Tag: nomination

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NAPABA Congratulates Jessie K. Liu on Nomination to be the United States Attorney for the District of Columbia

For Immediate Release
June 13, 2017

For More Information, Contact:
Brett Schuster, Communications Manager

[email protected], 202-775-9555

WASHINGTON — On
Monday, President Trump announced the nomination of Jessie K. Liu to be
United States Attorney for the District of Columbia. If confirmed, Liu
would be the first Asian Pacific American and the second woman to serve
as the U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia.

“We
congratulate Jessie K. Liu on her nomination to serve as the United
States Attorney for the District of Columbia,” said Cyndie M. Chang,
president of the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association
(NAPABA). “An experienced and respected attorney with a record of
leadership at the U.S. Department of Justice, Ms. Liu has demonstrated
the ability to lead the U.S. Attorney’s office. We are encouraged to see
Asian Pacific American women like Ms. Liu continue to break barriers
and serve as role models.”

A
longtime member of the Asian Pacific American legal community, Liu
served as a co-chair of the 2012 NAPABA Convention in Washington, D.C.
She is also a recipient of the NAPABA Best Under 40 Award.

A
litigator with almost 20 years of experience, Ms. Liu has a history of
federal government service. She is presently the Deputy General Counsel
for the Department of the Treasury. She previously served as an
Assistant U.S. Attorney in the District of Columbia for four years and
in several senior positions in the U.S. Department of Justice for three
years, including as Deputy Assistant Attorney General in the Civil
Rights Division, counsel to the Deputy Attorney General, and Deputy
Chief of Staff for the National Security Division. She also was a
partner at the law firms Morrison & Foerster LLP and Jenner &
Block LLP.

Ms.
Liu clerked for then-Chief Judge Carolyn Dineen King of the U.S. Court
of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit in Houston, Texas. She received her
A.B., summa cum laude, from Harvard University and her J.D. from Yale Law School.

NAPABA commends President Trump for announcing the nomination of Jessie K. Liu to serve as the U.S. Attorney.

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 almost
50,000 attorneys and approximately 75 national, state, and local Asian
Pacific American 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
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.

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2017 Call for Nominations

2017 Call for Nominations
NAPABA Board of Governors Officer Positions
Deadline | July 11, 2017, at 8 p.m. EDT

Submit a Nomination

The NAPABA Nominating and Elections Committee is accepting nominations for election to the officer positions of the NAPABA’s Board of Governors for the 2017-18 term. Please submit your nominations for the following positions:

  • President-Elect
  • Vice President for Finance and Development
  • Vice President for Membership
  • Vice President for Programs and Operations
  • Vice President for Communications
  • Treasurer
  • Secretary

Click here for more information or to submit a nomination. The submission deadline is July 11, 2017, at 8 p.m. EDT.

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NAPABA Submits Testimony in Support of the Nomination of  Judge Amul Thapar for the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals

For Immediate Release
April 26, 2017

For More Information, Contact:
Brett Schuster, Communications Manager
[email protected], 202-775-9555

WASHINGTON — Today,
Judge Amul R. Thapar sat before the Senate Judiciary Committee during a
hearing on his nomination to serve on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the
Sixth Circuit.

“Today’s hearings demonstrate that Judge Amul Thapar is
a highly qualified nominee,” said Cyndie M. Chang, National Asian
Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) president. “He is an experienced and fair jurist who was confirmed by the Senate by voice vote to his current position on the bench. Judge Thapar is a trailblazer and role model for many in our community, as the first South Asian American to serve on the federal bench.”

“The
National Asian Pacific American Bar Association extends its strong
support for Judge Thapar’s nomination to the U.S. Court of Appeals for
the Sixth Circuit. NAPABA urges the Senate to hold a prompt vote and
swiftly confirm Judge Thapar.”

Judge
Amul Thapar was confirmed by the Senate by voice vote to the U.S.
District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky in 2007. NAPABA
supported his nomination to the bench at that time. He has a long record
of public service, including serving as U.S. Attorney for the Eastern
District of Kentucky. If confirmed, Judge Thapar would become the second
South Asian American to serve as a federal Article III appellate judge
and the fifth currently active Asian Pacific American federal Article
III appellate judge.

