Dear Friends and Colleagues:

The Minnesota Asian Pacific American Bar Association (MNAPABA) greatly appreciates your continued support and sponsorship of our organization. We will be recognizing our sponsors, celebrating the past year, and starting the new Board year at our annual Gala on Thursday, September 4, 2025, at the University of Minnesota’s McNamara Alumni Center. We are very excited to celebrate the evening with our members, guests, and supporters.

Thanks to the generosity of our sponsors, MNAPABA has been able to provide valuable programming and support that fosters connection and progress within our community. This year, we organized impactful CLEs and panels, held events to demystify the judicial process, hosted our winter retreat in Brainerd, provided student scholarships, and celebrated cultural diversity through our Lunar New Year and Indian Harvest Festival events. We also brought members together for informal events like pickleball socials and lunches, while celebrating the remarkable achievements of our members. We look forward to continuing this journey and sharing an evening of celebration with those who have supported our growth.

The theme of this year’s MNAPABA Gala is “Resilience and Progress: Advocating for Our Future.” We are honored to announce this year’s keynote speaker, The Honorable Judge Tony N. Leung, who was the first Asian American appointed to the federal bench in Minnesota. Judge Leung will share his insights on this year’s theme, reflecting on our community’s and organization’s history, and thoughts on our future. We look forward to celebrating Judge Leung’s tremendous impact on the legal community in the Twin Cities and nationally.

During the Gala, we will also recognize the recipients of MNAPABA's annual Trailblazer, Leadership, and Member of the Year Awards and the recipients of this year’s Terry M. Louie Founder’s Scholarship. We look forward to celebrating their accomplishments and dedication to serving the APA community.

We would be grateful to have you in attendance at our Gala this year and to have your organization’s financial support for the upcoming year. The support of our sponsors makes what we do possible, and it is our tradition to recognize our sponsors at our annual Gala. We also invite our sponsors to lead others to consider sponsoring MNAPABA. First-time or recently renewed sponsorships are always welcome.

Attending the Gala provides your organization our top membership benefits. All Gala attendees receive a MNAPABA membership as part of their ticket purchase. Underwriter, Platinum, Gold, and Silver sponsors may provide their Minnesota-based lawyers with MNAPABA memberships. All MNAPABA members also receive a membership code to our national affiliate organization, the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA), for 2025–2026, which also offers discounted registration fees for the 2025 NAPABA convention.

We will host a Pre-Gala In-House Counsel Networking Reception. This private event offers an exclusive opportunity for attendees to mingle and build relationships with our in-house counsel members over cocktails and hors d’oeuvres. Eligible sponsors will be given two to four tickets, and individual tickets may be purchased separately from the general Gala ticket. In-house attorneys may attend at no cost.

We are excited to have you at this year’s Gala. So please join us on September 4—as an attendee, as a sponsor, and as a friend to MNAPABA. Sponsorship information for the coming year can be found below. We are pleased to roll out an online payment option this year - To become a sponsor, please visit our online store here. Upon submitting payment, you will receive an email and PDF letter confirming your sponsorship level and directions for obtaining your allotted benefits.

If you/your organization would like to pay by check, please fill out this online form by August 2, 2025, to ensure your inclusion in our Gala materials.

This year, we have decided to keep our sponsorship amounts the same as last year. However, we are planning to potentially increase these rates for the upcoming year. To show our appreciation for your continued support, we are offering an exclusive opportunity to lock in the 2025 rates for 2026 by committing to sponsorship by July 31, 2025. This early bird offer ensures you don’t miss out on securing next year’s sponsorship at the current rates, providing both value and predictability for your planning. We encourage you to take advantage of this offer and support our mission early.

Please contact me or MNAPABA President-Elect, Valerie Narcy, at mnapaba@gmail.comfor information about sponsoring MNAPABA for 2025–2026 and joining us at this year’s Gala.

