Tag: NAPABA

Posted on

NAPABA Submits Testimony in Support of Srinivasan Nomination

National Asian Pacific American Bar Association

1612 K Street NW, Suite 1400 
Washington, DC 20006

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
April 9, 2013

Contact: Emily Chatterjee 
(202) 775-9555

NAPABA SUBMITS TESTIMONY AND URGES SWIFT CONFIRMATION 
OF SRI SRINIVASAN TO BECOME THE FIRST INDIAN AMERICAN 
FEDERAL APPELLATE COURT JUDGE IN THE NATION’S HISTORY

WASHINGTON, DC – In anticipation of tomorrow’s Senate Judiciary Committee confirmation hearing on the nomination of Srikanth “Sri” Srinivasan to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit, the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) submitted testimony in strong support of Srinivasan’s confirmation. If confirmed, he will be the first Indian American to serve as a federal appellate court judge in the nation’s history. He also would be the first Asian Pacific American to serve on the D.C. Circuit.

As noted in NAPABA’s testimony, the nomination is especially important to the Asian Pacific American community, given that out of the approximately 175 active federal appellate court judges, there are currently only two who are Asian Pacific American. Moreover, the fact that over 3.1 million Indian Americans live in the United States, the lack of any Indian American federal appellate court judge is notable.

Srinivasan has received extremely high praise from all segments of the legal community. The list includes numerous federal judges (including Justice Sandra Day O’Connor), former government officials, and professors. These individuals include officials and judges appointed by the Reagan, George H.W. Bush, Clinton, George W. Bush, and Obama Administrations. They invariably have described Srinivasan as “a tremendous lawyer,” “one of the very smartest, most talented,” and “especially gifted.” All of them state that Srinivasan will be an “excellent” or “tremendous” appellate court judge.

NAPABA urges for Srinivasan’s prompt confirmation. As NAPABA’s testimony stated, “Sri Srinivasan would make an immediate contribution as a federal circuit judge. His qualifications, integrity, intellect, and commitment to the justice system are unquestionable. He also brings with him an all-American life story that is inspiring.”

A copy of NAPABA’s testimony to the Senate Judiciary Committee can be found here.

###

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 40,000 attorneys and 63 local Asian Pacific American bar associations. Its members represent solo practitioners, large firm lawyers, corporate counsel, legal service 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 federal and state judiciaries, advocates for equal opportunity in the workplace, works to eliminate hate crimes and anti-immigrant sentiment, and promotes professional development of people of color in the legal profession.

Posted on

NAPABA Annual Lobby Day – May 20-21, 2013

image

NAPABA Annual Lobby Day

Lobby Day gives you the opportunity to educate members of Congress and congressional staffers on issues of importance to the Asian Pacific American community and to meet other NAPABA leaders from around the country.

We hope that you are able to participate in the Lobby Day meetings and Congressional Reception celebrating Asian Pacific American Heritage Month this year. We look forward to seeing you May 20-21, 2013, in Washington, DC.

Lobby Day Event Schedule:

Tuesday, April 30, 2013 
NAPABA Lobby Day Training Webinar (part one of two)

Monday, May 20, 2013 
NAPABA Lobby Day Training (part two of two) 
NAPABA’s Asian Pacific American Heritage Month Congressional Reception

Tuesday, May 21, 2013 (Correction) 
NAPABA Lobby Day: Breakfast, Member Visits, Participant Debriefing & Happy Hour 
(Breakfast and Happy Hour hosted by Jones Day)

Register Online

Stipends are available for NAPABA members traveling to Lobby Day from out of town. To apply please fill out the form here.

There is no cost to attend.

Please visit our website for more information or email Melanie Robinson with any questions.

