2024 VLF Fellowship Application

Announcing the relaunch of the VLF Public Interest Fellowship for 2024.

The Vietnamese American Bar Association of Northern California (VABANC) Law Foundation (“VLF”) Public Interest Fellowship Program will fund one $50,000 award to a recent law graduate or new attorney for the duration of one (1) year to provide legal services and advocacy for the underserved and marginalized communities. The VLF Fellowship Program seeks to increase access to legal services on critical issues and improve the quality of legal services delivered to under-resourced populations, including but not limited to the Vietnamese American community.

Applications opened from now through December 15, 2023. Interviews anticipated in January 2024. Click here to apply.

Fall Social at Emporium Arcade Bar

VABANC is excited to kick off the holiday season at Emporium Arcade Bar in San Francisco on November 3, 2023 at 5:30 PM. Come join us for an evening of fun and relaxation! Food and drinks will be provided. See you there!

Mentorship Form and Upcoming Event

For those who did not have a chance to sign up, we are extending our mentorship program sign-ups! Our goal is to provide mentorship opportunities for law students who are looking to gain valuable insights and guidance from experienced attorneys in their field of interest.

If you are a practicing attorney and are passionate about helping the next generation of legal professionals, we invite you to join us in this rewarding experience. As a mentor, you will have the opportunity to share your knowledge, experience, and guidance with a group of law students who are eager to learn and grow. You will help them navigate the legal field, set and achieve career goals, and build a professional network that will serve them for years to come.

If you are a law student or recent graduate, our mentorship program offers a unique opportunity to connect with a mentor who shares your interests and can provide you with valuable advice. You will have a chance to ask questions, seek guidance, and receive feedback from someone who has been in your shoes and has successfully navigated the legal profession.

To sign up for our mentorship program, please click on the link here. Please sign up by Sunday, November 5, 2023. We strongly encourage all members who are interested in joining our mentorship program to sign up.

We also have an exciting mentorship event in the works for January 2024. Please keep an eye out for more details coming soon!

Note: This is the same form for the 2023 spring mentorship program. If you already signed up, there is no need to sign up again. If you are not sure as to whether you have signed up, please email Hilary Cheung at tcheung@scu.edu to confirm your mentorship pairing/family.

VABANC’s 25th Annual Scholarship Dinner

VABANC would like to thank all of our attendees, sponsors and volunteers who made the 25th Annual Scholarship Dinner a smashing success! Congratulations once again to all award winners and scholarship recipients. We hope to see everyone again next year!

For more photos, please click here.

Further Demystifying the Judicial Appointment Process

On October 18, 2023 at 5:00 PM to 6:30 PM, the California Judicial Mentorship Program is hosting a virtual panel “Further Demystifying the Judicial Appointment Process.” Please click here to register.

Anti-Asian Bias in the Courtroom

On November 2, 2023 at 12:15 PM to 1:15 PM, the California Asian Pacific American Judges Association (CAPAJA) along with the California Judges Association (CJA) is presenting a virtual panel discussion regarding “Anti-Asian Bias in the Courtroom.” This event also qualifies for one (1) hour of Elimination of Bias MCLE credit.

Please click to here to register for the event.

ALRP Fall MCLE Series

VABANC is proud to co-sponsor the AIDS Legal Referral Panel (ALRP) Fall 2023 MCLE Series. From September 6, 2023 until November 14, 2023, ALRP will offer six different MCLE trainings.

• October 26, 2023, 12:00 PM to 1:15 PM: Conservatorships, presented by Alexis Lynch, Esq. Please click here to register for this webinar. 
• November 2, 2023, 12:00 PM to 1:15 PM: Humanitarian Parole with a Notice to Appear: What You and Your Client Need to Know, presented by Courtney McCausland, Esq. Please click here to register for this webinar. 
• November 14, 2023, 12:00 PM to 1:15 PM: The Right to Privacy of HIV/AIDS Status: What’s Left?, presented by Jim Wood, Esq. Please click here to register for this webinar. 

