News

Emergency Relief Drive for Maui: A Donation Drive to Support the Communities Impacted by the Devastating Maui Wildfires

The recent devastation on Maui has deeply impacted the Asian American Pacific Islander community. In the immediate aftermath of this tragedy, many in our community are looking for ways to support those affected by the wildfires.

APABA and sister bars Japanese American Bar Association (JABA), Philippine America Bar Association (PABA), Asian Pacific American Women Lawyers Alliance (APAWLA), and Southern California Chinese Lawyers Association (SCCLA) have come together to kokua (help), raising money for the Hawaii Community Foundation – Maui Strong Fund to provide resources that can be deployed quickly, with a focus on rapid response and recovery for the devastating wildfires on Maui. Funding will support evolving needs, including shelter, food, financial assistance, and other services as identified by the Fund’s partners doing critical work on Maui.

Donations from members of these organizations will be matched up to a cumulative total amount of $7,300.

To qualify for a matching donation:

(1) Please make a tax-deductible donation here.

(2) Self-report and provide evidence of donation here.

Email contactapaba@gmail.com with any questions.

APABA Denounces the United States Supreme Court Decision on Affirmative Action

Los Angeles, California - The Asian Pacific American Bar Association of Los Angeles County (APABA) expresses profound disappointment and concern regarding the recent decision by the Supreme Court of the United States in the cases of Students for Fair Admissions, Inc. v. President and Fellows of Harvard and Students for Fair Admissions, Inc. v. University of North Carolina, which held that race-conscious admissions programs violate the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment.

The decision handed down by the Supreme Court undermines the decades-long pursuit of equal educational opportunities and threatens the progress made toward creating a level playing field for all students, including those in the Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) community. Higher education is a gateway to success and, for many AANHPIs in this country, a dream we fulfill on behalf of immigrant parents who did not have the same opportunities. This Supreme Court decision will undoubtedly create obstacles for educational institutions that have a responsibility to cultivate diverse and inclusive learning environments that reflect the rich tapestry of our country. It will also have a detrimental effect on the diversity of the legal profession, in which there continues to be an underrepresentation of minorities in leadership positions. There is ample evidence that diversity in the legal profession increases the quality of legal services and enhances client representation.

The AANHPI community is not a monolith and is composed of people from all walks of life and all ranges of income. This was emphasized in APABA’s Heritage Month event in 2022, an engaging panel discussion on race-conscious admissions, and our 2023 panel on the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals Act (DACA) that discussed the struggles of AANHPI DREAMers – students who receive protections under DACA. The Supreme Court decision overlooks the systemic barriers faced by all historically disadvantaged communities, including the AANHPI community. 

As an organization committed to advancing justice and equality, APABA stands firmly in its commitment to equal opportunity, racial justice, diversity, and inclusion in education. APABA will continue to advocate for fair and inclusive educational opportunities that empower AANHPI students and all underrepresented communities. We call on all colleges, universities, law firms, and other institutions and organizations to remain dedicated to actively supporting initiatives that promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in education and society as a whole.

APABA Celebrates Historic 25^th Anniversary at Annual Installation Gala with California Supreme Court Justice Kelli Evans, Honorees, And Dignitaries

Los Angeles County, CA - The Asian Pacific American Bar Association of Los Angeles County (APABA) marked a significant milestone as it celebrated its 25th Annual Installation Gala, an event dedicated to recognizing exceptional achievements and contributions within the Asian Pacific American community while raising funds for APABA’s Public Interest Fellowship and operating expenses. The highly anticipated event, held at the Omni Los Angeles Hotel’s Water Court Plaza on June 8, 2023, brought together esteemed legal professionals, judicial and political officers, community leaders, and supporters of APABA to commemorate a quarter century of advancement, advocacy, and empowerment.

A highlight of the evening was a fireside chat with California Supreme Court Justice Kelli M. Evans, who shared her unwavering commitment to justice and insights from her remarkable career, in conversation with Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Bryant Y. Yang, the first Burmese-American judge in the United States and a former APABA president. 

APABA also recognized several honorees for their exceptional leadership and tireless dedication to the Asian American Pacific Islander community. APABA’s President’s Award was presented to Manjusha P. Kulkarni, Executive Director of the AAPI Equity Alliance and Co-Founder of Stop AAPI Hate, for her leadership and advocacy in addressing and providing visibility to hate crimes against the AAPI community, particularly during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.

