*New* monthly member spotlight and a successful national convention | December 6, 2016

Minnesota Asian Pacific American Bar Association

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Monthly Newsletter | December 2016

Recent Happenings

The Executive Board met on November 16 for its first official board meeting. The meeting was also well attended by law student representatives of the local APALSA organizations. The board reviewed and approved our budget for 2016-17, discussed our process for endorsing candidates for public office, and continued planning for upcoming events and other programs. 

In the past month, you may have seen MNAPABA at these events:

• Annual Banquet of the Hmong American Bar Association (HABA) (Dec 2)
• MNAPABA New Lawyer's Reception (Nov 30) (Photo)
• Tri-APALSA Happy Hour (Nov 17)
• November Executive Board Meeting (Nov 15)
• NAPABA National Convention (Nov 3-6) -- recap below

Member Spotlight - New This Year!

Each month, we will be highlighting one of our members. This is part of an ongoing effort to help MNAPABA members get-to-know one another. Read below about...

Linhda Nguyen

Merchant & Gould
University of Minnesota Law School ('14)

Q: What is your practice area? 
A: I specialize in patent and trademark litigation as well as trademark prosecution, at Merchant and Gould in downtown Minneapolis. My practice is varied and stimulating, and each day is different, which I highly enjoy.

Q: What is your background?
A: I’m from Orange County, California, and graduated from the University of Minnesota Law School in 2014.

Q: What do you enjoy most about MNAPABA? 
A: I think it is important to encourage diversity in law firms. Being from California, where there are more diverse attorneys practicing, I can see the sharp contrast in the diverse workforce between California and Minnesota. I feel strongly about the value of diversity in law firm hiring and work to support that at my own firm.

Q: What do you want others to know about you? 
A: I’m interested in meeting more MNAPABA members. So if you see me at an event, please say hello and introduce yourself!

Join the MNAPABA Fellowship Committee

MNAPABA seeks volunteers for our Fellowship Committee. Volunteers will work with president-elect Melitta Dreschler to promote the MNAPABA Summer Law Fellowship and help with the selection process. The fellowship is awarded to a law student or recent law graduate who will serve the Minnesota Asian Pacific American community through public service at a summer internship. Please contact Melitta Drechsler to learn more and help out! (melitta.drechsler@co.ramsey.mn.us)

Save the Date, Annual Winter Retreat (Feb.)

National Convention - Recap

November started out with the 2016 NAPABA National Convention in San Diego, CA. The Minnesota delegation included about 20 members. Overall, about 1900 of mostly attorneys, judges, and students attended.

Highlights included:

• Gala keynote speaker George Takei
• Hon. Gail Chang Bohr receiving the Daniel K. Inouye Trailblazer Award
  
• Irene Kao being recognized as "Best Under 40"
• Dinner with affiliates in the Central Region
• Granting MNAPABA's first Award of Distinction to Michelle Lee, USPTO Director
• The first meeting of the Asian American Adoptee Attorney Network

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Share Member Professional/Personal News
in next month's newsletter (here)
By Friday, December 30, 2016.

Jobs, Clerkships & Scholarships

New opportunities are posted weekly on the Members-Only Job Board. Login to see details.

18 postings have been added including: a law student scholarship, a judgeship, several public committee/board member positions, a few private practice opportunities, a couple county attorney positions, and several legal aid positions.

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Upcoming Events

Executive Board Meeting (register)
Halunen Law, IDS Center
Tuesday, Dec. 12
6:00 p.m.

Affinity Bar Board Dinner (rsvp)
222 Hennepin Apartments MPLS
Thursday, Dec. 8
5:30 p.m.
(limited to board members of invited affiliate bar associations)

FBA Diversity Bar Meet & Greet (info)
Rare Steak & Sushi MPLS
Thursday, Jan. 19
5:30 p.m.

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Local Bar & Community

ACS Happy Hour and Discussion on Immigration (link) 
Lockridge Grindal Nauen MPLS
Thursday, December 8
5:30 p.m.

How to Make Your Workplace More Diverse and Inclusive CLE (register)
HCBA Office MPLS
Thursday, December 8
1:30-4:30 p.m.