2007 2007Las VegasConvention Las VeganLas Vegas

Las VegasConventionConvention Summary

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Approximately 1200 lawyers, judges, lawprofessors, law students, and friendsattended the 19th Annual NAPABAConvention at the J.W. Marriott atSummerlin in Las Vegas, NevadaNovember 14-18. This year’s conventionfeatured keynote speakers Amul Thapar,U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District ofKentucky (recently confirmed as federaldistrict court judge for this District), TheHonorable Ming W. Chin of the CaliforniaSupreme Court, California Controller JohnChiang, Oscar Goodman, Mayor of LasVegas, and Yul Kwon, APA lawyer andwinner of CBS’ Survivor-Cook Islands.Thanks to the Asian Bar Association ofLas Vegas and the Asian/Pacific BarAssociation of Sacramento for making thisyear’s Convention the most successful yet!

This year’s Convention featurednumerous opportunities to learn aboutand get involved with NAPABA’s variousCommittees and practice groups. Duringcocktail receptions, meetings, and dinnershosted by these groups, plans for the yearahead were discussed and networkingwith like-minded attorneys and businesscontacts took place. The followingCommittees and practice groups held oneor more events during the Convention:Civil Rights, Community Service,Immigration, In-House Counsel,Intellectual Property, International,Judicial Council, Labor & Employment,Litigation, Partners, Public Sector,Regional Conference, Women’sLeadership, and Young Lawyers.

This year’s Convention featured arecord-shattering 42 panels, by far thelargest selection ever offered at a NAPA-BA Convention. The panel topics werediverse and included “Education Equity,Youth Rights, and Affirmative Action forAsian Pacific Americans,” “SecuritiesLitigation Update Under the PSLRA,”“What Employers and Partners Need toKnow About Work Authorization,” and“A Primer on Global Climate Change andSustainable Development.”

NAPABA hosted its fourth BarLeadership Institute (BLI) Program featur-ing presentations and workshops offeringleadership skills training for NAPABAaffiliate leaders and Committee Chairs.Many thanks to Benes Aldana and QuyenTu for Co-Chairing this year’s Program.

This year’s Convention featured manyopportunities for future lawyers to pavepaths toward a successful career in thelegal profession. The Annual ThomasTang Moot Court Competition Thursdaythrough Saturday gave law students anopportunity to fine tune their oral argu-ment skills. On Friday evening, NAPAL-SA held a general meeting and conductedofficer elections for 2008. On Saturdayafternoon, NAPABA hosted one-on-onemock interviews and resume review forlaw students. NAPABA Law Foundation(NLF) Scholarship recipients were recog-nized at the Saturday Installation Banquet.These scholarships are funded by theannual Mercedes-Benz R350 sweepstakes,the drawing for which takes place duringthe Installation Banquet.

Awards were presented to exemplarAPA lawyers and organizations promot-ing APAs in the legal profession.NAPABA’s 2007 Trailblazers were recog-nized at the Friday evening receptionsponsored by Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. At theSaturday evening Installation Banquet,Best Under 40 awardees were honored.Anheuser-Busch, Inc., was also presentedwith NLF’s Excellence in PhilanthropyAward for its 10 years of continuous andgenerous support for NLF and NAPABAprograms. During Saturday’s Women’sLeadership Breakfast, former U.S.Attorney Debra Wong Yang was presentedwith NAPABA’s Women’s LeadershipAward for her contribution to theadvancement of women in the legal pro-fession. During Saturday’s luncheon pro-gram, Heller Ehrman was honored forhaving promoted justice, equity, andopportunity for APAs by preparing a U.S.Supreme Court amicus brief pro bono onbehalf of NAPABA. The Asian AmericanBar Association of Houston became theinaugural recipient of NAPABA’s Affiliateof the Year Award, given in recognition foran affiliate’s exceptional contribution to itscommunity.

Notable speakers gave movingkeynote remarks at this year’sConvention. During Thursday evening’sWelcome Reception, Mayor OscarGoodman welcomed attendees to LasVegas and shared heartwarming stories ofhis first travels to the City. DuringFriday’s breakfast program, Yul Kwon

commented on the effect of media stereo-types on APAs in the legal profession.During Friday’s luncheon program,Justice Ming W. Chin spoke about themeaning of public service in his life.Saturday morning’s Women’s LeadershipBreakfast featured an engaging panel dis-cussion regarding barriers faced by AsianPacific American women lawyers. DuringSaturday’s luncheon program, JohnChiang encouraged APA participation inthe political process, including the 2008elections. At the Saturday eveningInstallation Banquet, Amul Thaparfocused his speech on the value of a careerin public service for APA lawyers.