These webinars are open to all and free to attend. Each training will be offered live on Zoom for 1.25 General CLE credits. For more information, please contact Volunteer Coordinator Sloka Krishnan by E-Mail at slokak@alrp.org or by phone at (414) 701-1200 x303. 

VABASC 2023 Installation Gala

Please click here to purchase tickets to the event.

Announcements

Seeking Job Opportunities for Law Students
Due to current economic conditions, many legal employers rescinded students’ summer and post-graduation jobs, so 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. 

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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).

---

2023 VABANC Membership Means 2023 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 2023 and get your code for free NAPABA membership!

September Events Recap

17th National Conference of Vietnamese American Attorneys (NCVAA)
From September 15 to 17, VABANC members attended the NCVAA in Seattle for a weekend of networking, CLE education and conviviality!

Cal-APABA Conference
On September 22 to 24, VABANC members attended Cal-APABA’s 2023 Los Angeles conference Empowering APA Women.

Job Opportunities

• Sandhu Law Group, APC is looking for an Associate Attorney. If interested, please submit a resume and writing sample to jpatton@sandhulg.com. See hiring announcement here for more information.
• Santa Clara University School of Law is looking for Semester Adjunct Lecturer. See hiring announcement here for more information. 
• Department of Justice’s U.S. Trustee Office is looking for two (2) Chapter 7 bankruptcy trustees. See hiring announcement here for more information.

Legal Clinics

VABANC proudly serves the local community by providing general information and advice on a variety of legal issues, including, but not limited to, divorce, custody bankruptcy, immigration, landlord/tenant, and real estate.

Join us in giving back to the community for a few hours each month. Volunteers are needed for our virtual consultations. Email info@vabanc.org.

Membership Renewal

Have you renewed your membership this year?

You can conveniently renew online here!

VABANC Legal Clinic – Calling for Volunteers!

VABANC’s Legal Clinics are reopening in San Jose!

In collaboration with the Vietnamese American Service Center (VASC), VABANC is excited to announce the re-opening of our monthly San Jose clinics in April 2024. We are actively looking for attorneys and law students to volunteer at our clinics. We are in need of attorneys with experience in housing, immigration, employment, and family law. Join us for our first clinic on April 3 from 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM! Contact communityservice@vabanc.org to sign up as a volunteer.

Join Us for our Next General Board Meeting!

Our next VABANC General Board Meeting is Tuesday, March 19 at 5:45 PM on Zoom. VABANC would like to welcome you to join our leadership team! Sign up for a committee on this form. It’s not too late to join a committee.

Email secretary@vabanc.org for the Zoom link and general board meeting calendar invitations.

Mentorship Mixer Recap

At our Mentorship Mixer, VABANC members met their mentorship and family pairings while enjoying games and great food. Thank you to our Mentorship Chairs Hilary Cheung and Alex Tran for planning, Judge Jacqueline Duong for opening her home to host, and everyone for attending!

Community News

AIDS Legal Referral Panel 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.

All trainings are from 12 PM – 1:15 PM and worth 1.25 General CLE credits. Contact Sloka Krishnan at slokak@alrp.org for more information.

• Civil Restraining Orders 101 | March 7 | Register here.
• Limited Scope Representation Before the Immigration Court | March 19 | Register here.
• The Ins and Outs of the One-Year Filing Deadline in Asylum Cases | March 21 | Register here.
• Exploring Workers’ Compensation Practice | April 4 | Register here.
• Basic Planning for Incapacity and Death: Simple Wills, Powers of Attorney and Advanced Health Care Directives | April 11 | Register here.
• Navigating Disability Benefits for People Living with HIV | May 9 | Register here.

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. 

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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).

---

2024 VABANC Membership Means 2024 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 2024 and get your code for free NAPABA membership!

