Ramadan Mubarak, MNAPABA Members!

MNAPABA is proud to co-sponsor the Minnesota Legal Community Iftar, hosted by Twin Cities Diversity in Practice (TCDIP), and we invite you to join us for an evening of reflection, community, and connection.

Date: Tuesday, March 18
Time: 7:00 – 8:30 PM
Location: 222 9th Street, Minneapolis, MN

This gathering welcomes Muslims and allies from the legal community, including judges, attorneys, law students, and legal professionals. The evening will include brief remarks, Maghrib prayers, a buffet dinner, and time for fellowship.

We hope you’ll join us as we come together to celebrate this special time of the year.

Register here: https://tcdip.memberclicks.net/iftar-2025#!/

Special thanks to our sponsors:

• Greene Espel PLLP
• Norton Rose Fulbright
• Minnesota Asian Pacific American Bar Association (MNAPABA)
• Minnesota Association of Black Lawyers
• Somali American Bar Association
• Minnesota State Bar Association

Wishing you a peaceful and blessed Ramadan, and we look forward to seeing you there! ✨

Please join us for MNAPABA’s Judges’ Reception, an evening dedicated to celebrating and honoring the contributions of judges in our community.

This year, we are proud to recognize the Honorable Tony N. Leung, who is retiring after a distinguished career of service and leadership.

Event Details:

Date: Thursday, April 24, 2025
Time: 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM
Location: The River Room at Aster Café, Minneapolis, MN

Enjoy an evening of great company, drinks, and delicious food in a stunning setting. The River Room offers a beautiful view of the river and the Minneapolis skyline, making it the perfect backdrop for celebrating Judge Leung’s remarkable legacy and honoring the judges in our community. This is also a fantastic opportunity to connect with fellow members of the Minnesota legal community.

RSVP Reminder: Space is limited, and we will maintain a waitlist once we reach capacity. If you register and later find you cannot attend, please let us know so we can offer your spot to someone else.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Sheila Niaz at sheila.niaz@nortonrosefulbright.com or Elvis Kim at ekim@carlsoncaspers.com.

We look forward to celebrating with you!

The application for The Terry M. Louie Founder's Scholarship has now opened!

MNAPABA awards a summer law scholarship of approximately $1,500 to law students or recent law graduates who will, through a summer internship, perform legal work for underserved communities or otherwise leverage their legal training for the betterment of the public or Asian Pacific American communities. In alignment with our commitment to support those contributing significantly to public service, preferential consideration will be given to candidates accepting positions with a governmental, nonprofit, or public interest organization. Preference will also be given to those directly serving Minnesota and/or Asian Pacific American communities.

This scholarship is named the Terry M. Louie Founder's Scholarship to honor the legacy of Terry Louie, a founding member of MNAPABA and the organization's first president. Mr. Louie was an indomitable spirit who, along with a handful of like-minded APA attorneys, saw the need to band together and organize as an affinity bar organization. That organization has flourished to what MNAPABA is now, and we are forever grateful for Terry's contributions and influence.

To application is contained in the files below.

The application closes on May 30, 2025. All applications must be submitted to mnapaba@gmail.com.

MNAPABA Scholarship Application 2025.docx

MNAPABA Scholarship Application 2025.pdf

Hey MNAPABA Members,

Ready to dink and dive into some pickleball fun? Join us for our very first MNAPABA Pickleball & Social event on Saturday, December 14, from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM at Minneapolis Cider Company.

Whether you're a seasoned pickleball pro or a complete beginner, everyone is welcome! We'll have experienced players available to guide beginners through the basics. So, even if you’ve never picked up a paddle or don’t have one, come ready to learn and have a great time. We encourage you to bring your friends and family along!

Event Details:

Date: Saturday, December 14th

Time: 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM

Location: Minneapolis Cider Company, 701 SE 9th St, Minneapolis, MN 55414

RSVP by December 12 on MNAPABA.org.  Let’s make this a pickleball party to remember!

If you’re interested in volunteering as a coach for this event, please reach out to Mingli Wu at mingli.wu.cn@gmail.com. MNAPABA has reserved and is covering the costs for the Back Courts and Lounge for this event. Attendees will be responsible for their own food and drinks.

We can't wait to see you there!

Join us for a frosty weekend of fun, connection, and relaxation at the picturesque Cragun's Resort on Gull Lake, Brainerd, Minnesota.

Date: Friday, January 17 - Sunday, January 19, 2025 Location: Cragun's Resort, 11000 Craguns Drive, Brainerd, Minnesota 56401

What to Expect: Get ready for cozy gatherings with fellow MNAPABA members and exciting winter activities like snowshoeing and dog sledding. You'll have plenty of time to relax and recharge your batteries, as well as network with attorneys and law students in a family-friendly environment. This retreat offers the perfect blend of professional connections and winter wonderland fun!

Registration Fees: Attorneys: $150

Law Students or Children: $50

⚠️ Space is limited! Register early to secure your spot. ⚠️

If the event is full when you register, don't worry! We'll add you to our waitlist, and you'll be notified if a spot becomes available.

What to Bring: Pack your favorite snacks and beverages to share, warm and comfy clothes for indoor relaxation, and outdoor gear for winter activities. And don't forget to bring your best stories and brightest smiles – they're essential for making this retreat memorable!

Questions or Accommodations? Please reach out to Elvis Kim at ekim@carlsoncaspers.com or Sheila Niaz at sheila.niaz@nortonrosefulbright.com

Don't miss this chance to create lasting memories with the MNAPABA community. Register now and let's make this 21st Annual Winter Retreat the best one yet! ❄️ ️

A huge thank you to Anna Min for photographing and videographing this years Gala! Her incredible photos are available for viewing at the link here.

Congratulations to Daniel Le who was elected as Chair of the Board of Public Defense, the first Asian American and person of color to lead the Board of Public Defense in its history of serving our State!

Dan arrived in the United States with his family in 1975 as refugees from the Vietnam war arriving in Minnesota in 1976. He learned English by watching Sesame Street and since childhood, has assisted family, friends and others to bridge language, cultural and justice gaps. Dan became a naturalized citizen in 1980 and later graduated from the U of M with a B.S. in Applied Economics and received his law degree from William Mitchell College of Law.

Dan has accumulated over 26 years of legal experience in state and federal transactional and litigation areas on behalf of individuals and businesses from the rich cultural and socio-economic backgrounds in Minnesota. Dan currently serves as General Counsel of the Minnesota Credit Union Network, a trade association for credit unions. His practice experience included being a legal aid attorney at Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services (SMRLS), a community prosecutor for St. Paul and private practice in business and corporate law, real estate, employment, non-profit law, immigration, and criminal defense. 

Dan has resided in South Minneapolis for the past 24 years and he currently serves as a member on the Board of Mixed Blood Theater and a former Director for the Vietnamese Community of Minnesota nonprofit. Dan has also served as Treasurer of the Ramsey County Bar Association from 2003-2007 and was a MSBA Delegate to General Assembly.     

On Wednesday, August 14, several of our members reconnected over a delicious meal at Sole Cafe in St. Paul! Thanks to all who came out!!

We look forward to all next sharing a meal together at the annual Gala on September 5!!

We had a great time celebrating and honoring our colleagues on the bench, reconnecting with old friends, and meeting new friends at this year's MNAPABA Judges Reception! We look forward to another year of continuing to support, develop, and promote our members who are on the bench and those who are seeking to join the bench!