WASHINGTON – February 13. The Senate confirmed Judge Cindy K. Chung to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit. She is the first Asian American to serve as an appellate judge on the Third Circuit.
“NAPABA congratulates Judge Chung on her historic confirmation to serve on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit,” said Sandra Leung, president of NAPABA. “A dedicated public servant, Judge Chung broke barriers when she was confirmed as the first AAPI to serve as U.S. Attorney in Pennsylvania. Today, we celebrate our 16th active AAPI U.S. Circuit Court Judge.”
Before serving as U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Pennsylvania, Chung served as a trial attorney in the Criminal Section of the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division, where she prosecuted the first case under the Shepherd-Byrd Hate Crimes Act. She also served as an assistant district attorney at the District Attorney’s Office, New York County, and investigation counsel in the Official Corruption Unit. Chung began her legal career as a law clerk for Judge Myron Thompson on the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Alabama. She received her J.D. from Columbia Law School and her B.A. from Yale University.
“Judge Chung is active in the Asian American legal community, including participating in community briefings and events addressing anti-Asian hate incidents with our affiliate the Asian Pacific American Bar Association of Pennsylvania (APABA-PA). We congratulate Judge Chung on her confirmation,” said Priya Purandare, executive director of NAPABA.
NAPABA thanks President Biden for nominating Cindy K. Chung and Senator Casey, Senator Fetterman, and retired Senator Toomey for recommending and supporting her nomination.
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The National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA), represents the interests of over 60,000 Asian Pacific American (APA) legal professionals and nearly 90 national, state, and local APA bar associations. NAPABA is a leader in addressing civil rights issues confronting APA communities. Through its national network, 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 all backgrounds in the legal profession.
The Asian Pacific American Bar Association of Los Angeles County (APABA Los Angeles County), California Asian Pacific American Bar Association (Cal-APABA), Asian Pacific American Women Lawyers Alliance (APAWLA), Asian Pacific American Bar Association of Colorado (APABA Colorado), Japanese American Bar Association (JABA), Korean American Bar Association of Southern California (KABA SoCal), the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA), South Asian Bar Association of Southern California (SABA-SC), Southern California Chinese Lawyers Association (SCCLA), Thai American Bar Association (TABA), and Vietnamese American Bar Association of Southern California (VABASC), join together to mourn the lives lost, help the people injured, and support a community as it recovers from tragedy. On the eve of Lunar New Year on January 21, 2023, during a time of celebration, a shooter opened fire on members of our community in Monterey Park, resulting in the murder of eleven people and injuring many more.
“APABA Los Angeles County wholeheartedly condemns this horrific act of violence. Our thoughts, prayers, and sympathies are with those affected, including our own families and friends who call Monterey Park home, and we are working with our partners to support the community during this traumatic time,” said Erica Yen, president of APABA. “APABA has had a close connection with Monterey Park since our founding 25 years ago. We have held our monthly pro bono volunteer legal assistance clinic at the Monterey Park Bruggemeyer Library for almost a decade – our second home for many years prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. Later this week on Saturday, January 28, 2023 from 10-12 pm, we will return with renewed determination to help those in need with the re-opening of our in-person pro bono volunteer legal clinic in the Library Friends Room.”
“We are deeply saddened by the violence and loss of life in Monterey Park,” said Asit Panwala, president of Cal-APABA. “After more than two years of trauma, many Asian American families looked forward to this Lunar New Year as a time to come together in joy and celebration. But today we grieve with the families of the victims. We stand with you in love, solidarity, and strength.”
“KABA SoCal is deeply saddened by the tragic mass shooting in Monterey Park that took place on the eve of Lunar New Year,” said Monica Min, president of KABA SoCal. “We mourn the families of the victims and the communities that have been affected by this heartbreaking tragedy. Our thoughts, support, and love are with you.”
