On Thursday, April 18, 2013, the AABA Civil Rights Committee, along with the Public Law and Women’s Committees and Golden Gate University’s Asian Pacific American Law Students’ Association, hosted a conversation between California Labor Commissioner Julie Su and Professor Hina Shah of Golden Gate University School of Law. Over sixty people attended this event honoring Commissioner Su, the first Asian American woman appointed to her current position. Commissioner Su was the former Litigation Director at the Asian Pacific American Legal Center.

With Professor Shah leading the conversation, Commissioner Su discussed her work in government and the impact the Division of Labor Standards Enforcement has had on workers of all backgrounds. She shared with the group her successes, challenges, and what she hopes to accomplish over the next few years as the premier enforcer of California’s labor laws. Commissioner Su also reflected on her past experiences as a new attorney representing garment workers in the groundbreaking El Monte Thai workers litigation, for which she received the MacArthur Foundation “Genius” Award and the Reebok International Human Rights Award. She also discussed her insights on the status of Asian Americans in the legal profession.

Perhaps the most interesting question raised was how she has managed to build and maintain a good relationship with the business community, given her background as an advocate for workers. Commissioner Su explained that the vigorous enforcement of labor laws doesn’t just benefit workers, but also employers who follow the law. Like a basketball referee who calls out fouls, Commissioner Su stated, she holds employers who violate the law accountable so that law-abiding employers can play on an even court.

Commissioner Su provided practical advice to law students about how they can pursue a career in public interest and civil rights law. Overall, attendees were treated to an engaging and inspiring conversation, followed by a lively reception.

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On February 27, 2013, AABA’s Social Committee held its annual East Bay Mixer in Oakland at the law firm of Wendel Rosen Black & Dean LLP.  Over 100 attorneys, judges, law students, and legal service representatives mingled over an array of drinks and hors d’oeuvres. Special guest speakers included Barbara Parker, City Attorney of Oakland, Danny Wan, Port Attorney of Oakland, and Barbara Ziegler, Alameda County Counsel.  AABA thanks former Board members Eugene Pak and Christine Noma of Wendel Rosen for hosting the event in their office.

The Social Committee is looking forward to an exciting new year of creative outings to bring the AABA community together.  Details about the Social Committee’s annual Kick Off Mixer will be included in an upcoming weekly email bulletin.  If you are interested in joining the Social Committee this year, or if you have any questions or ideas, please contact any of the co-chairs listed on the AABA website.  Thank you for your continued support.  The Social Committee hopes to see you at the next event!

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2013 AABA INSTALLATION DINNER: A NEW CHAPTER BEGINS

On March 21, 2013, over 850 guests attended the Asian American Bar Association of the Greater Bay Area’s 36th Annual Installation Dinner at the Marriott Marquis in San Francisco.

Emcee Keith Kamisugi of the Equal Justice Society kicked off the Dinner by delivering an enthusiastic welcome. The evening began with the presentation of several student scholarships, made possible through the AABA Law Foundation and many generous contributors.

The Asian Pacific American Judges’ Scholarship was awarded to Nicole Marquez, a rising second year law student at Stanford Law School. Honorable Delbert Gee was recognized for his efforts collecting contributions from various state and federal judges to fund this scholarship.

The Raymond L. Ocampo Jr. Family Scholarship was awarded to Lincoln Lo, a rising second year law student at Stanford Law School. This scholarship is given in memory of Raymond L. Ocampo Jr.’s parents and in honor of immigrants like them, for their enormous sacrifices to secure a better life for their families.

The Joe Morozumi Memorial Scholarship was awarded to Yunah Rha, a rising third year law student at Golden Gate University School of Law. This scholarship is made possible by the generosity of Joan Haratani, Michael G.W. Lee, and Dale Minami.

Following the presentation of these scholarships, Board member Miriam Kim discussed the role of the AABA Law Foundation in the face of significant increases in law school tuition over the past decade. Ms. Kim highlighted the importance of law students to AABA’s future and the need to help in this cause by supporting the Foundation through corporate sponsorships, pledges, or volunteering.

The Joe Morozumi Award for Exceptional Legal Advocacy was presented to Bill Lann Lee, of Lewis, Feinberg, Lee, Renaker & Jackson, PC. This award was presented by last year’s recipient Cecilia D. Wang, Director of the ACLU Immigrants’ Rights Project.

