As a former president and board member of KABA, I was asked to share my perspective on how KABA has changed in the last 20 years. In short, KABA has changed in many respects, especially in the number of active participants, but what has remained constant is its driving core group of dedicated members who genuinely care about the Korean American community.

My involvement with KABA began in 1988, when as a student I attended board meetings to request money for law school activities. KABA was only eight years old, and the board consisted mainly of solo practitioners and attorneys from small firms who practiced law in or around Los Angeles Koreatown.   

Although the board meetings were held in English, there were several members who were very comfortable communicating in Korean. Many were first generation Koreans, including a few who were educated in colleges in Korea. Today, KABA’s board consists of in-house attorneys, members and partners from large local and national law firms, and those who work for the government and non-profit organizations.

The board also predominantly consists of 1.5 to second generation Korean Americans.
The biggest catalyst in KABA’s evolution was perhaps the 1992 Los Angeles Riots, after which several of its members were catapulted into the limelight as spokespersons for the Korean American community in Los Angeles. Many KABA members volunteered countless hours (some using their vacation days) to assist victims of the riot. For many of us, this experience revealed the importance of KABA assuming a bigger role in the Korean American community. Many of the current board members and pro-bono clinic volunteers were motivated to become active due to the riot, and its aftermath.

In the past, KABA’s activities mainly consisted of an annual dinner attended by roughly 100 people, a family oriented picnic, and an annual pro-bono law day with the Lion’s Club. Since, the organization has grown to include that and more. Approximately 500 people were present at KABA’s last annual dinner. Along with the annual pro-bono event, we now facilitate a monthly pro-bono clinic with the Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles, and KABA holds dozens of educational and networking events per year. Also, perhaps due to the increase in Korean American lawyers and students, KABA’s events are very well attended compared to those of the past. Events such as attorney mixers and educational seminars routinely bring in several dozen and sometimes more than 100 participants. More than ever before, we’re reaching out to local law students; in the last two years, various board members have hosted numerous student get-togethers, allowing them meet attorneys and ask questions in an intimate environment.

Due to our recent string of successful annual fundraising dinners and membership drives, KABA has been able to provide $500 to $2000 scholarships and fellowships to local law students. Additional funds have also allowed for an increase of more than a dozen events and functions for our members and law students.