APABA’s Public Service Award was presented to Henry Lo, Councilmember and former Mayor of Monterey Park, for his years of work in the community and recent leadership in response to the mass shooting at the Star Dance Studio in January 2023. APABA’s Volunteer of the Year Award was presented to Jean Kim, managing partner at Stiller Kim, PC, received for his contributions to APABA’s pro bono legal clinic over the years. APABA also recognized the recipient of its 2023 Public Interest Fellowship, Mary Tran, a rising second year student at UCLA Law School, and the recipient of its ChangeLawyers 3L Scholarship, Yi Li, a rising third year student at Stanford Law School. 

“We are thrilled to celebrate 25 years of APABA's invaluable contributions to the legal profession and the Asian Pacific American community,” said Erica Yen, President of APABA. “Our Annual Installation Gala serves as a reminder of the strides we have made and the work that lies ahead. We are exceptionally grateful to this year’s honorees, speakers, and volunteers who made this event a resounding success.”

Co-founder of APABA, United States District Court Judge Dolly M. Gee, administered the oath of office to APABA’s 2022-2023 Board of Governors. The 25th Annual Installation Gala also featured a vibrant networking reception, providing attendees with opportunities to connect, exchange ideas, and strengthen professional relationships. The event served as a platform to showcase the accomplishments of APABA and its members over the past quarter century, highlighting their impact on the legal landscape and broader community.

APABA Mourns the Passing of Hon. Ronald S.W. Lew, A Trailblazer in the Legal Profession and Mentor to the AAPI Community

Los Angeles, CA - APABA is saddened to hear the news of the passing of Senior Judge of the United States District Court Ronald S.W. Lew, and offers condolences to Judge Lew’s family, friends and colleagues. Among his many accomplishments, Judge Lew was a co-founder of the Southern California Chinese Lawyers Association (SCCLA) and was the first Chinese American appointed to the federal bench outside of Hawaii. He dedicated half of his life to serving on the bench, was a mentor and friend to many within the API legal community, and was a supporter of APABA and the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA).

“I feel so lucky to have known Judge Lew and to be part of the ‘Chambers family’ that he nurtured over the years,” shared former judicial extern to Judge Lew and APABA Executive Vice President Jennifer Tsao. “No one gave advice quite like Judge Lew. Always cutting straight to the point, always delivered with a dose of humor, always leading with kindness. He was such an inspiration to me, not only because of his accomplishments after starting out with humble beginnings, but because he modeled for us how to build up our community and how give back.” 

APABA Board Member and Chair of the Public Appointments & Judicial Endorsement Committee Roger Hsieh notes: “Judge Lew was a trailblazer and an incredible person. He served as a role model and mentor to countless people, including those in the API legal community who would go on to become leaders and judges. Judge Lew’s legacy will continue through the many lives and careers that he helped shape.”

Judge Lew was key to the development of the Los Angeles Chinatown Service Center, the Chinese American Museum, SCCLA, NAPABA, and the National Asian Pacific American Judges Association.

Judge Lew was well-loved for his kindness, clever jokes, and devotion to his family, including his wife Mamie, his four children and his grandchildren. Judge Lew will be dearly missed by many within the APABA community and will always be remembered.

APABA Holds Unity Night Event With A DACA Panel Discussion and Applauds the UC Regents' Decision To Employ All Students Regardless of Immigration Status

Los Angeles, CA – On May 17, 2023, in honor of AAPI Heritage Month, the Asian Pacific American Bar Association of Los Angeles County (APABA) held a 2023 AAPI Unity Night event with a panel discussion on the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals Act (DACA).

Given the Fifth Circuit's October 2022 ruling that the DACA program violated the Administrative Procedure Act, the event featured four distinguished panelists and an excellent moderator who spoke about the experiences of AAPI DACA recipients, the future of DACA, and the Opportunity for All campaign, a California-wide organizing effort led by undocumented student organizers to press the University of California system to remove barriers to employment that negatively impact undocumented students.

The panel was moderated by Professor Kathleen Kim, Associate Dean for Equity and Inclusion at Loyola Law School. Panelists included Professor Ahilan Arulanatham, Professor from Practice and Co-Director of the Center of Immigration Law and Policy at UCLA Law School; Yurie Blons, Advanced Clinical Student for Loyola Immigrant Justice Clinic (Loyola Law '23) and former DACA recipient; Ju Hong, Director of the UCLA Dream Resource Center and Host of ImmigrAsians Podcast; and Miso Jang, Program Manager at AAPI Equity Alliance.

The next day, APABA celebrated the University of California Regents' announcement regarding its intention to allow the employment of all students regardless of immigration status.

