FOR IMMEDIATE
RELEASE
March 21, 2008 |
Contact: Aleli Samson
(202) 775-9555 |
FIRST EVER NAPABA & NLF DIVERSITY SYMPOSIUM
WAS
A RESOUNDING SUCCESS TO BE REPEATED ON APRIL 1 IN
NEW YORK CITY
Washington, DC – The National Asian Pacific American Bar
Association (NAPABA) and the NAPABA Law Foundation (NLF) just concluded its
first highly successful NAPABA & NLF Diversity Symposium on Asian Pacific
American (APA) diversity in large law firms, which was held in Los Angeles.
“The symposium was historic,” declared Helen B. Kim, President of NAPABA.
She added, “Not only did it raise and address many issues vital to APAs who
work in large law firms, it helped to raise the profile of the diversity
dialogue for other groups as well.”
NAPABA decided to conduct the symposium because it felt
that certain diversity issues affecting APAs are not sufficiently addressed
at other events. Michael P. Chu, President of NLF, noted, “APAs are not
easy to define—the issues that affect us are nuanced, and at the same time
wide-ranging. These issues are often not addressed by discussions on
general diversity.” The symposium placed special emphasis on the promotion
of APA lawyers into partnership ranks, as well as advancement after
achieving partnership.
The symposium luncheon keynote speaker, Wendy Shiba,
Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary for KB
Home, noted that APAs have the highest growth rate in new entries to law
firms, and yet the worst conversion rate to partnership. “Ms. Shiba’s
comments remind us that we have made progress, but much still needs to be
done. We have many challenges ahead,” said Peggy A. Nagae, a member of
NAPABA’s Diversity Taskforce and a professional diversity consultant.
Building upon the momentum of the LA symposium, NAPABA &
NLF will be holding the event again on April 1, 2008 in New York at the
Manhattan office of White & Case LLP.
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The National Asian Pacific American Bar Association
(NAPABA) is the national association of Asian Pacific American attorneys,
judges, law professors and law students. NAPABA represents the interests of
over 40,000 attorneys and approximately 55 local Asian Pacific American bar
associations. Its members represent solo practitioners, large firm lawyers,
corporate counsel, legal service and non-profit attorneys, and lawyers
serving at all levels of government. NAPABA continues to be a leader in
addressing civil rights issues confronting Asian Pacific American
communities. Through its national network of committees and affiliates,
NAPABA provides a strong voice for increased diversity of federal and state
judiciaries, advocates for equal opportunity in the workplace, works to
eliminate hate crimes and anti-immigrant sentiment, and promotes
professional development of minorities in the legal profession.
The NAPABA Law Foundation is a 501(c)(3) charitable
organization established by the National Asian Pacific American Bar
Association to provide financial support for legal education and legal
services to the Asian Pacific American community. For more information about
the NAPABA Law Foundation and its programs, please contact Mike Chu, NAPABA
Law Foundation President at (312) 321-4200 or mpc@brinkshofer.com
