Tag: press release

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NAPABA Supports Congressional Effort to Honor Chinese American Veterans

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For Immediate Release
Aug. 1, 2017

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

WASHINGTON — The National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) endorses the Chinese American World War II Veterans Congressional Gold Medal Act introduced by Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Senator Thad Cochran (R-Miss.), Congressman Ed Royce (R-Calif.-39), and Congressman Ted Lieu (D-Calif.-33). This bipartisan bill formally recognizes the thousands of Chinese Americans who fought alongside fellow Americans during World War II with the Congressional Gold Medal. In a letter shared with Congress, NAPABA highlighted how “Chinese Americans, both men and women, played a significant role for the United States in the Second World War… For over half a century, Chinese Americans have gone unrecognized for their courage and selfless sacrifice. NAPABA has supported similar legislation in the past and unequivocally endorses this legislation to finally grant Chinese World War II veterans the honor they deserve for their courage and valor.”

NAPABA encourages Members of Congress to join their colleagues in co-sponsoring this Bill to honor our veterans. By supporting this legislation, NAPABA acknowledges the importance of promoting equity and justice for Asian Pacific Americans. NAPABA thanks Senators Duckworth and Shelby, and Congressman Royce for their leadership in raising awareness of the sacrifices that Chinese Americans have made for the United States.

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 over 80 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).

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

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AABANY and KALAGNY Congratulate Andrew T. Hahn, Sr. as New York Law Journal Distinguished Leadership Award Honoree

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 27, 2017

NEW YORK – July 27, 2017 – The Korean American Lawyers Association of Greater New York (“KALAGNY”) and the Asian American Bar Association of New York (“AABANY”) congratulate Andrew T. Hahn, Sr. on being named a 2017 Distinguished Leadership honoree by the New York Law Journal, the most circulated legal periodical in the U.S.  This honor is a part of the New York Law Journal’s Professional Excellence Awards event, which recognizes outstanding attorneys and judges every year. The Distinguished Leadership award honors lawyers whose leadership skills have proven to be exceptional in their effectiveness and the inspiration they provide to others. Mr. Hahn and the other Distinguished Leadership honorees will be featured in a special section of the New York Law Journal and honored at a dinner at Tribeca Rooftop on October 17, 2017.

A partner at Duane Morris LLP, Mr. Hahn is an experienced litigator who has been named a Top Attorney in the New York Metro Area and is “top-rated” by Super Lawyers.  Focusing on commercial litigation matters involving contract disputes, franchising, insurance and software licensing matters, Mr. Hahn has also provided his expertise in class actions relating to products liability and toxic torts, securities, antitrust, bankruptcy and banking. Over the years, Mr. Hahn has served as President of the National Asian and Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) and as Chairman of KALAGNY, and has also served as AABANY’s Judiciary Committee Chair, Board Director, and in 2004, served as AABANY’s President.  Mr. Hahn has previously been recognized as a “Top 100 Under 50” Diverse Executive Leader by Diversity MBA Magazine, and received KALAGNY’s Trailblazer Award in 2008.

As a Korean-American who has practiced in the legal profession for over 30 years, including within the military and in private practice, Mr. Hahn has witnessed various forms of open and implicit discrimination in the workplace and in the Courts.  Throughout his career, he has promoted diversity at every opportunity, working to dismantle stereotypes and eradicate glass ceilings on the way to the ultimate goal of fair treatment of each individual.

“KALAGNY takes great pride in its nomination of Andy Hahn for the New York Law Journal’s Distinguished Leadership Award,” states KALAGNY President Karen Kim, “and we welcome this opportunity to celebrate Andy’s extraordinary ability to lead and inspire.  Andy has been involved with KALAGNY since its inception and continues to share his time, expertise and guidance with our organization.  We congratulate him whole-heartedly on being a Distinguished Leadership honoree and thank him for his devotion to the legal profession, KALAGNY and the greater community.”

