August 2025 Newsletter

VABANC’s 27th Annual Gala Dinner

Mark your calendar! We are excited to announce that VABANC’s 27th Annual Gala Dinner will be on Friday, September 19, 2025 at Villa Ragusa (35 S Second St., Campbell, CA 95008).

The evening is a celebration of VABANC’s commitment to cultivating and nurturing relationships between Vietnamese American judges, legal professionals, law students, and the Vietnamese American communities of Northern California.

Our Gala Dinner will recognize recipients for the “Trailblazer,” “Community Impact,” and “Lifetime Achievement” Awards. Scholarships will be conferred to Bay Area Vietnamese American law students who demonstrate a commitment to serving the needs of the Vietnamese American community and intend on furthering their work in public interest.

Ticket sales will end on Friday, September 5th. 

RSVP HERE

Interested in Sponsoring the Gala?

Proceeds will go towards providing scholarships for future Vietnamese American law students, and ensuring critical resources are available to continue the work of promoting professional development for Vietnamese Americans in the legal community. If you are interested in becoming a Gala Sponsor, please see our packet below or the Gala Dinner page for more information.

DOWNLOAD SPONSORSHIP PACKET HERE

Please email scholarshipdinner@vabanc.org for questions about our sponsorship packet.

VABANC Legal Clinic — Calling for Volunteers!

Every first Wednesday evening of the month, VABANC Legal Clinic is hosted from 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM at the Vietnamese American Service Center (2410 Senter Rd., San Jose, CA 95111), fully operated by volunteer availability. Our next clinic is on Wednesday, September 3, 2025.

In collaboration with the Vietnamese American Service Center (VASC), VABANC invites attorneys and law students to volunteer at our legal clinics. Since 2016, our dedicated VABANC volunteers have been the backbone of our mission.

The San Jose Vietnamese community needs your support more than ever. We are particularly seeking volunteer attorneys with experience in housing, immigration, employment, and family law.

Non-attorneys, law students, and community members are also welcome to volunteer and engage directly with clients through intake consultations or Vietnamese translation assistance. Your support make a significant difference!

VABANC Legal Clinic Volunteer Form

Join us at our next General Board Meeting!

Our next General Board Meeting is Tuesday, September 16 at 5:45 PM PST on Zoom.

SIGN UP HERE TO JOIN A VABANC COMMITTEE

Please email Ally Phan (secretary@vabanc.org) for the virtual meeting link and General Board Meeting calendar invitations.

August Recap: Top Golf Mixer

From our Social Chair Vivian Tran: 

This month, we swung into good times with the Vietnamese American Bar Association of Northern California (VABANC) community at our Topgolf social in Burlingame!

After hosting our last social in San Jose, we wanted to make this event more accessible to our members based in San Francisco and throughout the Peninsula. It was a wonderful evening of connection, conversation, and camaraderie and we are especially excited as things gear up for VABANC’s 27th Annual Gala Dinner on September 19th!

Community News

Gaysian: AAPI LGBTQ+ Conference

AABA’s LGBTQ Committee is hosting a first of its kind half-day gathering around issues affecting the AAPI and LGBTQ+ communities. The conference will be held on Friday, September 12, 2025 from 12:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Morrison Foerster (425 Market St, San Francisco, CA 94105).

The conference will start with a lunch at Morrison Foerster followed by three panel sessions. Immediately following the conference there will be a reception at Ginger’s, a queer bar in downtown San Francisco. Everyone is welcome to the conference and reception, including allies.

RSVP here

Santa Clara Juvenile Dependency Courts
Seeking Guardian ad Litem Contractors

The Superior Court of California, County of Santa Clara, is seeking proposals from qualified individuals to serve as Guardian ad Litem (GAL) contractors in Juvenile Dependency Court. This critical role involves advocating for dependency participants who are mentally ill or incompetent, ensuring their legal rights are protected in court proceedings.

The Guardian ad Litem is appointed to safeguard the dependency participant’s interests, oversee litigation decisions, and provide necessary support throughout the legal process. This contract opportunity offers professionals a chance to make a meaningful impact in the lives of vulnerable families while assisting the Court in fulfilling its mission of providing equal justice for all.

For more information and to apply, visit: GAL Request for Proposal.

Announcements

Seeking Job Opportunities for Law Students
Due to current economic conditions, we are reaching out to our network to support our student members. If your workplace is hiring students for summer or post-grad opportunities, please email info@vabanc.org with the job description and application process. 

Seek VABANC’s Endorsement
Are you applying for a bench position or running for a prosecutorial or public defender position? Reach out to us! VABANC welcomes all applicants to seek our endorsement (irrespective of Vietnamese background). VABANC endorsements carry significant weight, particularly in the judicial application process. For more information, contact Nguyen Luu at nguyen@luulaw.com.

2025 VABANC Membership Means 2025 NAPABA Membership
Your VABANC membership gets you a complimentary membership in NAPABA. That means, along with VABANC’s local events, networking, and advocacy you get access to national resources like:

    •    Career Center, including NAPABA’s online national legal job board and career resources
    •    Networking opportunities nationwide
    •    Scholarships to attend NAPABA events
    •    Leadership development programs to boost your career
    •    Webinars and workshops for continued education

Click here to renew your VABANC membership today for 2025 and get your code for free NAPABA membership!

AABA/APILO Pro-Bono Legal Clinic
The AABA Community Services Committee and Asian Pacific Islander Legal Outreach (APILO) operate a pro bono legal clinic that is staffed by volunteer attorneys and law students. The clinic helps ensure that low-income Bay Area residents, including many mono-lingual immigrants, will receive free legal information and advice from AABA volunteers.

The APILO/AABA Clinic assists individuals in a number of areas, including immigration and family law issues. The APILO/AABA Clinics are now held virtually via Zoom, and they occur every third Wednesday of the month from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. If you are interested in volunteering at the clinic, please sign up for our clinic mailing list via this link.

If you would like more information, please contact AABA Community Services Committee Co-Chair Ly Ly at ly.ly@compass.com. No prior clinic training or expertise is required, and foreign language skills are in high demand (particularly Mandarin, Cantonese, Tagalog, and Vietnamese).

Job Opportunities

The California Appellate Project is looking for an Executive Director to oversee their operations, guide their strategic direction, and inspire their team. See here for the application and more information.

The Orange County District Attorney (OCDA) is seeking a Deputy District Attorney IV to prepare and litigate complex and serious cases (primarily felonies) before the Superior and Appellate Courts. See here for the application and more information.

Santa Clara University School of Law is looking for Semester Adjunct Lecturers. See here for the application and more information. 

University of California College of the Law, San Francisco is looking for multiple Adjunct Professors in a variety of curriculums. See here for hiring announcement and more information.

Farella Braun Martel is seeking to hire multiple Associate Attorney positions. See here for the application and more information.

The Oakland City Attorney’s Office is looking for a Neighborhood Law Corps Attorney. See here for hiring announcement and more information.

Membership Renewal

Have you renewed your membership this year?

You can conveniently renew online here. Thank you for your continued support and belief in our mission.

#VABANC, #ProvideEncourageFoster, #ChampioningChange

July 2025 Newsletter

VABANC’s 27th Annual Gala Dinner

Mark your calendar! We are excited to announce that VABANC’s 27th Annual Gala Dinner will be on Friday, September 19, 2025 at Villa Ragusa (35 S Second St., Campbell, CA 95008).

The evening is a celebration of VABANC’s commitment to cultivating and nurturing relationships between Vietnamese American judges, legal professionals, law students, and the Vietnamese American communities of Northern California.

Our Gala Dinner will recognize recipients for the “Trailblazer,” “Community Impact,” and “Lifetime Achievement” Awards. Scholarships will be conferred to Bay Area Vietnamese American law students who demonstrate a commitment to serving the needs of the Vietnamese American community and intend on furthering their work in public interest.

RSVP HERE

Interested in Sponsoring the Gala?

Proceeds will go towards providing scholarships for future Vietnamese American law students, and ensuring critical resources are available to continue the work of promoting professional development for Vietnamese Americans in the legal community. If you are interested in becoming a Gala Sponsor, please see our packet below or the Gala Dinner page for more information.

DOWNLOAD SPONSORSHIP PACKET HERE

Please email scholarshipdinner@vabanc.org for questions about our sponsorship packet.

