Tag: press release

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PRESS RELEASE | NAPABA Applauds Fourth Circuit Decision Upholding Block on Revised Muslim Ban

PRESS RELEASE | NAPABA Applauds Fourth Circuit Decision Upholding Block on Revised Muslim Ban

NAPABA Applauds Fourth Circuit Decision Upholding Block on Revised Muslim Ban

For Immediate Release
May 25, 2017

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

WASHINGTON — The National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) applauds the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit’s 10-3 en banc ruling maintaining a lower court’s block on President Trump’s March 6, 2017, revised executive order barring individuals from six Muslim-majority countries from entering the United States.

In March 2017, U.S. District Court Judge Theodore D. Chuang of the District of Maryland issued a preliminary injunction on the travel restrictions in this lawsuit, International Refugee Assistance Project v. Trump, which was brought by individuals — including U.S. citizens — and organizations impacted by the executive order. Today’s 10-3 Fourth Circuit opinion, written by Chief Judge Roger L. Gregory, affirmed the plaintiffs’ right to challenge the executive order and upheld their claims under the Establishment Clause.

On March 19, NAPABA filed an amicus brief in support of the plaintiffs, supported by 43 NAPABA affiliates, describing the history of the statutory exclusion of Asians and Pacific Islanders under early U.S. immigration law — including the first federal law to ban a group of people from entering the country on the basis of race — prior to the passage of the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965, which outlawed nationality-based discrimination. NAPABA argued that President Trump’s revised order, with its anti-Muslim underpinnings, violates this unambiguous prohibition on discrimination established by Congress.

The court agreed with the plaintiffs’ assertion that religious animus motivated the revised order. The court found the government’s asserted national security interest to be a “secondary justification,” noting strongly that order “speaks with vague words of national security, but in context drips with religious intolerance.”

NAPABA awaits the pending ruling in the parallel Ninth Circuit case, State of Hawaii v. Trump, and will continue to work to ensure the executive order is permanently struck down by the courts.

For more information, the media may contact Brett Schuster, NAPABA communications manager, at202-775-9555 or [email protected].

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NAPABA Leads 43 APA Bar Associations in Ninth Circuit Amicus Brief to Continue Fight in First Legal Challenge to President’s Revised Muslim and Refugee Ban

News Release

For Immediate Release
April 21, 2017

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

WASHINGTON — The
National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) led 43 of its
national associate and affiliate bar associations in filing an amicus brief
in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit to support the
preliminary injunction of President Trump’s March 6, 2017, revised
executive order barring refugees and individuals from six
Muslim-majority countries from entering the United States.

The Trump Administration’s appeal in this case, State of Hawaii v. Trump, arises from the first legal challenge to the revised executive order, which was
brought on March 7, 2017, on behalf of the State and Ismail Elshikh,
Imam of the Muslim Association of Hawaii. NAPABA filed an amicus brief
on March 12 supporting the plaintiffs’ request for a temporary restraining order. On March 15,
Judge Derrick K. Watson of the U.S. District Court for the District of
Hawaii granted the temporary restraining order, which he converted into a
preliminary injunction on March 29
to extend the block on the travel and refugee restrictions. The U.S.
district court in Maryland has also enjoined the six-country visa ban,
and the Administration’s appeal in that case is pending in the Fourth
Circuit, where NAPABA filed an amicus brief on April 19.

“Having
challenged the revised executive order from this initial lawsuit,
NAPABA is proud of the growing momentum across our national network as
we continue our advocacy in the courts,” said NAPABA President Cyndie M.
Chang. “As leaders in the legal profession and as Asian Pacific
Americans whose communities have experienced the harms of exclusionary
laws, NAPABA has an imperative to stand against this unlawful
anti-Muslim and anti-immigrant order.” 

NAPABA’s
amicus brief describes decades of statutory exclusion of citizens of
Asian and Pacific Island countries under early U.S. immigration law,
including the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 — the first federal law to
ban a group of people on the basis of their race. The Civil Rights Era
marked a dramatic turning point that saw Congress dismantle
nationality-based discrimination with the Immigration and Nationality
Act of 1965. The brief explains that presidential discretion in the area
of immigration and refugee admission, while broad, is limited by
statute. NAPABA argues that President Trump’s revised order, with its
anti-Muslim underpinnings, violates the unambiguous prohibition on
discrimination established by Congress.