“AABANY is proud of Andy Hahn for this well-deserved recognition,” states AABANY President Dwight Yoo. “AABANY, its members and the community have all benefited from Andy’s leadership over the years, and we are excited and pleased that the New York Law Journal has recognized his contributions as a leader in the profession with the Distinguished Leadership Award.”

                                               

For more information, please contact Karen Kim, KALAGNY President, at (212) 545-1900, or direct any inquiries to [email protected]. You may also contact Yang Chen, AABANY Executive Director, at (212) 332-2478, or direct any inquiries to [email protected].

About KALAGNY

The Korean American Lawyers Association of Greater New York (KALAGNY) is a professional membership organization of attorneys and law students concerned about issues affecting the Korean American community in greater New York.  Incorporated in 1986, KALAGNY seeks to encourage the professional growth of its members as well as provide legal support for the Korean American community.  

To achieve these goals, KALAGNY provides its members with training and resources useful for professional advancement; expands access by Korean Americans in greater New York to legal services and education; and provides a forum for the expression of opinions concerning social, political, economic, legal and other issues of concern to our members.  KALAGNY is a New York regional affiliate of the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA).

Additional information about KALAGNY is available at http://www.kalagny.org/

Follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/kalagny

Find us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/groups/kalagny/

Find us on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/in/kalagny

About AABANY

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 a New York regional affiliate of the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA).

Additional information about AABANY is available at www.aabany.org

Follow our blog at www.blog.aabany.org

Follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/aabany

Find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/aabany

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AABANY Congratulates Ona Wang on Her Historic Appointment to the Bench for the Southern District of New York

AABANY Congratulates Ona Wang on Her Historic Appointment to the Bench for the Southern District of New York

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 26, 2017

Contact: Yang Chen, Executive Director
(212) 332-2478

NEW YORK – July 26, 2017 –  The Asian American Bar Association of New York (“AABANY”) congratulates Ona T. Wang on being appointed a United States Magistrate Judge for the Southern District of New York.  Ms. Wang is the first Asian American to be appointed a magistrate judge in the Southern District of New York.

A partner at Baker Hostetler, Ona Wang has broad litigation experience in civil, criminal and regulatory matters. Ms. Wang has been deeply involved in complex litigation involving high-profile cases, with a particular focus in the past several years on the Bernard L. Madoff Investment Securities Liquidation and the Michael Kenwood receivership cases in the District of Connecticut. She serves as the Vice Chair of the firm’s Pro Bono Committee and is an active member of the New York office’s Diversity Committee and Women’s Committee.

As a volunteer with the Equal Justice Initiative, she represented inmates on death row in Alabama, seeking clemency in state and federal courts and litigating death penalty cases at all levels. In the past three years, she partnered with the Southern Poverty Law Center, the ACLU of Pennsylvania, and most recently with the Human Rights Campaign and the Immigrants’ Rights Project of the national ACLU.

Ms. Wang is an active member of AABANY and currently serves as a co-chair of the Litigation Committee. Since 2003, Ms. Wang has been an active member in both the American Bar Association and the New York City Bar Association, having served in multiple committees for each. Since its inception in 2000, she has served as a member of the Federal Bar Council American Inn of Court, and most recently as a Master. As a deeply involved member of her local community, she has represented Team New York Aquatics, New York City’s LGBT+ aquatics team, at various national and international water polo tournaments and competed as an individual and relay swimmer in the International Gay Lesbian Aquatics Championships and the Gay Games and subsequently served as a volunteer coach and manager for the team from 2005 through 2010.

“As is apparent from her long track record of involvement in her legal and local communities, Ona Wang is a dedicated and highly qualified candidate to serve as a magistrate judge in the Southern District of New York,” stated Dwight Yoo, President of AABANY. “Her experience as an accomplished litigator, coupled with her dedication to social justice, will serve her well as she serves the federal Court. We also recognize the historic nature of her appointment, diversifying the bench of one of the oldest and most venerable courts in the nation’s history.”

