Judy M. Lam
Candidate for Secretary
Contact Candidate by Email
Candidate Statement
Challenge and Opportunity Facing NAPABA
The time is ripe for APA lawyers to stand up, be seen, and be vocal, to lead the way in calling for respect and justice, not just for APAs but for the community at large. With its broad international reach, NAPABA is a tremendous platform. This impressive collection of APA talent, in tandem with other bar and professional groups, can bring healing, greater harmony and mutual understanding, and impact the vital issues facing us today in the movement for racial equity and gender equality, and for greater professional and civic advancement. This is why I want to serve on this board and why I believe it’s important to serve now.
APA lawyers, particularly those in positions of power and influence, can and should dramatically shape conversations about race and privilege, and to bridge gaps in understanding. In advancing NAPABA’s mission, we can propel more APA lawyers to succeed but also call for change within a system that remains unequal and unfair for many.
Secretary Position & My Experience
I am running for a second term as Secretary of the NAPABA Board, to continue serving the organization as it enhances its corporate governance and processes, and expands the work and reach under a new Strategic Plan. NAPABA is well poised to advance and support more appointments and elevations of APA lawyers, judges, public servants and leaders.
As Secretary, I will continue to accurately and timely capture the context of the discussions and decisions, and advance board governance and stewardship of this organization. Diversity of opinion improves decision-making. Beyond being a scribe, a good Secretary fosters an atmosphere of debate and dialogue, including majority and minority views, while acting ethically and responsibly.
Now, after 25 years of practice and service on many other boards, including Asian Americans Advancing Justice AAJC in Washington D.C, and Asian Pacific Women’s Center (a domestic violence shelter in Los Angeles), I can bring my experience and insights to help in a governance and executive role, as we carry forward NAPABA’s mission in this historic time.
Since 2003, NAPABA has been a vital part of my professional life. It has been extremely rewarding to collaborate with and learn from lawyers across many sectors around the globe. I can truly appreciate that we are not of one mind or one party, and that
NAPABA is richer if we can embrace and unite many perspectives for the advancement of NAPABA’s mission. In co- chairing the 2010 convention (which increased attendance, sponsorships and revenue by 65- 70%), our host committee succeeded in expanding
the NAPABA tent to reach lawyers from all
work environments, the judiciary, nonprofits and government lawyers, and with unprecedented corporate sponsorship. These are a few examples of my work in NAPABA:
- Co-chair, NAPABA Convention 2010, Los Angeles
- Co-chair, Real Estate Committee
- Conceived and organized NAPABA’s Real Estate Case Study in 9 host cities
- Co-chair, Branding Committee-- rebranded NAPABA logo and marketing
- Reimagined the Trailblazer Awards Reception, 2010
- Conceived and organized inaugural Community Service Day, 2010.
- Active in Solo & Small Firm Network including organizing panels for SSF Bootcamp and SSF webinars
- Organized and presented on many panels and programs on litigation, real estate, women’s leadership, ethics /professional responsibility, entertainment.
NAPABA has the power to elevate the APA lawyer and the image of APAs around the world, which is especially important now as Asians and Asian Americans are the targets of xenophobia and hate attacks. Since my first convention in 2003, I have worked for the advancement of women and minority voices, and for fairer treatment of women and underrepresented minority groups within NAPABA–even when speaking up was difficult and came at a price. I believe in standing up and ensuring there is integrity, transparency, inclusion and accountability. The Secretary is important to this responsibility and I will bring my experience and passion to this role.
While serving as the current Secretary, I have seen firsthand the importance of bringing objectivity and fresh eyes to what has been done before, to verify the board’s records are accurate as they live on long after our terms are over, to seek clarity and precision in the discussion and language for motions, positions, and board policies, and to avoid glossing over an ambiguity. In a second term as Secretary, I would be well equipped to bring greater insight and leadership to the Board.
Candidate Bio
Judy M. Lam is a litigator, trial lawyer and partner of Maynard Cooper & Gale, handling complex commercial and real estate disputes for a variety of businesses and entrepreneurs. Her early roots in Hong Kong and Los Angeles prepared her to appreciate multiple perspectives and to bridge gaps in understanding and in conflicts. She is also an arbitrator with the American Arbitration Association and FINRA.
Judy has practiced in large and small firms. In a surprising move, Judy led her 100% minority- owned litigation boutique in Los Angeles to join forces with Maynard Cooper & Gale, a prominent southern firm based in Birmingham, Alabama, which opened its Los Angeles office in 2018, where Judy co-chairs the firm’s Diversity Equity & Inclusion Committee.
Judy has been active on boards serving education, the arts, and the law, especially access and opportunity for immigrants, diversity and empowerment, including Asian Americans Advancing Justice AAJC, Jessica Lang Dance, Occidental College, Southern California Chinese Lawyers Association, Asian Pacific American Women Lawyers Alliance and Asian Pacific Women’s Center (domestic violence shelter), including guiding it through a merger with another local agency.
For NAPABA, Judy co-chaired the NAPABA Convention in Los Angeles in 2010, the Real Estate Committee, Real Estate Case Study, and Branding Committee. She has been recognized as a Super Lawyer, Woman of Influence in Real Estate, NAPABA’s Best Under 40, and awarded the Alumni Seal Award from Occidental College. She also serves on the DEI committees for the ABA Center for Professional Responsibility and the American College of Mortgage Attorneys.
Endorsements
- Submit an affiliate endorsement here.
- Submit an individual endorsement here.
- Endorsements will be posted Monday, Wednesday, and Friday by 12 pm EDT.
NAPABA Affiliate Endorsements
| Affiliate Name |
| Asian American Bar Association of New York |
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Individual Endorsements
*All work or organizational affiliations disclosed are for identification and disclosures purposes only, and do not constitute endorsements by those institutions.
| Name |
Company* |
| Nancy Eng |
Eng Law, PC |
| Kevin Lyn |
Womble Bond Dickinson (US) LLP |
| Bruce Ishimatsu |
Ishimatsu Law Group P.C. |
| Theodore Cheng |
ADR Office of Theo Cheng LLC |
| Teddy Kapur |
Pachulski Stang Ziehl & Jones LLP |
| Alan Tse |
Jones Lang Lasalle |
| Peggy Nagae |
Peggy Nagae Consulting |
| Javade Chaudhri |
Jones Day |
| Jeannie Kim |
Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP |
| Hoyt Zia |
N/A |
| Sandra Yamate |
Institute for Inclusion in the Legal Profession |
| John Yang |
Asian Americans Advancing Justice | AAJC |
| Gina Shishima |
Norton Rose Fulbright LLP |
| Bryce Kunimoto |
Holland & Hart LLP |
| Masahiro Takeda |
Wine of Japan Import, Inc. |
| Joan Haratani |
Morgan Lewis |
| Ruthe Ashley |
Retired |
| Parkin Lee |
Retired |
| Hon. Grace E. Lee |
State of New York |
| Ireneo Reus III |
The Reus Law Firm |
| Michael Wu |
L Brands |
| Kenzo Kawanabe |
Davis Graham & Stubbs |
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