NAPABA recognizes lead pro bono counsel, James W. Kim, a NAPABA member and partner at McDermott
Will & Emery LLP, in Washington, D.C., Mr. Kim’s team (including
Andrew Genz, Philip Levine, Joshua Rogaczewski, Matthew Girgenti, and
Michael Stanek), and NAPABA Amicus Committee co-chairs, Professor Radha
Pathak of Whittier Law School and Albert Giang, a partner at Boies,
Schiller & Flexner LLP in Los Angeles, for their leadership drafting
the brief, which also involved the efforts of NAPABA staffers.

The Ninth Circuit will hear the case on May 15, 2017, in Seattle.

NAPABA’s brief was endorsed by:

  • Arizona Asian American Bar Association              
  • Asian American Bar Association of the Greater Bay Area              
  • Asian American Bar Association of Greater Chicago              
  • Asian American Bar Association of New York              
  • Asian American Bar Association of Ohio              
  • Asian American Criminal Trial Lawyers Association              
  • Asian American Lawyers Association of Massachusetts              
  • Asian Bar Association of Washington              
  • Asian Pacific American Bar Association of Central Ohio              
  • Asian Pacific American Bar Association of Los Angeles County              
  • Asian Pacific American Bar Association of Pennsylvania              
  • Asian Pacific American Bar Association of Silicon Valley              
  • Asian Pacific American Bar Association of South Florida              
  • Asian Pacific American Bar Association of Tampa Bay              
  • Asian Pacific American Bar Association of Virginia              
  • Asian Pacific American Lawyers Association of New Jersey              
  • Asian Pacific American Women Lawyers Alliance              
  • Asian/Pacific Bar Association of Sacramento              
  • Austin Asian American Bar Association              
  • Chinese American Bar Association of Greater Chicago              
  • Connecticut Asian Pacific American Bar Association              
  • Filipino American Lawyers Association of Chicago              
  • Filipino American Lawyers of San Diego              
  • Filipino Bar Association of Northern California              
  • Japanese American Bar Association              
  • Korean American Bar Association of Chicago              
  • Korean American Bar Association of Northern California              
  • Korean American Bar Association of Southern California              
  • Korean-American Bar Association for the Washington, DC Area              
  • Korean American Lawyers Association of Greater New York              
  • Michigan Asian Pacific American Bar Association              
  • Minnesota Asian Pacific American Bar Association              
  • Missouri Asian American Bar Association              
  • National Asian Pacific American Bar Association – Hawaii Chapter   
  • National Filipino American Lawyers Association              
  • Orange County Asian American Bar Association              
  • South Asian Bar Association of Chicago              
  • South Asian Bar Association of Northern California              
  • South Asian Bar Association of Southern California              
  • South Asian Bar Association of Washington              
  • Southern California Chinese Lawyers Association              
  • Tennessee Asian Pacific American Bar Association              
  • Thai American Bar Association         
    —-

Read the amicus brief here.

Read NAPABA’s amicus brief in the district court in State of Hawai‘i v. Trump.

Read NAPABA’s amicus brief the parallel Fourth Circuit case, International Refugee Assistance Project v. Trump.

Read the March 6, 2017, statement of NAPABA and the South Asian Bar Association – North America, joined by 14 affiliates, against the revised executive order.

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).

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

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HONORABLE DENNY CHIN TO RECEIVE OUTSTANDING PUBLIC SERVICE AWARD FROM NEW YORK INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY LAW ASSOCIATION

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 28, 2017

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

NEW YORK – March 28, 2017 – The Asian American Bar Association of New York (AABANY) is pleased to announce that the Honorable Denny Chin, United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, will be receiving the New York Intellectual Property Law Association (NYIPLA) Outstanding Public Service Award. The award will be presented on the occasion of NYIPLA’s 95th Annual Dinner in honor of the Federal Judiciary being held at the New York Midtown Hilton on the evening of March 31, 2017.

“NYIPLA is proud to recognize one of New York’s own with this well-deserved Outstanding Public Service Award,” said Walter Hanley, President of NYIPLA. “We recognize Judge Chin for his remarkable career as a United States district court and circuit court judge, including his contributions to intellectual property jurisprudence through notable decisions in high profile trademark and copyright cases, his leadership of and pro bono service to the Asian American community, his role as teacher at Fordham Law School and frequent speaker on the law, and his service to the wider community on the boards of numerous non-profit organizations.”