“NAPABA stands shoulder to shoulder with the families and communities impacted by this tragic act on what should have been a night of joyful celebration and hopeful possibility,” said Sandra Leung, president of NAPABA. “For many of our members, Monterey Park is home – a place where they grew up, spent time with friends, or visited family. On behalf of our members across the country, NAPABA reaffirms its commitment to assisting communities affected by violence and lends our support to the victims and their families.”
“SCCLA stands united with its sister bar organizations – and the strong community of Monterey Park – in condemning this senseless act of violence,” said Nina Hong, President of SCCLA. “We grieve with the victims, their loved ones, and this wonderful city that many of us call home. We are resolved to stand together to keep the Chinese and AAPI communities safe.”
Our partners at Asian Americans Advancing Justice – Southern California are coordinating a coalition of organizations, including our bar associations, to provide services to the victims and their families. More information about these services can be found here. You can support the official verified fundraiser for the victims and the Monterey Park community, which is endorsed by our organizations, by making a donation on GoFundMe online. One hundred percent (100%) of donations will go toward supporting the victims and their families.
A memorial honoring the victims has been established at Monterey Park City Hall at 320 West Newmark Avenue, Monterey Park, CA 91754. The City of Monterey Park will host a public vigil at City Hall on Tuesday, January 24 beginning at 5:30 pm.
A Survivors Resource Center has been established at Monterey Park’s Langley Senior Center at 400 N. Emerson Ave., Monterey Park, CA 91754. There are mental health resources available for anyone who needs support.
If you have information relating to the ongoing investigation, please call the Los Angeles Sheriff Homicide Bureau at (323) 890-5550.
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The National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA), represents the interests of over 60,000 Asian Pacific American (APA) legal professionals and nearly 90 national, state, and local APA bar associations. NAPABA is a leader in addressing civil rights issues confronting APA communities. Through its national network, 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 all backgrounds in the legal profession.
From Nov. 3 through 6, NAPABA held its National Convention in Las Vegas at the Cosmopolitan, for three days of programming, meetings, plenary sessions and the 34th anniversary Gala capping things off on Saturday night.
AABANY members and friends once again came out in large numbers, with nearly 100 people signed up for AABANY’s WhatsApp group, organized by Co-VP of Programs and Operations Beatrice Leong. The group’s members updated each other on programs they planned to attend, made lunch and dinner plans, and connected with each other about various receptions, parties and events around Las Vegas.
Many bonds were made and strengthened among AABANY attendees over the course of the Convention, and many new connections were made with the approximately 2800 registered attendees from around the country.
We congratulate all the awardees and honorees recognized at the Convention, with special shout-outs to the following AABANY honorees:
Kathy Hirata Chin, Daniel K. Inouye Trailblazer Award
Jeffrey Mok, Best Under 40
Christina Lee, Partners Network In-House Counsel Network Diversity Leadership Award
We also congratulate AABANY Platinum Sponsor Allen & Overy on receiving the Law Firm Diversity Award.
The AABANY Trial Reenactment Team presented its latest production, “From ‘Tokyo Rose’ to the ‘China Initiative’: Espionage and AAPIs” on Friday afternoon, Nov. 4, to a capacity audience. We were privileged to be joined by Brian Sun, attorney for Wen Ho Lee, who shared his personal recollections from that landmark case in which a Chinese-American scientist was wrongly accused by the US government of divulging US nuclear secrets to China.
Many AABANY members and leaders spoke on several programs throughout the Convention. If you are among them, thank you for sharing your knowledge and expertise. Please send us your photos and, if possible, a short recap about your program. You can send it to main@aabany.org.
Congratulations to Sandra Leung, NAPABA’s new President, and Anna Mercado Clark, NAPABA’s new President-Elect. Both were sworn in by the Hon. Denny Chin, together with the entire NAPABA Board, during Saturday night’s Gala.
Thanks to NAPABA for putting on a great Convention, which included many first-time attendees. By all accounts, everyone had a wonderful time, learned a lot, forged new connections and renewed existing ones. We look forward to more great things to come in the next year!