Ms. Wang received an A.B. cum laude from Harvard-Radcliffe Colleges, a Ph.D. in zoology from Duke University, and a J.D. cum laude from the New York University School of Law, where she served as a Staff Editor and Executive Editor for the N.Y.U. Review of Law & Social Change and as a research assistant for the Equal Justice Initiative. Upon graduation, Ms. Wang commenced her legal career as a law clerk for the Honorable Deborah A. Batts in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York. Following her clerkship, she worked as a litigation associate at the law firm of Kirkland & Ellis LLP. In 2003, Ms. Wang joined the law firm of Baker Hostetler LLP as a litigation associate and was quickly elevated to partner in 2006.

For more information, please contact Yang Chen, AABANY Executive Director, at (212) 332-2478, 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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Additional information about AABANY is available at www.aabany.org

Follow our blog at www.blog.aabany.org

Follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/aabany

Find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/aabany

Find us on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/in/aabany

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NAPABA Congratulates BJay Pak on Nomination to be the United States Attorney for the Northern District of Georgia

For Immediate Release
July 24, 2017

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

WASHINGTON — On Friday, July 21, President Trump announced the nomination of Byung J. “BJay” Pak to be the United States Attorney for the Northern District of Georgia. If confirmed, Pak would be the first Asian Pacific American to hold this position.

“We congratulate BJay Pak on his nomination to serve as the United States Attorney for the Northern District of Georgia,” said Cyndie M. Chang, president of the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA). “A respected community member and experienced attorney with a record of leadership in government and in private practice, Mr. Pak has more than demonstrated his ability to lead the U.S. Attorney’s office.”

A longtime member of the Asian Pacific American legal community, Mr. Pak has served on the board of the Georgia Asian Pacific American Bar Association, a NAPABA affiliate, and was a former chair of the NAPABA Government Enforcement and Compliance Committee. He has also spoken on legal education courses sponsored by NAPABA and is a recipient of the NAPABA Best Under 40 Award.

An experienced litigator and former prosecutor, Mr. Pak is currently a partner at Chambers Pak Burch & Adams LLC, where he focuses on complex litigation. Previously, he was an assistant U.S. attorney in the Northern District of Georgia for six years, a partner at Ballard Spahr LLP and Schiff Harding LLP, and an associate at Alston & Bird LLP. Mr. Pak also served in the Georgia House or Representatives.

Mr. Pak clerked for Judge Richard Mills of the U.S. District Court for the Central District of Illinois. He received his B.B.A. from Stetson University in 1995 and his J.D., summa cum laude, from University of Illinois College of Law in 1998.

NAPABA commends President Trump for announcing the nomination of Byung J. “BJay” Pak to serve as the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Georgia.

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 over 80 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).

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

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NAPABA HIGHLIGHTS: The Portrait Project: A Portrait of Asian Americans in the Law

For Immediate Release
July 18, 2017 

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

WASHINGTON —
Asian Americans have been the fastest-growing minority group in the
legal profession for the past three decades, but they have made only
limited progress in reaching the top ranks of the profession, according
to a new report released today by the National Asian Pacific American
Bar Association and Yale Law School.

The report, titled A Portrait of Asian Americans in the Law, is the first-ever comprehensive study of Asian Americans in the legal profession.

According
to the study, there are over 50,000 Asian American lawyers today,
compared to 10,000 in 1990. Asian Americans comprise almost 5 percent of
lawyers in America and roughly 7 percent of law school enrollment.
Asian Americans are the largest minority group in big law firms, but
they have the highest attrition rates and the lowest ratio of partners
to associates.

Asian
Americans comprise 3 percent of federal judges and 2 percent of state
judges, compared to nearly 6 percent of the U.S. population. Only three
out of 94 U.S. Attorneys in 2016 were Asian American, and only four out
of 2,437 elected district attorneys nationwide in 2014 were Asian
American.

