Tag: NAPABA

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NAPABA Community Law Fellowship: Applications Due Dec. 31

The NAPABA Law Foundation Community Law Fellowship Program was launched in 2004 to address the need for attorneys working on behalf of the Asian Pacific American populations. Recognizing that many obstacles prevent committed attorneys from practicing public interest law, including the shortage of entry-level jobs, the NLF Community Law Fellowship provides an opportunity for a new attorney to gain substantive experience at a nonprofit national or community-based organization during the two-year Fellowship period.

More information can be found here. Applications due December 31, 2014

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NAPABA-Prudential 1L Summer Internship Program: Applications Due Jan. 9

NAPABA is pleased to partner with Prudential Financial, Inc. to provide a meaningful summer internship opportunity for a highly-motivated first-year law student. Through this partnership, NAPABA will select one student to join the 2015 Prudential summer law intern class for a 10-week internship at Prudential’s New Jersey/New York offices.

More information can be found here. Applications due January 9, 2015.

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NAPABA APPLAUDS ADMINISTRATIVE RELIEF ON IMMIGRATION AND CALLS FOR LEGISLATIVE ACTION

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 21, 2014

Contact: Emily Chatterjee
(202) 775-9555

WASHINGTON – The National Asian Pacific American Bar (NAPABA) welcomes President Barack Obama’s decision to take executive action and provide immigration relief—an important step towards fixing our broken immigration system. A key part of the President’s executive action is providing temporary relief from deportation to an estimated 4.9 million undocumented immigrants, of which an estimated 1.3 million are Asian Pacific American immigrants.

“NAPABA has long supported the need for commonsense immigration reform and applauds the President’s efforts to take action and provide relief,” said George C. Chen, president of NAPABA. “We recognize that President Obama’s actions are only temporary and continue to stress the need for legislative action and call on Congress to pass legislation to fully address the problems within the immigration system.”

Of the 1.3 million undocumented Asian Pacific Americans, an estimated 400,000 will benefit from this temporary relief. However, Asian Pacific American immigrants who have been waiting for decades to reunite with family members due to the visa backlogs in the family immigration system will not obtain any relief. It is estimated that 1.8 million people from Asian countries are waiting for a family-sponsored visa to join loved ones in the United States.

Supporting the need for comprehensive immigration reform has long been a priority for NAPABA. For many years, the NAPABA Board of Governors has passed policy resolutions on immigration, and immigration reform has been a focus of advocacy efforts for NAPABA members on the Hill and across the country within NAPABA’s state and local affiliates. A few weeks ago, NAPABA was proud to present Jose Antonio Vargas, an Asian Pacific American undocumented immigrant and Pulitzer-prize winning activist, as the keynote speaker of the 2014 NAPABA Convention in Arizona. In light of the administrative relief announced last night, Mr. Vargas may, after more than 20 years, finally be able to return home to the Philippines to see his mother.

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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.

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Summer 2015 NAPABA Law Foundation Public Interest Internship Grant, Deadline Dec. 10

Goal: The NLF Public Interest Internship will provide support for one law student to experience a meaningful 2015 summer internship at a public interest organization that provides either direct legal services, impact litigation, or advocacy on behalf of the Asian Pacific American (APA) community.

Overview:

  • Public interest organizations will provide NLF with a legal intern summer project proposal. 
  • NLF will select a host organization from these submissions. Host organization awardee is permitted and encouraged to advertise the internship opportunity in its recruitment.
  • In March, the selected host organization will provide a list of summer legal interns (hired or tentative) for consideration of the award, along with their resumes and any additional supplemental materials for consideration.
  • NLF will conduct telephonic interviews with the submitted summer legal intern(s). NLF at its option may select to narrow the pool of eligible summer legal interns to interview. The recipient of the award will be decided by the interviews, resume, supporting materials, and input from the host organization.
  • A grant of $6,000 will be provided to the host organization. 100% of this grant must be used for the legal intern’s salary. The host organization is responsible for any administrative fees, payroll processing fees, federal withholding, taxes, etc.
  • The selected intern shall work at the host organization for a minimum of 40 hours a week for 10 weeks during the summer.

Parameters:

  • The NLF Public Interest Internship will provide $6,000 in total for the summer for the finalist.
  • The funding for the internship will be paid directly to the host organization only

Criteria for Host Organization(s):

  • The host organization must be a non-profit organization which serves the APA community.
  • The summer project must provide legal services, impact litigation, or advocacy that affects the APA community.
  • Host organization must have at least one lawyer on staff to supervise the legal intern.
  • The goals and perceived benefits of the proposed project’s goals as well as the applicant’s competency, character, and commitment to the APA community will be considered.
  • Internship must further the missions of the NLF.