VABANC 2025 Scholarship Application

VABANC’s annual scholarship seeks to recognize students who have demonstrated a commitment to serving the needs of the Vietnamese American community. Open to all law students, the scholarship is intended to assist recipients who are pursuing public interest or social justice goals.

Download Scholarship Application HEre

TopGolf Mixer: August 1, 2025

Come for the swings, stay for the conversations. Whether you are a practicing attorney, legal professional, law student, or a community supporter: this is your chance to unwind, connect, and enjoy the camaraderie of the VABANC network.

RSVP HERE

Questions? Please email Ally Phan, Secretary, at secretary@vabanc.org.

Nguyen D. Luu Feature in SuperLawyers

Congratulations to former VABANC President Nguyen D. Luu for being featured in the article “Finding an American Dream” about his pro bono work for Afghan refugees in Wisconsin in Super Lawyers’ 2025 Northern California magazine. Click here to read the full article. 

VABANC Legal Clinic — Calling for Volunteers!

Every first Wednesday evening of the month, VABANC Legal Clinic is hosted from 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM at the Vietnamese American Service Center (2410 Senter Rd., San Jose, CA 95111), fully operated by volunteer availability. Our next clinic is on Wednesday, August 6, 2025.

In collaboration with the Vietnamese American Service Center (VASC), VABANC invites attorneys and law students to volunteer at our legal clinics. Since 2016, our dedicated VABANC volunteers have been the backbone of our mission.

The San Jose Vietnamese community needs your support more than ever. We are particularly seeking volunteer attorneys with experience in housing, immigration, employment, and family law.

Non-attorneys, law students, and community members are also welcome to volunteer and engage directly with clients through intake consultations or Vietnamese translation assistance. Your support make a significant difference!

VABANC Legal Clinic Volunteer Form

Join us at our next General Board Meeting!

Our next General Board Meeting is Tuesday, August 19 at 5:45 PM PST on Zoom.

SIGN UP HERE TO JOIN A VABANC COMMITTEE

Please email Ally Phan (secretary@vabanc.org) for the virtual meeting link and General Board Meeting calendar invitations.

July Recap: CAAPS Red Carpet Awards Gala

In continuing to forge relationships with the Sacramento region, VABANC attended the Conference of Asian American Professionals’ (CAAPS) 2025 Awards Gala.

What an evening it was, filled with inspiring stories of entrepreneurship, service leadership, and community support. Congratulations to all honorees!

Community News

KABANC Summer Picnic

Our friends at the Korean American Bar Association of Northern California are hosting their Summer Picnic on July 26, 2025 at 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM at Indian Springs Park, San Mateo (313 W 39th St, San Mateo, CA 94403). The event is free for all, but registration is required. 

RSVP here

Law Faculty Pre-Recruitment Workshop

The Law Faculty Pre-Recruitment Workshop, co-convened byUC Berkeley School of Law, Stanford Law, UC Law San Francisco, Santa Clara Law and UC Davis School of Law, will take place on August 7, 2025, from 10:00 AM to 3:30 PM PST at UC Berkeley School of Law (2745 Bancroft Way, Berkeley, CA 94704).

This in-person, full-day workshop is designed to support lawyers from all backgrounds who are considering a career as a law professor. Participants will gain practical guidance on entering the hiring process, connect with current faculty, and get a candid look at what it takes to thrive as a legal scholar and teacher. Registration is free, but required.

RSVP Here

Temporary Judge Program — Training Opportunity

Led by Hon. Sunil Kulkarni and Hon. Lori Pegg, this interactive training session equips attorney volunteers with the foundational skills and knowledge necessary for successful temporary judicial service. It is an essential educational opportunity for both new applicants and returning temporary judges.

The course is open to members of the State Bar who serve as or intend to apply to serve as a court-appointed temporary judge.

RSVP HERE

Spacing is limited. The Zoom link to join will be sent once your registration is accepted.

Santa Clara Juvenile Dependency Courts
Seeking Guardian ad Litem Contractors

The Superior Court of California, County of Santa Clara, is seeking proposals from qualified individuals to serve as Guardian ad Litem (GAL) contractors in Juvenile Dependency Court. This critical role involves advocating for dependency participants who are mentally ill or incompetent, ensuring their legal rights are protected in court proceedings.

The Guardian ad Litem is appointed to safeguard the dependency participant’s interests, oversee litigation decisions, and provide necessary support throughout the legal process. This contract opportunity offers professionals a chance to make a meaningful impact in the lives of vulnerable families while assisting the Court in fulfilling its mission of providing equal justice for all.

For more information and to apply, visit: GAL Request for Proposal.

Announcements

Seeking Job Opportunities for Law Students
Due to current economic conditions, we are reaching out to our network to support our student members. If your workplace is hiring students for summer or post-grad opportunities, please email info@vabanc.org with the job description and application process. 

Seek VABANC’s Endorsement
Are you applying for a bench position or running for a prosecutorial or public defender position? Reach out to us! VABANC welcomes all applicants to seek our endorsement (irrespective of Vietnamese background). VABANC endorsements carry significant weight, particularly in the judicial application process. For more information, contact Nguyen Luu at nguyen@luulaw.com.

2025 VABANC Membership Means 2025 NAPABA Membership
Your VABANC membership gets you a complimentary membership in NAPABA. That means, along with VABANC’s local events, networking, and advocacy you get access to national resources like:

    •    Career Center, including NAPABA’s online national legal job board and career resources
    •    Networking opportunities nationwide
    •    Scholarships to attend NAPABA events
    •    Leadership development programs to boost your career
    •    Webinars and workshops for continued education

Click here to renew your VABANC membership today for 2025 and get your code for free NAPABA membership!

AABA/APILO Pro-Bono Legal Clinic
The AABA Community Services Committee and Asian Pacific Islander Legal Outreach (APILO) operate a pro bono legal clinic that is staffed by volunteer attorneys and law students. The clinic helps ensure that low-income Bay Area residents, including many mono-lingual immigrants, will receive free legal information and advice from AABA volunteers.

The APILO/AABA Clinic assists individuals in a number of areas, including immigration and family law issues. The APILO/AABA Clinics are now held virtually via Zoom, and they occur every third Wednesday of the month from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. If you are interested in volunteering at the clinic, please sign up for our clinic mailing list via this link.

If you would like more information, please contact AABA Community Services Committee Co-Chair Ly Ly at ly.ly@compass.com. No prior clinic training or expertise is required, and foreign language skills are in high demand (particularly Mandarin, Cantonese, Tagalog, and Vietnamese).

Job Opportunities

The California Appellate Project is looking for an Executive Director to oversee their operations, guide their strategic direction, and inspire their team. See here for the application and more information.

The Oakland City Attorney’s Office is looking for a Deputy City Attorney II or III in the General Government & Finance team. See here for hiring announcement and more information.

The Orange County District Attorney (OCDA) is seeking a Deputy District Attorney IV to prepare and litigate complex and serious cases (primarily felonies) before the Superior and Appellate Courts. See here for the application and more information.

Santa Clara University School of Law is looking for Semester Adjunct Lecturers. See here for the application and more information. 

University of California College of the Law, San Francisco is looking for multiple Adjunct Professors in a variety of curriculums. See here for hiring announcement and more information.

San Diego County District Attorney’s Office is seeking to hire a Deputy District Attorney II. See here for the application and more information.

San Diego County District Attorney’s Office is seeking to hire a Deputy District Attorney III. See here for the application and more information.

Farella Braun Martel is seeking to hire multiple Associate Attorney positions. See here for the application and more information.

Hoover Krepelka LLP is seeking to hire a Legal Administrative Assistant position. See here for more information. 

The Oakland City Attorney’s Office is looking for a Neighborhood Law Corps Attorney. See here for hiring announcement and more information.

The United States District Court, Central District of California, is seeking to hire a Court Law Clerk in the Los Angeles Office. See here for more information.

Membership Renewal

Have you renewed your membership this year?

You can conveniently renew online here. Thank you for your continued support and belief in our mission.

#VABANC, #ProvideEncourageFoster, #ChampioningChange

June 2025 Newsletter

VABANC’s 27th Annual Gala Dinner

Mark your calendar! We are excited to announce that VABANC’s 27th Annual Gala Dinner will be on Friday, September 19, 2025 at Villa Ragusa (35 S Second St., Campbell, CA 95008).