On April 9, 2021, AABANY and a coalition of bar associations from across the country presented a CLE program titled, “The Surge in Anti-Asian Violence: Corporate Social Responsibility and Action.” About 500 attendees from all across the United States joined an esteemed panel of corporate in-house leaders in a discussion on how corporate employers can address the surge in anti-Asian violence and support their Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) employees. The panel included:
Sara Yang Bosco, Senior Vice President, Secretary and General Counsel, Emerson
Sam Khichi, Executive Vice President, General Counsel, Public Policy & Regulatory Affairs, Becton, Dickinson and Company
Sandra Leung, Executive Vice President & General Counsel, Bristol Myers Squibb
Allen Lo, Vice President and Deputy General Counsel Products, IP, and Legal Operations, Facebook
Susan Moon, Principal Counsel, The Walt Disney Company
Caroline Tsai, Chief Legal Officer & Corporate Secretary, Western Union
Michael C. Wu (Moderator), GAPABA Board Member
Moderator Michael Wu began the panel discussion by describing how the coronavirus pandemic has become a virus of hate, with the increase of violence and hate crimes against Asian Americans. To add to this, Sara Bosco emphasized the importance of reporting and providing visibility to these incidents and stated, “You cannot manage what you cannot measure.” Asian Americans comprise 6% of the United States population, yet have been historically overlooked despite being part of U.S. history since the 1800s. Due to Asian Americans being viewed as perpetual foreigners and the model minority, coupled with the inaccurate information disseminated about the origins of the pandemic in 2020, Asian Americans have been perceived as an easier target to perpetrators of anti-Asian violence.
When asked how Corporate America should address anti-Asian violence, many of the panelists shared initiatives their workplaces started and gave suggestions on what companies can do. A main focus of the panelists was discussing how Asian employees can be supported in the workplace. To create a supportive environment, companies should reach out to AAPI employees and create an AAPI employee resource group in the workplace if there is not one already. Even if the organization does not have many AAPI employees, it is important for AAPI employees to meet others to increase their circle and build a larger voice. In addition, mental health resources and allyship training should be offered to employees within the workplace’s HR department. Panelists also agreed that not only should the diversity officers in the company address anti-Asian violence, but even CEOs need to speak up and make statements to show support for the AAPI community.
As individuals in the AAPI legal community, Sandra Leung said, “We are in a crisis situation right now with the rise of anti-AAPI hate, but it’s also an opportunity for us to band together to do our part individually or collectively in groups. We have to turn the emotion and anger that we have into action.” She further emphasized that we need to take leadership roles, speak loud, and educate people on anti-AAPI hate. In discussing leadership roles, Sandra Leung remarked, “I feel so compelled right now and so moved by everything we are facing in our community that I would love to run for President-Elect of NAPABA…” AABANY applauds Sandra Leung’s intent to run during these critical times and agrees that we have to continue working collectively to address anti-Asian violence.
Thank you to Sara Yang Bosco, Sam Khichi, Sandra Leung, Allen Lo, Susan Moon, Caroline Tsai, and Michael Wu for this important discussion on anti-Asian violence and corporate social responsibility. Non-transitional New York attorneys were eligible to receive a maximum of 1.5 CLE credit hours applied toward the Diversity, Inclusion, and Elimination of Bias requirement. CLE credits were also approved in California and Colorado, and CPE credits were approved in British Columbia and Ontario. CLE credits have been applied for in Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Texas, and are pending approval. To view a recording of the program, click here or on the image above.
“Stronger Together: APA Women in the Legal Profession – Strategies to Support, Lead, and Advance” was one of the many panels presented at AABANY’s Fall Conference this year. Held on Saturday, September 26 from 10:45 am to 12:15 pm, the panelists consisted of:
Moderators:
Connie Montoya, Partner, Hinshaw & Culbertson
Sandra Yamate, CEO, Institute for Inclusion in the Legal Profession
Speakers:
Anna Mercado Clark, Partner, Phillips Lytle LLP
Judy Lam, Partner, Maynard Cooper & Gale
Honorable Grace E. Lee, Administrative Law Judge, State of New York
Sandra Leung, General Counsel, Bristol Myers Squibb
Sapna Palla, Partner, Wiggin and Dana
The panel was not recorded to create a safe environment for panelists as well as listeners so that there could be a candid conversation about race and the experiences APA women have had to face throughout their legal careers.