Job Opportunities

• The California Academy of Appellate Lawyers is hosting a Fellowship Program for early-career appellate lawyers. See here for the application and more information.
• The Oakland City Attorney’s Office is looking for a Deputy City Attorney II or III position in the Affirmative Litigation, Innovation and Enforcement Division. The position is available in the Housing Justice Initiative Unit. See here for the application and more information.
• The Oakland City Attorney’s Office is looking for a Supervising Deputy City Attorney V, Real Estate & Economic Development. See here for hiring announcement and more information.
• 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 multiple Adjunct Professors in a variety of curriculums. See here for hiring announcement and more information.
• University of California College of the Law, San Francisco is looking for a Director of Applied Innovation and Professor of Practice. See here for hiring announcement and more information.
• University of California College of the Law, San Francisco is looking for a Professor of Practice – Legal Writing. See here for hiring announcement and more information.

Membership Renewal

Have you renewed your membership this year?

You can conveniently renew online here!

Happy Lunar New Year!

VABANC Mentorship Mixer

Join VABANC for our Mentorship Mixer hosted by The Honorable Judge Jacqueline Duong on Sunday, February 25 from 12:30 to 3:30 PM. 

This event will provide mentorship families the opportunity to meet in person, eat and play games! 

All members are invited. A mentorship family is not required to attend the Mentorship Mixer. Please RSVP at tinyurl.com/vabancmentorship2024 by Monday, February 19 at 6:00 PM. We hope to see you there!

Join Us for our Next General Board Meeting!

Our next VABANC General Board Meeting is Tuesday, February 20 at 5:45 PM on Zoom. As we begin 2024, VABANC would like to welcome you to join our leadership team! It’s not too late to join a committee.

Email secretary@vabanc.org for the Zoom link and general board meeting calendar invitations.

First General Board Meeting Recap

At our first general board meeting, VABANC made new friends and exciting plans for 2024. Afterwards, we had delicious food at Rin-Tei. We can’t wait for the productive year ahead and hope to see you at our next General Board Meeting!

Community News

2024 Keker, Van Nest & Peters 1L Diversity Scholars Program

Keker, Van Nest & Peters LLP is now accepting applications for its 2024 Diversity Scholars program.  The program offers scholarship money and mentorship to 1Ls whose background or experience would contribute to the diversity of the legal profession and have an interest in pursuing a litigation career in the Bay Area. This year, KVP will award up to $80,000 in scholarship grants, split among up to four students.

More information and applications can be found here, and questions can be sent to ScholarshipApplications@keker.com. The application deadline is today, February 2.

Judge William Ingram Symposium

Learn more about artificial intelligence – its promises and challenges for lawyers and the legal profession. The Symposium will feature a discussion and presentations by experts in law and technology on the great opportunities and potential effects of AI technology on the work of lawyers and judges.

Details: Wednesday, February 7, 5:15 PM – 7:30 PM | Santa Clara University School of Law | Register here.

Equal Justice Works Reception

Equal Justice Works is the nation’s largest facilitator of public interest legal fellowships. Learn more about the organization and their work by attending their upcoming reception!

Details: Thursday, February 8, 5:30 PM – 7 PM | Fenwick & West, 555 California Street San Francisco, CA 94104 | Register here.

Meet the San Jose Magistrate Judges

Meet San Jose Magistrate Judges Nathanael Cousins, Virginia K. DeMarchi, and Susan van Keulen.

Details: Tuesday, February 13, 5 PM – 7 PM | Robert F. Peckham Federal Building | Register here.

Our Fragile Democracy

On February 24, 2024 at 1:00 PM at the Japanese American National Museum in Los Angeles, Attorney General Rob Bonta will participate in the community education event “Our Fragile Democracy: Historic and Present-Day Attacks on Our Civil Rights and Civil Liberties.”

Support Election Hotlines with APIAVote

APIAVote and Asian Americans Advancing Justice | AAJC run a non-partisan hotline to answer voters’ questions in their preferred languages. They are looking for bilingual volunteers who can support our Bengali, Cantonese, English, Hindi and Urdu, Korean, Mandarin, Tagalog, and Vietnamese language lines leading up to Super Tuesday on March 5. Sign up to volunteer here.

There will be a virtual training session on February 24 at 11:00 AM PT. Sign up here.

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. 

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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).