The future of NAPABA was discussedat length and various plans were present-ed during the Convention. First, a produc-tive annual strategic planning session washeld, drafting a blueprint for the yearsahead. After strategic planning, theNAPABA Board, NLF Board, and NAPA-BA Leadership Advisory Council con-vened for a joint dinner meeting. Duringthe Saturday evening Installation Banquet,Year in Review remarks were made byPresident Phil Shinn and ExecutiveDirector Les Jin, 2008 plans weredescribed by incoming President Helen B.Kim, and the 2008 NAPABA Board wassworn in.

With the Convention held in LasVegas, this year’s experience was notshort on entertainment. NAPABA hosted agolf tournament, tennis round robin, andTexas Hold’Em poker tournament.NAPALSA members challenged attorneysduring a night of bowling. Many foundtime to visit the Las Vegas Strip. Discounttickets to Cirque De Soleil’s “La Reve”and “Love” performances were madeavailable to attendees. Last but not least,Late Night Karaoke with Budweiserreturned as a fun, long-standing NAPABAtradition.

NAPABA congratulates all of you whohave been integral to NAPABA’s evidentsuccess. We look forward to finding moreways to serve APAs in the legal professionand to seeing you in November, 2008 atNAPABA’s next Convention in Seattle!

By President Helen B. Kim and Executive Director Les Jin

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NAPABAConvention 2007

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Las Vegas, Nevada

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Anheuser-Busch NAPABA Law Foundation Presidential Scholarships - $7,500

Ms. Madhuri S. SinghWashington College of Law, American University, Class of 2010University of Michigan, Business Administration, Class of 2006

Ms. Miya Saika ChenWashington College of Law, American University, Class of 2009

University of California, San Diego, Urban Studies and Planning,Class of 2003

UPS NAPABA Law Foundation Gold Mountain Scholarships - $2,500

Mr. Vivek MittalUniversity of California, Los Angeles, School of Law, Class of 2009

Rice University, Anthropology and Chemistry, Class of 2001

Ms. Joanne ChanGeorgetown University Law Center, Class of 2009

Johns Hopkins University, Public Health, MPH Class of 2009Georgetown University, Walsh School of Foreign Service, Science,

Technology & International Affairs, Class of 2005

NAPABA Law Foundation Chris Nakamura Scholarship - $2,500

Ms. Sandeep RandhawaWashington College of Law, American University, Class of 2009

University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, Political Science, Class of 2000

Lim, Ruger & Kim NAPABA Law Foundation Scholarship - $2,500

Ms. Alma L. DavidUniversity of San Francisco School of Law, Class of 2008

Amherst College, Asian Languages and Civilization, Class of 2000

NAPABA Law Foundation Scholarships - $2,000

Ms. Pauline ChowUniversity of Wisconsin, Madison, Class of 2010

University of Illinois, Statistics, Class of 2004

Ms. Kelly NguyenWhittier Law School, Class of 2009

University of California, Los Angeles, Economics, Class of 2002

Ms. May NguyenUniversity of California, Los Angeles, School of Law, Class of 2010

Amherst College, Political Science, Class of 2004

Ms. Eunhye Rebecca MoonNew York Law School, Class of 2010

University of Texas, Austin, Government and Asian Studies, Class of 2005

Mr. Huy PhamNorthwestern University School of Law, Class of 2010

Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Electrical Engineering andComputer Science, Philosophy, Class of 2004

Judge Robert M. Takasugi Public Interest Fellowship - $5,000

Ms. Masako OishiGolden Gate University,, Class of 2009

University of California, San Diego, Psychology and Ethnic Studies,Class of 1998

Ms. Grace LeeUniversity of California, Los Angeles, School of Law, Class of 2009

University of California, Los Angeles, Asian American Studies,History, Class of 2004

National Champions - $2000 Scholarships

Huda Krad and Caroline KwakLoyola University - Chicago

Second Place - $1000 Scholarships

Simone Pang and Kathy Dong University of California - Hastings

Best Oralist - $2000 Scholarship

Huda Krad Loyola University - Chicago

Best Brief - $1000 Scholarship

Justin Lau and Teri NguyenUniversity of California - Hastings

NAPABA Law Foundation 2007 Scholarships & Fellowships

Attention NAPABA Members:If you missed the Las Vegas convention and are

interested in receiving copies of our Convention publications, please contact

NAPABA staff at (202) 775-9555.

We have copies of the following publications available:• Convention Program • Trailblazers • NAPABA Partners Directory 2008• Best Lawyers Under 40

Thomas Tang National Moot Court Competition –

Award Recipients