“AABANY applauds and commends NYIPLA on its recognition of Judge Chin’s distinguished career on the bench, which includes major copyright and trademark cases, such as Fox v. Franken, Authors Guild et al. v. Google, and Naked Cowboy v. Blue M&M, that have contributed significantly to the development of intellectual property law,” says Susan Shin, President of AABANY. “We know well Judge Chin’s impact as a trailblazer in the Asian American community and for serving as an exemplary role model and inspiration to generations of law students and lawyers. We agree with NYIPLA that Judge Chin is highly deserving of the Outstanding Public Service Award and congratulate him on receiving this important recognition from NYIPLA.”

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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ASIAN AMERICAN BAR ASSOCIATION OF NEW YORK APPLAUDS APPOINTMENTS OF THREE ASIAN AMERICAN JUDGES TO NEW YORK JUDICIARY

NEW YORK – March 8, 2017 – The Asian American Bar Association of New York (“AABANY”) applauds the appointment of three Asian American judges to the New York bench: Charles Y.J. Liu to the New York City Housing Court, Phyllis Chu to the New York City Criminal Court, and Frances Wang to the New York City Civil Court.

Judge Charles Y.J. Liu was appointed in February by Chief Administrative Judge Lawrence K. Marks and is currently sitting in Housing Court in Bronx County. Mayor de Blasio appointed Judge Chu and Judge Wang, and his office announced their appointments in January.

Judge Charles Y. J. Liu previously served as a court attorney in the New York City Housing Court starting in 1997. From 1997 to 2001, he served as a pro se Court Attorney in the New York City Civil Court’s Resource Center, where he assisted self-represented litigants with all aspects of their cases. From 2001 until his appointment to the bench, Liu served as an Associate Court Attorney, assisting Housing Court judges with all aspects of case resolution, including negotiating settlements, drafting decisions, providing procedural information to litigants, and advising judges on facts and issues on matters before the Court. Before that, from 1994 until 1996, Liu advocated on behalf of clients on housing issues within the Asian American community and on behalf of low income tenants.  Judge Liu received his undergraduate degree from the State University of New York at Albany and his law degree from the State University of New York at Buffalo. Judge Liu is an active member of AABANY.

Judge Phyllis Chu previously worked at the Kings County District Attorney’s Office starting in 1993. After completing the rotational system that included Criminal Court, the Complaint Room, Grand Jury and Investigations, Chu began trying felony trials in the Blue Zone in 1995. Chu investigated and tried all types of felonies ranging from assaults, burglaries, rapes, robberies and drug sales. In 1998, Chu moved on to the Crimes Against Children’s Bureau where she investigated and tried physical and sexual abuse cases concerning children under the age of 11. After being promoted to Supervising Senior Assistant District Attorney in 1999, Chu began trying felony cases in the Red Zone, which included assaults, robberies, burglaries and homicides. In addition, Chu supervised younger assistants on investigation and trial strategies. In 2003, Chu was promoted to the Homicide Bureau, where she prosecuted homicide cases throughout the borough of Brooklyn. Judge Chu received her undergraduate degree from Cornell University and her law degree from Northeastern University School of Law. Judge Chu is an active member of AABANY.

Judge Frances Wang spent eight years as a prosecutor in the Bronx County District Attorney’s Office in the Criminal Court and Appeals Bureau. She subsequently served as a Principal Court Attorney in Supreme Court, Criminal Term in Bronx County. Wang received her undergraduate degree from St. John’s University and her law degree from Hofstra University School of Law. As a law student, she interned for the Hon. Marilyn D. Go, United States Magistrate Judge for the Eastern District of New York, who received the Impact Leadership Award at the AABANY Annual Dinner on February 22. Judge Wang was appointed to Civil Court and has been assigned to Criminal Court.

“Following on the heels of the historic election of Judge Judy Kim and the re-election of Justice Doris Ling-Cohan at the end of 2016, AABANY commends the appointments of our newest Asian American jurists in New York State court,” says Susan Shin, President of AABANY. “We are hopeful that these additions to the bench will continue to increase diversity on the bench. AABANY maintains that diversity and inclusion are vital to strengthened confidence in the justice system, and we applaud these appointments as steps in the right direction. We congratulate Judge Liu, Judge Chu and Judge Wang on their achievement and thank them for their enduring commitment and dedication to public service. We wish them all the best for a long and productive tenure on the bench.”

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: White & Case to Receive Law Firm Diversity Award from Asian American Bar Association of New York

NEW YORK – The Asian American Bar Association of New York (“AABANY”) is proud to announce that White & Case, LLP will be the recipient of this year’s Law Firm Diversity Award.

Since 2014, AABANY has annually granted this award to one law firm for exceptional commitment to the improvement of diversity and inclusion in the legal profession.

