The 2024 NAPABA Convention in Seattle was a record-breaking event—over 3,400 attendees and 1,100 first-timers! Ours was the largest gathering of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) lawyers ever and remains cause for celebration and an achievement that will inspire us as we head into 2025.
During Convention, NAPABA members came together to connect, learn, grow, and celebrate the strength of our vibrant AANHPI community. Your presence, engagement, and enthusiasm were truly inspiring and left a lasting impact.
From Nov. 7 through 9, NAPABA held its National Convention in Seattle at the Hyatt Regency, for three days of programming, meetings, plenary sessions and the 36th Anniversary Gala capping things off on Saturday night.
AABANY members and friends once again came out in large numbers, with nearly 150 people signed up for AABANY’s WhatsApp group. 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 Seattle.
The AABANY Trial Reenactment Team presented its latest production, “AAPIs and Education: Tape v. Hurley and Gong Lum v. Rice” on Friday afternoon, Nov. 8, to a capacity audience. The program told the stories of Mamie Tape and Martha Lum and their efforts to fight discrimination in public education, through narration, reenactment of court proceedings and historic photographs. This was the sixteenth in a series of historic reenactments presented by the Asian American Bar Association of New York. For more information about AABANY’s trial reenactments, visit reenactments.aabany.org.
We congratulate all the awardees and honorees recognized at the Convention, with special shout-outs to the following AABANY member honorees:
We also congratulate Sapna Palla, past AABANY President, and Anushree Bagrodia, current Co-Chair of AABANY’s In-House Counsel Committee, for joining the NAPABA Board as At-Large Members!
Thanks to all the outgoing NAPABA Board members for their service, and congratulations to AABANY member and past Board officer, Anna Mercado Clark, on her highly successful year as President.
We congratulate Muhammad Faridi, AABANY Member and President of the New York City Bar Association, on receiving the Pro Bono Service Award.
Thanks and congratulations to the many AABANY members who organized a panel or spoke at one. We know that it is not easy to get a program selected for the NAPABA Convention and that much hard work goes into putting on a quality program for the many attendees who come from across the continent to learn from you all. Please send us your photos and, if possible, a short recap about your program. You can send it to [email protected].
Many bonds were made and strengthened among AABANY attendees over the course of the Convention, and many new connections were made with the approximately 3400 registered attendees from across North America. Judging by many social media posts from those who attended, a great time was had by all. We hope everyone got back to New York City safe and sound, and we are looking forward to another inspiring NAPABA Convention when it moves to Denver, Colorado, Nov. 6-9, 2025.
The national Thomas Tang Moot Court Competition, an appellate advocacy competition sponsored by the NAPABA Law Foundation, takes place every year at the NAPABA Convention. The event will be held in-person on November 8, 2024 (Friday) and November 9, 2024 (Saturday) in downtown Seattle, WA near the Hyatt Regency. For more information on the event, please click here.
The event’s Planning Committee is currently seeking volunteers. Specifically, the Committee is looking for judges (either current or previous judges on the bench or veteran attorneys of over 6+ years of practice) and volunteer bailiffs. The timeslots run on Friday, November 8 from 9:00am to 4:00pm in 1.5 hour increments, and on Saturday, November 9 from 8:30AM to 9:50AM and 11:05AM to 12:20 PM.
November 6-7, 2024 | Seattle, WA Application is Now Open Apply by August 14, 2024 at 8 pm ET
The NAPABA ADR Institute is a multi-day career and skills development program created to provide a broad overview as well as substantive, hands-on training to members who are interested in pursuing a career in Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR). This program aims to diversify the pool of mediators and arbitrators in the United States and to increase the use of mediation and arbitration by those who attend the training. The NAPABA Dispute Resolution Committee will provide substantive leadership in the program development and execution as they seek to provide guidance and opportunities to those who may be members of the next generation of leading mediators and arbitrators in the country and to ensure that these mediators and arbitrators also include members of the AANHPI legal community. The training is designed for:
those interested in incorporating work as a mediator or arbitrator while still advocating;
those who are interested in pursuing a judicial career and will benefit from serving as a neutral to gain valuable experience before applying for or running for a judicial position; and
those who wish to pursue a career as a full-time mediator and/or arbitrator, either ad hoc or by joining an ADR provider.
