NAPABA APPLAUDS APPOINTMENT OF JENNY R. YANG AS CHAIR OF EEOC
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Septemeber 2, 2014
Contact: Tina Matsuoka
(202) 775-9555
WASHINGTON – Today, President Obama appointed Jenny R. Yang as Chair of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). Yang’s appointment will make her the first Asian Pacific American to serve as permanent Chair.
“NAPABA applauds the Administration for the appointment of Jenny Yang as Chair of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission,” said William J. Simonitsch, president of the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA). “Ms. Yang is a talented and accomplished lawyer and advocate who understands the mission of the EEOC. Her elevation to EEOC Chair is much deserved and highlights the Administration’s dedication to elevating women of color to leadership positions.”
Prior to her appointment as EEOC Chair, Yang was Vice Chair of the EEOC where she led its efforts on behalf of the White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. She also worked with former EEOC Chair Jacqueline Berrien to improve enforcement of equal pay laws with the White House Equal Pay Task Force. After graduation from law school, Yang clerked for the Hon. Edmund Ludwig of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania and worked with the 1992-93 Presidential Transition Team. She later became a senior trial attorney for the U.S. Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division, Employment Litigation Section. From the Department of Justice, Yang joined the law firm of Cohen Milstein Sellers & Toll PLLC until her appointment to the EEOC.
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The National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) is the national association of Asian Pacific American (APA) attorneys, judges, law professors, and law students. NAPABA represents the interests of over 40,000 attorneys and approximately 70 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 APA 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 APAs in the legal profession, civil rights, and diversity in the courts.
NAPABA AND MAABA STRESS RESPECT FOR BILL OF RIGHTS IN FERGUSON AFTERMATH
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 29, 2014
Contact: Tina Matsuoka: (202) 775-9555
The National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) and the Missouri Asian American Bar Association (MAABA) express their deepest sympathies and sorrow to the community of Ferguson, Missouri and to the family and friends of Michael Brown during this time of tragedy and hardship.
As lawyers who have represented underserved and underprivileged clients in North Saint Louis County, we are familiar with the longstanding and mutual distrust between local law enforcement and communities of color in Ferguson. The lack of diversity in the police force, entrenched institutional biases, and disparate treatment suffered in the community have all played a part in the current crisis.
We acknowledge that criminal acts of certain individuals have required the police to respond; however, attacks on peaceful and law-abiding citizens are unacceptable. The police response to the protests in the wake of Michael Brown’s death has been, by any objective measure, heavy-handed. That is why we continue to urge public officials and law enforcement to redouble their efforts to eliminate bias and to safeguard civil liberties. No one should be deprived of their rights of freedom of speech or to peaceably assemble. Reports of attacks on civilians and citizens who were merely exercising their constitutional rights are not only disappointing, they are frightening. President Obama, Attorney General Holder, and other elected leaders should be commended for standing against the excessive use of deadly force and militarization of the law enforcement response in Ferguson.
Still, specific strategies for reforms to prevent future tragedies and ensure social justice are needed. Questions of bias will likely arise regarding the grand jury proceedings surrounding Michael Brown’s death, and we insist that they be conducted with the utmost respect for the tremendous responsibilities and duties borne by the office of St. Louis County Prosecutor, Bob McCulloch. The process must be unimpeachable, thorough, expedient, and transparent. The results must be fair, honest, and just if our community is to heal and for faith in the justice system to be restored.
We also commend the steps taken by local elected officials to increase transparency, communication, and collaboration between and among law enforcement and the community, and in particular our communities of color. Ferguson Mayor James Knowles has recently promised to bolster minority hiring and participation in governance, to recruit African American police officers, and seek to equip all officers with vehicle dashboard and vest cameras. Likewise, City of St. Louis Mayor Slay and Police Chief Sam Dotson should be commended for promptly and sensitively reaching out to community leaders, including pastors, aldermen, and the NAACP, in the wake of another recent but separate shooting by police officers in North St. Louis. They have promised a complete and transparent investigation, and we will be watching.
Therefore, and in spite of the violence in Ferguson we have seen on too many recent nights, we are encouraged and inspired by the efforts of our brothers and sisters there to come together peaceably to exercise their constitutionally protected rights. We are inspired by those of you who have made real contributions to the recovery, relief, and cleanup efforts in Ferguson. We are affected when we see you continue to stand for your principles and beliefs under withering, and often frightening, situations when others were somehow unwilling or unable. We stand behind you, Ferguson.