Posted on

NAPABA Congratulates Bonnie M. Youn on the White House Cesar Chavez Champion of Change Award

National Asian Pacific American Bar Association

1612 K Street NW, Suite 1400 
Washington, DC 20006

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
March 26, 2013

Contact: Azizah Ahmad 
(202) 775-9555

NAPABA CONGRATULATES BONNIE M. YOUN ON 
THE WHITE HOUSE CESAR CHAVEZ CHAMPION OF CHANGE AWARD

WASHINGTON – Today, the White House honored 10 individuals with the Cesar Chavez Champions of Change Award. Among the 10 honorees is Bonnie M. Youn, who is a member of the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA).

The Cesar Chavez Champions of Change Award honors citizens who demonstrate a commitment to improving their communities, the country, or the lives of their fellow citizens. Ms. Youn was honored for her dedication to the Asian Pacific American (APA) and immigrant communities of Georgia. “We are proud that the White House recognized Bonnie Youn for her efforts on behalf of the growing immigrant and APA populations in Georgia,” said Wendy C. Shiba, president of NAPABA. “Bonnie is an energetic and accomplished advocate and NAPABA member and we congratulate her for being named a Champion of Change.”

Ethnically Korean but born in the Philippines, Ms. Youn was inspired by her own immigrant experiences to dedicate herself to the APA and immigrant communities of the Southeast. She began practicing law as an immigration attorney in 1997 and is now principal of her own law firm, the Youn Law Group. Recently, she led teams that organized the 2013 Georgia APA Legislative Day, gathering the largest number of APAs in history at the Georgia State Capitol to meet and lobby elected officials. In 2012, she worked closely with the White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders to organize its Southeast Regional Action Summit at Emory University in Atlanta. The Summit brought together over 500 participants to meet federal agency officials, culminating in a town hall meeting for participants to discuss concerns about immigration, healthcare and mental health issues, small business matters, and housing needs. She is an advocate for increasing the number of APA judges and political appointees, challenging state legislation that disenfranchises immigrants, and creating a legacy of a sustainable APA Commission for Georgia. Ms. Youn is a co-chair of NAPABA’s solo and small firm committee and was a member of the NAPABA 2012 Annual Convention host committee.

###

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 40,000 attorneys and 63 local Asian Pacific American bar associations. Its members represent solo practitioners, large firm lawyers, corporate counsel, legal service 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 federal and state judiciaries, advocates for equal opportunity in the workplace, works to eliminate hate crimes and anti-immigrant sentiment, and promotes professional development of people of color in the legal profession.

Posted on

NAPABA SUPPORTS MARRIAGE EQUALITY AS U.S. SUPREME COURT HEARS ORAL ARGUMENTS IN SAME-SEX MARRIAGE CASES

National Asian Pacific American Bar Association

1612 K Street NW, Suite 1400
Washington, DC 20006

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 26, 2013

Contact: Azizah Ahmad
(202) 775-9555

NAPABA SUPPORTS MARRIAGE EQUALITY AS U.S. SUPREME COURT
HEARS ORAL ARGUMENTS IN SAME-SEX MARRIAGE CASES

WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S. Supreme Court heard the first of two oral arguments regarding the constitutionality of same-sex marriage. The first case is Hollingsworth v. Perry, a challenge to California’s Proposition 8, which bans same-sex marriage in the state. Tomorrow, the U.S. Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in United States v. Windsor, which challenges the federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA). DOMA was signed into law in 1996 and denies same-sex couples access to federal protections such as Social Security benefits, veterans’ benefits, health insurance, and retirement savings benefits. The decisions in both cases will likely be announced in June.

“We strongly support marriage equality and encourage the Court to uphold equal protection for same-sex couples,” said Wendy Shiba, president of the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA). “Anti-miscegenation laws, which denied Asian Pacific Americans the right to marry freely, have a shameful history in our country. Americans of all races, sex, color, creed, or sexual orientation should have the right to marry the person they love and be treated equally under the law.”