This year, AABANY has chosen to recognize White & Case for its outstanding support of diversity and inclusion. Examples of the firm’s significant achievements in this area include its continual status as 100% LGBT inclusive (measured by the Human Rights Campaign’s Corporate Equality Index), its relentless drive in creating new links with Asian American legal communities (as well as maintaining and enriching existing ones), and its careful attentiveness in crafting a pipeline of leadership for women and minority attorneys. White & Case’s sensitivity to diversity issues in an international context and willingness to combat them through innovative initiatives such as the Global Women’s Initiative pilot program for women lawyers working in international offices also deserves much praise and recognition for setting an example of how diversity and inclusion efforts should be spearheaded at an international level.

“White & Case shines as an example of how diversity and inclusion issues can be improved in impactful and meaningful ways in the legal profession,” states Yang Chen, Executive Director of AABANY. “Recent efforts to eliminate recruitment bias amongst partners are only a snapshot of changes that are currently taking place at White & Case. We proudly recognize White & Case as our 2017 Law Firm Diversity Award honoree.”

The award will be presented at AABANY’s 2017 Annual Dinner, taking place at Cipriani Wall Street on February 22.

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).

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: Asian American Bar Association of New York to Hold Annual Dinner on Feb. 22, 2017 at Cipriani Wall Street

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 21, 2017

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

NEW YORK- On Wednesday, February 22, 2012, the Asian American Bar Association of New York (“AABANY”) will be hosting its Annual Dinner at Cipriani Wall Street. The Annual Dinner has consistently featured a wide-range of guests, including prominent judges, elected officials and dignitaries, and attorneys from law firms, prosecutors’ offices, and government agencies.

This year, AABANY will be honoring:

Lee Cheng, Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice President of Gibson Brands, who will be receiving the Corporate Leadership Award;

Eric Schneiderman, Attorney General for the State of New York, who will be receiving the Public Service Leadership Award;

The Honorable Marilyn Go, United States Magistrate Judge for the Eastern District of New York, who will be receiving the Impact Leadership Award; and

White & Case LLP for the 2017 Law Firm Diversity Award.

AABANY will also presenting scholarships to this year’s class of Don Liu Scholars.

For more information about AABANY or this event, 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).

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: Asian American Bar Association of New York Applauds Promotion of Kin Ng to Bureau Chief of Trial Bureau in Kings County District Attorney’s Office

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 10, 2017

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

NEW YORK – February 10, 2017 – The Asian American Bar Association of New York (“AABANY”) congratulates Kin W. Ng on his recent promotion from Chief of the Immigrant Fraud Unit to Chief of the Red Zone Trial Bureau in the Kings County District Attorney’s Office. We believe Kin is the first Asian Pacific American to serve as Bureau Chief at a major trial bureau in a prosecutors’ office in New York City.

In his former role as Chief of the Immigrant Fraud Unit, Kin was a tireless defender of Brooklyn’s immigrant population, bringing to justice countless offenders who preyed on vulnerable immigrants through scams and theft. Prior to that, Kin served as Felony Deputy Chief of the Orange Zone Trial Bureau, and, from 2007-13, as Director of Training for the Office’s Assistant District Attorneys. As Director, he was responsible for pioneering the “Felony Boot Camp” program for Assistant District Attorneys, organizing his office’s internship programs and training police officers in public integrity and ethics. Kin has also previously undertaken other prominent positions at the District Attorney’s Office, such as Deputy Bureau Chief in the Early Case Assessment Bureau, Deputy Bureau Chief in Criminal Court, and Bureau Chief of the Domestic Violence Bureau. In his 25+ years of service at the King’s County District Attorney’s Office, during which he has tried countless serious felonies, Kin has provided an excellent example of an individual committed to justice and public service.

Outside of prosecution, Kin has also been an active educator, lecturing on and raising awareness of topics related to the criminal justice system, public service, diversity, immigrant community issues, and leadership in government. From 2013-14, Kin served as Adjunct Professor at John Jay College of Criminal Justice, where he lectured on the American Judiciary and Criminal Law in New York.

Kin is a co-founder of AABANY’s Prosecutors’ Committee which has grown to be among one of AABANY’s most active and vibrant committees. The Committee was honored in 2016 with an Event of the Year Award for their 7th Annual Reception in which they honored Deputy United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York Joon Kim and the family of fallen detective Wenjian Liu.

Kin also serves as the President of the New York Chapter of the National Asian Pacific Islander Prosecutors Association (NAPIPA), a national organization dedicated to representing and advancing the interests of prosecutors of Asian Pacific Islander heritage.

