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CIVIL RIGHTS

The Civil Rights Committee (CRC) assists the AABA Board in making recommendations, formulating strategy, and acting on issues that affect the civil and legal rights of the Asian American community.

AABA and its attorneys have been actively involved in civil rights issues. AABA members filed an amicus brief in the Bakke affirmative action case, filed a successful petition overturning the conviction of Fred Korematsu in the landmark Korematsu v. United States case, worked on the successful campaign to release Chol Soo Lee from prison, and were involved in efforts to release Wen Ho Lee and to unseal documents in his case. AABA supports and works with civil rights and public interest groups such as the Asian Law Caucus and the California State Bar’s Diversity Award Program. 

COMMUNITY SERVICES

The Community Services Committee (CSC) provides opportunities for AABA members to engage the community through pro bono and service activities. CSC partners with the non-profit Asian Pacific Islander Legal Outreach to run monthly pro bono legal clinics in Oakland and San Francisco, where AABA members can dispense legal advice to indigent clients. CSC also hosts an annual diversity pipeline conference, Pathways to Law , which introduces diverse high school and college students to law school and the legal profession.

In addition, CSC provides a variety of non-legal service opportunities in the Bay Area, including school beautification projects, building restoration, food bank events, environmental clean-ups, and holiday gift-wrapping. CSC continues to collaborate with local organizations, companies, and bar associations to provide rewarding service experiences for AABA’s members and their friends and family.

EDUCATION

The Education Committee develops and coordinates seminars and lectures on topics of general interest to the AABA membership. AABA has been approved by the State Bar of California as a provider of Minimum Continuing Legal Education.

IN-HOUSE COUNSEL

The In-House Counsel Committee provides Asian-American in-house attorneys with opportunities for networking, information exchange, career development, and legal education specifically geared to the unique needs of in-house counsel. The In-House Counsel Committee also acts as a resource for AABA members interested in becoming in-house counsel and developing business relationships with established in-house counsel.

JUDICIARY

The Judiciary Committee works to promote the appointment of Asian-Americans to the federal and state judiciary and other governmental positions. They evaluate potential candidates, and identify and encourage Asian-Americans to apply for judicial positions. The Judiciary Committee meets once a month to discuss judicial endorsement requests and Committee activities. Members vet candidates who are requesting AABA’s endorsement, through an intensive vetting procedure, including background checks and interviews . The Judiciary Committee strives to maintain a diverse membership and invite new members based on a holistic assessment that considers the following factors: (1) length of time practicing law; (2) proven commitment to AABA; (3) size of law firm or practice; (4) types of employment and specific legal interests (5) commitment to diversity, and (6) ability to make extensive time commitment to Committee’s need.

LGBTQ

Founded in 2013, the LGBTQ Committee provides all AABA members with: (1) opportunities and tools to address specific challenges that Asian-American LGBTQ law students, attorneys, and judges experience in the legal profession; (2) professional and personal development support; (3) a community that allows for meaningful connections; and (4) support to increase representation of Asian-American LGBTQ members in senior and leadership positions in the legal profession.

MENTORSHIP

The Mentorship Committee matches law students with attorneys who provide guidance to students about coursework, jobs, and career decisions. Students are matched with either private sector or public interest/government attorneys depending on their interests. The Mentorship Program helps to build a professional AABA network that furthers the career interests of all AABA members.

NEWSLETTERNEWSLETTER

The Newsletter Committee acts as the voice of AABA by publishing information of interest to AABA members, articles about legal issues and events that affect the Asian-American community, and reports about legal developments affecting the APA community on the state and national levels. To see past AABA newsletters, please go to our Newsletter page.

PARTNERS

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

The Professional Development Committee publicizes job openings, sponsors an annual jobs panel and workshop to help law students with resume writing and interviewing skills, hosts a summer reception for law clerks and employers, and cooperates with community groups and local bar associations to improve employment opportunities for minority lawyers.

PUBLIC AFFAIRS COMMITTEE

PUBLIC LAW/PUBLIC SERVICE

Formed in 2011, The Public Law/Public Service Committee, , promotes the professional development of AABA members who work in public law or public service by providing a forum for those attorneys to interact and network with each other and with the community at large. The Committee acts as a resource for AABA members interested in public service and government work.

SOCIAL

The Social Committee organizes and hosts social events that focus on community and networking. Events include the annual holiday party, receptions for public officials, student-attorney mixers, and gatherings with other minority bar organizations to promote friendships and professional ties among AABA members and others.

SOLO & SMALL FIRMS

The Solo and Small Firms Committee Assists Asian-American solo practitioners and attorneys at small firms with business development and promotion. of their practice by (i) holding mixers with in-house attorneys and seminars on business development and (ii) promoting and highlighting Asian American owned/minority owned law firms and encouraging companies to recognize, consider and retain these firms when selecting outside counsel.

WOMEN'S

The Women’s Committee provides structured support and networking opportunities for AABA's female members and also promotes efforts within the legal profession to increase the representation of women in senior and leadership positions.