Minnesota Asian Pacific American Bar Association

News

  • Tue, October 03, 2017 8:57 PM | Anonymous

    On September 30th, a small group of MNAPABA volunteers provided lunch to children at the Crisis Nursery in Minneapolis. On a relaxing Saturday afternoon, we got to meet new people, catch up with fellow members, and brush up on our cooking skills. Then, we served and (hopefully) entertained some great kids staying at the Nursery.

    Special thanks to Victor Chan for organizing this great event!

    MNAPABA will be getting together again in January 2018 at the Crisis Nursery, and we hope to continue serving on a regular basis.

    Stay tuned to announcements on the MNAPABA newsletter and our event invites!


  • Fri, August 18, 2017 12:47 PM | Benjamin Kwan

    Governor Dayton Appoints MNAPABA Member Shan C. Wang to Fill Seventh Judicial District Vacancy in St. Cloud

    ST. PAUL, MN – Today, Governor Mark Dayton announced the appointments of Matthew M. Quinn and Shan C. Wang as District Court Judges in Minnesota’s Seventh Judicial District. Mr. Quinn will be replacing the Honorable Vicki E. Landwehr, and will be chambered at Milaca in Mille Lacs County. Mr. Wang is filling a new district court judgeship created in the Seventh Judicial District by the Minnesota Supreme Court, and will be chambered at St. Cloud in Stearns County.

     “Mr. Matthew Quinn and Mr. Shan Wang bring diverse professional and volunteer experience to this important role,” said Governor Dayton. “I thank Mr. Quinn and Mr. Wang for agreeing to serve the people of our state as District Court Judges for Minnesota’s Seventh Judicial District.” 

    About Shan C. Wang

    Mr. Wang is the Assistant Chief of the Criminal Division in the Stearns County Attorney’s Office, where he supervises the adult criminal division. Previously, he was an Assistant Stearns County Attorney and a judicial law clerk to the Honorable Regina M. Chu. He earned his B.A. from Chicago State University and his J.D. from the University of Minnesota Law School.

    Mr. Wang is the President of the St. Cloud Public Library Board of Trustees, serves on the Board of Directors of the Stearns-Benton Bar Association, is a member of the Minnesota Asian Pacific American Bar Association, and is the past president of the John E. Simonett American Inn of Court.

    Minnesota’s Seventh Judicial District consists of Becker, Benton, Clay, Douglas, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Otter Tail, Stearns, Todd, and Wadena Counties.

    About MNAPABA's Efforts to Increase Diversity on the Bench

    MNAPABA's Judicial Selection Committee works all year long to promote diversity and inclusion on the state and federal bench in Minnesota. 

    Since its inception less than five years ago, the MNAPABA Judicial Selection Committee has helped dozens of MNAPABA members and allies through both the state and federal judicial application processes and seen four appointed to the bench. 

    With Mr. Wang's appointment by Governor Dayton today, MNAPABA counts ten state or federal APA judges active with MNAPABA within the state of Minnesota currently on active or senior status. This number has more than doubled in the past three years. 

    MNAPABA's Judicial Selection Committee is led by Irene Kao and the Honorable Nicole J. Starr.


  • Sun, August 13, 2017 4:00 PM | Anonymous

    The annual summer party saw 40+ MNAPABA members come together to eat delicious food around a backyard pool. This was the 18th year that the party was graciously hosted by Mike and Amy. The festive mood was highlighted by a demonstration of Amy's new flying drone and Cynthia Lee's beautifully decorated cake (below). Thanks for celebrating with us!


  • Sat, July 22, 2017 8:30 PM | Anonymous

    MNAPABA gathered at a free movie night in Matthews Park on Saturday, July 22nd. Star Wars: Rogue One was playing. Special thanks to Kevin Ha for organizing!


  • Sun, June 25, 2017 12:00 PM | Anonymous

    We hosted a Puppies & Pints event at Sociable Cider Werks this past Sunday. Notable guests included Jeffrey Javinar from NAPABA and new member, Elizabeth Hang (Lizzie), who just relocated from DC. Special thanks to Kevin Ha and Marisa Marek for organizing! We hope to plan this event more regularly.