The
two-year study — authored by California Supreme Court Justice Goodwin
H. Liu, recent Yale law graduates Eric Chung, Xiaonan April Hu and
Christine Kwon, and Yale law postgraduate associate Samuel Dong —
included a dozen focus groups and a national survey of over 600 Asian
American lawyers.

The
survey revealed that Asian Americans identify lack of access to mentors
and contacts as a primary barrier to career advancement. They also
report being perceived as careful and hard-working, but not assertive or
creative. “Whereas Asian Americans are regarded as having the ‘hard
skills’ required for lawyerly competence, they are regarded as lacking
many important ‘soft skills,’” the study found. More than half of the
Asian American lawyers surveyed said they “sometimes” or “often”
experience implicit discrimination in the workplace.

“Our
study shows that Asian Americans have a foot in the door in every
sector the legal profession,” said Justice Liu. “The question now is how
wide the door will swing open. Despite much progress, Asian Americans
still face significant obstacles to reaching the leadership ranks.”

“The
Portrait Project shines a light on the obstacles and challenges faced
by Asian American lawyers every day,” said Cyndie M. Chang, president of
the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association. “While incredible
strides have been made over the past 25 years, much work remains to be
done to push past the stigmas and assumptions associated with Asian
Americans. The insights gleaned from this report will unquestionably lay
the groundwork for the road ahead.”

“This
project is timely and important — a must-read for anyone who teaches or
practices law,” said Heather Gerken, dean and Sol & Lillian Goldman
professor of law at Yale Law School. “Justice Liu is a trailblazer, and
it’s a testament to him that he is trying to ensure that other Asian
Americans have a chance to pursue their dreams going forward.”

“This
path-breaking project literally changes the face of Asian American law.
For too many centuries, Asian Americans have been the objects, not the
subjects, of American law: victims and litigants, not activists,
lawyers, or judges,” said Harold Hongju Koh, Sterling professor of
international law at Yale Law School and former legal adviser of the
U.S. Department of State. “This indispensable report finally provides
the facts behind the stereotypes, the deeply felt feelings behind the
faces.”

“The
Portrait Project provides important and necessary data on the advances
and areas for further improvement for Asian Americans in the legal
profession,” said Michelle K. Lee, former undersecretary of commerce and
director of U.S. Patent and Trade Office. “Much progress has been made,
but much work remains ahead. Particularly noteworthy are the
differences highlighted by the data along gender lines, which illustrate
the challenges faced by Asian Americans in the legal profession are
even more pronounced for Asian American women.”

“This
first-ever study of its kind is significant not only for its breadth
and the insights it provides on the so-called ‘bamboo ceiling’ in the
legal profession, but also because it provides a roadmap for how Asian
American attorneys can continue to break through and advance within the
profession,” said Ivan K. Fong, senior vice president and general
counsel of 3M, and former general counsel of the U.S. Department of
Homeland Security.

“This
new empirical study is a significant contribution to our understanding
of the challenges faced by Asian Americans in the legal profession,”
said Ajay K. Mehrotra, director of the American Bar Foundation and
professor of law at Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law. “It
is only by first identifying the factors that have impeded the long-term
leadership success of Asian Americans that we can find potential
solutions to this vexing problem.”

“The
Portrait Project has confirmed the existence of the bamboo ceiling. It
also shows that the future success of the Asian American legal community
requires more leadership and mentoring,” said Don Liu, executive vice
president and chief legal officer of Target Corp. “The study will be
tremendously helpful in removing the professional obstacles that exist
for Asian American lawyers.”

“The
Portrait Project not only points out the flaws of the hiring and
promotion system of workplaces toward Asian Americans, but also shows
what Asian Americans can do to succeed,” said Bijal Vakil, partner,
White & Case. “Change requires both mentoring Asian American lawyers
on strategies to effectively navigate the status quo of law firms in a
manner as personally authentic as possible and to continue pressuring
law firm leaders for inclusive leadership.”