The evening is a celebration of VABANC’s commitment to cultivating and nurturing relationships between Vietnamese American judges, legal professionals, law students, and the Vietnamese American communities of Northern California.

Our Gala Dinner will recognize recipients for the “Trailblazer,” “Community Impact,” and “Lifetime Achievement” Awards. Scholarships will be conferred to Bay Area Vietnamese American law students who demonstrate a commitment to serving the needs of the Vietnamese American community and intend on furthering their work in public interest.

RSVP HERE

Interested in Sponsoring the Gala?

Proceeds will go towards providing scholarships for future Vietnamese American law students, and ensuring critical resources are available to continue the work of promoting professional development for Vietnamese Americans in the legal community. If you are interested in becoming a Gala Sponsor, please see our packet below or the Gala Dinner page for more information.

DOWNLOAD SPONSORSHIP PACKET HERE

Please email scholarshipdinner@vabanc.org for questions about our sponsorship packet.

TopGolf Mixer: August 1, 2025

Come for the swings, stay for the conversations. Whether you are a practicing attorney, legal professional, law student, or a community supporter: this is your chance to unwind, connect, and enjoy the camaraderie of the VABANC network.

RSVP HERE

Questions? Please email Ally Phan, Secretary, at secretary@vabanc.org.

Join us at our next General Board Meeting!

Our next General Board Meeting is Tuesday, July 15 at 5:45 PM PST on Zoom.

SIGN UP HERE TO JOIN A VABANC COMMITTEE

Please email Ally Phan (secretary@vabanc.org) for the virtual meeting link and General Board Meeting calendar invitations.

VABANC Co-Sponsors NAPABA’s Amicus Brief

VABANC 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. 

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. A copy of the brief can be found here.

Community News

Santa Clara Juvenile Dependency Courts
Seeking Guardian ad Litem Contractors

The Superior Court of California, County of Santa Clara, is seeking proposals from qualified individuals to serve as Guardian ad Litem (GAL) contractors in Juvenile Dependency Court. This critical role involves advocating for dependency participants who are mentally ill or incompetent, ensuring their legal rights are protected in court proceedings.

The Guardian ad Litem is appointed to safeguard the dependency participant’s interests, oversee litigation decisions, and provide necessary support throughout the legal process. This contract opportunity offers professionals a chance to make a meaningful impact in the lives of vulnerable families while assisting the Court in fulfilling its mission of providing equal justice for all.

For more information and to apply, visit: GAL Request for Proposal.

Temporary Judge Program — Training Opportunity

Led by Hon. Sunil Kulkarni and Hon. Lori Pegg, this interactive training session equips attorney volunteers with the foundational skills and knowledge necessary for successful temporary judicial service. It is an essential educational opportunity for both new applicants and returning temporary judges.

The course is open to members of the State Bar who serve as or intend to apply to serve as a court-appointed temporary judge.

RSVP HERE

Spacing is limited. The Zoom link to join will be sent once your registration is accepted.

Announcements

Seeking Job Opportunities for Law Students
Due to current economic conditions, we are reaching out to our network to support our student members. If your workplace is hiring students for summer or post-grad opportunities, please email info@vabanc.org with the job description and application process. 

Seek VABANC’s Endorsement
Are you applying for a bench position or running for a prosecutorial or public defender position? Reach out to us! VABANC welcomes all applicants to seek our endorsement (irrespective of Vietnamese background). VABANC endorsements carry significant weight, particularly in the judicial application process. For more information, contact Nguyen Luu at nguyen@luulaw.com.

2025 VABANC Membership Means 2025 NAPABA Membership
Your VABANC membership gets you a complimentary membership in NAPABA. That means, along with VABANC’s local events, networking, and advocacy you get access to national resources like:

    •    Career Center, including NAPABA’s online national legal job board and career resources
    •    Networking opportunities nationwide
    •    Scholarships to attend NAPABA events
    •    Leadership development programs to boost your career
    •    Webinars and workshops for continued education

Click here to renew your VABANC membership today for 2025 and get your code for free NAPABA membership!

AABA/APILO Pro-Bono Legal Clinic
The AABA Community Services Committee and Asian Pacific Islander Legal Outreach (APILO) operate a pro bono legal clinic that is staffed by volunteer attorneys and law students. The clinic helps ensure that low-income Bay Area residents, including many mono-lingual immigrants, will receive free legal information and advice from AABA volunteers.

The APILO/AABA Clinic assists individuals in a number of areas, including immigration and family law issues. The APILO/AABA Clinics are now held virtually via Zoom, and they occur every third Wednesday of the month from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. If you are interested in volunteering at the clinic, please sign up for our clinic mailing list via this link.

If you would like more information, please contact AABA Community Services Committee Co-Chair Ly Ly at ly.ly@compass.com. No prior clinic training or expertise is required, and foreign language skills are in high demand (particularly Mandarin, Cantonese, Tagalog, and Vietnamese).

Job Opportunities

The California Appellate Project is looking for an Executive Director to oversee their operations, guide their strategic direction, and inspire their team. See here for the application and more information.

The Oakland City Attorney’s Office is looking for a Deputy City Attorney II or III in the General Government & Finance team. See here for hiring announcement and more information.

The Orange County District Attorney (OCDA) is seeking a Deputy District Attorney IV to prepare and litigate complex and serious cases (primarily felonies) before the Superior and Appellate Courts. See here for the application and more information.

Santa Clara University School of Law is looking for Semester Adjunct Lecturers. See here for the application and more information. 

University of California College of the Law, San Francisco is looking for multiple Adjunct Professors in a variety of curriculums. See here for hiring announcement and more information.

San Diego County District Attorney’s Office is seeking to hire a Deputy District Attorney II. See here for the application and more information.

San Diego County District Attorney’s Office is seeking to hire a Deputy District Attorney III. See here for the application and more information.

Farella Braun Martel is seeking to hire multiple Associate Attorney positions. See here for the application and more information. 

Hoover Krepelka LLP is seeking to hire a Legal Administrative Assistant position. See here for more information. 

Membership Renewal

Have you renewed your membership this year?

You can conveniently renew online here. Thank you for your continued support and belief in our mission.

#VABANC, #ProvideEncourageFoster, #ChampioningChange

May 2025 Newsletter

VABANC’s 27th Annual Gala Dinner

Mark your calendar! We are excited to announce that VABANC’s 27th Annual Gala Dinner will be on Friday, September 19, 2025 at Villa Ragusa (35 S Second St., Campbell, CA 95008).

The evening is a celebration of VABANC’s commitment to cultivating and nurturing relationships between Vietnamese American judges, legal professionals, law students, and the Vietnamese American communities of Northern California.

Our Gala Dinner will recognize recipients for the “Trailblazer,” “Community Impact,” and “Lifetime Achievement” Awards. Scholarships will be conferred to Bay Area Vietnamese American law students who demonstrate a commitment to serving the needs of the Vietnamese American community and intend on furthering their work in public interest.

RSVP HERE

Interested in Sponsoring the Gala?

Proceeds will go towards providing scholarships for future Vietnamese American law students, and ensuring critical resources are available to continue the work of promoting professional development for Vietnamese Americans in the legal community. If you are interested in becoming a Gala Sponsor, please see our packet below or the Gala Dinner page for more information.

DOWNLOAD SPONSORSHIP PACKET HERE

Please email scholarshipdinner@vabanc.org for questions about our sponsorship packet.

TopGolf Mixer: August 1, 2025

Come for the swings, stay for the conversations. Whether you are a practicing attorney, legal professional, law student, or a community supporter: this is your chance to unwind, connect, and enjoy the camaraderie of the VABANC network.

RSVP HERE

Questions? Please email Ally Phan, Secretary, at secretary@vabanc.org.

VABANC Legal Clinic — Calling for Volunteers!

Every first Wednesday evening of the month, VABANC Legal Clinic is hosted from 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM at the Vietnamese American Service Center (2410 Senter Rd., San Jose, CA 95111), fully operated by volunteer availability. Our next clinic is on Wednesday, June 4, 2025.