Sincerely,

/s Yida (Oliver) Li

Oliver Li

MNAPABA President 2024–2025

2025-2026 MNAPABA Annual Gala Sponsorship Levels

Sponsorship Levels and Descriptions — Supporting MNAPABA in 2025-2026	Amount
Underwriter ▪            Twelve (12) tickets to the Annual Gala and a prominently placed table ▪            Four (4) tickets to the exclusive Pre-Gala In-House Counsel Networking Reception ▪           Up to twenty-four (24) complimentary 2025–2026 MNAPABA & NAPABA memberships for individuals within your organization or your external designees ▪          Prominent recognition during gala, including spoken remarks, gala brochure, and gala slideshow ▪          Recognition on MNAPABA’s website for 2025–2026 board year ▪          Recognition in MNAPABA’s monthly newsletter for 2025–2026	$6,000
Platinum ▪           Ten (10) tickets to the Annual Gala and a prominently placed, exclusive table ▪           Two (2) tickets to the exclusive Pre-Gala In-House Counsel Networking Reception ▪          Up to twenty (20) complimentary 2025–2026 MNAPABA & NAPABA memberships for individuals within your organization or your external designees ▪          Recognition at a more exclusive level during gala, including spoken remarks, gala brochure, and gala slideshow ▪          Recognition on MNAPABA’s website for 2025–2026 board year ▪          Recognition in MNAPABA’s monthly newsletter for 2025–2026	$3,500
Gold ▪           Eight (8) tickets and a sponsored table at the Annual Gala ▪           Up to sixteen (16) complimentary 2025–2026 MNAPABA & NAPABA memberships for individuals within your organization or your external designees ▪          Recognition at a more exclusive level during gala, including gala brochure and gala slideshow ▪          Recognition on MNAPABA’s website for 2025–2026 board year	$2,000
Silver ▪           Six (6) tickets and a sponsored table at the Annual Gala ▪           Up to twelve (12) complimentary 2025–2026 MNAPABA & NAPABA memberships for individuals within your organization or your external designees ▪          Recognition during gala, including gala brochure and gala slideshow ▪          Recognition on MNAPABA’s website for 2025–2026 board year	$1,000
Friend of MNAPABA ▪           Four (4) tickets to the Annual Gala ▪           Five (5) complimentary 2025–2026 MNAPABA & NAPABA memberships for individuals within your organization or your external designees ▪          Recognition during gala, including gala brochure and gala slideshow ▪          Recognition on MNAPABA’s website for 2025–2026 board year	$500

Gala attendees may be registered separately from MNAPABA memberships. Individuals unable to attend the Gala at your organization may be designated to receive the membership benefit.

MNAPABA joins the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) and over 40 other affiliate bar associations from around the country in an amicus brief to defend the constitutional right to birthright citizenship. The brief was filed today in the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, in the case State of Washington, et al. v. Donald J. Trump, et al. (No. 25-807), on appeal from the United States District Court for the Western District of Washington. This case concerns Executive Order 14160, which seeks to limit birthright citizenship in the United States to only the children of U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents, excluding the children of legal visa-holders, asylum seekers, and undocumented immigrants, among other groups. Our amicus brief supports affirmance of the nationwide preliminary injunction issued by The Honorable John C. Coughenour, enjoining implementation and enforcement of EO 14160 on the basis that it violates the Citizenship Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.

The amicus brief highlights the core principles established in United States v. Wong Kim Ark, 169 U.S. 649 (1898), which has been distorted in attempts to justify the constitutionality of EO 14160. In Wong Kim Ark, the Court upheld the conferral of citizenship to children born in the U.S. to non-citizen parents under the Fourteenth Amendment’s Citizenship Clause. Through this brief, amici curiae seek to underscore the historical significance of this precedent, the role of Asian Americans in shaping our nation’s foundational immigration and civil rights precedents, and the disproportionate harm that would fall upon the Asian American communities if EO 14160 is not enjoined.

For these reasons, MNAPABA proudly joins the NAPABA coalition in today’s amicus brief in defense of birthright citizenship. A copy of the brief can be found here.

The MNAPABA Women’s Committee invites you to an elegant Afternoon Tea & Networking at The Saint Paul Hotel on Saturday, May 3, at 1:00 PM. Join us for a delightful afternoon of tea, treats, and conversation with fellow attorneys and professionals, all while celebrating Kentucky Derby Day in style! ☕

Event Details

 Date: Saturday, May 3
 Time: 1:00 PM
 Location: The Saint Paul Hotel, 350 Market St, St Paul, MN 55102
 Dress to Impress! A prize will be awarded for “Best Dressed”

Why Attend?

• Enjoy a classic afternoon tea experience at an iconic venue
• Connect with fellow MNAPABA members and legal professionals
• Celebrate Derby Day with a fun, stylish gathering

Registration Details

• Limited to 21 attendees—sign up quickly!
• A waitlist will be available. If you register but can no longer attend, please let us know in advance so we can offer your spot to someone else.

For questions, please contact Sheila Niaz at sheila.niaz@nortonrosefulbright.com.

We look forward to sipping tea and networking with you! ☕

Best,

MNAPABA Women’s Committee

Applications to join MNAPABA's Executive Board for the 2025-2026 year are now open!! Please click the file below for a more detailed description of the positions, and use the link here to apply and indicate your positions of interest. Please email mnapaba@gmail.com with any questions.

MNAPABA Executive Board Vacancies 2025-26.pdf

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.