This two-year fellowship supports early-career attorneys as they gain hands-on legal experience at a nonprofit or community-based organization. The Fellowship provides:
A $60,000 annual salary, paid directly to the host organization
Health and fringe benefits provided by the host
A $10,000 completion bonus for the Fellow
Opportunities to work on behalf of underserved communities and grow as a public interest leader
Whether you plan to build a career in nonprofit law or public interest, the NLF Community Law Fellowship is designed to develop the next generation of impactful legal advocates.
You can find the details and instructions to apply here. To view the application, click here.
Ready to make a difference? Apply today or share this opportunity with someone who should. Applications are due February 16, 2026.
New This Year
Interested applicants can submit a one-page Prospectus and resume by December 1, 2025, and receive feedback for the final application.
The Judge Thomas Tang and Dr. Pearl Tang Moot Court Competition is an appellate advocacy competition sponsored annually by the NAPABA Law Foundation. The purpose of this Competition is to help law students develop advocacy skills and to foster legal talents of the future.
The Competition was founded in 1993 and is named in honor of the late Honorable Thomas Tang, a respected jurist who served on the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit from 1977 until his passing in 1995.
This prestigious moot court competition is an incredible opportunity for law students to develop their advocacy skills and engage in complex international legal issues. Whether you’re a seasoned competitor, coach, volunteer or judge, or just starting your journey in moot court, the 2025 TTMC promises to be an exciting and enriching experience.
Regional Rounds: In person at the U.S. of International Trade in New York City, NY (October 17, 2025) and Zoom (October 18, 2025) (with the first 12 teams who register to participate and the remainder to compete via zoom).
National Competition at the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association Annual Conference: Denver, CO, on November 7-8, 2025.
Stay updated by registering for competition notifications here.
Washington — The NAPABA Law Foundation (NLF) announced today [Aug. 12] that Jennifer Shim, a second-year law student at the James E. Rogers College of Law, University of Arizona has been awarded a SAIL Scholarship for her outstanding professional promise and leadership potential.
“Jennifer exhibits the very best not only in her academic excellence, but especially in her demonstrated leadership and commitment to the community,” said NLF president Nimesh Patel. “NLF and SAIL are proud to be a small part of her journey as she continues to serve her community, complete her studies and embark on her legal career.”
A New York City native, Ms. Shim is a first-generation Korean American and was raised by her mother alongside with her younger sister. She is a member of the Arizona Law Review; serves as incoming president of the Asian Pacific American Law Students Association and as an Arizona Law Ambassador; and established the JAG Vanguard Society at her law school. She received her M.A. in International Peace and Security from King’s College London and her B.A. summa cum laude in International Criminal Justice from the John Jay College of Criminal Justice, City University of New York. Among her many work experiences in the U.S. and abroad, she is completing a judicial internship with the Honorable John Hinderaker, U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona and works as a graduate program coordinator for the University of Arizona. She was an International English Language Testing System examiner for the Oxford International Education Group and the British Council; an assistant professor at Joongbu University in South Korea; and a key spouse for the U.S. Air Force, where she served as the focal point between military families and unit leadership at the 355th Civil Engineering Squadron, Davis Monthan Air Force Base in Tucson, Arizona. Next year, she will be a summer associate at Ballard Spahr LLP.
“We are excited to welcome Jennifer into the fifth cohort of SAIL Scholars,” said Ivan Fong, who with his wife Sharon endowed the NLF SAIL Scholarship program. “Jennifer shows great promise as a leader who gives generously of her time and effort to the broader community. We could not be more delighted to help her as she completes her academic work and becomes part of the next generation of leaders in our profession.”
Two unique aspects of the SAIL Scholarship program are that, in addition to monetary support, SAIL Scholars will also receive mentoring and leadership development from each other and from a network of legal and community leaders. “A second feature of this scholarship program,” said Sharon Fong, “is that the recipients commit to ‘paying it forward’ — by supporting each other, future SAIL Scholars and the communities in which they will live and work.”
The 2024 NLF SAIL Scholarship selection committee was comprised of the Honorable Theodore Chuang, U.S. District Judge for the District of Maryland; Nimesh Patel, Chief Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Officer at Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP; and Caroline Tsai, Executive Vice President, Chief Legal and Corporate Affairs Officer at FIS.
NLF is a 501(c)(3) non-profit that carries out its work primarily by awarding scholarships and fellowships that promote the interests of the Asian Pacific American community. Since its founding, the Foundation has awarded more than $500,000 in scholarships and nearly $1 million in fellowships and internships.
WASHINGTON – The National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) and the NAPABA Law Foundation (NLF) are proud to announce a milestone agreement that not only bolsters the services that NLF delivers to our community, but also advances the mission of both organizations to strengthen the representation of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islanders (AANHPIs) in the legal profession. The agreement draws on the talents of NAPABA to support the pivotal work of NLF and its impact on the next generation of lawyers.
For three decades, NLF has encouraged, inspired, and supported generations of law students as they pursued careers and opportunities in public interest law, including work on behalf of vulnerable AANHPI communities. NLF has awarded $1.8 million in scholarships, fellowships, and internships, and it has built lasting educational and community partnerships throughout the country.
The programs run by the NLF support the next generation of AANHPI lawyers and foster education and awareness about issues impacting AANHPI lawyers.
The shared-services agreement between NAPABA and NLF will reinforce NLF’s administrative, financial, fundraising, and programmatic activities.
“This is a game changer for NLF and our ability to grow and inspire law students and young lawyers,” said Nimesh Patel, President of NLF. “With NAPABA’s support, we can broaden our outreach and ensure the continued success of landmark programs such as the Judge Thomas Tang and Dr. Pearl Tang Moot Court Competition, and we can reach more students for the various scholarships, internships, and fellowships offered by the NLF.”
