In June, KABA helped organize a conference session dealing with retention issues and problems facing Asian Pacific American lawyers for the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association’s (NAPABA) Regional Conference in San Diego. NAPABA is a national bar association that represents the interests of more than 40,000 attorneys and 50 local Asian Pacific American bar associations. 

Building on this success, KABA submitted several proposals for panel topics and conference sessions for NAPABA’s 19th annual convention scheduled for November 15-18 in Las Vegas. This year’s convention will be held at the J.W. Marriott Las Vegas Resort and Spa. NAPABA approved KABA’s proposals to organize conference sessions on: (1) Asian Pacific American Lawyers in Public Interest Law; (2) Asian Pacific American Lawyers and Leadership; and (3) Intellectual Property Law in Hollywood and California.

Three members of KABA’s Board of Governors will be featured speakers for the panel discussing issues facing Asian Pacific American Lawyers in Public Interest Law. These members are: Joann Lee, a staff attorney for the Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles; KABA’s Executive Vice President Paul Park, who also serves as president and general counsel for the Cesar E. Chavez Foundation; and, Yungsuhn Park, a staff attorney for the Asian Pacific American Legal Center. 

KABA will also be helping organize a networking event for all the national KABA chapters and members in attendance at the annual convention in Las Vegas.

In light of recent requests for endorsements, KABA has finalized its judicial endorsement policy for candidates seeking a judicial appointment or position.  This policy, which is available on KABA’s Web site, outlines the minimum qualifications for individuals requesting KABA’s endorsement and the evaluation process utilized by KABA’s Public Appointments Committee to review possible candidates.

The California Franchise Tax Board has also recently approved the KABA Foundation’s tax-exempt status as a nonprofit public benefit corporation. The establishment of the KABA Foundation allows the organization to expand its fundraising efforts to provide legal, educational and community services to the Korean American community.