NAPABA has long supported marriage e quality. In 2008, NAPABA and six of its affiliates were among the 60 local, state, and national Asian Pacific American organizations that filed amicus briefs supporting equal marriage rights for same-sex couples in California. NAPABA has also joined amicus briefs in lower court proceedings in the Perry and Windsor cases. This year, NAPABA joined amicus briefs in the U.S. Supreme Court in support of marriage equality in Hollingsworth v. Perry and Windsor v. United States.

###

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 40,000 attorneys and 63 local Asian Pacific American bar associations. Its members include solo practitioners, large firm lawyers, corporate counsel, legal service 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 federal and state judiciaries, advocates for equal opportunity in the workplace, works to eliminate hate crimes and anti-immigrant sentiment, and promotes professional development of people of color in the legal profession.

Posted on

NAPABA Applauds President Barack Obama for Signing Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act Into Law

National Asian Pacific American Bar Association

1612 K Street NW, Suite 1400 
Washington, DC 20006

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
March 7, 2013

Contact: Azizah Ahmad 
(202) 775-9555

NAPABA APPLAUDS PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA FOR SIGNING 
VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN REAUTHORIZATION ACT INTO LAW

Today, President Barack Obama signed the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2013 (VAWA) into law. Advocates, law enforcement officials, tribal leaders, members of Congress, and Vice President Joe Biden, the author of the original VAWA passed in 1994, attended the signing ceremony.

“The Violence Against Women Act will provide much needed protections to some of the most vulnerable members of our society,” said Wendy Shiba, president of the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA). “Today marks a historic day because immigrant, Native American, and LGBT victims of violence will finally receive the resources that they so desperately need and deserve. NAPABA commends Congress for reauthorizing the bill and the President for signing it into law.”

VAWA was first enacted into law in 1994 and reauthorized in 2000 and 2005. The bill expired in 2012 and last month, the House and Senate voted to reauthorize VAWA. The 2013 reauthorization includes increased safeguards for immigrant, Native American, and LGBT victims of violence. The law also includes the Trafficking Victims Protection Act, which was originally a stand-alone bill that expired in 2011. VAWA will remain in effect until 2018, when it will again be up for reauthorization.

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 40,000 attorneys and 63 local Asian Pacific American bar associations. Its members represent solo practitioners, large firm lawyers, corporate counsel, legal service 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 federal and state judiciaries, advocates for equal opportunity in the workplace, works to eliminate hate crimes and anti-immigrant sentiment, and promotes professional development of people of color in the legal profession.

Posted on

NAPABA and AAJC Applaud Confirmation of Pamela K.M. Chen to the Eastern District of New York

image

image

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
March 4, 2013

NAPABA Contact: Emily Chatterjee (202) 775-9555 
AAJC Contact: Kimberly Goulart (202) 499-7027

NAPABA and AAJC Applaud Confirmation of 
Pamela K.M. Chen to the Eastern District of New York

WASHINGTON – Today, the Senate confirmed Pamela K.M. Chen by a voice vote to a seat on the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York. She becomes the first openly gay Asian Pacific American to serve on the federal judiciary.

“NAPABA congratulates Pam Chen on her historic nomination and confirmation and is proud to have supported her in the nomination and confirmation process along with the LGBT community,” said Wendy Shiba, president of the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA). “We applaud President Obama and Senator Schumer for their continued commitment to diversifying the federal judiciary.”

For almost 14 years, Judge Chen has served as an assistant U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of New York, where she has served as chief of the Civil Rights Section for more than eight years, and previously as a deputy chief of the Public Integrity Section of the Criminal Division. She also served as a deputy commissioner for enforcement at the New York State Division of Human Rights, as a trial attorney in the Justice Department in Washington D.C., and in private practice. Judge Chen has won numerous awards for her work, particularly in addressing human trafficking.

“Judge Chen’s confirmation is a step in the right direction,” said Mee Moua, president and executive director of the Asian American Justice Center (AAJC), member of the Asian American Center for Advancing Justice. “There are more than 40 federal District Court judges in New York City. Judge Chen will become the third Asian Pacific American, bringing APA representation on the bench more in line with our 14 percent share of the city’s population.”