“APABA's AAPI Heritage Month event has been one of its signature events in its 25-year history and provides an opportunity for APABA members and community partners to come together to discuss critical and timely issues affecting AAPI communities,” stated Erica Yen, APABA President. "This year it was particularly timely to hear from panelists whose advocacy directly contributed to a historic decision announced the following day. APABA applauds the UC system's commitment to immigrant youth rights and equal opportunities for all."

The AAPI Unity Night Event was co-hosted by the Asian Pacific American Women Lawyers Association and supported by 13 presenting sponsors and community sponsors. It was held at Loyola Law School with catering provided by Park's Finest.

The Philippine American Bar Association, Filipino Lawyers of Orange County, and Thurgood Marshall Bar Association issued the following joint statement, which is endorsed by APABA:

We must not applaud a wrong “corrected” or fall complacent. The reinstatement of Representative Justin Jones and Representative Justin Pearson swiftly rebukes the racially motivated expulsion of two Black-Fil-Am and Black lawmakers. Three lawmakers who took action based on their aligned ideology, engaged in the same conduct of free speech. But only two were expelled. The only difference was the color of their skin. Their expulsion highlights the present-day perpetuation of institutionalized racism in this country. In 2023, we are still fighting, not only remnants of four centuries of this country’s racist past, but also overt acts of prejudice at the highest levels of contemporary politics.

We remain outraged by the blatant racism and discrimination against Rep. Jones and Rep. Pearson. We remain vigilant against all abuses of power including abuse by the Tennessee House of Representatives in voting for expulsion. We remain courageous and stand in solidarity, in the face of criticism and oppression, with the resolve of always fighting for what is right.

Gun violence is neither a political issue nor a topic for debate. But gun violence is not the issue at play now. We stand with our lawmakers, in pursuit of their own due process and equal protection under the law, so they can continue to advocate for the most vulnerable in our society, including children. We stand with The Tennessee Three, because “injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere” (Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.).

APABA Joins Los Angeles County Bar Association and Other Bar Associations in Public Comment Regarding Blue Ribbon Commission Report on the California Bar Exam

LOS ANGELES COUNTY, CA - In 2021 the State Bar formed a “Blue Ribbon Commission” on licensure. Recently, the Commission issued a final report that, among other things, (1) discusses a potential "non-exam pathway" to licensure through an internship program and (2) proposes to eliminate a number of foundational topics from the bar exam, including ethics, family law, estates/trusts, and business associations, and (3) allows out of state attorneys to be admitted to California without sitting for the California Bar Exam without reciprocity for California attorneys.

In April 2023, APABA joined the letter drafted by the Los Angeles County Bar Association and statewide bar associations in opposition to these recommendations. For the full text of the public comment, please click here.

APABA ADOPTS CODE OF CONDUCT

LOS ANGELES COUNTY, CA - The Board of Governors of APABA recently voted to adopt a Code of Conduct. This is part of APABA's commitment to ensure that all APABA-organized and APABA-co-sponsored activities and events are spaces that promote principles of professional conduct and civility that are consistent with APABA's core values. The text of the Code of Conduct is pasted below and is also available here.

APABA Code of Conduct

The Asian Pacific American Bar Association of Los Angeles County (APABA) is a member organization of attorneys, judges and law students throughout Los Angeles County.

Its mission is to be a voice for issues of concern to the Asian/Pacific Islander American (APIA) community, foster the exchange of ideas and information, promote professional growth, provide opportunities for interactions among members, collaborate with other bar organizations, and serve the community at large in addition to the local APIA community.

To accomplish its mission successfully, it is important to the Board of Governors that APABA adopt a Code of Conduct that is consistent with its values and central to all of its activities.

Accordingly, it is a requirement that all APABA members and attendees of APABA events and APABA-co-sponsored events agree to abide by the following principles in all conduct related to APABA activities. This includes all types of communications (written or verbal) with, between, and among APABA members or event attendees, including but not limited to in-person and virtual meetings, phone calls, emails, text and internet messages, online forums, and social media.

1. Engage in professional behavior that promotes respect, care, and concern for others. APABA does not tolerate inappropriate conduct, which includes actions or statements that are hateful, harassing, demeaning, rude, insulting, or discriminatory.

2.  Communicate ideas and opinions with thoughtfulness and sensitivity. APABA promotes community dialogue and healthy discussion in which contrary opinions will often be shared (and should be shared), but must be done so with professionalism and respect for a diversity of perspectives.

3.  Report to the APABA Board of Governors Executive Committee (the “Executive Committee”) any conduct or actions that are contrary to this Code of Conduct. Be supportive of others and speak up to the greatest extent possible.