---

2024 VABANC Membership Means 2024 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 2024 and get your code for free NAPABA membership!

Job Opportunities

• The California Academy of Appellate Lawyers is hosting a Fellowship Program for early-career appellate lawyers. See here for the application and more information.
• The Oakland City Attorney’s Office is looking for a Deputy City Attorney II or III position in the Affirmative Litigation, Innovation and Enforcement Division. The position is available in the Housing Justice Initiative Unit of the Office of the City Attorney. See here for the application and more information.
• The Governor’s Office of Planning and Research is hiring two Senior Staff Counsel positions within its Legal Affairs team. Applications are due February 19 at 11:59 PM. See here, and here, for the application and more information.
• 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 Director of Applied Innovation and Professor of Practice. See here for hiring announcement and more information.
• University of California College of the Law, San Francisco is looking for a Professor of Practice – Legal Writing. See here for hiring announcement and more information.

Legal Clinics

VABANC proudly serves the local community by providing general information and advice on a variety of legal issues, including, but not limited to, divorce, custody bankruptcy, immigration, landlord/tenant, and real estate. 

Join us in giving back to the community one Wednesday each month from 5:30 – 7:30 PM at the Vietnamese American Service Center in San Jose. Volunteers are needed for these Wednesday clinics. More details to come soon! Email info@vabanc.org for any questions.

Membership Renewal

Have you renewed your membership this year?

You can conveniently renew online here!

VABANC’s 25th Annual Scholarship Dinner

It’s officially less than one month away until our 25th Annual Scholarship Dinner “Rise with Resilience” on September 29, 2023 at 6pm at the San Jose City Hall Rotunda! We are excited to celebrate with our members and friends of the community, and to honor our awardees. Individual tickets are still available for purchase here. 

This year, Deputy District Attorney HaNhi Tran will be our Keynote Speaker, and we will recognize Associate General Counsel of Privacy at Airbnb Ann Staggs as our Trailblazer and Asian Law Alliance (ALA) & Founders (Richard Konda, Brad Yamauchi, Don Tamaki, Steve Wing, Minh Dovan) as our Community Impact Awardee.

We are extremely thankful for everyone who has sponsored our event so far. If you are interested in sponsoring this event, please email scholarshipdinner@vabanc.org for the sponsorship packet.

VABANC 2024 E-Board Elections

VABANC welcomes candidates to serve on our 2024 executive board!  If you are interested in running for a position, please email the VABANC President, Jennifer V. Liem at president@vabanc.org with a short biography. You may also nominate another individual for a position by providing Jennifer with the individual’s name and email address.

Available executive board positions are as follows:
Executive Board
President
Vice President
Secretary
Treasurer

Nominations for executive board positions must be made by Sunday, September 17 2023, at 11:59 PM. Voting will take place immediately following the close of the nomination period. Information regarding voting is forthcoming.

If you have questions regarding elections, please don’t hesitate to contact Jennifer at president@vabanc.org.

Upcoming October Mentorship Event

We have an exciting mentorship event in the works for the end of October. Please keep an eye out for more details coming soon!

ALRP Fall MCLE Series

VABANC is proud to co-sponsor the AIDS Legal Referral Panel (ALRP) Fall 2023 MCLE Series. From September 6, 2023 until November 14, 2023, ALRP will offer six different MCLE trainings.

• September 6, 2023, 12:00 PM to 1:15 PM: VAWA for Immigration Benefits, presented by Jose Marin, Esq. Please click here to register for this webinar. 
• September 21, 2023, 12:00 PM to 1:15 PM: Introduction to VA Disability Benefits, presented by John Unruh, Esq. Please click here to register for this webinar.
• October 12, 2023, 12:00 PM to 1:15 PM: Bankruptcy 101 for Bankruptcy and Non-Bankruptcy Lawyers, presented by Martha J. Simon. Please click here to register for this webinar.
• October 26, 2023, 12:00 PM to 1:15 PM: Conservatorships, presented by Alexis Lynch, Esq. Please click here to register for this webinar. 
• November 2, 2023, 12:00 PM to 1:15 PM: Humanitarian Parole with a Notice to Appear: What You and Your Client Need to Know, presented by Courtney McCausland, Esq. Please click here to register for this webinar. 
• November 14, 2023, 12:00 PM to 1:15 PM: The Right to Privacy of HIV/AIDS Status: What’s Left?, presented by Jim Wood, Esq. Please click here to register for this webinar. 