For more information, the media may contact Brett Schuster, NAPABA communications manager, 202-775-9555, [email protected]. Questions about the study may be sent to [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 over 80 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.

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 Honors the Legacy of Vincent Chin 35 Years after His Death


News Release

For Immediate Release
June 19, 2017

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

NAPABA Honors the Legacy of Vincent Chin 35 Years after His Death

WASHINGTON — The National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) commemorates the 35th anniversary of the murder of Vincent Chin. On June 19, 1982, Vincent Chin was beaten in a xenophobic attack during a wave of anti-Japanese sentiment and died a few days later. Vincent Chin’s death and his killers’ lenient sentences marked a turning point in Asian Pacific American civil rights advocacy in the United States.

“Vincent Chin’s murder inspired a generation of Asian Pacific American community leaders and lawyers to join an inclusive movement for civil rights,” said NAPABA President Cyndie M. Chang. “His death and subsequent trial underscored the importance of the Asian Pacific American community standing together in the fight against racism and advocating in the courts. We must continue to build on this legacy by continuing to oppose hate and xenophobia in all forms.”

Chin’s murder and the sentences of his killers highlighted the lack of a strong national voice for Asian Pacific Americans in the legal sector. Recognizing the need to establish such representation, NAPABA was founded in 1988 to give voice to values of justice, equity, and opportunity for Asian Pacific Americans. Since that time, NAPABA has been strongly committed to civil rights advocacy. With the current rise in hate crimes targeting diverse communities, NAPABA hopes that the historic weight of Chin’s case serves as a persistent reminder of the importance of protecting and advocating for civil rights.

NAPABA honors Vincent Chin’s memory and the continued legacy of advocacy that emerged in the wake of his death.

For more information, the media may contact Brett Schuster, NAPABA communications manager, at202-775-9555 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 more than 80 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).

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

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Press Release: AABANY Congratulates Board Member Lawrence Wee on Receiving Award as One of the Outstanding 50 Asian Americans in Business

Press Release: AABANY Congratulates Board Member Lawrence Wee on Receiving Award as One of the Outstanding 50 Asian Americans in Business

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 8, 2017

Contact: Yang Chen, Executive Director
(212) 332-2478

NEW YORK – June 8, 2017 – The Asian American Bar Association of New York (“AABANY”) congratulates Board Member Lawrence Wee on receiving one of the 2017 Outstanding 50 Asian Americans in Business award from the Asian American Business Development Center (“AABDC”). This esteemed honor recognizes Asian American individuals who have achieved success across different professions. The presentation of the award will take place on Tuesday, June 20, 2017 at Cipriani Wall Street at AABDC’s sixteenth annual gala.

The Outstanding 50 Asian Americans in Business Awards Gala Dinner, first established in 2001 by AABDC, has remained the only forum to highlight the achievements of Asian American business professionals across the United States. The award recipients represent a microcosm of the best of Asian American entrepreneurs, professionals, and corporate executives who are engaged in a wide range of business interests, and all of whom have a role in driving the U.S. economy. Several distinguished AABANY members have previously received this honor, including Immediate Past President Susan Shin and former Immigration & Nationality Law Committee Co-Chair Tsui Yee.

A partner in the Corporate Department and a member of the Capital Markets and Securities Group at Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison, LLP, Lawrence G. Wee focuses on capital markets and finance transactions and securities regulation. Larry is recognized by Chambers and The Legal 500 as a leading capital markets lawyer and by BTI Consulting Group as a Client Service All-Star. Larry’s practice includes public and private equity offerings, high-yield and investment-grade debt offerings, convertible debt offerings and offerings of asset-backed securities. AABANY is proud to have him serve as both Board Member and Corporate Law Committee Co-Chair.