“My introduction to NAPABA ran through NLF early in my career,” said NAPABA Executive Director Priya Purandare. “I have witnessed first-hand the strong shared history between NAPABA and NLF, and their commitment to fostering the next generations of young AANHPI lawyers. Optimizing the relationship with NLF has long been envisioned as a part of NAPABA’s Strategic Plan, and as our AANHPI legal community continues to expand, I am thrilled that through our partnership, we can meet the growing needs of students and young attorneys to better serve all.
The National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) represents the interest of over 80,000 Asian Pacific American (APA) legal professionals and nearly 90 national, state, and local APA bar associations. NAPABA is a leader in addressing civil rights issues confronting Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities. Through its national network, 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 all backgrounds in the legal profession.
The NAPABA Law Foundation (NLF) promotes the development, advancement, leadership, and public service of Asian Pacific Americans in the legal profession through fellowships, scholarships, education, and community partnerships. NLF serves as an incubator of thoughtful leaders in the Asian Pacific Americans legal community.
WASHINGTON – During the 2023 Convention of the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA), Sandra Leung, the President of NAPABA, will bestow this year’s President’s Award posthumously upon David L. Kim, a pioneer within the Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AAHNPI) community. Every year, the NAPABA President pays tribute to a remarkable entity or individual who has demonstrated exceptional commitment to the Nation’s AANHPI population. NAPABA is proud to honor David Kim’s incredible legacy. NAPABA, along with so many others, mourns with the Kim family for their loss of David, who passed away in June 2023.
“David Kim not only was a game-changer for corporate philanthropy to benefit the AANHPI community, but he created the model,” said Sandra Leung, President of NAPABA. “His impact will be felt for generations to come. For our NAPABA family, David’s commitment and generosity have been invaluable in ensuring that NAPABA and the NAPABA Law Foundation (NLF) thrive—especially in the early years following our founding. He will be greatly missed.”
During his long career — which included serving as President and CEO of the National Asian Pacific Center on Aging, President of the Iambic Group, LLC; Vice President of Multicultural Markets at AARP, Chief of Staff of the U.S. Mint, and Global Director of Asian Marketing and Community Relations at Anheuser Busch — David blazed the trail for so many. He harnessed corporate resources to invest in long-overlooked AANHPI populations. He shared wisdom, generosity, and counsel with so many in our community with a degree of selflessness and kindness that left an indelible mark on a generation.
David’s contributions were integral to the growth and development of NAPABA and NLF. For over three decades, he delivered opportunities for generations of AANHPI law students who now stand as leaders in the legal profession. Programs like the Thomas Tang Moot Court Competition, a training ground for law students, have flourished because of his generosity. Beyond his professional achievements, David is remembered fondly for his warmth, incredible sense of humor, and enduring friendship.
“On behalf of NAPABA, I am truly grateful to David’s family for allowing us to honor his legacy during NAPABA’s 35th Annual Convention in Indianapolis,” said Sandra Leung. “This award is a testament to the lasting impact of his life’s work within the AANHPI community and the legal profession as a whole.”
###
The National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA), represents the interests of over 60,000 Asian Pacific American (APA) legal professionals and nearly 90 national, state, and local APA bar associations. NAPABA is a leader in addressing civil rights issues confronting Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities. Through its national network, 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 all backgrounds in the legal profession.
The NLF Public Interest Internship provides support for at least one law student to gain meaningful legal experience during a 2018 summer internship at a public interest organization that provides direct legal services, impact litigation, and/or legal advocacy on behalf of the AAPI community.
NLF has partnered with the Choi Family to create the Han C. Choi Scholarship, to honor a NAPABA Trailblazer, mentor and leader, who embodies grit and courage in the face of great adversity. This scholarship is for a law student who will summer at a public service, civic, or non-profit organization or a corporation that is not a law firm.
Who Applies: Law students who have already secured a summer placement
Diversity is a core value of Bryan Cave LLP and an engrained part of our culture. Bryan Cave LLP has partnered with the NAPABA Law Foundation to offer the Bryan Cave / NLF Community Service Scholarship, which will provide a $2,500 scholarship award for one law student who is a summer law intern that works on issues on behalf of, or that benefits, the Asian Pacific American community. Click here to apply or for more information.
SUMMER INTERNSHIP FUNDING OPPORTUNITY FOR PUBLIC INTEREST ORGANIZATIONS
The NAPABA Law Foundation is pleased to announce its 2014 NLF Public Interest Internship Program. The internship program will fund at least one legal intern at a public interest organization(s) that provides either direct legal services or impact litigation on behalf of the Asian Pacific American community. Qualified organizations may apply for more than one internship and grants of up to $6,000 per intern will be provided to the finalist organization(s).
Click here to download the application. Applications are due on March 28, 2014.
If you have any questions after reviewing the application, please email nlfstaff@napaba.org.
The NAPABA Law Foundation (NLF) is accepting applications for the McGuireWoods/NLF Internship Program. The Program will support students interested in the legal profession and will help students develop a commitment to advocacy on behalf of the APA community. The Program seeks to achieve these goals by providing undergraduate and law school students with meaningful internship experiences at the Washington DC offices of NAPABA and NLF.
About the Program
Each law clerk and undergraduate intern shall be assigned projects that will further the missions of NAPABA and NLF, including:
Promoting justice, equity and opportunity for APAs;
Fostering professional development, legal scholarship, advocacy and community involvement; and
Developing and supporting programs to educate the legal profession and APAs about legal issues affecting those communities.
Please note the deadline to apply has been extended to March 21, 2014. Click here for more information.
