The AABANY Legal Referral and Information Service (LRIS) invites both current panelists and interested practitioners to participate in our referral network for the 2026–2027 term. AABANY’s LRIS is an ABA-recognized program that serves as a trusted bridge connecting the public with experienced and qualified legal professionals. While our mission has a particular focus on serving the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community, our referral services are available to the public at large, generating a broad and diverse range of client inquiries across numerous practice areas.
We welcome qualified attorneys from all practice concentrations to join — or continue their tenure on — our distinguished panel of practitioners.
Panel Benefits & Operations
Pre-Screened Referrals: Our dedicated Intake Coordinator carefully screens and pre-qualifies all incoming client inquiries before they are referred to panel members. By assessing the nature, viability, and technical aspects of each matter in advance, we help ensure that referrals directed to your office align closely with your practice areas and experience. This process minimizes time spent reviewing weak or unsuitable leads and significantly reduces your firm’s administrative intake burden.
Expanded Client Base & Marketing Support: The LRIS consistently receives daily inquiries from throughout the New York metropolitan area, across the United States, and internationally. Participation allows your firm to benefit from AABANY’s longstanding reputation, expansive professional network, and established public visibility. In addition to ongoing local media outreach, search engine optimization, and referrals from courts, government agencies, and elected officials, LRIS will soon launch a comprehensive cross-platform marketing initiative directed toward New York City Council offices, mayoral offices, state legislators, congressional representatives, community organizations, and other public-facing institutions to further increase referral volume and public awareness of the program. Joining the LRIS panel offers a cost-effective and sustainable way to expand your client base without materially increasing your firm’s marketing budget.
Meaningful Community Service & Professional Impact: Participation in LRIS also provides an important opportunity to deliver meaningful legal assistance to individuals and families who may otherwise face barriers to accessing quality legal representation. Many callers seek guidance navigating unfamiliar legal systems, language obstacles, or urgent legal issues without knowing where to begin. By serving on the panel, you contribute directly to improving access to justice while strengthening ties within the broader community.
Professional Credibility & Network Visibility: As part of an ABA-recognized legal referral service administered by AABANY, panel membership also enhances your professional visibility within one of the nation’s largest and most active affinity bar associations. Panel attorneys benefit from increased exposure to prospective clients, fellow practitioners, judges, public officials, and community stakeholders.
Annual Panel Fee: $250
To renew your participation or submit a new application, please complete the LRIS Panel Application.
If you have any questions, would like to verify your current panel status, or would like additional information about the program, please feel free to contact us at main@aabany.org.
As Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage (AANHPI) Month wound down, attendees gathered on May 27, 2026 in downtown Manhattan to watch the latest historical trial reenactment produced by the Asian American Bar Association of New York (AABANY) entitled Born American: United States v. Wong Kim Ark.
United States v. Wong Kim Ark, which established birthright citizenship as a Constitutional right in 1898, is AABANY’s 17th trial reenactment. This project brings to life notable cases involving Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders, to spotlight significant ways that AANHPI individuals contributed to the legal, social, and political history of the United States. Reenactments are first performed at the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) Convention in November, then again in May during AANHPI Heritage Month in New York.
AABANY’s latest trial reenactment made its New York debut at Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP. Attendees settled in to watch a cast of 37 characters played by some 17 lawyers, including many AABANY members.
The reenactment had two narrators, who are also the writers, producers, and leaders of the AABANY Trial Reenactment team: Hon. Denny Chin, Senior United States Circuit Judge for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, and Kathy Hirata Chin, a retired Partner of Crowell & Moring LLP and previously a retired Cadwalader Partner.