  • Mon, June 19, 2017 3:53 PM | Benjamin Kwan

    ST. PAUL, MN – Today, Governor Mark Dayton announced the appointments of Brianne J. Buccicone and John D. Klossner as District Court Judges in Minnesota’s Tenth Judicial District. Ms. Buccicone, endorsed for the post by MNAPABA, will be replacing the Honorable Thomas D. Hayes, and will be chambered at Elk River in Sherburne County. Mr. Klossner will replace the Honorable James E. Dehn, and will be chambered at Cambridge in Isanti County.

    “Ms. Brianne Buccicone and Mr. John Klossner have demonstrated their strong commitments to justice and public service throughout their legal careers,” said Governor Dayton. “Both Ms. Buccicone and Mr. Klossner have also made outstanding contributions to improving their communities. Minnesotans stand to gain from their sound legal judgment and continued public service.”

    About Brianne J. Buccicone

    Ms. Buccicone is an Assistant Anoka County Attorney in the Civil Division, where she represents petitioners in civil commitment proceedings. Previously, she was a Special Assistant County Attorney in the Anoka County Attorney’s Office in the Protective Services Unit; a National Product Specialist, a National Account Representative, and an Inside Account Manager at Thomson Reuters; an Assistant Ramsey County Public Defender; and a judicial law clerk to the Honorable Diane R. Alshouse, Second Judicial District. She earned her B.A. from the University of Minnesota and her J.D. from Mitchell Hamline School of Law.

    Ms. Buccicone is a member of the Minnesota Asian Pacific American Bar Association, 8U team manager for the Andover Huskies Youth Hockey Association, and a trainer for Heart Safe Andover.

    About MNAPABA's Efforts to Increase Diversity on the Bench

    MNAPABA's Judicial Selection Committee works all year long to promote diversity and inclusion on the state and federal bench in Minnesota. 

    Since its inception less than five years ago, the MNAPABA Judicial Selection Committee has helped dozens of MNAPABA members and allies through both the state and federal judicial application processes and seen four appointed to the bench. 

    With Ms. Buccicone's appointment by Governor Dayton today, MNAPABA counts nine state or federal APA judges active with MNAPABA within the state of Minnesota currently on active or senior status. This number has more than doubled in the past two years. 

    MNAPABA's Judicial Selection Committee is led by Irene Kao and the Honorable Nicole J. Starr.


  • Mon, June 19, 2017 8:30 AM | Anonymous

    About 15  members and friends gathered for breakfast with Prof. Frank Wu before his keynote speech at the MSBA Convention. We are grateful to Professor Wu who graciously gave us his time and shared his thoughts on the Asian-American experience. Special thanks to the MSBA for their support in making this happen.






  • Sun, April 23, 2017 11:30 AM | Anonymous

    The MNAPABA Women's Committee hosted a brunch and candid conversation at Loan Huynh's home in Golden Valley. Special thanks to Loan Huynh and Cynthia Lee for organizing!


  • Sun, April 09, 2017 12:12 PM | Anonymous

    With the local affinity bars, MNAPABA brought a broad cross-section of over 50 employers together with 80+ law students to answer questions and give advice. Many conversations carried on well past the official closing time. 

    Special thanks to Dorsey & Whitney for generously sponsoring and hosting, as well as our partner affinity bars.

    Minnesota Association of Black Lawyers  | Minnesota Hispanic Bar Association |Minnesota Lavender Bar Association| Minnesota Women Lawyers


  • Tue, March 07, 2017 12:00 PM | Anonymous

    MNAPABA joins the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) in condemning the revised executive order signed by President Trump stopping refugee admission and continuing a Muslim Ban.

    “As Asian Pacific Minnesotans, many of us know well the burdens of immigration and life as refugees,” said MNAPABA President Ben Kwan. “We also know first-hand that the welcoming American spirit of diversity and inclusion is a set of values many of us count as the foundation for our success and the solidarity we feel with our new neighbors. In joining NAPABA in condemning the President’s latest Executive Order, we take a stand against divisive policies that do more to divide us than keep us safe.”

