News

  • Friday, January 22, 2021 12:23 PM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    APABA Celebrates the Historic Biden-Harris Inauguration and Applauds Early Executive Actions in Restoring Justice for Marginalized Communities

    CONTACT: Arnold Lee, arnoldlee.apaba@gmail.com

    Los Angeles, CA - The Asian Pacific American Bar Association of Los Angeles County (“APABA”) congratulates President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris on their historic inauguration this week. In particular, APABA celebrates California's own Vice President Harris in breaking multiple ceilings as our nation's first South Asian, African American, and female Vice President.

    APABA applauds the Biden-Harris Administration in advancing racial equity and supporting underserved communities on several fronts from day one, including President Biden’s Executive Orders to end unjust immigration enforcement policies, to preserve Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (“DACA”), and to repeal the travel ban to predominantly Muslim countries (“Muslim Ban”). APABA has consistently supported furthering fair and just policies toward immigrant communities, including awarding grants to DACA applicants and joining the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (“NAPABA”) in filing an amicus brief with the U.S. Supreme Court opposing the Muslim Ban in the consolidated cases, Trump v. State of Hawai'i and Trump v. International Refugee Assistance Project.

    “The Asian Pacific American Bar Association of Los Angeles County applauds President Biden’s initial Executive Orders to restore justice, order, and legal sensibility to our federal government’s policies toward immigrants and marginalized communities”, said Arnold Lee, President of APABA. “The Biden-Harris Administration’s policies demonstrate a prioritized commitment to racial justice and social equality that align with APABA’s mission and values.”

  • Thursday, January 07, 2021 6:31 PM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    January 6, 2021

    CONTACT: Arnold Lee

    Statement of the Asian Pacific American Bar Association of Los Angeles County on the Attack on Our Democracy

    Los Angeles, CA - The Asian Pacific American Bar Association of Los Angeles County ("APABA") issued the following statement on the events surrounding the U.S. Capitol and Washington, DC during the Electoral College vote count:

    "The Asian Pacific American Bar Association of Los Angeles County strongly condemns the appalling and despicable acts of violence at our nation's capital today during one of the most sacred processes of our republic: vote counting of the Electoral College for the election of the President and Vice President of the United States.

    "For centuries, the United States has always been a beacon of democracy and a symbol of hope, freedom, and justice. What we witnessed today - a direct threat to the democratic process - has no place in America. It reminds us of the fragility of the very values that we hold most dear.

    "Our resilient nation is built upon the rules of law. We must continue to work to protect our cherished principles and strengthen the foundation of our republic. To that end, we call on our elected leaders to publicly denounce the blatant attack on our democracy by these rioters and militants, unite our communities against tyranny, and move us forward."


  • Tuesday, November 17, 2020 7:22 PM | Anonymous member (Administrator)


    APABA APPLAUDS THE HISTORIC APPOINTMENT OF FORMER APABA PRESIDENT BRYANT YANG AS JUDGE OF THE LOS ANGELES COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT

    CONTACT: Arnold Lee, arnoldlee.apaba@gmail.com

    November 17, 2020, Los Angeles, CA - The Asian Pacific American Bar Association of Los Angeles County (APABA) celebrates the historic appointment of Bryant Yang as Judge of the Los Angeles County Superior Court. Yang is the first Burmese American judge in the United States.

    Judge Yang joined the APABA Board of Governors in 2009 and served as its President in 2016, and is currently actively involved on its Advisory Board. His experience in the legal field includes a wide range of civil and criminal work at both the state and federal levels. Most recently, he served as an Assistant United States Attorney with the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Central District of California. Prior to that, he handled complex criminal defense and business litigation at the law firm of Irell & Manella LLP. He has also clerked for esteemed judges on both the Ninth Circuit and Central District of California courts.

    Judge Yang’s commitment to APABA has spanned well over a decade, and it is merely one of the ways he has dedicated himself to community service. On the APABA board, he has helped Asian American and Pacific Islander candidates secure appointments to the judiciary, created a Judgment Enforcement Clinic to assist litigants in collecting on judgments won in court, and established programs highlighting diverse trailblazers in the legal profession throughout the state. To name just a few of his other avenues of community involvement, he has also chaired the City of Monterey Park’s Recreation and Parks Commission, and served on the American Bar Association’s Standing Committee on Legal Aid and Indigent Defendants.