Reporting Inappropriate Conduct

Any APABA member or event attendee may report any alleged violation of this Code of Conduct to the Executive Committee and/or to the President, in person or at president@apaba.org. The President and/or the Executive Committee will conduct a confidential investigation of the alleged violation, unless the President or a member of the Executive Committee is alleged to have violated the Code of Conduct, in which case the remaining members of the Executive Committee will conduct the investigation. As part of the investigation, in its discretion, the President and/or members of the Executive Committee may interview the member or event attendee. Information and sources derived from the investigation are to remain confidential to the extent possible.

Censure, Suspension, or Termination of Membership

If upon investigation, the Executive Committee finds the member to have violated this Code of Conduct, the Executive Committee may, in its discretion, meet with the member to share the results of the investigation and/or express disapproval for the alleged violations of the Code of Conduct and to discuss potential remedies.

If the Executive Committee determines that censure, suspension, or expulsion from membership is required, the Executive Committee will file written charges against the member and provide at least ten days’ written notice of a proposed hearing before the Board of Governors. At the hearing, the member charged shall be given the opportunity to be heard and to present evidence in answer to such charges. A two-thirds majority vote of Board members is required to issue a formal statement of disapproval, suspend, or expel. Written notice will then be provided to the member.

Any member against whom the Board of Governors has voted to issue a formal statement of disapproval, suspension, or expulsion from membership may appeal the determination by filing a written notice with the Secretary of APABA within 60 days. In the event of an appeal, an affirmative vote of a majority of the members present at a membership meeting shall be required to override any appealed censure, suspension, or expulsion.

Additionally, APABA reserves the right to report alleged violations by any such member or event attendee to the State Bar of California and/or other State Bars or law enforcement as applicable.

APABA STATEMENT ON THE NOMINATION OF JULIE SU TO U.S. SECRETARY OF LABOR

LOS ANGELES COUNTY, CA - Asian Pacific American Bar Association of Los Angeles County (APABA) President Erica Yen issued the following statement on the nomination of Julie Su as U.S. Secretary of Labor:

"On behalf of the Asian Pacific American Bar Association of Los Angeles County, we celebrate President Biden’s historic nomination of Los Angeles County's own Ms. Julie Su to U.S. Secretary of Labor. If confirmed, she will be the first Asian American to serve in his Cabinet as a department secretary.

"Over the course of her career, Ms. Su has been passionately committed to protecting workers' rights, fighting against workplace discrimination and unfair labor practices, and driving constant improvements for the workforce -- as a civil rights attorney at Asian Americans Advancing Justice Southern California (formerly Asian Pacific American Legal Center), as California Labor Commissioner, as Secretary of California’s Labor and Workforce Development Agency, and currently as U.S. Deputy Secretary of Labor. She is more than qualified and well-prepared to lead the U.S. Department of Labor.

"APABA endorsed Ms. Su for this position in 2020. APABA also awarded her with its 2020 Trailblazer Award for her significant contributions to workers' rights and for being the first Asian American woman to serve as California Labor Secretary. Previously in 2011, APABA awarded Ms. Su with a Public Service Award to recognize her ongoing commitment to safeguarding the rights and lives of workers.

APABA JOINS OVER 25 LEGAL AND CIVIL RIGHTS ORGANIZATIONS IN CONDEMNING RACIST COMMENTS BY REPRESENTATIVE LANCE GOODEN

LOS ANGELES COUNTY, CA - APABA joins the California Asian Pacific American Bar Association (Cal-APABA), its sister bar associations, and Asian American civil rights organizations in condemning comments made by Rep. Lance Gooden (R-TX) questioning the loyalty of Rep. Judy Chu (D-CA) and suggesting to remove Rep. Chu's security clearance. Such comments are outrageous, racist, and have no place in public discourse.

Political rhetoric against the AAPI community has been used to hurt Asian communities for decades. Research by Stop AAPI Hate released in October 2022 shows that statements by political candidates and elected officials that attempt to scapegoat Asians for public health crises, economic hardships or national security concerns are repeated by perpetrators of hate incidents. As hate incidents against the AAPI community surge across the country, political representatives spewing such hate speech must be held to account.

We call on Rep. Gooden to apologize to Rep. Chu and to the AAPI community for his hateful and inflaming comments. Further, we urge the House GOP leadership to condemn Rep. Gooden's attacks on Rep. Chu and stand with the AAPI community in acknowledging that such rhetoric is hateful, unwarranted, and dangerous.

Add your voice:

Share your thoughts with Rep. Lance Gooden:

Call: (202) 225-3484

Email: https://gooden.house.gov/email-me