In collaboration with the Vietnamese American Service Center (VASC), VABANC invites attorneys and law students to volunteer at our legal clinics. Since 2016, our dedicated VABANC volunteers have been the backbone of our mission.

The San Jose Vietnamese community needs your support more than ever. We are particularly seeking volunteer attorneys with experience in housing, immigration, employment, and family law.

Non-attorneys, law students, and community members are also welcome to volunteer and engage directly with clients through intake consultations or Vietnamese translation assistance. Your support make a significant difference!

If interested, please complete our Volunteer Sign-Up sheet to join our volunteer list.

Join us at our next General Board Meeting!

Our next General Board Meeting is Tuesday, June 17 at 5:45 PM PST on Zoom.

SIGN UP HERE TO JOIN A VABANC COMMITTEE

Please email Ally Phan (secretary@vabanc.org) for the virtual meeting link and General Board Meeting calendar invitations.

VABANC Co-Sponsors NAPABA’s Amicus Brief

VABANC 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. 

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. A copy of the brief can be found here.

May Recap: NCVAA 19th Annual Conference

The National Conference of Vietnamese American Attorney (NCVAA) 19th Annual Conference was held in Washington, D.C. from May 2 to 4, 2025.

Themed “50 Years Forward,” the conference commemorated the 50-year anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War. It invited both reflection and recognition of the strides Vietnamese American legal professionals have made in forging transformative pathways across various sectors.

President Thi Tran, former President Michelle Truong, and Secretary Ally Phan were among the strong showing of VABANC representatives in attendance that weekend.

May Recap: Nomikai Mixer

Renewing, reliving, and rekindling. Thanks to all who spent part of their Thursday evening at our annual Nomikai mixer on May 22. See you at the next social event!

Community News

Santa Clara Juvenile Dependency Courts
Seeking Guardian ad Litem Contractors

The Superior Court of California, County of Santa Clara, is seeking proposals from qualified individuals to serve as Guardian ad Litem (GAL) contractors in Juvenile Dependency Court. This critical role involves advocating for dependency participants who are mentally ill or incompetent, ensuring their legal rights are protected in court proceedings.

The Guardian ad Litem is appointed to safeguard the dependency participant’s interests, oversee litigation decisions, and provide necessary support throughout the legal process. This contract opportunity offers professionals a chance to make a meaningful impact in the lives of vulnerable families while assisting the Court in fulfilling its mission of providing equal justice for all.

For more information and to apply, visit: GAL Request for Proposal.

Temporary Judge Program — Training Opportunity

Led by Hon. Sunil Kulkarni and Hon. Lori Pegg, this interactive training session equips attorney volunteers with the foundational skills and knowledge necessary for successful temporary judicial service. It is an essential educational opportunity for both new applicants and returning temporary judges.

The course is open to members of the State Bar who serve as or intend to apply to serve as a court-appointed temporary judge.

RSVP HERE

Spacing is limited. The Zoom link to join will be sent once your registration is accepted.

Announcements

Seeking Job Opportunities for Law Students
Due to current economic conditions, we are reaching out to our network to support our student members. If your workplace is hiring students for summer or post-grad opportunities, please email info@vabanc.org with the job description and application process. 

Seek VABANC’s Endorsement
Are you applying for a bench position or running for a prosecutorial or public defender position? Reach out to us! VABANC welcomes all applicants to seek our endorsement (irrespective of Vietnamese background). VABANC endorsements carry significant weight, particularly in the judicial application process. For more information, contact Nguyen Luu at nguyen@luulaw.com.

2025 VABANC Membership Means 2025 NAPABA Membership
Your VABANC membership gets you a complimentary membership in NAPABA. That means, along with VABANC’s local events, networking, and advocacy you get access to national resources like:

    •    Career Center, including NAPABA’s online national legal job board and career resources
    •    Networking opportunities nationwide
    •    Scholarships to attend NAPABA events
    •    Leadership development programs to boost your career
    •    Webinars and workshops for continued education

Click here to renew your VABANC membership today for 2025 and get your code for free NAPABA membership!

AABA/APILO Pro-Bono Legal Clinic
The AABA Community Services Committee and Asian Pacific Islander Legal Outreach (APILO) operate a pro bono legal clinic that is staffed by volunteer attorneys and law students. The clinic helps ensure that low-income Bay Area residents, including many mono-lingual immigrants, will receive free legal information and advice from AABA volunteers.

The APILO/AABA Clinic assists individuals in a number of areas, including immigration and family law issues. The APILO/AABA Clinics are now held virtually via Zoom, and they occur every third Wednesday of the month from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. If you are interested in volunteering at the clinic, please sign up for our clinic mailing list via this link.

If you would like more information, please contact AABA Community Services Committee Co-Chair Ly Ly at ly.ly@compass.com. No prior clinic training or expertise is required, and foreign language skills are in high demand (particularly Mandarin, Cantonese, Tagalog, and Vietnamese).

Job Opportunities

The California Appellate Project is looking for an Executive Director to oversee their operations, guide their strategic direction, and inspire their team. See here for the application and more information.

The Oakland City Attorney’s Office is looking for a Deputy City Attorney II or III in the General Government & Finance team. See here for hiring announcement and more information.

The Orange County District Attorney (OCDA) is seeking a Deputy District Attorney IV to prepare and litigate complex and serious cases (primarily felonies) before the Superior and Appellate Courts. See here for the application and more information.

Santa Clara University School of Law is looking for Semester Adjunct Lecturers. See here for the application and more information. 

University of California College of the Law, San Francisco is looking for multiple Adjunct Professors in a variety of curriculums. See here for hiring announcement and more information.

San Diego County District Attorney’s Office is seeking to hire a Deputy District Attorney II. See here for the application and more information.

San Diego County District Attorney’s Office is seeking to hire a Deputy District Attorney III. See here for the application and more information.

The United States District Court for the Northern District of California is seeking a Magistrate Judge. See here for the application and more information. 

Farella Braun Martel is seeking to hire multiple Associate Attorney positions. See here for the application and more information. 

Hoover Krepelka LLP is seeking to hire a Family Law Associate Attorney position. See here for more information. 

Hoover Krepelka LLP is seeking to hire a Legal Administrative Assistant position. See here for more information. 

Membership Renewal

Have you renewed your membership this year?

You can conveniently renew online here. Thank you for your continued support and belief in our mission.

#VABANC, #ProvideEncourageFoster, #ChampioningChange

April 2025 Newsletter

Social: Nomikai Mixer

Join us for our annual Nomikai Mixer! The event will be held at Nomikai (48 S 1st Street, San Jose, CA 95113) on Thursday, May 22, 2025 at 6:00 PM to 8:30 PM.

This is an intended evening of drinks, community, and connection. Whether you’re a seasoned attorney, law student, or community ally, this is the perfect chance to unwind and build meaningful relationships with others in the VABANC network. We look forward to seeing you there!

RSVP HERE

VABANC Co-Sponsors NAPABA’s Amicus Brief

VABANC 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. 

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. A copy of the brief can be found here.

Request: Headshots Sponsor Needed

VABANC is looking for firms, corporate sponsors, or individuals to sponsor a headshot event for members of VABANC. If you are interested in sponsoring, please contact Thi Tran at president@vabanc.org.

April MCLE Event Recap

From our MCLE Chair Nicholas Nguyen: 

On behalf of VABANC, thank you to everyone who attended the CLE on civility. We are incredibly grateful for your engagement with a topic that is foundational to the practice of law yet often overlooked.

Civility is more than just a professional ideal; it’s a practice that shapes how we advocate, collaborate, and serve our communities. Your willingness to reflect on these values and share your own experiences truly made the program meaningful. We hope the conversation provided practical insights and reminders of how we can all foster a culture of respect even when facing the pressures and challenges inherent in our profession.

Thank you once more for your participation and dedication to promoting civility within the legal community. We look forward to continuing this important conversation with you in the future.

VABANC Legal Clinic — Calling for Volunteers!

Every first Wednesday evening of the month, VABANC Legal Clinic is hosted from 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM at the Vietnamese American Service Center (2410 Senter Rd., San Jose, CA 95111), fully operated by volunteer availability. Our next clinic is on Wednesday, May 7, 2025.