    Judge Yang’s humble beginnings make his appointment by Governor Newsom all the more impressive. At the age of five, Judge Yang immigrated to the United States and had to immediately learn a new language and assimilate into a new culture. During his childhood, his parents worked as cashier and stock boy at the National Dollar Stores chain. After his father passed away, Judge Yang worked three jobs in college to finance his education and support his mother, and he continued to work part-time while attending law school. He also maintained his connection with his Burmese roots by spending several months working with Burmese refugees at the Myanmar-Thailand border. Over thirteen years ago, he established a memorial scholarship in his father’s name, and it awards funds every year to worthy San Gabriel Valley students who are immigrants or children of immigrants, to support their pursuit of higher education.

    “APABA congratulates our friend Bryant on his outstanding and well-deserved appointment. Bryant’s professional qualifications more than speak for themselves, but it is his tireless commitment to the community that truly defines his character and is what endears him to our organization,” stated APABA President Christina Yang (no relation). “We are so pleased that the Governor made such a phenomenal choice for the bench. We know that Bryant will be an invaluable addition to the courts, and will ensure access to justice for all who come before him.”

    APABA applauds California Governor Gavin Newsom for the momentous appointment of Judge Yang, and is thankful for the Governor’s continued commitment to diversity on the bench.


  • Friday, October 16, 2020 1:28 PM | Anonymous member (Administrator)


  • Friday, August 28, 2020 1:28 PM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    APABA Fund for Bar Study Support

    APABA is committed to supporting law school graduates who have been impacted by the rescheduling of the California Bar Exam due to the COVID-19 crisis. We recognize that the delay in the administration of the exam has caused stress, anxiety and financial turmoil for those who are dealing with the uncertainty of this important step in their legal careers. Therefore, APABA is pleased to announce the creation of the APABA Fund for Bar Study Support, which will award ten (10) scholarships in the amount of $500.00 each to recent graduates (class of 2019 or 2020) who meet certain criteria. Special consideration will be given to applicants who intend to work in a nonprofit organization or in government, particularly those serving the APA community in Los Angeles County.  Click here for additional information and the very short application, which is due by September 8, 2020. Recipients will be selected and notified in September.


  • Thursday, July 16, 2020 1:19 PM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    Call to Action

    America's diversity is one of our greatest strengths, but recent tragedies remind us and the world that our country’s shameful history of discrimination and xenophobia continues to plague our communities. Even with significant progress, our nation’s work to achieve equality, respect, and unity is far from complete. The Asian Pacific American Bar Association of Los Angeles County (“APABA”) reiterates the principles set forth in its Statement of Solidarity and recommits itself in a call to action for lasting change.

    2020 has brought to light multiple crises in our communities, including police brutality against Black lives, the racist attacks against Asian Pacific Americans related to the COVID-19 pandemic, and the struggles of COVID-19 containment and its significant impact on our lives.  Regardless of ethnic backgrounds, APABA urges unity and change to combat the dangerous biases in our leaders, our institutions, and within our communities.

    We call on our leaders to do better.  At a time when deep divisions separate this country, the President’s offensive and despicable rhetoric against Asian Americans not only normalizes discrimination, but incites violence.  Moreover, Norfolk City Councilmember Paul Riddick’s statement denigrating Chinese businesses is not only offensive, but is also counterproductive to the call for progress and social change.  These saddening examples only scratch the surface of a widespread problem.

    We also call on our institutions to do better.  Law enforcement agencies and their unions must account for their “bad apples.” How these institutions, their leaders, and their rank-and-file choose to address these problems is of paramount importance to upholding the integrity of our justice system and way of life.  Moreover, UCLA Law professors Stephen Bainbridge’s and Eugene Volokh’s hostile remarks undercut the very values and principles in their profession, including equity, diversity, and inclusion. 