Other cast members included:
Anna Mercado Clark, Phillips Lytle LLP, Partner and Chief Information Security Officer (past NAPABA President, former AABANY Board Officer)
Vincent T. Chang, Law Clerk for Hon. James d’Auguste, Supreme Court, New York County, Commercial Division (former AABANY President)
Andrew T. Hahn, Hawkins, Delafield & Wood LLP, General Counsel (former AABANY, KALAGNY, and NAPABA President)
Yasuhiro Saito, Saito Law Group PLLC, Managing Partner
Francis H. Chin, Opensity Solutions, Senior Systems Engineer (AABANY Membership Director)
Yang Chen, Asian American Bar Association of New York, Executive Director (former AABANY President)
Pamela K. Chen, United States District Judge, Eastern District of New York
Concepcion A. Montoya, Hinshaw & Culbertson, Partner
Lauren U.Y. Lee, Korean American Family Service Center, Board of Directors; Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP, former Special Counsel
Kiyo A. Matsumoto, Senior United States District Judge, Eastern District of New York
Rose Cuison Villazor, Rutgers Law School, Professor of Law and Chancellor’s Social Justice Scholar
Jacob Chen, DGW Kramer LLP, Litigation Partner
Jane Kim, Wigdor LLP, Partner; former clerk for Hon. Denny Chin
Janicelynn Asamoto Park, Proskauer Rose LLP, Partner; former clerk for Hon. Denny Chin
Jessica C. Wong, Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP, Special Counsel
This reenactment was bookended by the case’s connection to current events. The narrators described President Donald Trump’s January 2025 Executive Order 14160, “Protecting the Meaning and Value of American Citizenship,” which sought to remove birthright citizenship from US-born children of parents who are undocumented or in the country temporarily.
This case follows the story and life of Wong Kim Ark, who was born in San Francisco to Chinese immigrant parents in 1870, one of only 518 ethnic Chinese born in the United States that year. Wong took multiple trips back to China, before returning to America in 1894, at which point he was denied entry on the grounds of not being a citizen.
That denial was appealed all the way to the United States Supreme Court. The question before the Court was whether Wong should follow the citizenship of his parents or of where he was born. The reenactment reconstructed the Supreme Court argument, for which no transcript exists, using the briefs, the resulting court opinions, news reports, and other historical documents. Arguments revolved around whether children born in the U.S. are “subject to the jurisdiction thereof,” under its plain meaning as stated in the Fourteenth Amendment. The original intent of Congress with regard to children born to foreign-born parents, as well as the implications of barring Wong Kim Ark’s birthright citizenship upon existing immigrant communities—European immigrants—and children of other nationalities, were also explored in the reenactment.
United States v. Wong Kim Ark affirmed Wong’s citizenship in a 6-2 decision in 1898, setting a legal precedent for more than a century. The majority ruling held that the 14th Amendment’s “ancient and fundamental rule of citizenship by birth within the territory” and its “peremptory and explicit language” all made Wong an American citizen.
However, Wong’s immigration troubles did not stop there, for either himself or his children. He lived in a time when anti-Chinese sentiment was rampant. Even within the decision itself, Justice John Marshall Harlan, for the dissent, wrote that “There is a race so different from ours that we do not permit those belonging to it to become citizens of the United States.” This captures the discrimination that society had at the time towards Chinese immigrants in America.
The reenactment further explored Wong’s life, as well as his family’s, after the Supreme Court’s ruling. Wong was later arrested in 1901 upon crossing the US-Mexico border, though the case was eventually dismissed—because of United States v. Wong Kim Ark. His four sons, born in China, faced intense scrutiny when they sought to come to the United States seeking citizenship as sons of a U.S. citizen. They faced heightened suspicion and interrogation that stretched over weeks or months of detention and aimed to determine their familial relationship to Wong, a form of scrutiny common to Chinese immigrants in the early 20th century.
The end of the reenactment returned to Trump’s executive order. The many lawsuits and preliminary injunctions that responded to Trump’s January order make frequent reference to United States v. Wong Kim Ark as well-settled precedent for birthright citizenship. The reenactment shares the responses to Trump’s Executive Order, including one from Judge Deborah Boardman in Maryland, who said that the executive order “conflicts with the plain language of the 14th Amendment [and] contradicts 125-year old binding Supreme Court precedent.”