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The National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) is the national association of Asian Pacific American (APA) attorneys, judges, law professors, and law students. NAPABA represents the interests of over 40,000 attorneys and approximately 70 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 APA 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 APAs in the legal profession, civil rights, and diversity in the courts.
NAPABA ANNOUNCES ITS 2014 AFFILIATE OF THE YEAR
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 22, 2014
Contact: Tina Matsuoka
(202) 775-9555
NAPABA ANNOUNCES ITS 2014 AFFILIATE OF THE YEAR
WASHINGTON – The National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) has selected the Minnesota Asian Pacific American Bar Association (MNAPABA) as its 2014 Affiliate of the Year. This award recognizes outstanding NAPABA affiliates for their best practices and accomplishments in their respective communities. The 2014 Affiliate of the Year Award will be presented on November 8, 2014 during the 2014 NAPABA Annual Convention in Scottsdale, Arizona.
NAPABA is the national association of Asian Pacific American attorneys, judges, law professors, and law students. MNAPABA is one of 70 national, state, and local bar associations that are affiliated with NAPABA.
MNAPABA offered exceptional programming, increased outreach, and created innovative ways to help its members while celebrating its 25th year. MNAPABA’s newly formed Judiciary Committee developed a systematic approach for supporting Asian Pacific American attorneys applying for judicial positions. Its members forged connections with other local bar associations to participate in pro-bono activities, co-sponsor panels, and increase the bar association’s reach. Events held throughout the year—ranging from book discussions to career workshops to “Linsanity” screenings— provided networking and professional development opportunities to its members. MNAPABA’s 25th Annual Gala brought together over 200 attorneys and law students, breaking previous fundraising records.
NAPABA is pleased to confer its Affiliate of the Year Award to the Minnesota Asian Pacific American Bar Association and congratulates its leaders on a successful year serving their members and community.
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The National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) is the national association of Asian Pacific American (APA) attorneys, judges, law professors, and law students. NAPABA represents the interests of over 40,000 attorneys and approximately 70 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 APA 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 APAs in the legal profession, civil rights, and diversity in the courts.
NAPABA ANNOUNCES 2014 ASIAN PACIFIC AMERICAN-OWNED LAW FIRM OF THE YEAR
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Tina Matsuoka
August 21, 2014 (202) 775-9555
NAPABA ANNOUNCES 2014 ASIAN PACIFIC AMERICAN-OWNED LAW FIRM OF THE YEAR
WASHINGTON – The National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) has named Lim, Ruger & Kim LLP (Lim Ruger) as the 2014 Asian Pacific American (APA)-Owned Law Firm of the Year. NAPABA created the APA-Owned Law Firm of the Year Award to recognize APA-owned law firms that have achieved prominence and distinction while maintaining the highest ethical and legal standards in the profession, and have demonstrated a strong commitment to the APA community. The Award also celebrates growing APA ownership and entrepreneurship in the legal marketplace. The 2014 APA-Owned Law Firm of the Year Award will be presented at the 2014 NAPABA Annual Convention onNovember 8, 2014 in Scottsdale, Arizona.
Lim Ruger has over twenty lawyers with expertise in areas including sophisticated real estate and corporate transactions that covers high-profile commercial developments, mergers and acquisitions, financing, and international business transactions. Lim Ruger’s successful legal practice includes work from Fortune 500 companies, Global 1000 companies, multinational corporations, governments, and private entrepreneurs. The firm actively supports a number of organizations that advocate for diversity in the legal profession, including NAPABA. Lim Ruger is deeply committed to giving back to the community by providing pro bono legal services and scholarships, sponsoring and supporting events for non-profit organizations, and supporting its attorneys as community leaders. Lim Ruger has also been the recipient of the NAPABA Law Firm Diversity Award, the Western Justice Center Builders of Peace Award, and the California Minority Counsel Program Client Service Award.
NAPABA is proud to honor Lim, Ruger & Kim LLP with the Asian Pacific American-Owned Law Firm of the Year Award and applauds their continued commitment to excellence within and outside the legal arena.
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The National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) is the national association of Asian Pacific American (APA) attorneys, judges, law professors, and law students. NAPABA represents the interests of over 40,000 attorneys and approximately 70 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 APA 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 APAs in the legal profession, civil rights, and diversity in the courts.