    Finally, we, as members of society, call on our community to do better. The abuse against Asian Pacific Americans, such as the racist tirades against Asian Americans in Torrance and Carmel Valley, and the stabbing of an Asian American family in Texas, must never be repeated. We cannot be idle; we must not permit others around us to engage in acts of bias or intimidation with impunity.  Only then can we as a country begin to heal the wounds of injustice and make real progress toward lasting change.

    Anti-Asian sentiments have led to devastating consequences in our history, from the Chinese Exclusion Act, to the Japanese American internment during World War II, and the senseless murder of Detroit autoworker Vincent Chin more than 35 years ago, and more.  We will not allow our country to go backwards.  Xenophobia and racism against Asian Pacific Americans and all minorities must stop.  The time for unity is now.  The time for change is now. 

  • Wednesday, June 03, 2020 10:00 PM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    APABA's Statement of Solidarity

    In remembrance of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, and the many other Black Americans lost to individual and institutional racism in this country, APABA stands in solidarity with all those who demand accountability for the ongoing senseless killings of people of color at the hands of law enforcement who unlawfully exercise their power. This is an opportunity for our leaders to deliver justice and provide long overdue support for all who experience police brutality.  As evidenced by the recent protests that have spread across the globe, the world is watching.

    APABA further condemns police brutality, white supremacy, and systemic violence in all forms against communities of color. Our community will not be complicit in perpetuating racialized violence and discrimination. We as Asian Americans and as members of the Bar must be fully committed to combating anti-Blackness and racial discrimination against all communities of color in our daily lives and in our society.

    Finally, at a time of great unrest and violence, APABA reiterates the need for peaceful protest and accountability. As an inclusive bar association founded to embody the ideals of social justice, self-empowerment, and community service, we strongly urge our members to take concrete action to speak out, lend your support, and get involved in our Los Angeles community and beyond. Below are some suggested ways for you to contribute.

    1. VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES THROUGH THE LOS ANGELES CHAPTER OF THE NATIONAL LAWYERS GUILD (NLG)

    • Serve as a Legal Observer

    Legal Observers (LO) help protect protesters' civil rights!  NLG-LA is holding LO trainings.  Non-attorneys can get trained too.

    Next Trainings: Monday 6/8 and Thursday 6/11 (both days at noon).  Sign up by filling out this form

    • Sign Up to Volunteer with the NLG Mass Defense Committee  

    Sign up to join the committee with this NLG Mass Defense Committee Volunteer Sign-Up Form.  Due to the tremendous interest in volunteering to assist protesters, NLG has created this committee.  There will be a Zoom orientation session this Friday, June 5, from 3-4 pm.

    • Volunteer to Provide Criminal Legal Representation

    If you are a lawyer and would like to volunteer to represent a protester, please email Admin@NLG-LA.org.  Even if you do not practice criminal law, you can volunteer because NLG-LA has experienced volunteer attorneys who can mentor you.

    • Connect Arrestees with NLG-LA’s Resources; Document Protester Injuries/Related Civil Rights Violations 

    Please share this intake form with anyone who gets arrested while participating in recent actions, so they can obtain representation or legal support.  Those who participated but were not arrested can also report information about excessive force, protester injuries, etc.

    • Provide Jail Support

    If you are available to go to Metro jail to help collect arrestee information (as protesters are released from jail), please contact Jiyoung Carolyn Park at carolynypark@gmail.com. Bringing snacks, water, and other sundries to weary activists is always appreciated.

    2. SUPPORT LOCAL BLACK-OWNED BUSINESSES

    This LA Times article lists Black-owned food businesses and other Black-owned businesses that could use your support.

    APABA extends its deepest gratitude to those who contribute their time to these causes, and we stand in full support of you.


  • Thursday, June 29, 2017 8:39 AM | Anonymous member

    CONTACT:  Deborah Yim, dyim98@gmail.com; Philip Nulud, nlpamg@gmail.com

    June 29, 2017, Los Angeles, CA - The Asian Pacific American Bar Association of Los Angeles County (APABA) and the Philippine American Bar Association (PABA) congratulate the Honorable Winston Keh on his appointment as Judge for the San Bernardino County Superior Court.  He was sworn in as a judge on May 26, 2017 and will be enrobed in the very near future.

