NAPABA PRESS RELEASE: NAPABA CELEBRATES 25 YEARS OF LEADERSHIP IN THE LEGAL PROFESSION

National Asian Pacific American Bar Association

1612 K Street NW, Suite 1400
Washington, DC 20006


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 13, 2013

Contact: Azizah Ahmad
(202) 775-9555

NAPABA CELEBRATES 25 YEARS OF LEADERSHIP IN THE LEGAL PROFESSION

WASHINGTON — Over 1,200 Asian Pacific American (APA) judges, attorneys, law professors, and law students attended the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) 25th Annual Convention in Kansas City, MO, from November 7-10, 2013. The Annual Convention’s MOmentum theme highlighted and celebrated the monumental achievements of APA attorneys over the past 25 years at the highest levels of the legal profession while also encouraging attendees to collaborate for future progress and successes.

The four-day convention included an annual International Law Symposium, Pro Bono & Public Interest Summit, and over 50 panels and plenaries with some of the brightest minds in the legal profession. Special events included a lunch plenary with special guests Senator Mazie Hirono (D-HI) and Representative Colleen Hanabusa (D-HI), who talked about their experiences as APA women in Congress. The Convention’s sold-out annual basketball tournament tested the talents of attorneys and law students against the Benchwarmers—an all-star line-up of APA judicial luminaries, including Judge Denny Chin of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit and Justice Goodwin Liu of the California Supreme Court.

The Honorable Sri Srinivasan of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit gave the keynote address during the 25th Anniversary Gala and Installation Dinner on Saturday, November 9, 2013. During the Gala, Judge Alok Ahuja of the Missouri Court of Appeals, Western District swore in the following members of the 2013-2014 NAPABA Board of Governors:

Executive Committee

President: William J. Simonitsch, Partner, K&L Gates LLP

President-Elect: George C. Chen, Partner, Bryan Cave LLP

Vice President for Communications: Cyndie M. Chang, Partner, Duane Morris LLP

Vice President for Finance & Development: Alexander M. Lee, Principal, Law Offices of Alexander M. Lee

Vice President for Membership: Brad Yamauchi, Partner, Minami Tamaki LLP

Vice President for Programs and Operations: Jin Y. Hwang, Assistant General Counsel, Verizon Enterprise Solutions

Secretary: Tacie Yoon, Associate, Crowell & Moring LLP

Treasurer: Pankit J. Doshi, Associate, Sheppard Mullin Richter & Hampton LLP

Immediate Past President: Wendy C. Shiba, retired (former Executive VP, General Counsel & Secretary, KB Home)

Regional Governors

Central Region: David S. Kim, Attorney, Armstrong Teasdale LLP

Northeast Region: Judy H. Kim, Associate Counsel, New York Liquidation Bureau

Northeast Region: Sophia Lee, Chief Counsel – Litigation, Sunoco, Inc.

Northwest Region: Trung D. Tu, Partner, McEwen Gisvold LLP

Southeast Region: John Truong, Assistant U.S. Attorney, U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Columbia

Southwest Region: Eileen Sullivan, Principal, Sullivan Law Firm, PC

Northern California Region: Quyen Ta, Partner, Keker & Van Nest LLP

Eastern California/Nevada Region: Marlo Nisperos, Deputy District Attorney, Solano County District Attorney Office

Central California Region: Audra Mori, Partner, Perkins Coie

Southern California Region: Lloyd S. Costales, Partner, Page, Lobo, Costales & Preston, A.P.C.

At-Large Members

Curtis Hom, Principal, Innova Legal Group, PLLC

Steven Y. Reeves, Partner, Faegre Baker Daniels LLP

Janet Shih Hajek, Of Counsel, Holland & Hart LLP

Marla Tun Reschly, Of Counsel, Kirkland & Ellis LLP

Please join us next year in Phoenix/Scottsdale, AZ, from November 6-9, 2014, for the 26th Annual NAPABA Convention, Convergence.

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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 over 40,000 attorneys and 67 national, state, and 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 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.

From NAPABA: NATIONAL ASIAN PACIFIC AMERICAN PRE-LAW CONFERENCE — NOV. 9

NAPABA encourages prospective law students to register for the National Asian Pacific American Pre-Law Conference hosted by NAPABA. The Conference will be held on Saturday, November 9, during the Annual Convention and is open to all prospective law students regardless of age, race, background, goals, and experience. The Conference welcomes Annual Convention attendees’ family members, and any other prospective law students who may have an interest in learning more about law school and a JD degree. There is no cost to attend but registration is required. Interested prospective students can learn more on the Convention website and register by clicking here. Limited travel stipends are available to participants traveling from outside the area. Apply for a stipend before October 11 by clicking here.

