The NAPABA Convention, first held in 1989, has grown into a cornerstone gathering for the Asian Pacific American legal community, bringing together professionals from across the country for nearly four decades. Since its inception, the Convention has served as a dynamic platform for professional development, meaningful dialogue, and powerful networking opportunities, fostering connections that strengthen both individual careers and the broader community. Over the years, it has featured an impressive lineup of distinguished speakers, including Supreme Court justices, district attorneys, U.S. Senators, and former U.S. presidents, reflecting its national significance and influence. Today, the Convention continues to uphold its legacy as a premier event dedicated to advancing the interests and leadership of Asian Pacific American legal professionals.
2013 | Kansas City, MO | Keynote: Hon. Sri Srinivasan, Judge, U.S. Circuit Court, District of Columbia Circuit Court of Appeals
2012 | Washington, DC | Keynote: Hon. Sonia Sotomayor, U.S. Supreme Court Justice
2011 | Atlanta, GA | Keynote: Hon. Denny Chin, Judge, U.S. Circuit Court, Second Circuit Court of Appeals
2010 | Los Angeles, CA | Keynote: L. Tammy Duckworth, Assistant Secretary of Public & Intergovernmental Affairs, Department of Veteran Affairs
2009 | Boston, MA | Keynote: Hon. Daniel K. Inouye, U.S. Senator, Hawaii
2008 | Seattle, WA | Keynote: Antonio Taguba, Retired Major General, U.S. Army
2007 | Las Vegas, NV | Keynote: Amul R. Thapar, U.S. Attorney (E.D. Kentucky)
2006 | Philadelphia, PA | Keynotes: Hon. Senator Arlen Specter, U.S. Senator, Pennsylvania; Wan Kim, Assistant Attorney General, Civil Rights Division, U.S. Department of Justice
2005 | Chicago, IL | Keynote: Hon. Ronald S.W. Lew, Judge, U.S. District Court (C.D. California)
2004 | Dallas, TX | Keynote: R. Alexander Acosta, Assistant Attorney General, Civil Rights Division, U.S. Department of Justice
2003 | Honolulu, HI | Keynote: Carol Wong Pietsch, Chair, Hawaii Civil Rights Commission
2002 | Atlanta, GA | Keynote: Larry Thompson, U.S. Deputy Attorney General
2001 | Scottsdale, AZ | Keynote: Hon.Mary Schroeder, Judge, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
2000 | Washington, DC | Keynote: Janet Reno, U.S. Attorney General
1999 | Los Angeles, CA | Keynote: Al Gore, former U.S. Vice President
1998 | New York, NY | Keynote: Hon. Susan Oki Mollway, Judge, U.S. District Court (D-Hawaii)
1997 | San Francisco, CA | Keynote: Gary Locke, Governor, State of Washington
1996 | Denver, CO | Keynote: Hon. Denny Chin, Judge, U.S. District Court (S.D.N.Y.)
1995 | Boston, MA | Keynote: Paul M. Igasaki, Chair, U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
1994 | Sacramento, CA | Keynotes: Deval Patrick, Assistant Attorney General, Civil Rights Division, U.S. Department of Justice; Honrable Robert Matsui, U.S. Representative, Hawaii
1993 | Los Angeles, CA | Keynote: Janet Reno, U.S. Attorney General
1992 | Washington, DC | Keynote: Hon. Daniel Akaka, U.S. Senator, Hawaii
1991 | Seattle, WA | Keynote: Hon. Patsy Mink, U.S. Representative, Hawaii
1990 | Houston, TX | Keynote: Wayne Wang, motion picture director
1989 | San Francisco, CA | Keynote: Dale Minami, civil rights attorney