“We are proud of Larry Wee for being recognized as one of AABDC’s 50 Outstanding Asian Americans in Business in 2017,” stated Executive Director Yang Chen. “Having seen Larry in action as a leader in AABANY for the past few years and knowing of his stellar reputation as a corporate attorney, we commend AABDC on its selection of Larry as an award recipient this year.”

For more information, please contact Yang Chen, AABANY Executive Director, at (212) 332-2478, 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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Additional information about AABANY is available at www.aabany.org

Follow our blog at www.blog.aabany.org

Follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/aabany

Find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/aabany

Find us on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/in/aabany

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Press Release: Arnold & Porter Kaye Scholer and AABANY to Host Panel Discussion with Acting US Attorney Joon Kim, Judge Denny Chin, and Congresswoman Grace Meng

Press Release: Arnold & Porter Kaye Scholer and AABANY to Host Panel Discussion with Acting US Attorney Joon Kim, Judge Denny Chin, and Congresswoman Grace Meng

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 26, 2017

Contact: Yang Chen, Executive Director
(212) 332-2478

NEW YORK – May 26, 2017 – The Asian American Bar Association of New York (“AABANY”) is proud to partner with Arnold & Porter Kaye Scholer for an important discussion celebrating Asian Pacific American (APA) Heritage Month on Tuesday, May 30, 2017 at the New York offices of Arnold & Porter Kaye Scholer. Susan L. Shin, Immediate Past President of AABANY and Partner at Arnold & Porter Kaye Scholer, moderates a discussion from three prominent APAs serving in the Federal government, in the executive, judicial and legislative branches. Hear from these trailblazers what they do, how they got there and how they exemplify AABANY’s theme of “Take Charge; Lead Change” by working for the public good.

“For the Public Good: APA Lawyers Taking Charge and Leading Change” features Acting U.S. Attorney Joon Kim (Southern District of New York), the Honorable Denny Chin (Second Circuit Court of Appeals), and Representative Grace Meng (6th District of New York and Vice Chair of the Democratic National Committee). We anticipate a large turnout as over 200 people have registered for this event.

“We are excited to be hosting Acting U.S. Attorney Joon Kim, Judge Denny Chin and Congresswoman Grace Meng for this stellar panel discussion during APA Heritage Month,” says AABANY Executive Director Yang Chen. “These APA leaders are trailblazers and role models and serve as inspirations to countless attorneys. We look forward to hearing their stories and their insights into public service. We believe that new generations of lawyers will be inspired and moved by them to Take Charge and Lead Change.”

For more information, please contact Yang Chen, AABANY Executive Director, at (212) 332-2478, 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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Additional information about AABANY is available at www.aabany.org

Follow our blog at www.blog.aabany.org

Follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/aabany

Find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/aabany

Find us on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/in/aabany

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Press Release: AABANY Congratulates Justice Jeffrey Oing and Justice Anil Singh on Their Historic Appointment to New York’s Appellate Division First Department

Press Release: AABANY Congratulates Justice Jeffrey Oing and Justice Anil Singh on Their Historic Appointment to New York’s Appellate Division First Department

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 26, 2017

Contact: Yang Chen, Executive Director
(212) 332-2478

NEW YORK – May 26, 2017 – The Asian American Bar Association of New York (“AABANY”) is proud to recognize an historic first for the Appellate Division, First Department of the Supreme Court of the State of New York.   Appointed by Governor Andrew M. Cuomo, Justice Jeffrey Oing and Justice Anil Singh join Justice Peter Tom in the First Department, which now has three Asian Pacific American (“APA”) sitting judges for the first time. We offer our congratulations to these decorated jurists.

Justice Oing was elected in 2003 to serve as a New York City Civil Court Judge. In 2010, he was elected to the Supreme Court of the State of New York, First Judicial District, and assigned to the Commercial Division. He also served as Deputy General Counsel to the New York City Council in 2002 and 2003, and also served as Deputy Director of the New York City Districting Commission. Justice Oing graduated from Columbia College in 1986 and from New York University School of Law in 1989.