These webinars are open to all and free to attend. Each training will be offered live on Zoom for 1.25 General CLE credits. For more information, please contact Volunteer Coordinator Sloka Krishnan by E-Mail at slokak@alrp.org or by phone at (414) 701-1200 x303. 

NCVAA 17th Annual Conference

Please click here to register for the event. 

VABASC 2023 Installation Gala

Please click here to purchase tickets to the event. 

Announcements

Seeking Job Opportunities for Law Students
Due to current economic conditions, many legal employers rescinded students’ summer and post-graduation jobs, so 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. 

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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).

---

2023 VABANC Membership Means 2023 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 2023 and get your code for free NAPABA membership!

August Events Recap

VABANC/NCVAA Joint Regional Mixer
On August 10, 2023, VABANC members attended the VABANC/NCVAA Joint Regional Mixer at Spark Social in San Francisco. It was an enjoyable evening of good food, drink and networking between the two organizations. Thank you to everyone who attended!

Job Opportunities

• Sandhu Law Group, APC is looking for an Associate Attorney. If interested, please submit a resume and writing sample to jpatton@sandhulg.com. See hiring announcement here for more information.
• The County of Santa Clara is looking for Attorney I/II/III/IV – District Attorney. See hiring announcement here for more information. 
• Santa Clara University School of Law is looking for Semester Adjunct Lecturer. See hiring announcement here for more information. 

VABANC/NCVAA Joint Regional Mixer

VABANC and National Conference of Vietnamese American Attorneys (NCVAA) invite you to our Joint Regional Mixer on August 10, 2023 at 6:00 PM at Spark Social in San Francisco. Join us for an evening of good food, drinks and networking between the two organizations! Please click here to RSVP. 

VABANC’s 25th Annual Scholarship Dinner

VABANC cordially invites you to join us for our 25th Annual Scholarship Dinner “Rise with Resilience” on September 29, 2023 at 6pm at the San Jose City Hall Rotunda to honor our awardees and scholarship recipients of 2023.

This year, Deputy District Attorney HaNhi Tran will be our Keynote Speaker, and we will recognize Associate General Counsel of Privacy at Airbnb Ann Staggs as our Trailblazer and Asian Law Alliance (ALA) & Founders (Richard Konda, Brad Yamauchi, Don Tamaki, Steve Wing) as our Community Impact Awardee.

If you are interested in sponsoring this event, please email scholarshipdinner@vabanc.org for the sponsorship packet.  

VABASC 2023 Installation Gala

Please click here to purchase tickets to the event. 

Announcements

Seeking Job Opportunities for Law Students
Due to current economic conditions, many legal employers rescinded students’ summer and post-graduation jobs, so 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. 

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).

2023 VABANC Membership Means 2023 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 2023 and get your code for free NAPABA membership!

July Events Recap

Reception for Judge Erica Yew
On July 18, 2023, VABANC members attended a special reception in honor of Santa Clara County Superior Court Judge Erica Yew, who was elected as 2023-24 President of the California Judges Association. Check out our blog post here for more photos from the event! 

VABANC’s 25th Annual Scholarship Dinner

VABANC cordially invites you to join us for our 25th Annual Scholarship Dinner “Rise with Resilience” on September 29, 2023 at 6pm at the San Jose City Hall Rotunda to honor our awardees and scholarship recipients of 2023.

This year, Deputy District Attorney HaNhi Tran will be our Keynote Speaker, and we will recognize Associate General Counsel of Privacy at Airbnb Ann Staggs as our Trailblazer and Asian Law Alliance (ALA) & Founders (Richard Konda, Brad Yamauchi, Don Tamaki, Steve Wing) as our Community Impact Awardee.