    “The executive order is a continuation of the same policy that discriminates against and devalues refugees and members of the Muslim community,” said NAPABA President Cyndie Chang. “We must refuse to act out of fear and intolerance. We must not return to the dark chapters of our history where we judged people by the color of their skin, how they prayed, or where their family came from. We must stand up for our values of equity, justice, and opportunity.”

    See below for NAPABA's full statement, which we have decided to support.


    News Release

    For Immediate Release
    March 6, 2017

    NAPABA and SABA Condemn the President’s Second Attempt
    to Exclude Refugees and Implement a Muslim Ban

    WASHINGTON — The National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) and the South Asian Bar Association of North America (SABA) condemn President Trump’s new executive order that includes many of the discriminatory provisions of his earlier order, which also sought to stop refugees from entering the United States and halt immigration from several Muslim-majority countries. These orders, which are based on the misguided idea that certain religious and ethnic populations are more prone to violence, are incompatible with American values, and will not make our communities safer or our nation stronger. Notably, the order, continues to 1) suspend refugee admission for 120 days, 2) reduce and limit the number of refugee admissions, and 3) targets individuals from six Muslim-majority countries, suspending entry of individuals for 90 days, with some exceptions.

    “The executive order is a continuation of the same policy that discriminates against and devalues refugees and members of the Muslim community,” said NAPABA President Cyndie Chang. “We must refuse to act out of fear and intolerance. We must not return to the dark chapters of our history where we judged people by the color of their skin, how they prayed, or where their family came from. We must stand up for our values of equity, justice, and opportunity.”

    "The President's Executive Action does nothing more than advance an anti-Muslim agenda espoused during the campaign under the guise of National Security,” said SABA President Vichal Kumar. “A refugee, by definition, is a person who has been forced to leave their country in order to escape war, persecution, or natural disaster. The supposed justification for this Executive Action punishes this person for the very same war and persecution that is causing them to leave in the first place."

    The new executive order clarifies it is not applicable to certain individuals, such as valid visa holders whose documents were issued on or before Jan. 27, 2017, lawful permanent residents, and dual-national passport holders. The order will take effect on March 16, 2017.

    The executive order continues to require regular reports be published on suspected criminal activity committed by foreign nationals and refugees. When combined with reporting requirements under other immigration related executive orders, these reports will generate greater mistrust and fear of immigrant communities.

    Both NAPABA and SABA joined litigation against the executive order enacted on Jan. 27, 2017. Our members have been at the airports assisting families, in the field educating communities about their rights, and in the courts supporting local and national pro bono efforts. Read our original statementhere.

    NAPABA and SABA join our fellow attorneys, the Asian Pacific American community, and Americans of all backgrounds in reiterating our commitment to diversity and justice. We remain committed to ensuring that all are free from discrimination and racial and religious profiling. 

    For more information, contact:

    NAPABA is the national association of Asian Pacific American attorneys, judges, law professors, and law students. NAPABA represents the interests of over 50,000 attorneys and over 75 national, state, and local bar associations. Its members include solo practitioners, large firm lawyers, corporate counsel, legal services and non-profit attorneys, and lawyers serving at all levels of government. NAPABA engages in legislative and policy advocacy, promotes APA political leadership and political appointments, and builds coalitions within the legal profession and the community at large. NAPABA also serves as a resource for government agencies, members of Congress, and public service organizations about APAs in the legal profession, civil rights, and diversity in the courts.

    SABA North America (formerly NASABA/North American South Asian Bar Association) is a voluntary bar organization and serves as an umbrella organization to 26 chapters in the United States and Canada. SABA North America is a recognized forum for professional growth and advancement for South Asian attorneys in North America and seeks to protect the rights and liberties of the South Asian community across the continent. Learn more at www.sabanorthamerica.com


    National Asian Pacific American Bar Association | 1612 K St. NW, Suite 510 | Washington, D.C. 20006 | www.napaba.org

      


    Link to statement on NAPABA website

Mailing Address:
MNAPABA c/o Minnesota State Bar Association
600 Nicollet Mall, Suite 380, Minneapolis, MN 55402
URL:
EMAIL:

Share an opportunity or job posting here

Share a news item here

Google Analytics

Powered by Wild Apricot Membership Software