NAPABA
provided testimony in support of Judge Thapar, stating: “Judge Thapar
would make an immediate contribution as a federal circuit court judge.
His qualifications, integrity, intellect, and commitment to the justice
system are unquestionable. He brings dedicated talent and understanding
of the issues before the court, and a willingness to tackle complex
issues, that is inspiring… [T]he swift confirmation of Judge Thapar is
important to NAPABA and the Asian Pacific American community.”

Read NAPABA’s statement on the nomination of Judge Thapar here. Read NAPABA’s testimony here.

For more information, the media may contact Brett Schuster, NAPABA communications manager, at 202-775-9555 or [email protected].

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 50,000 attorneys and over 75 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
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.

To learn more about NAPABA, visit www.napaba.org, like us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter (@NAPABA).

National Asian Pacific American Bar Association | 1612 K St. NW, Suite 510 | Washington, D.C. 20006 | www.napaba.org

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NAPABA Congratulates Judge Amul R. Thapar on Pending Nomination to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit

For Immediate Release
March 21, 2017

For More Information, Contact: 
Brett Schuster, Communications Manager
[email protected], 202-775-9555

WASHINGTON — On Monday, President Trump announced his intent to nominate Judge Amul R. Thapar to serve on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit. If confirmed, Judge Thapar would be the second South Asian American judge to ever serve on a federal appeals court and the fifth active Asian Pacific American federal appellate Article III judge.

“We congratulate Judge Thapar on the announcement of the President’s intent to nominate him to serve on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit,” said Cyndie M. Chang, president of the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA). “Judge Thapar has a long record of dedicated public service and, during his nine years on the bench, has demonstrated his excellence as a fair jurist who has the integrity and intellect to serve ably on the appellate court.”

After his confirmation by voice vote to his current seat in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky, Judge Thapar became the nation’s first South Asian American Article III judge in 2008. He was the first, and still is, the only Asian Pacific American Article III judge in the courts encompassed by the Sixth Circuit.

Judge Thapar is a 2015 recipient of the NAPABA Daniel K. Inouye Trailblazer Award. He served as the keynote speaker at the 2007 NAPABA Convention and received the NAPABA Best Under 40 Award. Prior to his service on the bench, Judge Thapar was the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky and an Assistant U.S. Attorney. He began his legal career in private practice following clerkships with Judge S. Arthur Speigel of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio and Judge Nathaniel R. Jones of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit. He is a graduate of Boston University and the Boalt Hall School of Law at the University of California, Berkeley.

NAPABA commends President Trump for announcing his intent to nominate Judge Thapar to the Sixth Circuit. NAPABA thanks Senators McConnell and Paul for recommending Judge Thapar to the White House.

For more information, the media may contact Brett Schuster, NAPABA communications manager, at 202-775-9555 or [email protected].

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 almost 50,000 attorneys and approximately 75 national, state, and local Asian Pacific American 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 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.

To learn more about NAPABA, visit www.napaba.org, like us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter (@NAPABA).

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KALAGNY Elections: Call for Nominations

AVAILABLE POSITIONS

Elections are for President, Executive Vice President*, Vice President of Communications^, Vice President of Membership, Treasurer, Secretary (Officers) and seven (7) Governor positions on the KALAGNY Board. All positions are for two-year terms, except one (1) Governor position which is for a one-year term°. Terms commence July 1, 2017. To view KALAGNY’s current By-Laws, click here.

*The Vice Presidential Candidate with the most votes will be designated as Executive Vice President.
^Assist President with website, email, social media and all outbound communications.
°The Governor Candidate with the 7th most votes will be designated for the one (1) year term.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS TO SERVE AS A BOARD MEMBER

Only those members in good standing who have been admitted to practice law in any jurisdiction are qualified to run for an elected position. A member in “good standing” is defined as those members (a) whose membership has not been suspended or revoked as of the Election Date, and (b) who have paid in full their membership dues as of the Record Date.