NAPALSA CONFERENCE — CALL FOR ATTORNEY MENTORS
The National Asian Pacific American Law Student Association (NAPALSA) has again partnered with NAPABA this year to create a unique networking and professional event for law students to interact and learn from current Asian Pacific American legal practitioners. NAPALSA is now seeking attorneys from all sectors to volunteer for Resume Reviews on Friday, November 7, and Mock Interviews on Saturday, November 8.
The purpose of these programs is to enhance and improve students’ professional development skills for the current job market. Each session would allow law students to have a one-on-one experience with an attorney for fifteen minutes either to have their resume critiqued or to conduct an interview. If you are interested in participating in the resume reviews, mock interviews, or both, please email your bio to NAPALSA Conference Chair Jeanna Lee at [email protected] by September 22, 2014.
2014 NAPABA Prospective Partners Program
The NAPABA Prospective Partners Program (PPP) aims to increase the number of Asian Pacific American partners at major law firms through introduction, mentorship, and relationship building. In anticipation of the program’s fifth year, the PPP is inviting candidate applications and nominations for participation in PPP sessions taking place during the Convention. Applications are due September 15, 2014.
Click here for more information.
NAPABA SEEKING AT-LARGE BOARD MEMBER CANDIDATES — SEPT. 15 Deadline
The NAPABA Board of Governors will appoint two At-Large Board Members to serve a two-year term that will begin in the 2014-2015 bar year. The NAPABA Nominating & Elections Committee invites all members in good standing to submit their names and statements as candidates for At-Large Board Member to [email protected] on or before September 15, 2014. For additional information, click here to review the complete At-Large Board Members Guidelines.
NAPABA ANNOUNCES 2014 DANIEL K. INOUYE TRAILBLAZER AWARD RECIPIENTS
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 14, 2014
Contact: Tina Matsuoka
(202) 775-9555
WASHINGTON – The National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) has selected five exceptional attorneys to receive NAPABA’s highest honor, the Daniel K. Inouye Trailblazer Award. This award recognizes the outstanding achievements, commitment, and leadership of lawyers who have paved the way for the advancement of other Asian Pacific American attorneys. Trailblazers have demonstrated vision, courage, and tenacity, and made substantial and lasting contributions to the Asian Pacific American legal profession, as well as to the broader Asian Pacific American community. The 2014 Daniel K. Inouye Trailblazers Awards will be presented on November 9, 2014, at a special ceremony during the 2014 NAPABA Annual Convention in Scottsdale, Arizona, to the following recipients:
- Emilia “Mimi” R. Castillo, Castillo Mediation and Arbitration Services
- The Honorable Lance A. Ito, Superior Court of California, Los Angeles Country
- Julie A. Su, Labor Commissioner, State of California
- Bruce I. Yamashita, Partner, Law Office of Bruce I. Yamashita, PLLC
- Marian M. Yim, Shareholder, Wong Fujii Carter, PC
This year’s Trailblazer Award recipients are a diverse and impressive group. Ms. Castillo has had a successful legal career including over 25 years over as a solo practitioner and participated in the founding of NAPABA, as well as several other local and national Asian Pacific American bar associations. During Judge Ito’s long career in public service, he has presided over a number of high profile cases, including the O.J. Simpson trial, while making time to train other judges about the importance of foreign language interpreters and to mentor Asian Pacific American judicial candidates. Ms. Su successfully advocated for the rights of poor and disenfranchised workers, consumers, students, and, in particular, the Asian Pacific American immigrant community, before becoming the first Asian Pacific American Labor Commissioner for the state of California. Mr. Yamashita fought back against the anti-Asian bias he faced in the U.S. Marine Corps Officer Candidate School and changed the way the military handles allegations of racial discrimination. Before becoming a shareholder in Arizona’s first Asian majority owned law firm, Ms. Yim served as an Arizona Assistant Attorney General, Counsel to the Mayor of Phoenix, and founding president of the Arizona Asian American Bar Association.
NAPABA congratulates the 2014 Daniel K. Inouye Trailblazer Award recipients and thanks them for paving the way for Asian Pacific American attorneys.
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The National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) is the national association of Asian Pacific American (APA) attorneys, judges, law professors, and law students. NAPABA represents the interests of over 40,000 attorneys and approximately 70 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 APA 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 APAs in the legal profession, civil rights, and diversity in the courts.