In collaboration with the Vietnamese American Service Center (VASC), VABANC invites attorneys and law students to volunteer at our legal clinics. Since 2016, our dedicated VABANC volunteers have been the backbone of our mission.

The San Jose Vietnamese community needs your support more than ever. We are particularly seeking volunteer attorneys with experience in housing, immigration, employment, and family law.

Non-attorneys, law students, and community members are also welcome to volunteer and engage directly with clients through intake consultations or Vietnamese translation assistance. Your support make a significant difference!

If interested, please complete our Volunteer Sign-Up sheet to join our volunteer list.

Join us at our next General Board Meeting!

Our next General Board Meeting is Tuesday, May 20 at 5:45 PM PST on Zoom.

VABANC would like to welcome you to join our leadership team! Sign-up for a committee using this form. It is not too late to join and help make our 2025 goals become reality.

Questions? Email Ally Phan (secretary@vabanc.org) for the Zoom link and General Board Meeting calendar invitations.

Community News

AIDS Legal Referral Panel Spring 2025 MCLE Series

The AIDS Legal Referral Panel (ALRP) provides free and low-cost legal services to people with HIV/AIDS in the San Francisco Bay Area. Their virtual Zoom MCLE trainings are open to all and free to attend. Following the training, attendees are encouraged to join and support ALRP’s mission by accepting two pro bono referrals annually. The trainings will take place between April 30 to May 29, 2025 and each will be worth 1.5 General CLE Credits.

  • On the Edge: Spotting and Defending Clients at Risk of Deportation on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, 1:30 to 3:00 PM. Click here to register.
  • Medical Waivers for Naturalization, Wednesday on May 7, 2025, 1:30 to 3:00 PM. Click here to register.
  • Trauma-Informed Lawyering and the Asylum Declaration on Thursday, May 8, 2025, 1:30 to 3:00 PM. Click here to register.
  • Introduction to VA Disability Benefits on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, 1:00 to 2:30 PM. Click here to register.
  • SSI Benefits: Navigating Changes to Benefits on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, 1:00 to 2:30 PM. Click here to register.
  • The Changing Immigration Landscape: Know Your Rights! on Thursday, May 29, 2025, 2:30 to 4:00 PM. Click here to register. 

Eth-Noh-Tec: Strong Like Bamboo

Eth-Noh-Tec’s “Strong Like Bamboo” May 22nd (6pm) & May 25th (2pm) at the SF Main Library will unite Asian and LatinX communities through community dialogue to rally against anti-immigration trends. May 22 will offer food, cultural sharing, and resources on keeping safe! May 25 will be performances and resource sharing. Free! 

To RSVP, please click here. 

2025-2026 Santa Clara County Civil Grand Jury Application

The Superior Court of California, County of Santa Clara is pleased to announce that the recruitment for the 2025-26 Civil Grand Jury is underway. Linked here is the application. Visit here for more information.

The Court will be accepting applications until Friday, March 28, 2025.

2025 State Bar of California Committee Application

The State Bar’s 2025 committee appointments application is now open for nonattorney public members, attorneys, and former judicial officers with interest in helping the State Bar advance its important statutory mission.

To apply, please visit the State Bar’s online application portal, select your committee from the left-hand menu, and click the “Apply for membership” button in the top right corner. For more details on each committee, refer to the linked committee webpage in the profile description. The application deadline is April 3, 2025, 5:00 p.m.

For questions, please contact Appointments@calbar.ca.gov.

Santa Clara Juvenile Dependency Courts
Seeking Guardian ad Litem Contractors

The Superior Court of California, County of Santa Clara, is seeking proposals from qualified individuals to serve as Guardian ad Litem (GAL) contractors in Juvenile Dependency Court. This critical role involves advocating for dependency participants who are mentally ill or incompetent, ensuring their legal rights are protected in court proceedings.

The Guardian ad Litem is appointed to safeguard the dependency participant’s interests, oversee litigation decisions, and provide necessary support throughout the legal process. This contract opportunity offers professionals a chance to make a meaningful impact in the lives of vulnerable families while assisting the Court in fulfilling its mission of providing equal justice for all.

For more information and to apply, visit: GAL Request for Proposal.

National Center for State Courts Tiny Chat:
Bullying in the Legal Profession

The Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism released an important study on the prevalence and impact of bullying in the Illinois legal profession, along with best practices for prevention. The study presents data from a survey of more than 6,000 Illinois lawyers and identifies several concerning trends regarding the frequency and severity of workplace bullying, which affects lawyer wellness, productivity, and retention.

The National Center for State Courts was joined by Erika N. L. Harold, Executive Director of the Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism, who shared key findings from the report and important recommendations for preventing workplace bullying.

Please click here to view the Tiny Chat webinar. 

San Francisco Civil Grand Jury — Seeking Volunteers!

MORE INFO

Temporary Judge Program — Training Opportunity

The course is open to members of the State Bar who serve as or intend to apply to serve as a court-appointed temporary judge.

RSVP HERE

Spacing is limited. The Zoom link to join will be sent once your registration is accepted.

Announcements

Seeking Job Opportunities for Law Students
Due to current economic conditions, we are reaching out to our network to support our student members. If your workplace is hiring students for summer or post-grad opportunities, please email info@vabanc.org with the job description and application process. 

Seek VABANC’s Endorsement
Are you applying for a bench position or running for a prosecutorial or public defender position? Reach out to us! VABANC welcomes all applicants to seek our endorsement (irrespective of Vietnamese background). VABANC endorsements carry significant weight, particularly in the judicial application process. For more information, contact Nguyen Luu at nguyen@luulaw.com.

2025 VABANC Membership Means 2025 NAPABA Membership
Your VABANC membership gets you a complimentary membership in NAPABA. That means, along with VABANC’s local events, networking, and advocacy you get access to national resources like:

    •    Career Center, including NAPABA’s online national legal job board and career resources
    •    Networking opportunities nationwide
    •    Scholarships to attend NAPABA events
    •    Leadership development programs to boost your career
    •    Webinars and workshops for continued education

Click here to renew your VABANC membership today for 2025 and get your code for free NAPABA membership!

AABA/APILO Pro-Bono Legal Clinic
The AABA Community Services Committee and Asian Pacific Islander Legal Outreach (APILO) operate a pro bono legal clinic that is staffed by volunteer attorneys and law students. The clinic helps ensure that low-income Bay Area residents, including many mono-lingual immigrants, will receive free legal information and advice from AABA volunteers.

The APILO/AABA Clinic assists individuals in a number of areas, including immigration and family law issues. The APILO/AABA Clinics are now held virtually via Zoom, and they occur every third Wednesday of the month from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. If you are interested in volunteering at the clinic, please sign up for our clinic mailing list via this link.

If you would like more information, please contact AABA Community Services Committee Co-Chair Ly Ly at ly.ly@compass.com. No prior clinic training or expertise is required, and foreign language skills are in high demand (particularly Mandarin, Cantonese, Tagalog, and Vietnamese).

Job Opportunities

The California Appellate Project is looking for an Executive Director to oversee their operations, guide their strategic direction, and inspire their team. See here for the application and more information.

The California Appellate Project is looking for one Attorney position. See here for the application and more information.

The Oakland City Attorney’s Office is looking for a Deputy City Attorney II or III in the General Government & Finance team. See here for hiring announcement and more information.

The Orange County District Attorney (OCDA) is seeking a Deputy District Attorney IV to prepare and litigate complex and serious cases (primarily felonies) before the Superior and Appellate Courts. See here for the application and more information.

Santa Clara University School of Law is looking for Semester Adjunct Lecturers. See here for the application and more information. 

University of California College of the Law, San Francisco is looking for multiple Adjunct Professors in a variety of curriculums. See here for hiring announcement and more information.

San Diego County District Attorney’s Office is seeking to hire a Deputy District Attorney II. See here for the application and more information.

San Diego County District Attorney’s Office is seeking to hire a Deputy District Attorney III. See here for the application and more information.

The United States District Court for the Northern District of California is seeking a Magistrate Judge. See here for the application and more information. 

Farella Braun Martel is seeking to hire multiple Associate Attorney positions. See here for the application and more information. 

Membership Renewal

Have you renewed your membership this year?

You can conveniently renew online here. Thank you for your continued support and belief in our mission.

