Jim Goh

 Candidate for Director

Candidate Statement

Knowing the power of NAPABA’s national voice, its steadfast commitment to racial justice and equality, and its vibrant, sophisticated networking platform, I am honored and humbled to seek your support for my candidacy as a Director of NAPABA’s Board of Governors. The “magic” of NAPABA lies not only in its cutting-edge advocacy on behalf of the APA community and its immense professional development opportunities, but also in its unique ability to foster camaraderie and a sense of belonging. Every NAPABA convention feels like a family reunion. For all that NAPABA has done for me, I am excited for the opportunity to be a part of building the future of this wonderful, incredible organization.

My first NAPABA convention was in Sacramento in 1994. As a Chinese-Malaysian immigrant who came to this country in my early 20s, I felt welcomed and completely at ease, much to my surprise. The lawyers I met then and at those early conventions are my dear friends to this day. At the risk of dating myself, I have attended 24 conventions (I had to miss one due to a trial commitment). Over the years, I have served as NAPABA’s Southwest Regional Governor and then Secretary (late 1990s) and as Co-Chair of NAPABA’s Employment Law committee. But my greatest privilege has been serving as Chair of NAPABA’s Best Lawyers Under 40 Selection Committee since its inception in 2002. Founded upon the goal of recognizing and promoting the accomplishments of young APA lawyers, the BU40 Committee has bestowed the prestigious award upon approximately 400 NAPABA lawyers to date. I would like to believe that the BU40 award has, in some way, enhanced the professional careers of each awardee.

In these tumultuous, challenging times, when the nation is scarred and scared, it is more important than ever for NAPABA to have seasoned leadership open to new and bold ideas. I believe my demonstrated leadership experience—including my past and present experience as part of the NAPABA leadership, my ABA leadership roles, and my current stint as a member of the Executive Committee of an AmLaw350 firm—would serve NAPABA well in navigating through the challenges ahead. NAPABA is an organization with a diverse, multi-faceted membership—and all voices must be heard and respected. NAPABA should continue, and improve upon, its collaboration with the other specialty bars and the ABA, united in the pursuit of justice, equality and solidarity. Consistent with NAPABA’s strategic vision, I want to do my part in helping NAPABA amplify its voice; and be at the national forefront of championing unity in times of division, collaboration in times of confrontation, inspiration in times of instigation.

Given the global health and economic landscape, NAPABA, like other bar associations, will inevitably face severe head-winds in its fundraising efforts in the coming years. I stand ready to offer my leadership skills, experience and diligence to ensure that NAPABA maintains its financial soundness—so critical towards advancing its mission.

With respect to my leadership experience outside of NAPABA, I have been active in ABA leadership, having served as a Council-member of the ABA Council on Racial and Ethnic Justice; a Commissioner of the ABA Commission on Women in the Profession; and a member of the ABA Standing Committee on the Federal Judiciary, a committee tasked with evaluating and rating the White House’s nominees for the federal bench. I also served as Chair of the Employment Law Committee of the Inter-Pacific Bar Association, an organization comprised of lawyers across the globe. Over the course of my legal career, I have spearheaded my firms’ initiatives for diversity and inclusiveness, consistently advocating for transforming aspirations into actions.

It would be my great honor and privilege to serve on NAPABA’s Board of Governors. Please feel free to contact me at jgoh@constangy.com for more information. Thank you for taking the time to consider my candidacy.

Candidate Bio

Jim Goh is an Office Managing Partner (Denver) and a member of the Executive Committee of Constangy Brooks Smith & Prophete, LLP. Jim represents management in all aspects of employment counseling and litigation, and has substantial experience in the defense of complex multi-plaintiff employment cases and class/collective actions. An AV-rated lawyer, he is a Fellow of the College of Labor and Employment Lawyers, and a Senior Fellow of Litigation Counsel of America, an honorary trial lawyers society. Among other recognitions, Jim is listed in Best Lawyers in America, America’s Top 100 High Stakes Litigators, and Who’s Who in America.

Jim is a national figure in the legal diversity and inclusiveness arena. He received ABA
presidential appointments to serve on blue-ribbon commissions: the ABA Commission on
Women in the Profession (2008-2011), and the ABA Council on Racial and Ethnic Justice
(1999-2003). In addition, he served on the ABA Standing Committee on the Federal Judiciary, a committee responsible for evaluating and rating prospective nominees to the federal bench. He was also invited to be a member of President Clinton's “Lawyers for One America” Initiative.

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