NOMINATION OF CANDIDATES

The KALAGNY Nominations Committee is now accepting applications for the available positions listed above. If you are interested in seeking one of the available positions listed above, please submit your Statement of Interest along with your resume to [email protected] no later than January 30, 2017, 11:59 PM.  Please add the word “Election” to the subject line of your e-mail.  Late submissions will not be considered. Please be sure to identify the available position you are seeking.

The Nominations Committee will consider all applications and will provide a recommended slate of candidates for each of the available positions listed above.

RELEVANT DATES

Record Date – January 13, 2017. You must be a paid member by the Record Date to be eligible to seek election and to vote in the election.

Submission Date – January 30, 2017. Your Statement of Interest along with your resume must be submitted to [email protected] no later than January 30, 2017, 11:59pm.  Please add the word “Election” to the subject line of your e-mail.

Distribution Date – February 20, 2017. Information regarding the slate of Officers and Governors selected by the Nominations Committee will be circulated by the Distribution Date. The slate will be posted on the KALAGNY website.

Ballot Date – March 20, 2017.  Ballot form will be made available on the KALAGNY website. Members wishing to vote will have to hand in their ballots in person by no later than 8:00 PM on the Election Date. You may not cast your vote by proxy.

Election Date & General Membership Meeting – April 6, 2017.  KALAGNY Elections and annual membership meeting will take place on the evening of April 6, 2017. Venue will be announced. All are welcome to this event but only eligible members may vote.

Light dinner and refreshments will be served. Click here to RSVP.

If you have any questions, please contact us at [email protected].

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NAPABA Expresses Disappointment That an Asian Pacific American Was Not Nominated to the United States Supreme Court; Vows to Support the President’s Nominee

For Immediate Release
March 16, 2016

For More Information, Contact​​:
Brett Schuster, Communications Manager
202-775-9555; [email protected]

WASHINGTON — Today,
President Barack Obama announced the nomination of Judge Merrick
Garland to serve on the United States Supreme Court. The National Asian
Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) congratulates Judge Garland on
his nomination.

“We
urge the Senate to hold a fair hearing and a timely vote on the
President’s nominee, Judge Garland. It is critical to the stability of
our judicial system that the Supreme Court’s vacant seat be filled
promptly,” said Jin Y. Hwang, president of NAPABA. “Although we are
disappointed that the President missed an opportunity to make history by
nominating the first Asian Pacific American to the Supreme Court, we
celebrate the fact that Judge Sri Srinivasan was interviewed and vetted
for a possible nomination, which represented the first time that an
Asian Pacific American has ever been interviewed and put on ‘the short
list’ for the Supreme Court.”

NAPABA
congratulates Judge Garland and urges the United States Senate to
fulfill its constitutional responsibility and proceed with a timely vote
to confirm him to the Supreme Court.

For more information, the media may contact Brett Schuster, NAPABA communications manager, at 202-775-9555 or [email protected].

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NAPABA Applauds Nomination of Judge Karen Gren Scholer to the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas

For Immediate Release
March 15, 2016

For More Information, Contact​​:
Brett Schuster, Communications Manager
202-775-9555; [email protected]

WASHINGTON
— Today, President Obama nominated Judge Karen Gren Scholer to the U.S.
District Court for the Eastern District of Texas. If confirmed, Scholer
will be the first Asian Pacific American to serve as a federal district
court judge in Texas or any of the courts encompassed by the U.S. Court
of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit — which encompasses Texas, Louisiana,
and Mississippi.

“Judge
Karen Gren Scholer has had a distinguished legal career and will serve
admirably on the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas,”
said Jin Y. Hwang, president of the National Asian Pacific American Bar
Association (NAPABA). “I urge the Senate to ensure a speedy
confirmation for Ms. Scholer.”