The panel started off with discussing the challenges and barriers of being an APA woman in the legal profession. Shared experiences among the panelists were that they were often overlooked in the courtroom, being perceived and mistaken as the court interpreter or court reporter rather than as the lawyer or judge. Even when they were correctly perceived as the lawyer, the panelists were still treated differently compared to their white male counterparts. In response to these challenges, the panelists discussed how it was okay to feel uncomfortable about these topics and it is important to focus on the microaggressions. If people are more vocal about the uncomfortable situations and share their experiences with the community, it creates a greater ability to mobilize and create change.
The panelists stressed the importance of seeing more APA women in higher positions and one way of achieving that is through having role models and mentors for rising APA lawyers. Current AABANY President, Sapna Palla, highlighted the AABANY Leadership Development Program which has been successful in teaching participants the skills to advance into executive positions, and she hopes to see more programs that do the same.
The panel ended with each panelist going over one action item they were willing to commit to within the next year that will help support and advance APA women in the legal profession. The general consensus among the panelists was to start a mentoring circle. Not only do the panelists want to be an available resource for people who come up to them and have questions, but also they want to be active in following up with mentees and seeking feedback from them.
The panelists also vow to use their positions as a platform to continue this dialogue. Advancing APA women in the legal profession is an ongoing conversation and hopefully, listeners of the panel are inspired to continue the dialogue with their friends, peers, and colleagues.
Thank you to the panelists, Anna Mercado Clark, Judy Lam, Honorable Grace E. Lee, Sandra Leung, and Sapna Palla, and moderators, Connie Montoya and Sandra Yamate for sharing their experiences and leading an important discussion about supporting APA women in the legal profession.
A Shot in the Dark: The Peter Liang/Akai Gurley Tragedy
Akai Gurley, a 28-year-old African-American man, was fatally shot on November 20, 2014, in Brooklyn’s Louis H. Pink Houses, by rookie NYPD Officer Peter Liang, who had entered a stairwell with his firearm drawn. The shooting was declared an accidental discharge; the bullet ricocheted off the wall and Gurley was struck once in the chest and later died from the shot. On February 10, 2015, Liang was indicted by a grand jury on manslaughter, assault, and other criminal charges, and on February 11, 2016, Liang was found guilty of manslaughter and official misconduct, becoming the first NYPD officer in over a decade to be found guilty of shooting and killing a citizen while on duty. The shooting and trial touched off a firestorm of opinion and protests, and in the post-Ferguson era, the case has added another twist to the intense ongoing debate about race and accountability in policing, as well as the Asian American community’s place in that debate and race relations.
This panel will explore criminal procedural issues in the context of the Peter Liang trial, such as the indictment and grand jury process, what is the standard for homicide versus manslaughter, and will also look at the civil rights aspect of the case. How did the APA community respond to the tragedy and what can we learn from it going forward?
Alexander M. Lee, Esq., Principal, The Law Offices of Alexander M. Lee
Christopher M. Kwok, Esq., Supervisory ADR Coordinator, U.S. EEOC (appearing in individual capacity)
Jin P. Lee, Esq., Principal, The Law Office of Jin P. Lee
Sandra Leung, Esq., Executive Vice President and General Counsel, Bristol-Myers Squibb Company
Vinoo Varghese, Esq., Principal, Varghese and Associates, P.C.
Congratulations to the America’s 50 Outstanding General Counsel named by National Law Journal! Click on the link above to check out these outstanding legal leaders. Of special note to AABANY for their diversity and inclusion efforts are:
Sandra Leung, General Counsel of Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.
