Program Description

The Asian Pacific American Bar Association of Los Angeles County has run its Judicial Pipeline Project since 2016.  The Pipeline Project is an effort to:

• Identify and provide outreach to potential qualified candidates for administrative, trial, and appellate judicial offices in the state and federal systems;
• Assist and advise these candidates in the application and vetting process and the judicial election process, including establishment of a formal mentorship program involving APA judges; and
• Create and cultivate relationships to facilitate the appointment of APAs to the bench.

The Pipeline Project - the first of its kind in Southern California - will broaden professional opportunities for our community of lawyers and support and educate those interested in serving as judges. Candidates must apply to participate.  The need for this program is underscored by the lag in APA representation on California's bench.

APABA thanks its co-sponsoring APA bar organizations - APAWLA, JABA, PABA, SABA-SC, SCCLA - for their generous support and participation. 

Program Features

The Pipeline Project will evaluate and assess individuals accepted into the program and tailor its resources to prepare these candidates for the bench. Among the Pipeline Project’s features:

• Confidential Judicial Mentor/Mentee Program. Candidates may have an opportunity to be paired with state or federal judicial officers to discuss, among other things, the candidates' plans for the bench.
• Application Counseling. Candidates will work closely with APABA’s network of advisors to prepare the best possible judicial application.
• Endorsement Counseling. Although participation in the project does not in any way guarantee that candidates will be endorsed by any organizations, the Pipeline Project will advise candidates on obtaining community support for their applications to the extent possible.
• Post-Application Guidance. Candidates will be counseled on what to do after their applications for judicial officer positions are submitted.
• Interview Counseling. If a candidate’s name is submitted to the various vetting and rating organizations, the Pipeline Project will assist the candidate in preparing for interviews with those organizations.

Project Chairs

• Roger Hsieh & Alex Su

Candidate Participation in Pipeline Project

• Candidate Requirements:
• • You must be a member of APABA or one of the Southern California co-sponsoring bar organizations. The organizations are: Asian Pacific American Women Lawyers Alliance, Japanese American Bar Association, Korean American Bar Association, Philippine American Bar Association, South Asian Bar Association of Southern California, and the Southern California Chinese Lawyers Association
  • You must be a member of the California bar for at least ten (10) years and possess the equivalent years of legal experience.
  • You must demonstrate a substantial commitment to your community.
    
    
• Application Process:

APABA's Judicial Pipeline Project (2024 Class) - Apply by August 23, 2024

APABA is now accepting applications for its 2024 Judicial Pipeline Project, an effort to:

• Identify and provide outreach to potential qualified candidates for administrative, trial, and appellate judicial offices in the state and federal systems;
• Assist and advise these candidates in the application and vetting process and the judicial election process, including establishment of a formal mentorship program involving APA judges; and
• Create and cultivate relationships to facilitate the appointment of APAs to the bench.

The Pipeline Project will evaluate and assess individuals accepted into the program and tailor its resources to prepare these candidates for the bench. Among the Pipeline Project’s features:

• Confidential Judicial Mentor/Mentee Program: Candidates may have an opportunity to be paired with a judicial officer to discuss, among other things, the candidates' plans for the bench.
• Application Counseling: Candidates will work closely with APABA’s network of advisors to prepare the best possible judicial application.
• Endorsement Counseling: While participation in the project does not in any way guarantee that candidates will be endorsed by any organization, the Pipeline Project will advise candidates on obtaining community support for their applications to the extent possible.
• Post-Application Guidance: Candidates will be counseled on what to do after their applications for judicial officer positions are submitted.
• Interview Counseling: If a candidate’s name is submitted to the various vetting and rating organizations, the Pipeline Project will assist the candidate in preparing for interviews with those organizations.

APABA has hosted its Pipeline Project since 2016.  Sister bar members who have been members of the California Bar for at least 10 years can apply here until August 23, 2024.  

Questions? Contact the Chair of APABA's Judicial Endorsements and Public Appointments Committee.