Scholer
is currently a partner at Carter Scholer Arnett Hamada Mockler PLLC, in
Dallas, Texas. She is an experienced litigator and former judge who has
presided over 100 trials. Her judicial experience includes eight years
as a state district judge on the 95th Judicial District Court, Dallas
County, Texas. She has also served as the presiding judge for Dallas
County Civil District Court Judges and, on one occasion, as a Justice on
the Tenth Court of Appeals by appointment of Governor Rick Perry.

Scholer

has been a partner at a number of firms in Dallas, including Jones Day,
Andrews & Kurth LLP, and Strasburger & Price LLP. Active in her
community, Scholer has served as co-chair of Attorneys Serving the
Community and in leadership positions in the Dallas Bar Association and
Asian Pacific American community organizations. She is a speaker on
trial practice and was a visiting faculty member at the Notre Dame Law
School. The State Bar of Texas, the University of Texas at Austin, and
Superlawyers have all recognized Scholer for her legal excellence and
achievement. Scholer graduated from Rice University and the Cornell
University School of Law.

For more information, the media may contact Brett Schuster, NAPABA communications manager, at 202-775-9555 or [email protected].

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AABANY Applauds Nomination of Kathy Hirata Chin for New York Court of Appeals Vacancy

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 18, 2014

Contact: Yang Chen, Executive Director
(718) 228-7206

NEW YORK – December 18, 2014 – The Asian American Bar Association of New York (“AABANY”) is proud to announce that the Commission on Judicial Nominations has named Kathy Hirata Chin (Partner at Cadwalader, Wickersham, & Taft LLP) as one of seven well-qualified nominees for the judgeship vacancy on the New York State Court of Appeals created by the retirement of Judge Robert Smith. The Commission on Judicial Nomination, charged with evaluating and recommending to the Governor candidates to fill vacancies on the New York Court of Appeals, the state’s highest court, received 53 applications and interviewed 22 candidates for the Smith opening.

“AABANY applauds the Commission on Judicial Nomination for its recommendation of Kathy Hirata Chin to join the highest court of New York and strongly encourages Governor Cuomo to make history by appointing the first-ever Asian Pacific American (APA) judge to this esteemed institution,” said AABANY President Clara Ohr.  “Kathy’s qualifications would make her a valuable addition to this court and her appointment would be an important step toward making the judiciary in New York a more accurate reflection of the population it serves.” APAs remain significantly underrepresented in the New York Judiciary. With approximately 1300 judges in the New York State court system, only 22 of them are APAs in spite of the fact that APAs make up approximately 8% of the population of New York State.  

“We congratulate Kathy on her selection as a nominee to the State’s highest court,” said Linda Lin, Co-Chair of AABANY’s Judiciary Committee. “Her outstanding credentials, balanced temperament, and sterling achievements undoubtedly make her an excellent candidate for the bench and we strongly urge Governor Cuomo to appoint Kathy Chin to the New York Court of Appeals bench.”

Kathy Hirata Chin is an accomplished litigator who has handled dozens of appellate cases, concentrating her practice in healthcare and real estate. After graduating magna cum laude from Princeton University and graduating Columbia University School of Law, where she was a Harlan Fiske Stone Scholar and Editor-in-Chief of The Columbia Journal of Transnational Law, Ms. Chin joined Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP, becoming one of the first minority and women Partners in 1990. Nominated by Mayor Rudolph Giuliani, Ms. Chin served on the New York City Planning Commission from 1995-2001. Nominated by Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, Ms. Chin has served on the New York City Commission to Combat Police Corruption since August 2003. She has also served on Governor Mario M. Cuomo’s Judicial Screening Committee for the First Judicial Department from1992-1994; the Magistrate Judge Merit Selection Panel for the Eastern District of New York from 1992-1999; the Gender Bias Committee of the Second Circuit Task Force on Gender, Race, and Ethnic Fairness; the New York County Lawyers’ Association’s Task Force to Increase Diversity in the Legal Profession; and Chief Judge Judith S. Kaye’s Commission to Promote Public Confidence in Judicial Elections from 2003-2006; and the New York County Lawyers’ Association Board of Directors. She currently serves as a member of The Attorney Emeritus Advisory Council and The Commercial Division Advisory Council, and as member of the Board of Directors of the Medicare Rights Center. Ms. Chin has been a longstanding and active member of AABANY.