Instructors are ADR thought leaders and the program is supported and guided by leading ADR organizations like JAMS, the American Arbitration Association, and CPR (International Institute for Conflict Prevention & Resolution). This program will provide MCLE-accredited training that will provide foundational training and a deeper understanding for the attendees who may pursue different avenues in ADR, including starting a mediation or arbitration practice at their firm, joining an ADR provider so to gain more experience as an arbitrator in their eventual bid to become a judge, or transition their practice to a full time neutral. Over the course of two days, participants will be exposed to topic areas such as:
Basic introduction to Mediation from a Mediator’s point of view
Basic introduction to Arbitration and its Phases
Selecting an Arbitrator: The Process
Conducting the Preliminary Hearing
Discovery & Motion Practice in ADR
The Arbitration Hearing
Scope and Authority of an Arbitrator
Writing an Award
Vacatur & Appeals
Ad hoc arbitration vs. Administrated Arbitration: Criteria for starting an ADR practice as a solo practitioner vs. joining an ADR provider
November 6-7, 2024 | Seattle, WA Application Opens July 9, 2024
NAPABA is proud to launch its newest program, the NAPABA ADR Institute. This multi-day career and skills development program will provide a broad overview of the practice and substantive, hands-on training to members who are interested in pursuing a career in Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR). This program aims to diversify the pool of mediators and arbitrators in the United States and to increase the use of mediation and arbitration by those who attend the training.
The training is designed for:
those interested in incorporating work as a mediator or arbitrator while still advocating;
those who are interested in pursuing a judicial career and will benefit from serving as a neutral to gain valuable experience before applying for or running for a judicial position; and
those who wish to pursue a career as a full-time mediator and/or arbitrator, either ad hoc or by joining an ADR provider.
While we can’t reveal everything we have in store for you at the 2024 NAPABA Convention, we can tell you that you won’t want to miss any of our sessions, networking opportunities, receptions, and more!
To help you get ready for our June 17 registration and housing launch, we’ve created a quick checklist.
Deadline to Submit Nominations | Tuesday, June 4, 2024
Join NAPABA in honoring outstanding attorneys and organizations that have made an impact in the legal profession within Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific (AANHPI) communities by submitting a nomination for the 2024 NAPABA Awards!
Join us November 7-10 in Seattle as we celebrate them and all of our membership at the 2024 NAPABA Convention.
The NAPABA Military and Veteran Service Award recognizes individuals within the AANHPI legal community serving the U.S. Armed Forces as uniformed personnel, civilians or veterans and is meant to acknowledge AANHPI attorneys who exhibit the highest integrity, competency, and commitment to serving others, the AANHPI community, and their country and whose character and commitment reflect the highest standards of the Armed Forces. Last year’s recipient, Lieutenant Colonel Brian Song, has exhibited those qualities in his military and legal service. Learn more about Brian.
The NAPABA Pro Bono Service Award recognizes an attorney or a team of attorneys for outstanding achievements in pro bono service that involved impact litigation to advance or protect civil rights or provided direct legal services to individuals in the furtherance of the administration of justice.
Last year’s honoree, Jennifer Wu, has shown her commitment to service in her client-centered approach and community leadership. Learn more about Jennifer.
The NAPABA Women’s Leadership Award recognizes the accomplishments of women lawyers and is presented to an individual who has achieved excellence in her field or who has demonstrated leadership and advancement of women or women’s issues.
Last year’s honoree, Jenny Ma, is an experienced litigator leading reproductive rights cases in state and federal courts. Learn more about Jenny.
The NAPABA Public Sector Leadership Award seeks to honor a NAPABA member in the public sector (government, non-profit, legal aid – federal or state) for their outstanding achievements in their legal profession.
Last year’s honoree, Jonathan Cruz, is the Deputy Attorney General for the California Department of Justice. Learn more about Jonathan.
The NAPABA In House Counsel Diversity Leadership Award honors an in-house NAPABA member who has demonstrated leadership and a commitment towards supporting NAPABA partners and diversity in the legal profession.Last year’s honorees, Ivan Fong and Simone Wu, exemplify leadership. Learn more about both of them.
The NAPABA In-House Counsel Rising Star Diversity Leadership Award honors an in-house NAPABA member with 10 or less years of in-house experience who has demonstrated leadership and commitment towards supporting NAPABA partners and diversity in the legal profession.
Please note: To be considered in the selection process nominees must be a NAPABA member. A NAPABA membership helps legal professionals raise their professional profile by providing members with exclusive opportunities and national recognition through awards. Not a member? Learn more on how to become a member today!