“AABANY is proud of Kin’s historic elevation to be a Bureau Chief of a major trial bureau in New York City,” states Susan Shin, President of AABANY. “He has proven himself to be a leader in the profession and the community, and we commend Acting District Attorney Eric Gonzalez for this appointment, which not only promotes a veteran member of the Kings County District Attorney’s Office to an important role but recognizes the value of diversity in one of the leading prosecutors’ offices in the country. We applaud this promotion and congratulate Kin on his achievement.”

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).

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: Asian American Bar Association of New York Free Legal Clinics Now at Chinese Chamber of Commerce of NY, Inc.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 5, 2017                                                            

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

NEW YORK – January 5, 2017 – The Asian American Bar Association of New York (“AABANY”) is proud to announce that it is continuing its pro bono legal clinic in partnership with the Chinese Chamber of Commerce of NY, Inc. (“CCCNY”) at 33 Bowery Street. Launched in December 2015, AABANY’s legal clinics have served members of the Chinatown community free of charge on a variety of legal issues, including housing and immigration.

The pro bono legal clinic takes place on the second Wednesday of every month from 6:30pm to 8:30pm. Appointments are currently walk-in only at the Chinese Chamber of Commerce of NY, Inc. at 33 Bowery, Suite C202. Those seeking legal assistance should arrive by 8pm and bring all documents pertaining to their legal issues. The next pro bono legal clinic takes place on January 11, 2017.

“AABANY is pleased to be able to partner with the Chinese Chamber of Commerce to continue providing this service to the Chinatown community,” states Executive Director Yang Chen. “We look forward to assisting community members with their legal questions through the AABANY free legal clinic.”

“The Chinese Chamber of Commerce of NY is pleased to work with AABANY to continue its outreach to the Chinatown community in need of legal assistance,” states Timothy Wong, Esq., member of CCCNY and AABANY.

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).

Founded on June 29, 1932, the Chinese Chamber of Commerce of NY has its mission of promoting and supporting the expansion and progress of Chinese commercial pursuits; encouraging international trade with the Far East, and other areas of the world and to advise and assist members and the Chinatown community to solve business problems.

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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

CCCNY: www.facebook.com/The-Chinese-Chamber-of-Commerce-of-New-York-Inc-158851184311334/

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Press Release: Asian American Bar Association of New York Applauds New York’s Highest Court for Decision Prohibiting Skin-Color Discrimination in Jury Selection

Press Release: Asian American Bar Association of New York Applauds New York’s Highest Court for Decision Prohibiting Skin-Color Discrimination in Jury Selection

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 28, 2016

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

Asian American Bar Association of New York Applauds New York’s Highest Court for Decision Prohibiting Skin-Color Discrimination in Jury Selection

NEW YORK – On December 22, 2016, the New York Court of Appeals held in People v. Bridgeforth that skin color-based discrimination in jury selection is prohibited under Batson v. Kentucky, the New York State Equal Protection Clause, and the New York State Civil Rights Law. While Batson has long been understood to prohibit racial discrimination, the Court concluded that its holding “extend[s] the application of Batson to challenges based on color to ensure that the jury is not used as a tool to accomplish such discrimination.” As one of many community organizations that co-signed the Fred T. Korematsu Center for Law and Equality (“Korematsu Center”) and Akin Gump’s amicus brief in support of this decision, the Asian American Bar Association of New York (“AABANY”) applauds this decision.

Key to the Court of Appeals’ decision was its recognition that “[d]iscrimination on the basis of one’s skin color – or colorism – has been well researched and analyzed, demonstrating that ‘not all colors (or tones) are equal.’”  In so holding, the Court expressly relied on several sources set forth in the amicus brief filed by the Korematsu Center and over 50 bar associations, non-profit organizations, and law school professors in this case.  Professor Robert S. Chang, executive director of the Korematsu Center, commented, “We are pleased the Court found the scholarship on the history and effects of color discrimination that were cited in our amicus brief helpful and informative in finding that Batson does apply to color-based challenges under New York law.”

Sherrilyn Ifill, President and Director-Counsel of the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Inc. (“LDF”) observed, “The Court of Appeals has taken a significant step towards reducing the impact of color-based discrimination in our justice system. We hope New York’s leadership in this area will encourage other jurisdictions across the country to protect the role of the jury as an instrument of public justice that is truly representative of the community.”

