NAPABA NAMES HAMRE, SCHUMANN, MUELLER & LARSON AND PERKINS COIE AS ITS 2014 LAW FIRM DIVERSITY AWARD RECIPIENTS
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 28, 2014
Contact: Azizah Ahmad
(202) 775-9555
WASHINGTON – The National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) has named Hamre, Schumann, Mueller & Larson, P.C. and Perkins Coie LLP as the 2014 Law Firm Diversity Award recipients. NAPABA created the Law Firm Diversity Award to recognize law firms that actively, affirmatively, consistently, and enthusiastically recruit, retain, and promote Asian Pacific American lawyers to equity partnership and firm leadership. The awards will be presented at the NAPABA Anniversary Gala and Installation Banquet on November 8, 2014, at the Westin Kierland Resort & Spa in Scottsdale, Arizona.
Hamre, Schumann, Mueller & Larson, P.C. (HSML) is a full service intellectual property law firm based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. HSML prides itself on its diverse staff, with 80 percent of its associates and one of its five principals being of Asian descent. HSML attorneys Alex Kim and Bryan Wong are both past-presidents of the Minnesota Asian Pacific American Bar Association.
Perkins Coie LLP has more than 950 lawyers in offices in the U.S. and Asia. Perkins Coie has been honored by several organizations for its commitment to diversity and inclusion, including the American Bar Association, Asian American Bar Association of New York, and Women in Law Empowerment Forum. Perkins Coie senior counsel Paul O. Hiorse is a NAPABA past-president and partner Audra Mori currently serves as the NAPABA Central California Regional Governor.
NAPABA is proud to name Hamre, Schumann, Mueller & Larson, P.C. and Perkins Coie LLP as the 2014 Law Firm Diversity Award recipients and applauds their continued commitment to diversity and inclusion in the legal profession.
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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 40,000 attorneys and approximately 70 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.
The 2014 AABANY Fall Conference was held at the offices of Morgan Lewis in New York City on September 20, 2014. During this lunch session, AABANY honored U.S. Magistrate Judge Marilyn Dolan Go, recipient of the Norman Lau Kee Trailblazer Award; and Perkins Coie LLP, recipient of the Law Firm Diversity Award. Helen Wan, author of “The Partner Track” (now in paperback), spoke about her law firm experiences.
To see more about our Fall Conference 2014: Empowering Unity and Progress, click here.
(Source: https://www.youtube.com/)
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Thank you to all those who attended our Fifth Annual Fall Conference: Empowering Unity and Progress, hosted at Morgan Lewis on September 20, 2014.
With over 300 people registered, the full day of CLE programs and Trial Advocacy Program (hosted at Alston & Bird LLP) were highly informative, productive, and engaging with truly something for everyone. We had panels addressing topics from Asian Americans in the Civil Rights Movement to How to Make it Rain and Keep It Raining. The invite-only In-House Counsel and Judicial Forums provided productive environments for candid discussion.
Gurinder Singh, Vice President of Programs and Operations, kicked off the lunch session by introducing Brad Edmister, Partner at Morgan Lewis, who offered welcoming remarks on behalf of the firm. At the lunch, we were excited to present our inaugural awards. We were honored to present the inaugural Norman Lau Kee Trailblazer Award to Hon. Marilyn Go and the inaugural Law Firm Diversity Award to Perkins Coie LLP.
Executive Director Yang Chen presented the Norman Lau Kee Trailblazer award, recognizing Norman Lau Kee who was present at the event, and then introducing Judge Go. When accepting her award, Judge Go spoke on the importance of being at right place at the right time, most notably on how expectations of Asian Americans have shaped her personal journey and the most opportune times to break barriers. As a trailblazer in the Asian American legal community, she is the first Asian American female to serve as a federal judge and is a founding member of AABANY.
President Clara Ohr presented the Law Firm Diversity Award and introduced Dennis Hopkins, Partner at Perkins Coie, who accepted the Law Firm Diversity Award on behalf of the firm. Dennis remarked on how Perkins is perceived as a leader, but noted humbly that they are “just doing what they should do” and are glad to be receiving acknowledgment.
Gurinder then introduced Helen Wan who spoke about her book The Partner Track and she too spoke of Asian Americans in law, specifically navigating the corporate world. Copies of her just-released paperback edition of her book were available for purchase at the event, and many attendees took the opportunity to pick up a copy and have it inscribed by Helen.
President-elect Will Wang offered closing remarks at the lunch. He reminded everyone to save the date for the 2015 Annual Dinner, to be held on February 25 at Cipriani Wall Street.
We hope all those who attended the Cocktail Reception and Committee Dinners enjoyed some well-deserved refreshment in some good company. We were happy to welcome 185 attendees at the Cocktail Reception hosted one block away at Park Avenue Tavern.
This year, there were five Committee Dinners hosted: Government Service & Public Interest/Litigation/Labor and Employment/Young Lawyers Committees Dinner at Aperitivo; In-House Counsel at Izakaya NoMad; Real Estate and Small & Solo Firm Practice Committees at Cibo; Intellectual Property Comittee at Radiance Tea House and Fine Asian Cuisine; and Tax and Bankruptcy & Restructuring Committees at Capital Grille.
We thank all those who made the day possible: Brad Edmister, Morgan Lewis staff, moderators and panelists, our sponsors for their continuing support, honorees, Helen Wan for speaking, volunteers, and especially you for attending.
PRESS RELEASE: Perkins Coie LLP to Receive Inaugural Law Firm Diversity Award from Asian American Bar Association of New York
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 18, 2014
Contact: Yang Chen, Executive Director
(718) 228-7206
NEW YORK – September 18, 2014 – The Asian American Bar Association of New York (“AABANY”) is proud to announce that Perkins Coie LLP will receive its inaugural Law Firm Diversity Award at the Fifth Annual AABANY Fall Conference, which will take place at the New York office of Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP on September 20, 2014.
AABANY established this award to recognize a law firm with an extraordinary commitment to diversity, evidenced in part by a formal diversity plan that has achieved demonstrable success in the recruitment, retention, and promotion of women and minority attorneys, and also by a firm’s active participation in minority bar associations and other external diversity initiatives.
According to AABANY President, Clara Ohr, “We selected Perkins Coie LLP to receive our Law Firm Diversity Award from a field of very strong candidates because of their (i) strong numbers of women and minority partners; (ii) goal-oriented and systematic diversity plan, which not only monitors the hours and assignments of women and minority attorneys on a monthly basis to ensure their continued development, but also considers individual diversity and inclusion efforts with respect to partner compensation; and (iii) consistent financial and personnel support of multiple minority bar associations. Perkins Coie’s innovative practices have left an impressive footprint in establishing a broad pipeline of diverse talent that could serve as a useful roadmap for other law firms to consider. AABANY congratulates and thanks Perkins Coie for its impressive efforts.”
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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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News from NAPABA: Perkins Coie Diversity Fellowship
During the summer of 2014, many Perkins Coie offices will offer a 1L Diversity Fellowship to students who have completed one year of law school. These fellowships provide students with a paid summer associate position and a $7,500 academic scholarship that is paid at the completion of the summer program.
More information on participating offices, eligibility, and application deadlines can be found at this link: http://bit.ly/ID30xb.