FOR IMMEDIATE
RELEASE
April 4, 2008 |
Contact: Aleli Samson
(202) 775-9555 |
NAPABA & NLF CELEBRATE SUCCESS OF FIRST-EVER
DIVERSITY
SYMPOSIA TO IMPROVE APA DIVERSITY IN LARGE LAW FIRMS
Washington, DC – The National Asian Pacific American Bar
Association (NAPABA) and the NAPABA Law Foundation (NLF) celebrate the
success of two NAPABA & NLF Diversity Symposia, inaugural events
specifically focused on improving Asian Pacific American (APA) diversity in
large law firms. The first of the two symposia was held at O’Melveny Myers
LLP in Los Angeles on March 18; the second at White & Case LLP in New York
City on April 1. Over 50 of the Nation’s top large law firms sent
representatives to attend the events, including managing partners, hiring
partners, partners with promotional authority, and partners responsible for
firm diversity. “Diversity has to be a top-down message to effectuate
change,” said Peggy A. Nagae, member of the symposium leadership team and
professional diversity consultant. “With the symposia, we have finally sent
a loud and clear message to the right people that there is not enough APA
diversity in their partnership ranks.”
The symposia challenged the perception that the state of
APA diversity in large law firms is acceptable by exposing the
disproportionately low number of APA partners in large firms as compared to
the relative number of APA associates in large firms. Michael P. Chu,
President of NLF, noted, “Many believe that APAs are doing well in law firms
and therefore exclude APAs from conversations on diversity.” He added, “But
statistics strongly suggest that APAs have the lowest conversion rate to
partner than any other group.” In addition to addressing the barriers to
advancement that APA associates in large firms face, the symposia also
tackled the issue of continued obstacles to becoming valued, relationship
partners that junior APA partners must face. “The goal is not just to be
partner—it doesn’t stop there. The goal is to have a real opportunity to
become indispensable to the firm,” said Bruce L. Ishimatsu, member of the
symposium leadership team and partner at Loeb & Loeb LLP.
The initial success of the Los Angeles symposium,
highlighted by comments from KB Home General Counsel and Executive Vice
President Wendy Shiba, bolstered the success of the New York symposium,
where APA partners, associates, and general counsel, as well as law firms,
were challenged to consider their roles in improving APA diversity in large
law firms. Keynote luncheon speaker Don H. Liu, Corporate Senior Vice
President, General Counsel and Secretary of Xerox Corporation, called on APA
attorneys to work together to bring pressure to bear for law firms to
improve APA diversity. “The message we heard in New York is that diversity
is a two-way street; firms have to do their part and APAs have to do theirs
as well,” said Sylvia Fung Chin, member of the symposium leadership team and
partner at White & Case LLP.
Made possible by a Diversity Dollars grant from the
Minority Corporate Counsel Association (MCCA) awarded to NLF last spring,
the NAPABA & NLF Diversity Symposia succeeded in bringing to light many of
the unique obstacles APAs in large law firms face. “NAPABA is eager to
continue moving forward with the momentum that we have generated through the
symposia,” said Les Jin, Executive Director of NAPABA.
###
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