In this context, it becomes vitally important to revisit Wong Kim Ark’s life and times. Amid the prevalence of anti-immigrant rhetoric during the 1890s, United States v. Wong Kim Ark set precedent for generations of immigrants, including Asian Americans, and was reaffirmed throughout a series of 20th century Supreme Court cases, including INS v. Errico, 385 U.S. 214 (1966) and Plyler v. Doe, 457 U.S. 202 (1982).
A discussion panel and Q&A session followed the reenactment, where questions of relevance to current times were at the forefront. Attendees questioned and discussed how America would change if birthright citizenship gets overturned. Mere months ago, the Supreme Court heard oral arguments for Barbara v. Donald J. Trump, the class action against President Trump’s executive order banning birthright citizenship. It was especially enlightening to hear Judge Chin talk about how putting together this reenactment made him understand his own family’s immigration history better and shined a light on often unspoken parts of the Chinese immigrant experience.
The reenactment highlighted the reaction from Wong Kim Ark’s great-grandson Norman Wong. Norman said in an interview for a documentary, “We thought [birthright citizenship] was a dead issue. These were rights we did not have to fight for anymore. It wasn’t something that anybody would have to worry about. … Now I’m glad [my great-grandfather] stood up.”
Following the reenactment, guests and participants enjoyed a networking and dinner reception, which included hors d’oeuvres, a dinner buffet, and a delicious handroll bar. Attendees mingled as they ate, reflecting on the reenactment and congratulating the actors for a job well done.
AABANY’s reenactment of United States v. Wong Kim Ark will be made available on AABANY’s trial reenactment website, where the script and materials can be shared upon request. AABANY’s past trial reenactment scripts are also available upon request. In fact, our most popular reenactment, “The Murder of Vincent Chin,” has been performed over 30 times globally.
We are grateful to all of the participants in the reenactment for dedicating their time to this project. To learn more about the other trial reenactments AABANY has organized, please visit our reenactments website.
On May 23, 2026, the 2026 AAPI 5K took place on the Lower East Side, with around 400 participants running or walking in chilly morning weather in support of good causes. Teams from various companies and non-profit organizations, such as the United Federation of Teachers (UFT), the New York City Fire Department, and Microsoft, ran to raise money for institutions such as the Asian American / Asian Research Institute (AAARI), other non-profit organizations, and Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) small businesses.
The Asian American Bar Association of New York’s (AABANY) Issues Committee and Young Lawyers Committee led the effort in organizing AABANY’s participation in this race. Runners and supporters celebrated AANHPI Heritage Month while raising awareness for the work of various AANHPI nonprofits and small businesses. Team AABANY sought to raise funds for the Asian American Law Fund of New York (AALFNY), which funds Public Interest Scholarships for law students interning with public interest organizations that benefit the AANHPI community as well as helping to fund AABANY’s Pro Bono Clinics and Anti-Asian Violence Task Force.
In the lead-up to the event, AABANY hosted six Sunday Run Days throughout April and May. The weekly runs followed the race course, crossing over the Williamsburg Bridge between Chinatown and Brooklyn.
Though the race took place on a cold and wet morning, Team AABANY persevered. We are proud to share that AABANY member Tiancheng Lyu, an Associate at Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP, took second place overall with a time of 20:36, a 6:38 pace.
Congratulations to all 17 runners in Team AABANY, and thank you for your participation!
Vishal Chander
Victoria Cheng
Melissa Chi
Sherry Huang
Miles Kim
Alexandra Lao
Evelyn Lee
Justin Lee
Rachel Lee
Tiancheng Lyu
May Wong
Robert Wong
Jameson Xu
Kelly Yao
Jaehee Yoo
Jenny Zheng
Meilin Zheng
We are grateful as well to Kevin Hsi and Jack Hsia, Vice Chairs of the Issues Committee, who cheered on Team AABANY throughout the race.
To learn more about the Issues Committee, go here. To learn more about the Young Lawyers Committee, go here.
In observance of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month (AANHPIHM), please join NAPABA on May 19-20, 2026 in Washington, DC for NAPABA’s annual Lobby Day.
At Lobby Day, the NAPABA community travels from across the United States to the Nation’s capital to demonstrate not only the strength of our community, but also to advance the critical issues facing the Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) community with leaders on Capitol Hill. Let’s bring our collective voice to the halls of Congress.