    Judge Keh joined the PABA Board of Governors in 2007.  He served as the President in 2013.  Judge Keh also served as a board member of APABA from 2012 through 2013.

    Prior to his appointment, Judge Keh served as Court Commissioner for the San Bernardino County Superior Court since 2015.  He previously served as Judge Pro Tem for the Los Angeles County Superior Court, presiding over traffic and small claims cases.  Judge Keh served as a volunteer attorney for the Asian Americans Advancing Justice – Los Angeles (formerly Asian Pacific American Legal Center), assisting members of the community with immigration documents and petitions for expungement.  In addition, during his tenure as the President of PABA, Judge Keh led a group of Filipino-American attorneys in providing pro-bono legal assistance to members of the Filipino-American community.

    “​APABA congratulates our friend and former board member Winston on his well-deserved appointment to the bench.  Throughout his distinguished legal career, Winston has shown he has a tremendous heart for community service, giving countless pro bono hours to serving others.  We are glad that the Governor made such a great choice in appointing Winston, and we know that he will be a real asset to the courts,” stated Deborah Yim, APABA President.

    “Winston has been a tremendous friend, mentor and example to us all at PABA.  His appointment is well deserved and we congratulate him.  He follows in the footsteps of many other fine PABA board members who have been elevated to the judiciary, and he also leads the path for others.  We are greatly proud of Winston's accomplishments as they are reflective of PABA's role in the community.  With Winston, there are now sixteen Filipino-American judges in California,” stated Philip Nulud, PABA President. 

    PABA will be hosting a reception for Judge Keh, co-sponsored by APABA, on Saturday, July 8, 2017, starting at 2 p.m. at The L.A. Hotel.  If you would like to attend, please RSVP to pabalaevents@gmail.com  by Wednesday, July 5, 2017.

     

  • Wednesday, June 07, 2017 8:37 PM | Anonymous member

    Los Angeles, CA – On May 18, 2017, the Asian Pacific American Bar Association of Los Angeles County (APABA) celebrated APA Heritage Month by presenting a panel discussion entitled 100 Days Later: APA Perspectives on the Trump Administration.  Held at the LAPD’s Deaton Auditorium, over 80 attorneys, law students, community activists, and members of the general public attended the event. 

    The event featured five distinguished panelists who spoke on the impact of the policies of the Trump Administration on APA and other minority communities.  Moderated by Annette Wong, attorney at Cox, Castle & Nicholson, the panelists were Laboni Hoq, Litigation Director of Asian Americans Advancing Justice-Los Angeles; Dr. Sue Kim, Assistant Professor of Clinical Preventative Medicine at USC’s Keck School of Medicine; Cori Racela, Senior Attorney on Western Center on Law and Poverty’s Health Team; Gowri Ramachandran, Professor at Southwestern Law School; and Adrienna Wong, staff attorney at ACLU So-Cal, Advocacy Department. 

    “APABA's APA Heritage Month event has been one of its signature events during its 19-year history.  This event provides a unique opportunity for APABA members, friends, and partners to hear from distinguished speakers and engage in a dialog about critical, timely issues affecting APA and minority communities.”  Stated Seaton Tsai, APABA board member and event committee co-chair.  “Our past events have touched on hot-button social issues, such as police brutality, volunteerism, APAs and the media, and more.  This year, the decision on the topic of presentation was obvious from the beginning.  No presidential administration is without some controversy.  That being said, these first 100 days have been particularly unique in certain respects, and we hope this uniquely all-women panel had shed light on the legal and practical implications of new presidential policies that have recently come to the forefront.”

    The APA Heritage Month event featured a clothing drive for Dress for Success and a performance by accomplished violist, Camille Lin.  26 community organizations co-sponsored the event.  The 2017 APA Heritage Month committee chairs are Seaton Tsai, Diana Taing, and Eleanor Ung.