Sandra Leung arrived at Bristol-Myers Squibb in 1992 as a staff attorney after eight years as a prosecutor with the New York County District Attorney’s office. She’s climbed the pharmaceutical company’s ranks ever since, and in 2007 became general counsel. At that time, the company’s top leaders had just been pushed out amid a federal investigation over its blooder-thinner Plavix. She re-engineered the company’s legal department by cutting costs, and today her portfolio includes shaping the company’s legal strategy and its environmental, health and safety, corporate security and philanthropy policies.
Lee Cheng, Chief Legal Officer of Newegg, Inc.
As Newegg Inc.’s “chief troll hunter,” Lee Cheng has earned a reputation in recent years as a fierce foe of so-called patent trolls. Cheng, the online retailer’s chief legal officer, has aggressively defended against patent infringement claims by companies that he’s labeled “legal terrorists” and gone after legal fees when successful. He’s made headlines for his aversion to settling. Earlier this year, after Minero Digital LLC dropped a patent case against Newegg subsidiary Rosewill Inc., Newegg struck back with a lawsuit of its own, seeking a court order that would ensure that Minero couldn’t refile the claims in the future.
Simone Wu, General Counsel of Choice Hotels International
Simone Wu, Choice Hotels International Inc.’s general counsel, is a leader in diversity in the legal field. A 2013 recipient of the Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund’s Justice in Action Award, Wu oversees the Rockville, Maryland-based corporation’s litigation matters, transactions and regulatory affairs. She also serves as counsel to the company’s senior management and board of directors. Recently, the company expanded its Cambria hotel line with a grand opening in Times Square and has partnered with CapStar Hotel Co. to develop sites in Chicago, New Orleans and Los Angeles.
Please join us in congratulating these friends of AABANY.
Contact: Yang Chen, Executive Director (718) 228-7206
NEW YORK – November 5, 2014 – The Asian American Bar Association of New York (“AABANY”) is proud to announce that AABANY Past President and current New York State Bar Association President Glenn Lau-Kee and AABANY Advisory Committee Member Sandra Leung have been announced as the National Association of Asian American Professionals – New York Chapter (NAAAP-NY) 2014 Most Influential Asian Pacific Islander American New Yorkers. Mr. Lau-Kee and Ms. Leung will be honored at NAAAP-NY’s Moon Festival Honoree Gala at the Harvard Club of New York City on November 7, 2014.
NAAAP-NY has selected Glenn Lau-Kee (Partner, Kee & Lau-Kee PLLC) as its Public Service Honoree. Mr. Lau-Kee assumed office in June 2014 as the 117th President and first Asian American to lead the New York State Bar Association, an organization with over 75,000 members. NAAAP-NY has named Sandra Leung (General Counsel and Corporate Secretary, Bristol-Meyers Squibb) as its the Corporate Legal Honoree. As legal advisor to the Board of Directors and company executives, Ms. Leung is responsible for shaping Bristol-Meyers Squibb’s legal strategy, as well as the company’s Environment, Health & Safety, Corporate Security, and Philanthropy groups.
“AABANY is delighted that NAAAP-NY has chosen to recognize Glenn Lau-Kee and Sandra Leung among New York’s most influential Asian Pacific Islander American New Yorkers,” says Executive Director Yang Chen. “Both Glenn and Sandra have made major impacts in the legal profession through their work and leadership, and have paved the way for generations of APIA lawyers and professionals. We congratulate Glenn and Sandra and all the honorees at this year’s Moon Festival Gala.” AABANY President Clara Ohr adds, “We strongly support NAAAP-NY’s decision to honor such Asian American trailblazers in the legal profession as Glenn Lau-Kee and Sandra Leung, and we appreciate its past recognition of our own Executive Director, Yang Chen, whom NAAAP-NY named its 2013 Community Excellence Awardee.”
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For more information, please contact Yang Chen, AABANY Executive Director, at (718) 228-7206, or direct any inquiries to main@aabany.org.
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