If you are interested in sponsoring this event, please email scholarshipdinner@vabanc.org for the sponsorship packet.  

2023 Scholarship Application Now Open

We are excited to announce that the 2023 VABANC Scholarship Application is now open! Our annual scholarship seeks to recognize students who have demonstrated a commitment to serving the needs of the Vietnamese-American community. It is open to all current law students, and is intended to assist recipients who are pursuing public interest or social justice goals.

The deadline for the application is Sunday, July 30, 2023 at 11:59 P.M. Please head to the Scholarships page, linked here, for more information about the application. Good luck!

VABANC/NCVAA Joint Regional Mixer

VABANC and National Conference of Vietnamese American Attorneys (NCVAA) invite you to our Joint Regional Mixer on August 10, 2023 at 6:00 PM at Spark Social in San Francisco. Join us for an evening of good food, drinks and networking between the two organizations! Please click here to RSVP. 

VABASC 2023 Installation Gala

Please click here to purchase tickets to the event. 

Announcements

Seeking Job Opportunities for Law Students
Due to current economic conditions, many legal employers rescinded students’ summer and post-graduation jobs, so 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. 

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).

2023 VABANC Membership Means 2023 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 2023 and get your code for free NAPABA membership!

June Events Recap

VABANC Summer Mixer in Napa Valley
VABANC ‘s Summer Mixer in Napa Valley took place on June 3, 2023, where VABANC members spent a beautiful day together with Sacramento County District Attorney Thien Ho and Personal Injury Attorney Anh Phoong. Check out our blog post here for more photos from the event! 

Nomikai Social
VABANC ‘s annual Nomikai Social took place on June 8, 2023, where VABANC members and friends gathered for some food, drinks and networking. Check out our blog post here for more photos from the event! 

Summer Mixer in Napa Valley

VABANC is excited to host a Summer Mixer in Napa Valley featuring Sacramento County District Attorney Thien Ho and Personal Injury Attorney Anh Phoong on Saturday, June 3, 2023 at 2:00 P.M. Look forward to seeing you all there!

Please click here to register. If you have any questions regarding the event, please email secretary@vabanc.org.

2023 Scholarship Application Now Open

We are excited to announce that the 2023 VABANC Scholarship Application is now open! Our annual scholarship seeks to recognize students who have demonstrated a commitment to serving the needs of the Vietnamese-American community. It is open to all current law students, and is intended to assist recipients who are pursuing public interest or social justice goals.

The deadline for the application is Sunday, July 30, 2023 at 11:59 P.M. Please head to the Scholarships page, linked here, for more information about the application. Good luck!

Nomikai Social

VABANC invites you to join us for a fun evening of networking, socializing, and fun with fellow members of the legal community on Thursday, June 8, 2023 at 6:30 P.M. at Nomikai. This is a great opportunity to connect with colleagues, make new friends, and enjoy delicious food and drinks in a vibrant and welcoming atmosphere. Don’t miss out on this chance to socialize and unwind after a busy week. We look forward to seeing you there! No registration needed.

VABANC Nominations Voting Form

The VABANC nominations voting form will open in a few days. Voting will be exclusive to current paying members and committee chairs. A link to the voting form will be emailed out. 

If you would like to participate but are not currently a paid member, please sign up for membership here. 

Announcements

Seeking Job Opportunities for Law Students
Due to current economic conditions, many legal employers rescinded students’ summer and post-graduation jobs, so 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. 

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).

2023 VABANC Membership Means 2023 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 2023 and get your code for free NAPABA membership!

May Event Recap

AABA’s Asian Pacific American Heritage Month Mixer
VABANC members attended AABA’s Asian Pacific American Heritage Month Mixer at Barebottle Brewing Co. in San Francisco on May 18, 2023.

Job Opportunities

• The Office of Assemblymember Alex Lee is hiring a Field Representative. If interested, please submit a resume and cover letter to Allison.lim@asm.ca.gov. See hiring announcement here for more information.