Lobby Day activities and events include:
Training
Hill Visits
Debrief Reception
Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Congressional Reception.
Congressional Reception
NAPABA members and community leaders from across the country will gather from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM ET for a Congressional Reception recognizing Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. The event will bring together Lobby Day participants, members of Congress and their staff, as well as leaders from the AANHPI community.
For the full Lobby Day schedule, click on this link: Schedule
NAPABA Lobby Day Eligibility
Please note that only active NAPABA members or active members of NAPABA affiliates are eligible to participate in Lobby Day. To become a NAPABA member, click here.
For Immediate Release: January 23, 2026 Contact: Rahat N. Babar, Deputy Executive Director
WASHINGTON – The National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) applauds the introduction of the Language Access for All Act of 2026 in Congress. The bill, if enacted, would ensure that all individuals have meaningful access to critical Federal services, regardless of English proficiency.
In March 2025, President Donald Trump revoked Executive Order 13166 and designated English as the official language of the United States. For nearly 25 years, EO 13166 required that every federal agency meet the needs of individuals with limited English proficiency when it delivers critical services. EO 13166 brought the full import of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits entities that receive federal funding from discriminating based on national origin, to life. NAPABA objected to the revocation of EO 13166 at the time and called on Congress to act in response. Following our advocacy efforts, NAPABA welcomes the introduction of the Language Access for All Act of 2026, which would restore the key guarantees of EO 13166.
Language access is particularly important for the Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) community. The majority of the Asian American community are immigrants. Nearly 32% of the community is limited English proficient. The Asian American population is comprised of over 50 different ethnicities and speak over 100 different languages. NAPABA has long championed linguistic access for AANHPI communities in the legal system, including through our groundbreaking report, which highlighted and provided recommendations on the state of language access in federal and state courts and agencies. Every individual deserves access to critical, federally funded services.
NAPABA is grateful to Rep. Grace Meng, the Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, along with Rep. Judy Chu, Rep. Juan Vargas, Rep. Daniel Goldman, for their leadership and introducing the Language Access for All Act of 2026. This action coincides with the anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court’s historic decision in Lau v. Nichols, 414 U.S. 563 (1974), which recognized the right of English learners to participate meaningfully in public school education and served as a catalyst for language access throughout the Nation. We call on Congress to advance this legislation swiftly.
On November 25, 2025, AABANY’s Prosecutors and Student Outreach Committees joined the National Asian Pacific Islander Prosecutors Association (NAPIPA) to host an event called “Pathways to Careers in Government & Justice” at the Kings County District Attorney’s Office. The hybrid program, available in person and via Zoom, brought together law students, early-career professionals, and seasoned public servants for a wide-ranging discussion about what it means to build a career — and answer a calling — within the criminal justice system.
The event opened with a warm welcome and participants enjoyed a delicious spread of food, featuring dumplings, fried rice, chicken wings, and noodles. The event then quickly moved into a dynamic panel conversation featuring prosecutors, judges, court attorneys, and representatives from major government agencies. Each speaker traced their path into public service, revealing how mentorship, curiosity, and unexpected opportunities shaped their careers. The following judges were also in the audience: Hon. Phyllis Chu, Hon. Danny Chun, Hon. Marilyn Go (Ret.), and Hon. Don Leo.
Panelist Hon. Frances Wang (Queens Supreme Court, Criminal Term) described a childhood spent moving across Taiwan, Singapore, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and finally the United States. Adjusting to new cultures, learning English, and navigating unfamiliar schools, she found herself in a third-grade classroom where a teacher told her, “You ask a lot of questions. I think you’d make a good lawyer.” She had never heard the word lawyer before, but the encouragement stayed with her. Years later, that early spark grew into internships, mock trial competitions, prosecutorial work, and eventually a judgeship.
Her story echoed a theme that ran throughout the night: the profound and often quiet influence of mentors (teachers, supervisors, judges) who saw potential long before the speaker did. Many panelists noted that their career trajectories were not linear. They relied on mentors to clarify possibilities they did not know existed, whether in appellate litigation, regulatory enforcement, oversight and investigation, or judicial work.
