Press Release: NAPABA and Partners Applaud Ruling in Fisher v. University of Texas

WASHINGTON — The National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) and its partner organizations applaud the Supreme Court’s ruling in Fisher v. University of Texas at Austin, which reaffirms the principle that diversity in higher education is a compelling interest. In light of this decision, colleges and universities may continue to develop effective admissions policies that include race as a factor as part of a holistic review to create diversity and opportunity in the applicant pool.

“Today the Supreme Court affirmed the important role race-conscious admissions policies have in ensuring diversity in our nation’s colleges and universities,” said NAPABA President Jin Y. Hwang. “As lawyers of color, we see the beneficial impacts of these policies every day in the legal workforce and we recognize that diversity in higher education is critical to ensuring we have a pipeline of talented lawyers and judges able to serve their communities. We are encouraged that the Court continued to recognize these benefits for our country and allow colleges and universities to continue to ensure diversity and inclusion on campuses.”

The Coalition of Bar Associations of Color (CBAC) — NAPABA, the Hispanic National Bar Association (HNBA), the National Bar Association (NBA), and the National Native American Bar Association (NNABA) — issued a joint statement supporting the ruling, which can be read here.

CBAC member bar associations jointly filed an amicus curiae brief with the Supreme Court in Fisher that recognized the importance of race-conscious admissions policies to communities of color and the important role they play in ensuring diversity in the legal profession. The brief is available here.

NAPABA joined national Asian Pacific American community organizations — Asian Americans Advancing Justice (Advancing Justice) and the Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund (AALDEF) — to support the University’s holistic review process. The organizations issued a joint statement applauding the result and can be read here.

NAPABA Stands in Solidarity with the LGBTQ Community After the Tragic Attack in Orlando

For Immediate Release
June 13, 2016

The National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) stands with the LGBTQ community after an unconscionable attack this weekend at an Orlando nightclub — which also serves as a community center and safe haven for the local LGBTQ population — left approximately 50 people dead and over 50 people injured.

NAPABA stands against violence and hate, and today, we stand in solidarity with Orlando and the LGBTQ community. All people should be able to live their lives without the fear of being targeted because of their sexual orientation and gender identity.

For more information, the media may contact Brett Schuster, NAPABA communications manager, at 202-775-9555 or bschuster@napaba.org.


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).

National Asian Pacific American Bar Association | 1612 K St. NW, Suite 510 | Washington, D.C. 20006 | www.napaba.org

PRESS RELEASE | NAPABA Celebrates Confirmation of Jennifer Choe Groves to U.S. Court of International Trade

For Immediate Release
June 7, 2016

For More Information, Contact​​:
Brett Schuster, Communications Manager
202-775-9555; bschuster@napaba.org

NAPABA Celebrates Confirmation of Jennifer Choe Groves to U.S. Court of International Trade

WASHINGTON — Last night, the Senate confirmed Jennifer Choe Groves by unanimous consent to the U.S. Court of International Trade. She will be the first Asian Pacific American judge to serve on this court.

“We congratulate Jennifer Choe Groves on her historic confirmation as the first Asian Pacific American judge to serve on the U.S. Court of International Trade,” said NAPABA President Jin Y. Hwang. “As a longtime NAPABA member and a NAPABA Law Foundation Board member, Ms. Groves is an esteemed leader in the Asian Pacific American legal community. NAPABA is proud to have supported her nomination, and we applaud President Obama for nominating her and the Senate for confirming her.” 

The U.S. Court of International Trade, an Article III court, has nationwide jurisdiction over civil actions arising out of U.S. customs and international trade laws. Appointments to the U.S. Court of International Trade are lifetime appointments.

Groves was the chief executive officer of Titanium Law Group PLLC and Choe Groves Consulting LLC, where she provided consulting and legal services in the areas of international trade and intellectual property. Previously, she was a partner at the law firms of Eckert Seamans Cherin & Mellott LLC, and Hughes Hubbard and Reed LLP. Groves also has served as the Senior Director of Intellectual Property and Innovation in the Office of the United States Trade Representative in the Executive Office of the President. Earlier in her career, she was an attorney at O’Melveny & Myers LLP, Fish & Neave LLP (now Ropes & Gray LLP), and the District Attorney’s Office of New York County.

For more information, the media may contact Brett Schuster, NAPABA communications manager, at 202-775-9555 or bschuster@napaba.org.


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 over 50,000 attorneys and over 75 national, state, and local 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 engages in legislative and policy advocacy, promotes Asian Pacific American political leadership and political appointments, and builds coalitions within the legal profession and the community at large. NAPABA also serves as a resource for government agencies, members of Congress, and public service organizations about Asian Pacific Americans in the legal profession, civil rights, and diversity in the courts.

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).

National Asian Pacific American Bar Association | 1612 K St. NW, Suite 510 | Washington, D.C. 20006 | www.napaba.org

NAPABA Membership for AABANY Members

Your AABANY membership includes membership with NAPABA, the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association, of which we are the New York affiliate. However, you must register or renew separately to receive the NAPABA Affiliate membership.

Please email Margaret Langston, margaret.langston@aabany.org to receive the instructions and code for registration or renewal of your NAPABA 2016 Affiliate membership.

NAPABA Solo & Small Firm Network Webinars, June 8 and June 22

SSF June Meeting

Please join SSF co-chairs Charles H. Jung, Eve Guillergan, and Sara Sakagami, for the NAPABA Solo & Small Firm Network’s monthly meetings, which are held on the second Wednesday of each month. The June meeting will be by conference call on Wednesday, June 8, 2016, at 4 p.m. EDT.  The dial-in number is 202-847-6031 (no PIN required).

SSF Webinar Series

The NAPABA SSF Webinar Series highlights the talents of the SSF Network’s members. Please contact SSF if you are interested in presenting a future webinar. The next webinar is:

Insurance Issue Spotting for the Solo and Small Firm Practitioner

Webinar Date/Time: June 22 at 4p.m. EDT

Presenters: Debbie Crockett and Tacie Yoon

Please e-mail Peter Sabido at sabido@khpatent.com if you wish to propose a future SSF webinar.

Register here.

2016 Call for Nominations | Board of Governors Officer Positions

The NAPABA Nominating and Elections Committee is accepting nominations for election to the officer positions of the NAPABA’s Board of Governors for the 2016-17 term. Please submit your nominations for the following positions:

  • President-Elect
  • Vice-President for Finance and Development
  • Vice-President for Membership
  • Vice-President for Programs and Operations
  • Vice-President for Communications
  • Treasurer
  • Secretary

Click here for more information or to submit a nomination. The submission deadline is July 12, 2016, at 5 p.m. EDT.