Being Everything Everywhere All at Once: The Trials and Triumphs of AANHPI Women Litigators

CLE Materials

A panel of preeminent litigators, whose careers range from the senior-most ranks of the most esteemed law firms in the country to decorated stints in public service, explore the unique experiences and challenges that come with being AANHPI woman litigators. Even as  AANHPI women make up an increasingly larger portion of law school student bodies, the number of AANHPI women who pursue careers in litigation, and are able to make it to the senior ranks of litigation, remains small and underrepresented.  Through the course of the panel, we will explore topics including the lack of representation in litigation versus transactional work, the barriers to entry and promotion in litigation, and personal stories from the courtroom and the boardroom that are sure to bring together fellow  AANHPI women litigators of all ranks and experiences.   

While the program focuses on AANHPI women litigators, the panelists’ personal stories will engage and enthrall any audience member with an interest in promoting DEI and allyship in their workplace.

NAPABA did not seek CLE for this program; however, this live webcast may be eligible for CLE credit in your jurisdiction. Please follow-up directly with your jurisdiction in order to self-apply for CLE credit.

Panelists

Angela Guo (Moderator), Associate, Davis Polk & Wardwell — Angela W. Guo is an associate in the White Collar and Government Investigations practice at Davis Polk & Wardwell in New York City, where she represents multinational companies, financial institutions, and individuals in connection with internal investigations and criminal and civil investigations by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, the U.S. Department of Justice, and other regulatory agencies.  Previously, Angela received her J.D. ’18 from Stanford Law School, M.P.A. ’18 from Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government, and B.A. ’14 from Rice University.  She clerked for the Honorable Gonzalo P. Curiel in the Southern District of California. 

At Davis Polk, Angela serves on the Steering Committee of the firm’s Asian/South Asian/Middle Easter (ASAME) Affinity Group and is also Co-Chair of the firm’s Associates Committee.  In 2022, she was selected to participate in the New York City Bar Association’s Associate Leadership Institute.  Angela is deeply passionate about AAPI issues and was was an Editor of the Asian Policy Review at the Harvard Kennedy School and Co-President of APILSA during her time at Stanford Law School.  

Anisha Dasgupta, General Counsel, Federal Trade Commission — Anisha Dasgupta is the General Counsel of the Federal Trade Commission. Previously, she was a Deputy Solicitor General at the Office of the New York State Attorney General and an appellate attorney with the Civil Division of the United States Department of Justice. In 2009, as a detailee from the Department of Justice, Anisha served as a counsel at the Office of the White House Counsel. Anisha clerked for the Honorable José A. Cabranes of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit and for the Honorable Louis H. Pollak of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. She holds a J.D. and B.A. from Yale University and a Ph.D. from Cambridge University, where she studied as a Marshall Scholar.

Catherine So, General Counsel, Tiffany & Company — Catherine So is Senior Vice President and General Counsel of Tiffany & Co. Before joining Tiffany in 2015, Cathy held roles of increasing responsibility with Bank of America and Merrill Lynch, specializing in the areas of employment law and securities litigation. She also served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the criminal division of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York, as well as a litigation attorney with Debevoise & Plimpton. She received her B.A. and her law degree from Columbia University.

Vicki Chou, Partner, Hueston Hennigan — Vicki Chou is a partner at Hueston Hennigan who represents individuals and companies in high stakes business disputes and criminal matters, including complex commercial litigation, intellectual property matters, SEC enforcement actions, shareholder litigation, and white collar criminal defense.  She was previously an Assistant United States Attorney in the Central District of California where she was a Deputy Chief and represented the United States in hundreds of criminal cases, including computer and internet fraud, intellectual property, money laundering, cryptocurrency, bank fraud, tax fraud, immigration fraud, drug trafficking, and racketeering offenses. Many of her matters involved high level, international coordination.  She has been lead or co-lead trial counsel on over 10 federal jury trials, including a recent 10-week criminal trial after which the judge lauded the attorneys for an “unparalleled” and “extraordinary” performance.
Vicki is based in Los Angeles where she is an active member of the legal community, serving on the boards of multiple organizations, including as Vice President for the Southern California Chinese Lawyers Association. As a member of LACBA’s Racial and Social Justice Committee, Vicki co-chairs the HBCU Immersion Program in Los Angeles. Vicki also serves on the Merit Selection Panel for the Central District of California, where she assists in evaluating and recommending to the District Judges the best qualified applicants for appointment to the position of United States Magistrate Judge.

Mari Grace (Byrne), Partner, Davis Polk & Wardwell — Mari Grace (Byrne) is a partner in the litigation practice at Davis Polk & Wardwell and represents clients in a wide range of civil litigation matters, including complex commercial and contractual disputes, securities litigation, bankruptcy-related litigation and class actions. She has represented major energy companies, telecommunications companies and financial institutions, among others, in both federal and state court. She is admitted to practice in New York and is practicing in DC under the supervision of partners of the firm.