The AABA Public Service Award, which honors an attorney who exemplifies the spirit and commitment to public service and justice, was presented to Neal K. Katyal. Mr. Katyal served as the Acting Solicitor General of the United States from 2010 to 2011. Mr. Katyal focused his remarks on the 2011 confession of error he issued for the two Supreme Court cases Hirabayashi v. United States and Korematsu v. United States. He declared that, despite a long line of error and cover-ups, there is hope and inspiration to be drawn from individuals like Edward Ennis and John Burling, Department of Justice lawyers who stood up for what was right in those cases.

Ringing in the new term, the incoming 2013 AABA Board was sworn in by the Hon. Goodwin Liu, Associate Justice of the California Supreme Court. Hon. Liu applied a unique oath sprinkled with inspiration and humor.

At the conclusion of the program, outgoing President Emi Gusukuma gave her farewell remarks. She touched upon AABA’s accomplishments during her tenure, including the engagement of a professional management organization, the redesign of the AABA website, and the creation of two new Committees, the LGBT Committee and the Women’s Committee. She highlighted the importance of these two Committees in addressing the civil rights issues of our time: the special challenges arising out of the intersections of race with gender and sexual identity. At the conclusion of her remarks, Ms. Gusukuma reminded all that change presents opportunity.

Incoming President David Sohn delivered an inspiring speech, hailing a new vision and beginning for AABA in the coming year. He voiced appreciation for the great strides AABA has already made in recent years, but also noted the many challenges still faced by APA attorneys. Mr. Sohn emphasized that in order to retain purpose and relevance in the community, AABA must be willing to take risks, to ask difficult questions, and to work toward solutions. Mr. Sohn promised to aggressively combine his idealism and high aspirations with practical programs to tackle the challenges faced by AABA’s members.

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On Thursday, February 21st, with the generous support from AABA and BALIF, the AABA LGBT Committee hosted its Inaugural Event at David Tsai’s home. More than 30 AABA members and friends attended the event in celebration of the formation of the LGBT Committee. AABA President Emi Gusukuma, Treasurer Ted Ting and BALIF President On Lu were three amongst many board members from both bar associations who attended in support of the event. The intimate setting facilitated free flowing discussions and networking between AABA members and friends from other professions. The event was a promising start to building a network of support for AABA’s LGBT members.

The Committee represents AABA’s commitment to the fight for equality and justice for the LGBT community. The Committee actively supports and strives to help Asian American LGBT members promote further diversity in the legal profession at all levels. The Committee welcomes any ideas, events, campaigns, and concerns regarding the Asian American LGBT community. Please submit your ideas and inquiries to the Committee’s Co-Chairs Wayne Chi, James Hua, or Andrew Vu.

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On November 27, 2012, the AABA Judiciary Committee held its first ever AABA event honoring APA justices.  In a standing room only Ninth Circuit hearing room, Chief Justice Tani Cantil-Sakauye and Associate Justice Ming W. Chin were the keynote speakers for the event.

Introducing the Chief Justice, AABA President Emi Gusukuma recited a quote from the Chief Justice, in which she addressed what her appointment meant to her community and family: “[F]rom our daughters’ perspective, they have a set of grandparents who worked in the fields.  They have a set of grandparents who were interned for four years. They have grand uncles, uncles, and cousins who are war veterans.  And their mother?  Well, a man of remarkable vision [former Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger] nominated her to lead the highest court in California. Is history remarkable or what?”

Judiciary Committee Co-Chair Annie Y.S. Chuang, a partner at Shook, Hardy & Bacon L.L.P., introduced Associate Justice Chin.  She noted that Justice Chin was an APA pioneer throughout his career:  he was the first Asian American president of the Alameda County Bar; the first Asian American district attorney in Alameda County; and the first Asian American partner in a major Oakland law firm.

In his speech, Associate Justice Chin acknowledged the path blazed by Associate Justice Joyce L. Kennard, who was the first Asian American to serve as a justice on the California Supreme Court.

The event was well attended by Justices, judges, and attorneys, with over 20 judicial officers in attendance and over 150 attendees.

Co-Chair Alice Liu Jensen, an attorney with the U.S. Securities & Exchange Commission, wrapped up the event and acknowledged the work of the many contributors.  The Committee would also like to acknowledge former Judiciary Committee member and current member of the Commission on Judicial Nominees Evaluation, Kristina H. Chung, who inspired the Committee to honor APA justices.

Co-chair Annette K. Mathai-Jackson, Senior Counsel with Hanson Bridgett, provided the marketing and promotional materials and managed the guest list.

The event was co-sponsored by Hanson Bridgett; Shook, Hardy & Bacon L.L.P.; JAMS; and Nassiri & Jung LLP.

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