William Wang (Assistant Attorney General, New York Attorney General’s Office) and Stephanie Pak (Assistant United States Attorney, U.S. Attorney’s Office, Eastern District of New York) and Yi Liu (Senior Counsel, New York City Law Department) offered clear, accessible explanations of their bureaus and divisions, from affirmative litigation to labor and employment matters, and gave students a rare inside look at where public-sector lawyers can make a difference. Phil Hung (Deputy Commissioner, Department of Investigation) described DOI as “the city’s watchdog,” explaining how the agency investigates fraud, waste, abuse, and corruption across virtually every city entity. For many students, it was the first time seeing how interconnected the city’s justice and accountability systems truly are.
Stephanie Quon (Principle Court Attorney, Brooklyn Supreme Court – Criminal Term) described roles that receive less public visibility but are essential to making the courts and prosecutors’ offices function. She explained the intellectual rigor and responsibility that come with drafting decisions, researching complex legal issues, and supporting judges in high-stakes cases ranging from violent felonies to gang conspiracy, fraud, and bias-motivated crimes.
Grace Vee (Assistant District Attorney, Manhattan District Attorney’s Office) shared her journey to becoming an Assistant District Attorney, which started from a brief externship at the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office while she was still in college. What began as a two-week externship quickly became a defining experience. She spoke about how impressed she was by the dedication of the prosecutors, the sense of mission in the office, and the profound public service component of the work.
That early exposure stayed with her. She went on to law school, determined to return to the Manhattan DA’s Office, and she did. Grace became an Assistant District Attorney and remained in the role for 30 years (just recently celebrating her 30th anniversary at the Manhattan DA’s Office), building a long, distinguished career grounded in community protection, ethical prosecution, and public trust. Her story demonstrated that the spark of public service can begin early, but its longevity is sustained by commitment, discipline, and a deep belief in the work. During Grace’s description of her journey, she thanked Judge Marilyn Go, also in attendance in the audience, as her mentor and role model. This moment was especially moving, showing how mentorship has passed on and created a lasting legacy of service within the legal community.
Grace’s narrative resonated particularly strongly with students, showing how a single moment — an externship, a mentor’s encouragement, a first exposure to courtroom advocacy — can set the foundation for a meaningful career.
Across all these narratives, one message stood out: there is no single path into public service, but every path requires integrity, courage, and a willingness to step forward.
As the conversation deepened, several speakers reflected on the unique role of Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) attorneys in public-sector positions. They underscored that representation matters not only for visibility, but for trust. Many communities remain fearful or skeptical of government institutions; seeing people with shared histories and cultural understanding in these roles can make the legal system feel more accessible. Public-sector lawyers often become bridges between communities and the courts, between fear and understanding, between wrongdoing and accountability.
The panelists’ honesty about the pressures of the work, whether in sentencing decisions, overseeing investigations, or handling trauma-heavy prosecutions, imbued the discussion with realism and deep humanity. Their candor also reaffirmed that commitment to public service, despite its difficulty, remains a powerful way to shape the world with purpose.
A Visit from Brooklyn DA Eric Gonzalez: A Call to Serve
Midway through the evening, Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez stopped by to offer words that many attendees described as especially moving. He spoke frankly about the critical need for representation in public service, drawing on his own background as a Latino community member and prosecutor.
He emphasized that the justice system needs attorneys who reflect the diverse communities of New York, especially in moments of heightened distrust. “People are really afraid of government,” he said, noting that this fear is prevalent across Asian, Latino, Caribbean, and Black communities. DA Gonzalez emphasized that increased representation and participation of more minority community members would help address this issue.
DA Gonzalez stressed that losing talented young lawyers to the private sector would have consequences far beyond the walls of a single office. The public, he reminded everyone, depends on committed public servants who can build trust and foster accountability. His message was both caution and encouragement: stay, serve, and know that your presence matters.
Thank You to the Prosecutors Committee, Student Outreach Committee, Panelists, and the Kings County District Attorney’s Office.