Professor Vinay Harpalani from Savannah Law School, who served as of counsel for amici, applauded the Court of Appeals for “recognizing that Indian Americans, like African-Americans, can face discrimination based on their skin color.”  The Bridgeforth case involved a dark-skinned Indian American woman who was excluded from the jury along with several other dark-skinned women.

Attorneys from Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP served as pro bono counsel on the brief. “Akin Gump is proud to represent this national coalition and be part of this resounding victory for justice,” said Alice Hsu, a partner in Akin Gump’s New York office representing the amici.

The Asian American Bar Association of New York (AABANY) is proud to be among the organizations to sign on to the amicus brief. “As the leading bar association for Asian Americans in New York, we supported theamicus brief and we are pleased with the court’s decision,” stated Susan L. Shin, President of AABANY. “Discrimination on the basis of skin color, just as discrimination on the basis of race, should have no place in jury selection and the proper administration of justice.”

In total, 32 law professors and 20 organizations joined the amicus brief, including: the Fred T. Korematsu Center for Law and Equality, the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), Asian Americans Advancing Justice | AAJC, Asian Americans Advancing Justice | Asian Law Caucus, Asian Americans Advancing Justice | Atlanta, Asian Americans Advancing Justice | Chicago, Asian Americans Advancing Justice | Los Angeles, the Asian American Bar Association of New York (AABANY), the Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund (AALDEF), the Hispanic National Bar Association (HNBA), LatinoJustice PRLDEF, Inc., the Metropolitan Black Bar Association (MBBA), the National Asian Pacific Bar Association  (NAPABA), the National Asian Pacific American Women’s Forum (NAPAWF), the NAACP Legal Defense & Educational Fund, Inc. (LDF), the National Bar Association, the National Native American Bar Association (NNABA), the Society of American Law Teachers, Inc. (SALT), the South Asian Bar Association of New York (SABANY), and the South Asian Bar Association of North America (SABA North America).

The Court’s decision can be found here.  The amicus brief is available here.

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).

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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Press Release: Asian American Bar Association of New York and Visiting Nurse Service of New York Announce Free ‘Know Your Rights’ Seminars in Mandarin and Cantonese

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 2, 2016

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

NEW YORK – The Asian American Bar Association of New York (“AABANY”) and the Visiting Nurse Service of New York (“VNSNY”) are proud to announce their free public ‘Know Your Rights’ seminars on helpful legal information in Mandarin and Cantonese. These trainings are intended to educate Chinatown community members on housing repairs and tax filing. All trainings will be held at the VNSNY Chinatown Community Service Center located at 7 Mott Street. This three-part series is free of charge and open to any community member. To register, call VNSNY at (212) 619-3072 and specify which training you are interested in attending. 

The first ‘Know Your Rights’ training will be held in Cantonese. It will take place on Saturday, December 17, 2016 from 9:45am to 11am. Ms. Sophia Luu and Ms. Anita Wu will teach tenants how to get repairs for their apartments.
The second ‘Know Your Rights’ training will be held in Mandarin. It will take place on Saturday, January 21, 2017 from 9:45am to 11am. Ms. Rachel Sun will educate community members on what they need to know for their 2017 tax filing. 

The third ‘Know Your Rights’ training will be held in both Mandarin and Cantonese. It will take place on Saturday, February 18, 2017 from 9:45am to 11am. Mr. Christopher Zheng and Ms. Rong Lin will teach tenants how to get repairs for their apartments.

“Our AABANY volunteers are excited to provide community education at VNSNY to empower Chinatown residents with the confidence and knowledge necessary to assert their legal rights,” said Government Service & Public Interest Committee Co-Chair Anita Wu, who spearheads this series for AABANY.

“AABANY is delighted to be working with Visiting Nurse Service of New York to serve community members in Chinatown in this meaningful way,” says AABANY Executive Director Yang Chen. “Thanks to Anita Wu and our Government Service & Public Interest Committee for engaging our members and constituents in this valuable volunteer opportunity. We also thank Legal Services NYC for providing background training for our volunteers.” 

“We are grateful to the Asian American Bar Association of New York and the speakers for their commitment to give back to the Chinese communities,” said Teresa Lin, Director of Cultural Market Development Initiatives at Visiting Nurse Service of New York. “It’s our great pleasure to partner with AABANY to host a series of the workshops to provide valuable legal information at no cost to the public in our VNSNY Chinatown Community Center.” 

Information on these community trainings will be available on the AABANY website. If you have any questions, reach out to AABANY Government Service & Public Interest Committee Co-Chair Anita Wu at [email protected].
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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