Judge Chen’s confirmation increases the number of active Asian Pacific American Article III judges to 18 nationwide: two federal Appellate Court judges and 16 federal District Court judges. President Obama nominated a record 17 Asian Pacific American to the Article III courts. Three more Asian Pacific American Article III nominees are pending in the Senate: Sri Srinivasan, nominee for the U.S. Circuit Court for the D.C. Circuit; Raymond T. Chen, nominee for the U.S. Circuit Court for the Federal Circuit; and Derrick Kahala Watson, nominee for the U.S. District Court for the District of Hawaii. NAPABA and AAJC urge the Senate to move quickly to confirm these individuals, who are highly qualified for the federal bench.

###

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 40,000 attorneys and 62 local Asian Pacific American bar associations. Its members represent solo practitioners, large firm lawyers, corporate counsel, legal service 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 federal and state judiciaries, advocates for equal opportunity in the workplace, works to eliminate hate crimes and anti-immigrant sentiment, and promotes professional development of minorities in the legal profession.

The Asian American Justice Center (www.advancingequality.org), a member of the Asian American Center for Advancing Justice (www.advancingjustice.org), works closely with the other Advancing Justice members – the Asian American Institute in Chicago (www.aaichicago.org), the Asian Law Caucus in San Francisco (www.asianlawcaucus.org) and the Asian Pacific American Legal Center in Los Angeles (www.apalc.org) – to promote a fair and equitable society for all by working for civil and human rights and empowering Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders and other underserved communities.

Posted on

NAPABA APPLAUDS U.S. SENATE BIPARTISAN PASSAGE OF THE VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN REAUTHORIZATION ACT

National Asian Pacific American Bar Association

1612 K Street NW, Suite 1400 
Washington, DC 20006

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
February 13, 2013

Contact: Emily Chatterjee 
(202) 775-9555

NAPABA APPLAUDS U.S. SENATE BIPARTISAN PASSAGE 
OF THE VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN REAUTHORIZATION ACT

WASHINGTON – On Tuesday, in a vote of 78-22, the U.S. Senate voted in favor of reauthorizing the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). The National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) applauds the expansions made in the Senate legislation, reintroduced by Senator Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) and Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vermont) in the new Congress. Some of these expansions include ensuring better access to services for victims of sexual and domestic violence in communities of color, and for the first time extending protections to victims in Native American and LGBT communities.

“NAPABA commends the bipartisan group of senators who voted in support of the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act,” said Wendy Shiba, president of NAPABA. “In the United States, three women die each day because of domestic violence. We can wait no longer for reauthorization of this critical legislation. NAPABA urges the U.S. House of Representatives to pass the Senate version of VAWA without any further delay.”

The Senate version of the reauthorization bill no longer includes a NAPABA-supported provision that would have increased the number of U-Visas for immigrant victims of sexual and domestic violence. Last year, members of the U.S. House of Representatives pointed to this provision as a cause for rejecting the bill. Senator Leahy plans to include a similar provision in forthcoming comprehensive immigration reform legislation and NAPABA applauds his continued efforts and commitment to protect immigrant victims of sexual and domestic violence.

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 40,000 attorneys and 62 local Asian Pacific American bar associations. Its members represent solo practitioners, large firm lawyers, corporate counsel, legal service 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 federal and state judiciaries, advocates for equal opportunity in the workplace, works to eliminate hate crimes and anti-immigrant sentiment, and promotes professional development of people of color in the legal profession.

Posted on

NAPABA and AAJC Applaud Nomination of Raymond T. Chen

 image

image

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
February 7, 2013

NAPABA Contact: Emily Chatterjee (202) 775-9555 
AAJC Contact: Kimberly Goulart (202) 499-7027

NAPABA AND AAJC APPLAUD NOMINATION OF 
RAYMOND T. CHEN TO THE FEDERAL CIRCUIT

WASHINGTON – Today President Obama nominated Raymond T. Chen to a seat on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. If confirmed, he will be the first Asian Pacific American to serve on the Federal Circuit in over 25 years.

