Legal Eagles
NAPABA selects
“Best Lawyers Under 40”

On Nov. 13, the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) announced its “Best Lawyers Under 40” list at its 16th annual convention in Dallas, Texas.

The individuals were selected from a competitive field of attorneys who have not only attained preeminence in their legal endeavors, but who have also exhibited a steadfast commitment to public service, particularly in the Asian American community.

According to NAPABA, these individuals had the following attributes: have spearheaded corporate-wide efforts to promote diversity; have climbed high up the corporate ladder despite coming to this country at a young age with no knowledge of English; have won major trials; have handled complicated deals; have been entrusted with to head large litigation departments; and have done it at a relatively early stage in their career.

Out of the 22 award winners, two of KABA’s current board members were selected:

Jay Chung is a partner with Lee Anav Chung in Los Angeles, specializing in complex, multiparty business disputes and commercial litigation, with an emphasis in financial litigation. He speaks frequently before trade groups and professional associations on topics related to intellectual property and business regulation. Jay is the current U.S. regional governor for the International Association of Korean Lawyers and the incoming California regional governor for NAPABA. He was the president of KABA for the 2002-2003 term, and is currently a member of its board of governors.

Ekwan Rhow is a partner at Bird, Marella, Boxer, Wolpert, Nessim, Drooks and Lincenberg in Century City. Ekwan has successfully represented multinational corporations in disputes involving contracts, securities, employment, intellectual property and other commercial matters, and devotes a portion of his practice to cutting-edge pro bono work. He received the Asian Pacific American Legal Center’s “Impact Lawyers of the Year” award in 1999 and was named a 2004 Southern California Rising Star. He was selected to be a representative from the Central District of California to the Ninth Circuit Judicial Conference. Ekwan is KABA’s executive vice president and a board member of the Korean American Coalition.

Congratulations, Jay and Ekwan!

Happy New Year! Welcome Back!

As the incoming president for KABA, I’d like to express my warm appreciation for your support and welcome you back! Since 1980, KABA has served as the voice for the Korean American legal community in Southern California.

We have counseled tens of thousands of KA immigrants at our free community legal clinics, spoken on behalf of countless victims during the L.A. Riots, set up the first scholarship fund in memory of Judge Kenneth B. Chang, and played an integral role in the nominations of judges Mark Kim, Tammy Chung Ryu and Lisa Mangay Chung (the only three Korean American judges in California!).

With more than 2,000 KA attorneys in Southern California, KABA has the largest network of KA attorneys in one location in the United States. But there are many who have not yet become involved, and that’s why we need you.