Time Frame:

December 10, 2014: Deadline for host organization submit application

December 17, 2014: Host organization awarded grant

March 1, 2015: Host organization submits intern(s) for consideration

March 16 – 31, 2015: Host organization intern(s) interviewed

April 1, 2015: Finalist chosen

Summer 2015 (10 weeks): Internship begins at host organization

Past Recipients

  • Asian Pacific Islander Legal Outreach (formerly Nihonmachi Legal Outreach)
  • Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund
  • Asian Americans Advancing Justice | Asian Law Caucus
  • Greater Boston Legal Services – Asian Outreach Unit
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Congratulations to the Newly-Elected Officers of the NAPABA Board of Governors

AABANY congratulates the newly-elected officers of the NAPABA Board of Governors for the 2014-2015 board year. They were sworn into office at the Installation Banquet held on November 8, 2014, during the 26th Annual NAPABA Convention in Scottsdale, AZ.

The following individuals were elected by the NAPABA membership:

  • President Elect: Jin Y. Hwang
  • Vice President for Finance and Development: Alexander M. Lee
  • Vice President for Membership: Brad Yamauchi
  • Vice President for Programs and Operations: Lloyd Costales
  • Vice President for Communications: Cyndie M. Chang
  • Treasurer: Pankit J. Doshi
  • Secretary: Tacie H. Yoon

In addition to these newly-elected officers, George C. Chen will serve as President and William J. Simonitsch will serve as Immediate Past President. Joining the officers on the NAPABA Board of Governors will be ten regional governors and four at-large board members.

AABANY extends its best wishes to all of the candidates and the many members who participated in the elections.

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NAPABA NAMES HAMRE, SCHUMANN, MUELLER & LARSON AND PERKINS COIE AS ITS 2014 LAW FIRM DIVERSITY AWARD RECIPIENTS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 28, 2014

Contact: Azizah Ahmad
(202) 775-9555

WASHINGTON – The National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) has named Hamre, Schumann, Mueller & Larson, P.C. and Perkins Coie LLP as the 2014 Law Firm Diversity Award recipients. NAPABA created the Law Firm Diversity Award to recognize law firms that actively, affirmatively, consistently, and enthusiastically recruit, retain, and promote Asian Pacific American lawyers to equity partnership and firm leadership. The awards will be presented at the NAPABA Anniversary Gala and Installation Banquet on November 8, 2014, at the Westin Kierland Resort & Spa in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Hamre, Schumann, Mueller & Larson, P.C. (HSML) is a full service intellectual property law firm based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. HSML prides itself on its diverse staff, with 80 percent of its associates and one of its five principals being of Asian descent. HSML attorneys Alex Kim and Bryan Wong are both past-presidents of the Minnesota Asian Pacific American Bar Association.

Perkins Coie LLP has more than 950 lawyers in offices in the U.S. and Asia. Perkins Coie has been honored by several organizations for its commitment to diversity and inclusion, including the American Bar Association, Asian American Bar Association of New York, and Women in Law Empowerment Forum. Perkins Coie senior counsel Paul O. Hiorse is a NAPABA past-president and partner Audra Mori currently serves as the NAPABA Central California Regional Governor.

NAPABA is proud to name Hamre, Schumann, Mueller & Larson, P.C. and Perkins Coie LLP as the 2014 Law Firm Diversity Award recipients and applauds their continued commitment to diversity and inclusion in the legal profession.

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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.

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Judges Needed for the Thomas Tang Moot Court Competition, NAPABA Convention 2014

JUDGES NEEDED
We need members of the bench and bar to serve as oral argument judges for the preliminary and quarterfinal rounds of the Thomas Tang Moot Court Competition*, on Friday November 7th during the NAPABA Convention.  The preliminary rounds are from 9:15 A.M. to 11:30 A.M. and the quarterfinal round is from 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.  at the convention hotel, Westin Kierland Resort.  You can judge one or both rounds.  
 
If you can serve as a judge,  please sign up online (http://www.wejoinin.com/sheets/tzsao) or contact, Hemanth Digumarthi, [email protected].
 