What distinguished this event was the sincerity running through every story, every piece of advice, and every reflection. The speakers did not simply outline career paths; they opened windows into the human experience of being a public servant. They spoke about challenges and doubts, but also about the moments that reaffirmed why they chose this work.
Hearing about the speakers’ individual stories made students and attendees realize that they could do it too, and witnessing their dedication, passion, and commitment to their jobs firsthand was definitely impactful. During the networking hour that followed, attendees lingered to ask questions, seek mentorship, and connect with speakers. It was clear that the event created not only opportunities, but possibilities.
AABANY extends its deepest gratitude to the Kings County District Attorney’s Office, NAPIPA, DA Eric Gonzalez, the moderators, panelists, and all attendees. Pathways to Careers in Government & Justice illuminated the rich landscape of public-sector careers and reminded aspiring attorneys why representation, integrity, and service matter.
We look forward to continuing programs that uplift emerging leaders and strengthen the pipeline of dedicated AAPI public servants across New York.
To learn more about the Prosecutors Committee at AABANY, click here.
To learn more about the Student Outreach Committee at AABANY, click here.
Contact: Rahat N. Babar, Deputy Executive Director
WASHINGTON — On the day before Thanksgiving, blocks from the offices of the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA), an individual shot two members of the National Guard. Army Specialist Sarah Beckstrom, 20, tragically succumbed to her injuries on Thanksgiving Day, and Air Force Staff Sergeant Andrew Wolfe, 24, remains in critical condition. NAPABA mourns the loss of Specialist Beckstrom and extends our deepest condolences to her family, friends, and colleagues. We are holding Sergeant Wolfe, his loved ones, and the military community in our thoughts as he undergoes critical care.
We unequivocally condemn this horrific act of violence. Though a full investigation is pending, government officials revealed that the alleged perpetrator, who is now detained and faces criminal charges, arrived in the United States in 2021 from Afghanistan through a federal resettlement program.
The views from leaders at all levels play a powerful role in shaping how communities such as asylum seekers, refugees, and immigrants are understood. The criminal acts of one individual should not be used to paint an entire community, especially those who have sought protection from this Nation. Casting aspersions does nothing to advance public discourse, and instead, it serves to fuel hate, a fact that is all too familiar to the Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander community.
The United States has taken on an obligation under domestic and international law to provide refuge to those fleeing persecution. This has particular resonance with the Asian American community. Nearly three million refugees from Southeast Asia fled conflicts in the 1970s, and new generations have arrived since. The protections offered by the United States as a leading signatory to the International Refugee Convention and 1967 Protocol are critical to uphold.
Countless numbers of Asian Americans and others throughout history fled persecution for a better life in the United States. We need not turn our back on history or the generations seeking refuge. NAPABA has consistently supported the refugee resettlement program and this Nation’s long history of welcoming those seeking the protections of our country.
WASHINGTON — The National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) proudly congratulates Eric Tung on his confirmation to the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. His elevation to the federal appellate bench marks a significant achievement—both for Eric Tung and for the Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) legal community.
“We are pleased to see Judge Tung ascend to the Ninth Circuit,” said NAPABA President Joseph Yao. “His extensive record as a public servant, appellate litigator, and former Department of Justice official demonstrates a deep commitment to the administration of justice. Having qualified AANHPI attorneys in lifetime judicial roles helps ensure our judiciary reflects the diversity of our nation and benefits from the full range of talent in our community.”
Eric Tung is a partner in the Los Angeles office of Jones Day, where he focuses on appeals and motions practice in commercial litigation. He has briefed and argued matters in federal and state courts nationwide, including the Ninth Circuit, D.C. Circuit, Seventh Circuit, Florida Supreme Court, and the California Court of Appeals. His clients span a range of industries, including telecommunications, energy, banking, real estate, construction, entertainment, and digital currency.
“Judge Tung is the first AANHPI nominated and confirmed during President Trump’s second term,” said Priya Purandare, Executive Director of NAPABA. “Judge Tung joins the bench at a time when representation of AANHPI jurists on the federal bench remains a vital goal for NAPABA. During his first term, President Trump confirmed 13 AANHPI Article III judges. We look forward to continuing our work to advance AANHPI representation on the federal judiciary.”
