (including establishing a formal mentorship program between current APA judges and interested judicial candidates), and cultivate relationships with the Governor’s office and others to help facilitate the appointment of APAs to the bench. This formal pipeline project is the first of its kind organized by APABA-LA.
  • Legal SeminarKorean American Bar Association of Washington (KABA-WA)
    The legal seminar will provide Korean foreign nationals and Korean Americans with foundational information about the American legal system. This seminar will raise the collective legal awareness of Washington’s large Korean American community while also helping to prevent common mistakes and avoidable legal problems.
  • Solo Practice Incubator Program Orange County Korean American Bar Association (OC-KABA)
    The OC-KABA Incubator Program’s goal is to mentor and aid attorneys looking to build their own solo practice by giving them hands-on experience through OC-KABA’s pro bono clinics and training sessions. The program will focus on providing resources specifically targeted to the Korean American community with free legal aid and lower-cost legal advice.

For more information, the media may contact Brett Schuster, NAPABA communications manager, at202-775-9555 or [email protected].


The National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) is the national association of Asian Pacific American attorneys, judges, law professors, and law students. NAPABA represents the interests of approximately 50,000 attorneys and approximately 75 national, state, and local Asian Pacific American bar associations. Its members include solo practitioners, large firm lawyers, corporate counsel, legal services and non-profit attorneys, and lawyers serving at all levels of government.

NAPABA continues to be a leader in addressing civil rights issues confronting Asian Pacific American communities. Through its national network of committees and affiliates, 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 color in the legal profession.

To learn more about NAPABA, visit www.napaba.org, like us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter (@NAPABA).

2015 NAPABA Convention: Exclusive Book Signing

Exclusive Book Signing | Saturday, Nov. 7 at 1:45 pm

Join nationally renowned racial justice advocate and moderator of the Saturday Luncheon Plenary, Deepa Iyer, for an exclusive signing of her book “We Too Sing America: South Asian, Arab, Muslim, and Sikh Immigrants Shape Our Multiracial Future” after the Saturday Luncheon Plenary. Limited copies of the book will be available for purchase.

Saturday Luncheon Plenary—The Changing American Racial Landscape Post 9/11
Join legal scholars and community activists as they explore the changing American racial landscape and the intersections of public discourse, public policy, and civil rights laws in light of heightened racial anxiety and xenophobia in the decade and a half since 9/11. Speakers will focus on the post 9/11 environment and anti-immigrant sentiment, and present legal and community-based solutions.

  • Deepa Iyer (moderator), Senior Fellow, The Center for Social Inclusion
  • Nusrat Choudhury (panelist), Staff Attorney, ACLU
  • Grande Lum (panelist), Director of the Community Relations Services, U.S. Department of Justice
  • Peggy Nagae (panelist), Owner, Peggy Nagae Consulting
  • Navdeep Singh (panelist), Policy Director, NAPABA

The 2015 NAPABA Convention will feature a rich and diverse array of over 65 CLE sessions, 3 plenary sessions, and our 27th Anniversary Gala. Registration will re-open onsite in New Orleans beginning on Thursday, Nov. 5.

Download the NAPABA Convention mobile app and map out your detailed schedule in advance! Search "NAPABA” in your Google or Apple stores.

The other plenaries include:

Friday Luncheon Plenary — The Voting Rights Act 50 Years Later: A Call to Action
Given that this year marks the 50th anniversary of the landmark Voting Rights Act of 1965, we invite you to join noted civil rights scholars and community activists as we celebrate this milestone while also recognizing the continued challenges that prevent diverse communities from full and equal access to the political process.

  • Karen Narasaki (moderator), Commissioner, U.S. Commission on Civil Rights
  • Dale Ho (panelist), Director, Voting Rights Project, ACLU
  • Natasha Korgaonkar (panelist), Assistant Counsel, NAACP Legal Defense and Education Fund
  • Terry Ao Minnis (panelist), Director, Census and Voting Programs, Asian Americans Advancing Justice
  • Nina Perales (panelist), Vice President, Litigation, Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund
  • Jerry Vattamala (panelist), Director, Democracy Program, Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund

Saturday Breakfast Plenary — Women in Public Service
Join us for an inspiring discussion with two pioneering Asian Pacific American (APA) women as they share their paths to leadership in public service. They will reflect on their insights and experiences to inspire and encourage the next generation of women lawyers and all APAs in the legal profession.

  • Ivan K. Fong (moderator), Senior Vice President, Legal Affairs and General Counsel, 3M Company
  • Michelle K. Lee (panelist), Director, U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
  • Jenny Yang (panelist), Chair, U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission

27th Anniversary Gala
Featuring a conversation with the Honorable Mazie K. Hirono, U.S. Senator, Hawaii, facilitated by the Honorable David Louie, Former Attorney General, Hawaii.