_

For more information, please contact Yang Chen, AABANY Executive Director, at (718) 228-7206, or direct any inquiries to [email protected].

The Asian American Bar Association of New York is a professional membership organization of attorneys concerned with issues affecting the Asian Pacific American community.  Incorporated in 1989, AABANY seeks not only to encourage the professional growth of its members but also to advocate for the Asian Pacific American community as a whole.  AABANY is the New York regional affiliate of the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA).

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NAPABA APPLAUDS NOMINATION OF THEODORE CHUANG TO SERVE AS DISTRICT COURT JUDGE

National Asian Pacific American Bar Association

1612 K Street NW, Suite 1400
Washington, DC 20006

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 25, 2013

Contact: Emily Chatterjee
(202) 775-9555

NAPABA APPLAUDS NOMINATION OF THEODORE CHUANG TO SERVE AS DISTRICT COURT JUDGE

WASHINGTON – Today, President Barack Obama nominated Theodore Chuang to a seat on the United States District Court for the District of Maryland. If confirmed, Chuang will be the first person of Asian descent to serve as a federal judge in the state of Maryland, and the first person of Asian descent to serve as an Article III judge in any of the courts covered by the Fourth Circuit.

“We commend Theodore Chuang on his historic nomination to the federal bench,” said Tina Matsuoka, executive director of the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA). “Mr. Chuang is exceptionally qualified to serve on the federal judiciary in Maryland. We also applaud President Obama’s ongoing commitment to nominating qualified Asian Pacific Americans to serve on the federal courts.” If all of the current Asian Pacific American judicial nominees are confirmed by the Senate, President Obama will have more than tripled than the number of Asian Pacific American federal judges since he first took office.

Mr. Chuang currently serves as Deputy General Counsel of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, where he has worked since 2009. Previously, Chuang was the Chief Investigative Counsel for the House Committee on Energy and Commerce in 2009 and Deputy Chief Investigative Counsel for the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform from 2007 to 2009. From 1998 to 2004, Chuang served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the District of Massachusetts. Prior to becoming a federal prosecutor, Chuang was a trial attorney in the Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Department of Justice. Mr. Chuang also has been active in community service. He has held leadership positions with the Asian Pacific American Legal Resource Center, District of Columbia Bar, and the Asian Pacific American Bar Association of the Greater Washington D.C. Area.

NAPABA commends President Obama for nominating Theodore Chuang to the bench and Senators Barbara Mikulski and Benjamin Cardin of Maryland for their support of his nomination.

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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 66 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.

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NAPABA Press Release: Manish Shah Nominated to Serve as District Court Judge

National Asian Pacific American Bar Association

1612 K Street NW, Suite 1400 
Washington, DC 20006

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
September 19, 2013

Contact: Emily Chatterjee 
(202) 775-9555

MANISH SHAH NOMINATED TO SERVE AS DISTRICT COURT JUDGE

WASHINGTON – Today, President Obama nominated Manish Suresh Shah to a seat on the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. If confirmed, Shah will be the first person of South Asian descent to serve as an Article III judge in the state of Illinois.

“We applaud Manish Shah’s historic nomination to the federal bench,” said Wendy C. Shiba, president of the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA). “Mr. Shah has devoted his career to public service in the U.S. Attorney’s office, and his deep experience in criminal law will be an asset to the Northern District of Illinois. We hope that the Senate votes to confirm him swiftly.”

Since 2001, Shah has worked at the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Illinois. Since July 2012, he has served as Chief of the Criminal Division, and previously served as Chief of Criminal Appeals. During his time as an Assistant U.S. Attorney, he has also worked in the General Crimes, Narcotics & Gangs, and Public Corruption units. Shah attended the University of Chicago Law School and Stanford University, and went on to clerk for Judge James B. Zagel of the Northern District of Illinois.

NAPABA commends President Obama for nominating Mr. Shah to the bench and Senators Kirk and Durbin of Illinois for their support of his nomination.