From NAPABA: Momentum Kansas City 2013

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This year’s theme – “Momentum” – bespeaks our goal of highlighting and celebrating the monumental achievements of APA attorneys over the past 25 years at the highest levels of our profession while simultaneously inspiring and encouraging attendees to collaborate for future successes.

Join us for a series of remarkable events at the 25th Annual NAPABA Convention in Kansas City, MO, from November 7-10, 2013Register today through Monday, September 23, to take advantage of the extended early bird discount rates.

We look forward to seeing you in November! For registration and more information, please visit: 2013convention.napaba.org.

NAPABA Seeks Law Student Volunteers

NAPABA is accepting applications for law students to volunteer at the 25th Annual NAPABA Convention. The deadline to apply is Friday, September 20, 2013. Volunteers who serve at least 8 hours will receive complimentary general admission to the Convention. Tasks include assisting with registration, set-up, break-out panels, checking in attendees for CLE credit, receptions, and hosting the Saturday evening gala dinner.

For more detailed information and to fill out the application form, please visit: http://2013convention.napaba.org/get-involved/.

If you have any questions about volunteering for the Convention, please email 2013napabavolunteers@gmail.com.

Asian Cinevision/Asian American International Film Festival National Tour

Sharing an announcement from our friends at Asian Cinevision/AAIFF:

Last year the Asian American International Film Festival’s (2012) National Festival Tour was a success featuring the creative work of new, young artists from Asian and Asian American communities. As the only traveling festival of its kind in the US, the National Festival Tour rents out a selection of features and shorts for a one-time public or private screening, from which any revenue made is paid directly to the filmmakers and artists. This is a great way to enjoy a fresh and different perspective on the state of filmmaking, while having the opportunity to support the arts and to cultivate young artists.

This year’s 2012/2013 programs include 8 feature-length films and 5 shorts programs representing over seven countries (Australia, China, Taiwan, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Vietnam).

Click Here for more information.

From SAALT: National South Asian Summit 2013

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National South Asian Summit 2013

April 19-22 | Washington, DC 


Don’t miss out on Early Bird Registration for the
National South Asian Summit 2013
Deadline: March 1st

For less than $19 each day, you can: 

  • Build skills to deepen your organization’s work and your individual leadership
  • Connect with government officials and congressional offices
  • Expand your networks image
  • Strategize on how to advance a movement in pursuit of justice

Early bird registration through March 1: $75

General registration after March 1: $125

Please visit Summit 2013 to learn more about this biannual event,  then register to be one of hundreds of South Asian Advocates, community members, students, business leaders, and allies convening in our nation’s capital to work towards social change.

Changemakers Reception Keynote: Pramila Jayapal

ChangeMakers Reception

Friday, April 19, 2013

Location TBD

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Pramila Jayapal is an activist, author and speaker with over 20 years of experience in social justice issues. Pramila founded and led OneAmerica, Washington state’s largest immigrant organizing and advocacy organization, for almost 11 years. Pramila is currently the Distinguished Taconic Fellow at the Center for Community Change and a Distinguished Fellow at the University of Washington Law School. Learn more about Pramila here.

The ChangeMakers Awards recognizes individuals, programs, and organizations that have made a significant impact on social justice in the South Asian community in the US.  Join us at theChangeMakers Reception to honor these agents of change in our community and to connect with fellow community members, leaders, and allies!

Registration for the ChangeMakers Reception is available through two great options:

  1. Summit 2013 registration: Summit 2013 registrants will have the opportunity to RSVP for the ChangeMakers Reception when they complete their Summit 2013 registration form. If you register for Summit 2013, you do not need to register or pay separately for the reception using the form mentioned in option 2 below. You can register for Summit 2013 here to take advantage of all events and sessions. Early bird registration is only $75 until March 1!    
  2. Reception-only registration: Can’t attend the entire Summit 2013, but interested in networking with fellow community members, leaders, and allies? Tickets for the ChangeMakers Reception ONLY are available for $50 and you can register and pay online here. Please note, this option does not include Summit 2013 registration. If you would like to register for Summit 2013-which includes the ChangeMakers Reception, Summit, and Advocacy Day on Capitol Hill-please use see this information instead.