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.