#VABANC, #ProvideEncourageFoster, #ChampioningChange

March 2025 Newsletter

MCLE: Finding Common Ground:
Civility in the Legal Profession

VABANC is proud to present our MCLE webinar hosted together with Farella Braun Martel about maintaining civility in the legal practice on April 17, 2025 at 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM. The speakers are Michelle Kao, Su Li, Ph.D., and Victoria Huang of Farella Braun Martel. We are providing up to 1.0 MCLE credit. 

RSVP HERE

March Mixer Recap

On March 14, 2025, VABANC, VABANC Law Foundation, and the Step Forward Foundation hosted a mixer at the Fountainhead Bar in San Jose to celebrate VLF Public Interest Fellow, Ally Phan, and raise funds for future fellows.

Thanks to your generosity, we raised a total of $2,425.00! Thank you to everyone who attended. Your support helps fund future fellows and make a lasting impact. Below are a few photos from our Happy Hour event. 

To continue supporting our fellowship, please consider contributing here: Support VLF.

VABANC Legal Clinic — Calling for Volunteers!

Every first Wednesday evening of the month, VABANC Legal Clinic is hosted from 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM at the Vietnamese American Service Center (2410 Senter Rd., San Jose, CA 95111), fully operated by volunteer availability. Our next clinic is on Wednesday, April 2nd, 2025.

In collaboration with the Vietnamese American Service Center (VASC), VABANC invites attorneys and law students to volunteer at our legal clinics. Since 2016, our dedicated VABANC volunteers have been the backbone of our mission.

The San Jose Vietnamese community needs your support more than ever. We are particularly seeking volunteer attorneys with experience in housing, immigration, employment, and family law.

Non-attorneys, law students, and community members are also welcome to volunteer and engage directly with clients through intake consultations or Vietnamese translation assistance. Your support make a significant difference!

If interested, please complete our Volunteer Sign-Up sheet to join our volunteer list.

Join us at our next General Board Meeting!

Our next General Board Meeting is Tuesday, April 15, at 5:45 PM PST on Zoom.

VABANC would like to welcome you to join our leadership team! Sign-up for a committee using this form. It is not too late to join and help make our 2025 goals become reality.

Questions? Email Ally Phan (secretary@vabanc.org) for the Zoom link and General Board Meeting calendar invitations.

Community News

2025-2026 Santa Clara County Civil Grand Jury Application

The Superior Court of California, County of Santa Clara is pleased to announce that the recruitment for the 2025-26 Civil Grand Jury is underway. Linked here is the application. Visit here for more information.

The Court will be accepting applications until Friday, March 28, 2025.

2025 State Bar of California Committee Application

The State Bar’s 2025 committee appointments application is now open for nonattorney public members, attorneys, and former judicial officers with interest in helping the State Bar advance its important statutory mission.

To apply, please visit the State Bar’s online application portal, select your committee from the left-hand menu, and click the “Apply for membership” button in the top right corner. For more details on each committee, refer to the linked committee webpage in the profile description. The application deadline is April 3, 2025, 5:00 p.m.

For questions, please contact Appointments@calbar.ca.gov.

Santa Clara Juvenile Dependency Courts
Seeking Guardian ad Litem Contractors

The Superior Court of California, County of Santa Clara, is seeking proposals from qualified individuals to serve as Guardian ad Litem (GAL) contractors in Juvenile Dependency Court. This critical role involves advocating for dependency participants who are mentally ill or incompetent, ensuring their legal rights are protected in court proceedings.

The Guardian ad Litem is appointed to safeguard the dependency participant’s interests, oversee litigation decisions, and provide necessary support throughout the legal process. This contract opportunity offers professionals a chance to make a meaningful impact in the lives of vulnerable families while assisting the Court in fulfilling its mission of providing equal justice for all.

For more information and to apply, visit: GAL Request for Proposal.

National Center for State Courts Tiny Chat:
Bullying in the Legal Profession

The Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism released an important study on the prevalence and impact of bullying in the Illinois legal profession, along with best practices for prevention. The study presents data from a survey of more than 6,000 Illinois lawyers and identifies several concerning trends regarding the frequency and severity of workplace bullying, which affects lawyer wellness, productivity, and retention.

The National Center for State Courts was joined by Erika N. L. Harold, Executive Director of the Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism, who shared key findings from the report and important recommendations for preventing workplace bullying.

Please click here to view the Tiny Chat webinar. 

San Francisco Civil Grand Jury — Seeking Volunteers!

MORE INFO

Temporary Judge Program — Training Opportunity

The course is open to members of the State Bar who serve as or intend to apply to serve as a court-appointed temporary judge.

RSVP HERE

Spacing is limited. The Zoom link to join will be sent once your registration is accepted.

Announcements

Seeking Job Opportunities for Law Students
Due to current economic conditions, we are reaching out to our network to support our student members. If your workplace is hiring students for summer or post-grad opportunities, please email info@vabanc.org with the job description and application process. 

Seek VABANC’s Endorsement
Are you applying for a bench position or running for a prosecutorial or public defender position? Reach out to us! VABANC welcomes all applicants to seek our endorsement (irrespective of Vietnamese background). VABANC endorsements carry significant weight, particularly in the judicial application process. For more information, contact Nguyen Luu at nguyen@luulaw.com.

2025 VABANC Membership Means 2025 NAPABA Membership
Your VABANC membership gets you a complimentary membership in NAPABA. That means, along with VABANC’s local events, networking, and advocacy you get access to national resources like:

    •    Career Center, including NAPABA’s online national legal job board and career resources
    •    Networking opportunities nationwide
    •    Scholarships to attend NAPABA events
    •    Leadership development programs to boost your career
    •    Webinars and workshops for continued education

Click here to renew your VABANC membership today for 2025 and get your code for free NAPABA membership!

AABA/APILO Pro-Bono Legal Clinic
The AABA Community Services Committee and Asian Pacific Islander Legal Outreach (APILO) operate a pro bono legal clinic that is staffed by volunteer attorneys and law students. The clinic helps ensure that low-income Bay Area residents, including many mono-lingual immigrants, will receive free legal information and advice from AABA volunteers.

The APILO/AABA Clinic assists individuals in a number of areas, including immigration and family law issues. The APILO/AABA Clinics are now held virtually via Zoom, and they occur every third Wednesday of the month from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. If you are interested in volunteering at the clinic, please sign up for our clinic mailing list via this link.

If you would like more information, please contact AABA Community Services Committee Co-Chair Ly Ly at ly.ly@compass.com. No prior clinic training or expertise is required, and foreign language skills are in high demand (particularly Mandarin, Cantonese, Tagalog, and Vietnamese).

Job Opportunities

The California Appellate Project is looking for an Executive Director to oversee their operations, guide their strategic direction, and inspire their team. See here for the application and more information.

The California Appellate Project is looking for one Attorney position. See here for the application and more information.

The Oakland City Attorney’s Office is looking for a Deputy City Attorney II or III in the General Government & Finance team. See here for hiring announcement and more information.

The Orange County District Attorney (OCDA) is seeking a Deputy District Attorney IV to prepare and litigate complex and serious cases (primarily felonies) before the Superior and Appellate Courts. See here for the application and more information.

Santa Clara University School of Law is looking for Semester Adjunct Lecturers. See here for the application and more information. 

University of California College of the Law, San Francisco is looking for multiple Adjunct Professors in a variety of curriculums. See here for hiring announcement and more information.

San Diego County District Attorney’s Office is seeking to hire a Deputy District Attorney II. See here for the application and more information.

San Diego County District Attorney’s Office is seeking to hire a Deputy District Attorney III. See here for the application and more information.

Membership Renewal

Have you renewed your membership this year?

You can conveniently renew online here. Thank you for your continued support and belief in our mission.

#VABANC, #ProvideEncourageFoster, #ChampioningChange

February 2025 Newsletter

VABANC Legal Clinic — Calling for Volunteers!

Every first Wednesday evening of the month, VABANC Legal Clinic is hosted from 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM at the Vietnamese American Service Center (2410 Senter Rd., San Jose, CA 95111), fully operated by volunteer availability. Our next clinic is on Wednesday, March 5th, 2025.

In collaboration with the Vietnamese American Service Center (VASC), VABANC invites attorneys and law students to volunteer at our legal clinics. Since 2016, our dedicated VABANC volunteers have been the backbone of our mission.