Justice Singh was born in India in 1958 and immigrated to the United States in 1976. He becomes the first Indian-American elevated to an appellate court in New York State.  After being elected as a New York City Civil Court Judge in 2002, he was designated an Acting Supreme Court Justice in 2010 and was elected to his current role as a New York State Supreme Court Justice, First Judicial District in  2013. In April 2015, Justice Singh was appointed to the Commercial Division. He graduated from Lawrence University in 1980 and the Antioch School of Law in 1986.

“AABANY commends Governor Cuomo on appointing Justice Oing and Justice Singh to the First Department,” says Dwight Yoo, AABANY President. “During this APA Heritage Month, we honored our newly and recently inducted APA judges as well as retired APA judges at our inaugural Judges’ Reception on May 17, and at that event, Presiding Justice Randall Eng of the Appellate Division, Second Department spoke about the strides that have been made in the past three decades for APA judges in New York. Now less than a week later, we have Justice Oing and Justice Singh joining Justice Tom, with Presiding Justice Acosta at the helm. Diversity on the bench is being strongly reflected on the First Department bench, and we are gratified to be witnessing this historic development firsthand.”

“We join in congratulating Justice Oing and Justice Singh on their appointment by Governor Cuomo,” says Linda Lin, co-chair of AABANY’s Judiciary Committee. “We also wish to recognize Justice Tom on his exemplary service as Acting Presiding Justice, during which time he cleared a significant backlog of cases despite having limited resources. We thank Justice Tom for his dedication and commitment to public service, and we congratulate Presiding Justice Rolando Acosta on his appointment.”

Governor Cuomo designated Associate Justice Rolando Acosta as Presiding Justice of the Appellate Division, First Department, and appointed Supreme Court Justices Cynthia Kern, Peter Moulton, Jeffrey Oing and Anil Singh to fill four Associate Justice vacancies. AABANY congratulates all of Governor Cuomo’s appointees.

For more information, please contact Yang Chen, AABANY Executive Director, at (212) 332-2478, 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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Press Release: NAPABA Celebrates Confirmation of Judge Amul Thapar to U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit

Press Release: NAPABA Celebrates Confirmation of Judge Amul Thapar to U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit

NAPABA Celebrates Confirmation of Judge Amul Thapar to U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit

For Immediate Release
May 25, 2017

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

WASHINGTON — Today, the U.S. Senate voted to confirm Judge Amul R. Thapar as a judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit. Judge Thapar is the first Asian Pacific American to serve on the Sixth Circuit and the second South Asian American federal appellate court judge in the history of the United States.

“We congratulate Judge Thapar on his historic confirmation,” said Cyndie M. Chang, National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) president. “The confirmation of Judge Thapar gives testament to the strides made by the Asian Pacific American community in recent years. It is a fitting and momentous way to conclude and celebrate Asian Pacific American Heritage Month.”

With Judge Thapar’s confirmation, five Asian Pacific Americans sit as federal appellate court judges out of almost 175 nationwide.

Judge Thapar is a 2015 recipient of the NAPABA Daniel K. Inouye Trailblazer Award and served as the keynote speaker at the 2007 NAPABA Convention. In 2007, NAPABA strongly supported President George W. Bush’s nomination of Judge Thapar to the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky, where upon confirmation, he became the first South Asian American Article III judge in the U.S.

Throughout Judge Thapar’s career, he has shown thoughtfulness, fairness, and understanding of his roles in public service. Prior to his service on the bench, Judge Thapar was the U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky and was 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 College and the Boalt Hall School of Law at the University of California, Berkeley.

NAPABA is proud to have supported Judge Thapar, including providing testimony in support of his nomination and meeting with Senators during NAPABA’s annual Lobby Day. We thank President Trump for nominating Judge Thapar, and 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].

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