Eric Tung previously served as an Assistant United States Attorney in the Central District of California and held positions at the U.S. Department of Justice in Washington, D.C., including serving as a Bristow Fellow in the Office of the Solicitor General. He also clerked for U.S. Supreme Court Justices Neil M. Gorsuch and the late Antonin Scalia.
NAPABA thanks President Trump for the nomination and the U.S. Senate for confirming him swiftly.
At the NAPABA Convention, you’ll experience unmatched opportunities to grow, connect, and be inspired. On Friday, November 7, join NAPABA for a plenary session featuring trailblazing leaders who will examine the key issues shaping the future of the legal profession.
This year’s plenary will spotlight the Portrait Project, NAPABA’s groundbreaking study of Asian Americans in the law, and offer candid insights on how the legal community can advance representation and leadership in a time of change.
Don’t miss this chance to hear directly from Justice Goodwin Liu, Sandra Leung, Kalpana Srinivasan, and Professor Ajay K. Mehrotra as they unpack the Portrait Project and share perspectives on the challenges facing our profession.
Secure your spot today—add this a la carte session to your Convention registration and be part of this vital conversation.
Sandra Leung Executive Vice President and General Counsel (ret.), Bristol-Myers Squibb Company
Professor Ajay K. Mehrotra Moderator Northwestern Pritzker School of Law
Diversity and inclusion efforts are facing mounting pressure. Across the nation, they face legal and political challenges across the board, whether in the government sector, the private sector, or on university campuses. The legal profession has not escaped the backlash. In its wake, the Portrait Project, supported by the American Bar Foundation and the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA), provides invaluable perspectives. It explores critical empirical research to explain why the Asian American legal community continues to face persistent barriers to advancement and endure underrepresentation in the top ranks of the profession.
NAPABA works to achieve optimal representation and visibility of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) attorneys in every facet and level of the legal field and beyond. But how do we pursue this goal in the current polarized atmosphere, where employee resource groups and affinity organizations face enormous pressures and where employers are wavering on commitments to diversity, equity, and inclusion? Join us for a lively conversation with the architects of the Portrait Project and leaders of the legal profession to hear what the latest data tells us about the state of AANHPIs in the profession. Discover how their findings can cut through the heated political rhetoric to show a better understanding of the factors that have contributed to attrition and retention, and the policies and practices that can boost representation at the leadership levels.
Military & Veteran Service Award
During the Plenary Luncheon, we will also be recognizing this year’s Military & Veteran Service Awardee. This award honors NAPABA members who have served in the United States Armed Forces and demonstrated exceptional dedication to advancing justice, supporting service members and veterans, and strengthening our community.
Congressman Ted W. Lieu (CA-36) U.S. House of Representatives
Applications are now open for NAPABA’s Leadership Advancement Program. This experiential program provides Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) attorneys a unique opportunity to develop and harness their leadership style and foster deep and lasting connections with their peers, including both in-house counsel and law firm attorneys.
This exclusive, year-long experience is designed to transform rising AANHPI attorneys into bold, confident leaders.
This isn’t just another leadership program—it’s your chance to:
Discover your leadership style, sharpen your strengths, and understand your weaknesses
Master the art of communication, listening, and influence
Overcome challenges with confidence and strategic thinking
Connect with 24 peers who will become your advisors, champions, and lifelong community
This is YOUR time. If you’re ready to lead with purpose and power, don’t wait! Spots are limited so take the first step into becoming the leader you’re meant to be by submitting your application.
The program is designed for developing mid-career AANHPI attorney leadership skills. Enrollment in the program is limited to 24 participants, with an even balance between IHC and law firm attorneys. All NAPABA members are encouraged to apply, although the selection committee will focus on the following criteria this year:
Law firm candidates: preference for candidates with between six and 10 years of experience.
In-house candidates: preference for a minimum of three to four years of IHC experience, with six to 10 years of overall practice experience.