Time                    (1) Two Preliminary Rounds, Friday, November 7, 2014.   The preliminary rounds are from9:15 A.M. to 11:30 A.M. and the quarterfinal round is from 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. 
Material Provided:       Volunteer judges will be provided a bench brief that includes legal analysis of the issues and suggested questions to ask the student competitors.
Sign-Up Link:      If you can serve as a judge, sign up online (http://www.wejoinin.com/sheets/tzsao)
Legal Issues:
This year’s problem poses the following questions:
I.            Whether appropriate evidentiary standards were applied in finding Petitioner ineligible for cancellation of removal under the Immigration and National Act.
          A.    Whether evidence beyond the record of conviction may be considered in determining removability under 8 U.S.C. §1227(a)(2)(A)(ii) for crimes involving moral turpitude.
        B.     Whether an inconclusive record of conviction is sufficient to meet a noncitizen’s burden of proving eligibility for cancellation of removal under 8 U.S.C. §1229b(b)(1).
II. Whether a conviction for using a false social security number with intent to deceive, but for otherwise lawful purposes, constitutes a crime involving moral turpitude under the Immigration and Nationality Act.
  • Whether the holding of Jordan v. De George, 341 U.S. 223 (1951), declining to find the phrase “crimes involving moral turpitude” void for vagueness when applied to fraud, extends to conduct involving intent to deceive.
        B.    Whether a violation of 42 U.S.C. §408(a)(7)(B) for use of another person’s social security number constitutes a crime involving moral turpitude under 8 U.S.C. §1227(a)(2)(A)(ii).
 
Point of Contact:
Hemanth Digumarthi
Phone: 404-788-6398 (cell)
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*The Thomas Tang Moot Court Competition is an appellate advocacy competition sponsored annually by the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association Law Foundation (NAPABA Law Foundation), an IRC § 501©(3) non-profit, charitable and educational affiliate of the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA). The NAPABA Law Foundation works closely with the National Asian Pacific American Law Students Association (NAPALSA) and its local affiliates at law schools across the country. The purpose of this Competition is to develop advocacy skills without regard to the merit of the petitioner’s or respondent’s cases. 
 
The Competition was founded in 1993 and is named in honor of the late Honorable Thomas Tang, a respected jurist who was appointed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit in 1977. Judge Tang’s decisions during his more than eighteen years on the Ninth Circuit reflected his strong commitment to civil rights for all people. Judge Tang was known for his kindness and warmth, and the leadership role he played in the Asian Pacific American legal community. Prior to his passing in 1995, Judge Tang provided tremendous support to NAPABA and its activities, including the creation of this national moot court competition. 
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MICHELLE K. LEE FIRST WOMAN NOMINATED TO HEAD UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE

National Asian Pacific American Bar Association

1612 K Street NW, Suite 1400
Washington, DC 20006

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 16, 2014 

Contact: Tina Matsuoka
(202) 775-9555

WASHINGTON — Today, President Barak Obama announced his intent to nominate Michelle K. Lee as the Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). If confirmed, Lee would be the first woman and person of color to lead the USPTO.

“This is a historic moment as we celebrate Michelle Lee’s nomination to the USPTO,” said William J. Simonitsch, president of the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA). “We congratulate Michelle on her well-deserved nomination, as she continues to break barriers in the legal and tech industries. And we applaud the Administration’s commitment to advancing more women of color into leadership roles.”

Lee has over twenty years of experience advising some of our country’s most innovative companies on intellectual property and other legal matters. She is the Deputy Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Deputy Director of the USPTO and current acting Director of the USPTO. Prior to that position, she served as USPTO Director of the Silicon Valley office. Lee also served as Google’s first Deputy General Counsel and Head of Patents and Patents Strategy.

Lee holds a Bachelor of Science in electrical engineering and Masters of Science in computer science from MIT. She received her JD from Stanford Law School.

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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.

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From NAPABA: Sign the petition urging Congress to pass the Voting Rights Amendment Act!

Over a year ago, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down a critical element of the Voting Rights Act, the coverage formula. The coverage formula required jurisdictions with histories and ongoing practices of discrimination in voting practices and laws to “preclear” their voting changes with the U.S. Department of Justice or the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. Voting changes were analyzed to see if they were influenced by a discriminatory purpose or would harm minority voters in their jurisdictions.

The Voting Rights Amendment Act (VRAA) will modernize the coverage formula of the Voting Rights Act to tie it to recent patterns of voter discrimination. Congress needs to pass this law to ensure that all voters, including members of the Asian Pacific American community, are able to exercise their fundamental right to vote.  Click here to read NAPABA’s Statement Opposing Voter Suppression Efforts.

Since the VRAA (HR 3899/S 1945) was introduced this January, the Senate has held one hearing on the bill, and the House has failed to act. We need your help! Tell your members of Congress to pass the Voting Rights Amendment act now by clicking here to sign this petition.

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