The San Jose Vietnamese community needs your support more than ever. We are particularly seeking volunteer attorneys with experience in housing, immigration, employment, and family law.

Non-attorneys, law students, and community members are also welcome to volunteer and engage directly with clients through intake consultations or Vietnamese translation assistance. Your support make a significant difference!

If interested, please complete our Volunteer Sign-Up sheet to join our volunteer list.

2025 Kickoff Meeting Recap

Embracing, envisioning, and creating a better tomorrow. The 2025 General Board spent this past weekend brainstorming opportunities to serve the needs of our members and the greater Vietnamese American community. As tradition: we subsequently shared a meal together, at Phở Hà Nội on this occasion.  

A heartfelt thanks to Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP for hosting our annual kickoff. We are excited to transform our ideas into programmatic offerings that will foster professional growth, promote access to legal services, and strengthen community bonds.

VABANC, VLF, and Step Forward Foundation Mixer

RSVP HERE

Join us at our next General Board Meeting!

Our next General Board Meeting is Tuesday, March 18, at 5:45 PM PST on Zoom.

VABANC would like to welcome you to join our leadership team! Sign-up for a committee using this form. It is not too late to join and help make our 2025 goals become reality.

Questions? Email Ally Phan (secretary@vabanc.org) for the Zoom link and General Board Meeting calendar invitations.

Community News

2025-2026 Santa Clara County Civil Grand Jury Application

The Superior Court of California, County of Santa Clara is pleased to announce that the recruitment for the 2025-26 Civil Grand Jury is underway. Linked here is the application. Visit here for more information.

The Court will be accepting applications until Friday, March 28, 2025.

San Francisco Civil Grand Jury — Seeking Volunteers!

MORE INFO

Temporary Judge Program — Training Opportunity

The course is open to members of the State Bar who serve as or intend to apply to serve as a court-appointed temporary judge.

RSVP HERE

Spacing is limited. The Zoom link to join will be sent once your registration is accepted.

Announcements

Seeking Job Opportunities for Law Students
Due to current economic conditions, we are reaching out to our network to support our student members. If your workplace is hiring students for summer or post-grad opportunities, please email info@vabanc.org with the job description and application process. 

Seek VABANC’s Endorsement
Are you applying for a bench position or running for a prosecutorial or public defender position? Reach out to us! VABANC welcomes all applicants to seek our endorsement (irrespective of Vietnamese background). VABANC endorsements carry significant weight, particularly in the judicial application process. For more information, contact Nguyen Luu at nguyen@luulaw.com.

2025 VABANC Membership Means 2025 NAPABA Membership
Your VABANC membership gets you a complimentary membership in NAPABA. That means, along with VABANC’s local events, networking, and advocacy you get access to national resources like:

    •    Career Center, including NAPABA’s online national legal job board and career resources
    •    Networking opportunities nationwide
    •    Scholarships to attend NAPABA events
    •    Leadership development programs to boost your career
    •    Webinars and workshops for continued education

Click here to renew your VABANC membership today for 2025 and get your code for free NAPABA membership!

AABA/APILO Pro-Bono Legal Clinic
The AABA Community Services Committee and Asian Pacific Islander Legal Outreach (APILO) operate a pro bono legal clinic that is staffed by volunteer attorneys and law students. The clinic helps ensure that low-income Bay Area residents, including many mono-lingual immigrants, will receive free legal information and advice from AABA volunteers.

The APILO/AABA Clinic assists individuals in a number of areas, including immigration and family law issues. The APILO/AABA Clinics are now held virtually via Zoom, and they occur every third Wednesday of the month from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. If you are interested in volunteering at the clinic, please sign up for our clinic mailing list via this link.

If you would like more information, please contact AABA Community Services Committee Co-Chair Ly Ly at ly.ly@compass.com. No prior clinic training or expertise is required, and foreign language skills are in high demand (particularly Mandarin, Cantonese, Tagalog, and Vietnamese).

Job Opportunities

The California Appellate Project is looking for an Executive Director to oversee their operations, guide their strategic direction, and inspire their team. See here for the application and more information.

The California Appellate Project is looking for one Attorney position. See here for the application and more information.

The Oakland City Attorney’s Office is looking for a Deputy City Attorney II or III in the General Government & Finance team. See here for hiring announcement and more information.

The Orange County District Attorney (OCDA) is seeking a Deputy District Attorney IV to prepare and litigate complex and serious cases (primarily felonies) before the Superior and Appellate Courts. See here for the application and more information.

Santa Clara University School of Law is looking for Semester Adjunct Lecturers. See here for the application and more information. 

University of California College of the Law, San Francisco is looking for multiple Adjunct Professors in a variety of curriculums. See here for hiring announcement and more information.

Membership Renewal

Have you renewed your membership this year?

You can conveniently renew online here. Thank you for your continued support and belief in our mission.

#VABANC, #ProvideEncourageFoster, #ChampioningChange

2024 Scholarship Dinner

VABANC was formed to cultivate and nurture professional relationships between Vietnamese American judges, attorneys, law students, and the Vietnamese American communities in Northern California.

With your support, VABANC has accomplished so much in the last twenty-eight years, including:

  • Celebrating the appointment of numerous Vietnamese American judges to the bench in California, with the most recent being the appointment of the Honorable Judge Nhan Vu;
  • Raising over $50,000 in scholarship funds to support our next generation of lawyers, including law students from Berkeley Law, Santa Clara Law, and UC Law San Francisco (formerly UC Hastings);
  • Establishing the VABANC Law Foundation, a charitable arm of VABANC that offers a year-long public interest fellowship which has grown to $50,000 annually and has fostered the work of seven public interest attorneys working with various legal aid organizations to promote justice and access to legal services and resources for those in the community, particularly those from under resourced or underserved communities;
  • Establishing free legal clinics in Oakland and San Jose, which provide in-language legal support to hundreds of community members;
  • Reviving a mentorship program alongside the Honorable Judge Jacqueline Duong where experienced attorneys are paired with law students and new/transitioning attorneys;
  • Elevating our mentorship program spearheaded by the Honorable Judge Jacqueline Duong where experienced attorneys are paired with law students and new/transitioning attorneys; and
  • Launching the National Conference of Vietnamese American Attorneys (NCVAA), which will be celebrating its 17th anniversary this year.

A big thank you to our sponsors for our 2024 dinner!

Diamond Sponsors:

Gold Sponsors:
Fenwick & West LLP
Patent Law Works LLP
Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP

Silver Sponsors:
Block Change Real Estate
Law Offices of Henry H. Liem
Law Offices of Trang Do
Luu Law P.C.
Minami Tamaki LLP
Step Forward Foundation
Togo’s El Paseo
Ton Law P.C.

Bronze Sponsors:
Berliner Cohen, LLP
County of Santa Clara Supervisor Cindy Chavez
Law Office of Linda Sung
McDermott, Will, & Emery
McManis Faulkner
Paul Hastings LLP

Check out some photos from the 2023 and 2024 Scholarship Dinners below!

For more photos from our 26th Annual Scholarship Dinner (2024), click here.
For more photos from our 25th Annual Scholarship Dinner (2023), click here.

VABANC, VLF, and Step Forward Foundation Mixer

Mark your calendars for the first VABANC Social Event of the Year!

VABANC and the VABANC Law Foundation are hosting a happy hour this March! Bring your friends and coworkers to join us as we mingle with VABANC and non-VABANC members, celebrate the VLF Public Interest Fellow’s accomplishments, and highlight the impactful work being done in our community.

This is also your chance to sign-up for VABANC committees and kickstart your engagement with our bar association.

RSVP HERE

If you are unable to attend, please consider donating to support the next generation of legal leaders dedicated to empowering marginalized communities!

Your presence (or contribution) will make this celebration even more meaningful — we cannot wait to see you there!

Questions? Email Ally Phan at secretary@vabanc.org

#VABANC, #ProvideEncourageFoster, #ChampioningChange

January 2025 Newsletter

Happy New Year!

VABANC Legal Clinic — Calling for Volunteers!

Every first Wednesday evening of the month, VABANC Legal Clinic is hosted from 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM at the Vietnamese American Service Center (2410 Senter Rd., San Jose, CA 95111), fully operated by volunteer availability. Our next clinic is on Wednesday, February 5th, 2025.