    Contact: Seaton Tsai (seatontsai@gmail.com)    

    #          #          #

    APABA is a nonpartisan member organization comprised of attorneys, judges and law students throughout Los Angeles County. It is a voice for issues of concern to the Asian Pacific American community. APABA provides legal education and assistance to underserved communities and sponsors programs in professional development, community education and law student mentorship.


  • Monday, May 15, 2017 3:43 PM | Anonymous member

    Los Angeles, CA, May 15, 2017 - In light of the current administration’s priorities, which in the first 100 days appear to target our immigrant communities, we at APABA feel it is important to make a clear statement denouncing any and all anti-immigration enforcement policies that directly contravene our mission of inclusiveness.  As we did with President Trump’s executive orders that targeted Muslim immigrants, we similarly condemn any attempts by the federal government to intimidate and instill fear in our immigrant communities, including the recent arrests of undocumented immigrants by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in courthouses in California and nationwide. These targeted arrests have also been reported in other public locations such as public schools, and county health and social services facilities.                            

    We believe these new enforcement policies, in particular, have had and will continue to reap a detrimental effect on our communities. As noted by California Supreme Court Chief Justice Tani Cantil-Sakauye, “[o]ur courthouses serve as a vital forum for ensuring access to justice and protecting public safety. Courthouses should not be used as bait in the necessary enforcement of our country’s immigrant laws.” She further opined that, as a result of such courthouse arrests, “both documented and undocumented immigrants will no longer cooperate with state and local law-enforcement agencies; crimes or civil wrongs will go unreported and communities will live in fear.” Courts in New York City, Boston, Denver, and other U.S. cities have cited similar consequences of recent courthouse enforcement actions.

    APABA believes that anti-immigration policies undermine our judicial system, which is supposed to serve and protect the poor, abused and vulnerable. Instead, these policies discourage immigrants from reporting crimes and serving as witnesses in crimes against them.   Furthermore, we are deeply concerned that immigrants will not go to public agencies to apply for vital social services and healthcare and other necessary assistance for which they are eligible out of general fear of immigration authorities. 

    The consequences of the new administrations’ anti-immigration policies directly conflict with Congress’ efforts to protect immigrant crime victims.  Laws such as the Violence Against Women’s Act and the Victims of Trafficking and Violence Prevention Act encourage immigrants to come forward and assist law enforcement with prosecuting criminals who have victimized them.  They are less likely to do so now in light of the increase in courthouse enforcement actions and other anti-immigrant policies.

    APABA encourages our members to take an active part in building community dialogue and rejecting any policies or conduct that promote fear-mongering and discrimination. In furtherance of our commitment to engage our communities through civic education, outreach, and activism, APABA conducted a series of Know Your Rights Immigration Town Halls in Los Angeles and Orange counties in February and March 2017. We recently joined the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) in a public statement, expressing concerns about ICE’s practices at courthouses. The statement can be read here. APABA also joined NAPABA’s amicus brief to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth and Ninth Circuits to support a preliminary injunction of the revised Executive Order barring individuals from six Muslim-majority countries from entering the U.S. The appellate courts will hear the cases later this month. Information about the amicus briefs can be found here.

    To commemorate Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, we invite community members to participate in our “100 Days Later: APA Perspectives on the Trump Administration” event to be held on May 18, 2017 where we will review the impact of the first 100 days of the new administration, and how each of us can bring about positive change in our local community.  APABA remains steadfast in our mission to confront discrimination and promote inclusivity through mobilizing our community with outreach programs and education efforts.

    #        #        #

    The Asian Pacific American Bar Association of Los Angeles County is a nonpartisan member organization comprised of attorneys, judges and law students throughout Los Angeles County. It is a voice for issues of concern to the Asian Pacific American community. APABA provides legal education and assistance to underserved communities and sponsors programs in professional development, community education and law student mentorship.

    CONTACT: Dinh Luu (dinh@goldfarbluu.com); Ash Puri (apuri@foxrothschild.com)

     

Share
© 2021 Asian Pacific American Bar Association of Los Angeles County  |  Header photo credit: Jumper/Photodisc/Getty Images  Privacy Policy  


Powered by Wild Apricot Membership Software