“Raymond Chen will be an excellent addition to the Federal Circuit and we are proud to support his nomination,” said Wendy Shiba, president of the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA). “His many years of experience at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office together with his temperament and intellect make him an exceptionally well-qualified nominee for this court, and we commend President Obama for nominating him.”

Chen has served as the Deputy General Counsel for Intellectual Property Law and Solicitor at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office since 2008. He first joined the office in 1998 as an Associate Solicitor and has received numerous awards for his service, including: the Gold Medal Award, U.S. Department of Commerce (2011); the Bronze Medal Award, U.S. Department of Commerce (2005); and Attorney of the Year, Office of the Solicitor. He previously worked as a technical assistant at the Federal Circuit from 1996 to 1998, as an associate at the law firm Knobbe, Martens, Olson & Bear from 1994 to 1996, and as a scientist at Hecker & Harriman (now Hecker Law Group) in Los Angeles. Chen is a graduate of the New York University School of Law and the University of California, Los Angeles.

“I have no doubt that Raymond Chen will make an outstanding judge. We applaud President Obama for nominating him,” said Mee Moua, president and executive director of the Asian American Justice Center (AAJC), member of the Asian American Center for Advancing Justice. “As an Asian American engineer, career civil servant, and top-notch lawyer, he will make a meaningful contribution to the diversity of the Federal Circuit.”

Asian Pacific Americans continue to be significantly underrepresented in the federal judiciary. Today only 2 out of over 180 federal appellate court judges in the entire nation are of Asian Pacific American heritage. NAPABA and AAJC thank President Obama for his continued commitment to nominating well-qualified, diverse nominees to the federal judiciary. Chen is the fifth Asian Pacific American that President Obama has nominated to the appellate courts.

Posted on

NAPABA IHC Mentoring Program

The NAPABA In-House Counsel Committee’s mentoring program is accepting applications for in-house counsel (including attorneys working for the public sector, academic institutions, and non-profits) to participate as a mentee and/or mentor. The program seeks to foster relationships between NAPABA members who are experienced in-house counsel and NAPABA members who are either (i) new to the in-house position and in need of guidance, including advice on professional development, career goals and transitioning into the in-house position, or (ii) experienced in-house practitioners in need of guidance on how to move forward or position themselves to take advantage of future opportunities. Applications are due to Lusanna Ro at [email protected] and David Kahng at [email protected] by February 15, 2013.

Please encourage your IHC members to participate. More information about the program can be found here: http://napaba.org/napaba/showpage.asp?code=In-HouseCounsel.

Posted on

NAPABA SUPPORT FOR ABA APPOINTMENTS – FEB. 11 DEADLINE

We need your help and involvement to ensure that Asian Pacific Americans are well represented in the ABA’s leadership ranks. Please consider applying for an appointment or encouraging another NAPABA member to do so.

NAPABA will be recommending candidates for appointments to committees, commissions, and other ABA entities for the upcoming bar year. To be considered for an endorsement, you must submit a request to NAPABA by February 11, 2013, noon EST.

Important steps:

  1. To apply for an ABA appointment, you must be a member of the ABA. If you are not already a member, click here for membership information.
  2. You must apply for an appointment online at http://www.abanet.org/appointments by February 25.
  3. You should seek the support of your friends and colleagues who are already in the ABA leadership ranks or who are leaders in your local/state bar associations.
  4. To secure NAPABA’s support for an appointment, send an email to Pia Rivera at [email protected] by February 11 with the subject line “ABA Appointments.” You should provide a short bio, identify the particular entities you are interested in serving on, and explain your interest and any relevant experience.

This ABA link in #2 above includes information that may answer any questions you may have. If you have other questions, please email Pia Rivera for assistance.

Proudly powered by WordPress