In collaboration with the Vietnamese American Service Center (VASC), VABANC invites attorneys and law students to volunteer at our legal clinics. Since 2016, our dedicated VABANC volunteers have been the backbone of our mission.

The San Jose Vietnamese community needs your support more than ever. We are particularly seeking volunteer attorneys with experience in housing, immigration, employment, and family law.

Non-attorneys, law students, and community members are also welcome to volunteer and engage directly with clients through intake consultations or Vietnamese translation assistance. Your support make a significant difference!

If interested, please complete our Volunteer Sign-Up sheet to join our volunteer list.

2025 Kickoff Meeting

Mark your calendars! We welcome attorneys, law students, and legal professionals to join VABANC at our first kickoff meeting of 2025. Get to know our new Executive Board, meet current members, and become involved with one of our nine committees.

RSVP HERE

Should you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out by contacting our Secretary, Ally Phan, at secretary@vabanc.org.

Thank you for your support in ensuring VABANC continues to offer resources for our underserved communities and remains a forum for exchanged ideas amongst the Vietnamese American legal community. We look forward to seeing you later this month!

VABANC, VLF, and Step Forward Foundation Mixer

Mark your calendars for the first VABANC Social Event of the Year!
VABANC and the VABANC Law Foundation are hosting a happy hour this March! Bring your friends and coworkers to join us as we mingle with VABANC and non-VABANC members, celebrate the VLF Public Interest Fellow’s accomplishments, and highlight the impactful work being done in our community.

This is also your chance to sign up for VABANC committees and kickstart your engagement with our bar association.

RSVP HERE

If you are unable to attend, please consider donating to support the next generation of legal leaders dedicated to empowering marginalized communities!

Your presence (or contribution!) will make this celebration even more meaningful—we cannot wait to see you there!

Community News

Congratulations, Nikki Vo, as “Legal Impact Honoree”!

VABANC congratulates Nikki Vo for her upcoming recognition as Asian Law Alliance’s “Legal Impact Honoree” at their 48th Anniversary Dinner & Awards Ceremony on April 17, 2025.

Nikki Vo has served as Director and Associate General Counsel at Meta since 2017. Prior to Meta, she was with Keker, Van Nest & Peters LLP from 2008 to 2017 as Of Counsel. Vo represented VABANC as President from 2012-2013. She graduated cum laude from Yale University, with a Bachelor of Arts in History. Vo earned her Juris Doctor from the University of California, Berkeley School of Law.

2025 Mock Trial Tournament: Volunteer Judges Needed!

The Santa Clara County Office of Education and the Santa Clara County Bar Association are thrilled to invite you to participate as an Attorney Scorer in our Santa Clara County Mock Trial Tournament for the 2024-2025 school year. These programs provide high school students with a unique and exciting opportunity to experience the workings of the legal system while developing essential life skills.

Tournament Details
Round III: Monday, February 3, 2025 – SCCOE
Round IV: Tuesday, February 4, 2025 – SCCOE
Quarterfinals: Thursday, February 6, 2025 – Superior Court of Santa Clara County
Semifinals: Tuesday, February 11, 2025 – Superior Court of Santa Clara County
Finals: Invitation only. Thursday, February 13, 2025 – Superior Court of Santa Clara County

Scorer Orientation is held each evening at 5:30 pm. Trials commence at 6:00 pm. Please note that prior scoring experience is necessary in order to score an elimination round. The Final Round Scorers are by Invitation only.

Your participation will help high school students learn about our judicial system.

Register to volunteer here. If you have any questions, please get in touch with Sherry Diamond at sherryd@sccba.com.

Thank you for your participation in this valuable program.

NCVAA National Call Celebrating Tết

Celebrate Lunar New Year with the National Conference of Vietnamese American Attorneys!

Details: Wednesday, February 5, 4:00 PM | Zoom

RSVP HERE

2025-2026 Santa Clara County Civil Grand Jury Application

The Superior Court of California, County of Santa Clara is pleased to announce that the recruitment for the 2025-26 Civil Grand Jury is underway. Linked here is the application. Visit here for more information.

The Court will be accepting applications until Friday, March 28, 2025.

Announcements

Seeking Job Opportunities for Law Students
Due to current economic conditions, we are reaching out to our network to support our student members. If your workplace is hiring students for summer or post-grad opportunities, please email info@vabanc.org with the job description and application process. 

Seek VABANC’s Endorsement
Are you applying for a bench position or running for a prosecutorial or public defender position? Reach out to us! VABANC welcomes all applicants to seek our endorsement (irrespective of Vietnamese background). VABANC endorsements carry significant weight, particularly in the judicial application process. For more information, contact Nguyen Luu at nguyen@luulaw.com.

2025 VABANC Membership Means 2025 NAPABA Membership
Your VABANC membership gets you a complimentary membership in NAPABA. That means, along with VABANC’s local events, networking, and advocacy you get access to national resources like:

    •    Career Center, including NAPABA’s online national legal job board and career resources
    •    Networking opportunities nationwide
    •    Scholarships to attend NAPABA events
    •    Leadership development programs to boost your career
    •    Webinars and workshops for continued education

Click here to renew your VABANC membership today for 2025 and get your code for free NAPABA membership!

AABA/APILO Pro-Bono Legal Clinic
The AABA Community Services Committee and Asian Pacific Islander Legal Outreach (APILO) operate a pro bono legal clinic that is staffed by volunteer attorneys and law students. The clinic helps ensure that low-income Bay Area residents, including many mono-lingual immigrants, will receive free legal information and advice from AABA volunteers.

The APILO/AABA Clinic assists individuals in a number of areas, including immigration and family law issues. The APILO/AABA Clinics are now held virtually via Zoom, and they occur every third Wednesday of the month from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. If you are interested in volunteering at the clinic, please sign up for our clinic mailing list via this link.

If you would like more information, please contact AABA Community Services Committee Co-Chair Ly Ly at ly.ly@compass.com. No prior clinic training or expertise is required, and foreign language skills are in high demand (particularly Mandarin, Cantonese, Tagalog, and Vietnamese).

Job Opportunities

The California Appellate Project is looking for an Executive Director to oversee their operations, guide their strategic direction, and inspire their team. See here for the application and more information.

The California Appellate Project is looking for one Attorney position. See here for the application and more information.

The Oakland City Attorney’s Office is looking for a Worker Protection Attorney, focusing on wage theft in Oakland and helping to establish a Worker Protection Unit in the Affirmative Litigation, Innovation and Enforcement Division. See here for the application and more information.

The Oakland City Attorney’s Office is looking for a Neighborhood Law Corps Attorney. See here for the application and more information.

The Oakland City Attorney’s Office is looking for a Deputy City Attorney II or III in the General Government & Finance team. See here for hiring announcement and more information.

The Orange County District Attorney (OCDA) is seeking a Deputy District Attorney IV to prepare and litigate complex and serious cases (primarily felonies) before the Superior and Appellate Courts. See here for the application and more information.

Braun Blaising & Wynne P.C. (BB&W) is seeking a part-time school year law clerk for the 2024-2025 school year with potential extension to become a summer associate for full-time employment. BB&W provides regulatory, transactional and general counsel services to public agencies, such as community choice aggregators as well as publicly owned electric and water utilities.

Typical duties will include regulatory reporting services, attending/monitoring agency workshops, document drafting, regulatory filings, legal research and analysis, and assistance with legal compliance activities. Environmental law and/or energy/utility law subject matter areas of interest are preferred.

Interested 2Ls should send their cover letter, resume, unofficial transcript and a writing sample to BB&W at the following email address: administrator@braunlegal.com.

Santa Clara University School of Law is looking for Semester Adjunct Lecturers. See here for hiring announcement and more information.

University of California College of the Law, San Francisco is looking for a (Associate) Professor of Practice Office For Academic Skills Instruction And Support. See here for the application and more information.

University of California College of the Law, San Francisco is looking for multiple Adjunct Professors in a variety of curriculums. See here for hiring announcement and more information.

Membership Renewal

Have you renewed your membership this year?

You can conveniently renew online here. Thank you for your continued support and belief in our mission.

#VABANC, #ProvideEncourageFoster, #ChampioningChange