Board and Committees

2023 Executive Board Officers

Jennifer Liem is an associate at Fenwick & West LLP. Jennifer advises clients on trademark clearance, prosecution, and enforcement, emphasizing the development of intellectual property assets for technology and life science companies. Jennifer earned her J.D. from Santa Clara University School of Law. Previously, Jennifer served as Co-Vice President and Secretary of VABANC, and on the general board as chair of the Scholarship Dinner Committee. 

Khoa Nguyen is an associate civil litigation attorney, admitted to the California Bar in 2021 with a focus on litigation of civil disputes including Construction, Real Estate, and Business matters. With a background deeply involved in general litigation since the beginning of his practice, Mr. Nguyen is able to contribute to a pragmatic approach in resolving cases from pre-litigation to settlement. His notable experience includes being a part of a defense team representing a foreign solar power company in a breach of contract dispute in state and federal court, and a successful class action decertification for a big tech client in the Silicon Valley in the state superior court. After graduating from the University of California Santa Barbara with a B.A. in Political Science, Mr. Nguyen received his Juris Doctor from Santa Clara University School of Law in 2021, where he served as a member of the Journal of International Law. Mr. Nguyen also serves on the advisory board of Asian Law Alliance (ALA).

Tram Nguyen is currently Junior Counsel at Toyo Tire Holdings of Americas. She is utilizing the Intellectual Property Specialization Certificate she obtained from Santa Clara University, School of Law by handling all of Toyo’s IP Matters. She also works on contracts, corporate, and privacy matters at Toyo. She has been a member of VABANC since 2020, first joining as a student member and was a VABANC scholarship recipient the same year. As a member who has learned a lot from VABANC, she is excited to give back and contribute to VABANC’s growth and members.

Michelle Truong is an associate at Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP. Michelle participates in the representation of public and private companies and private equity firms in various transactional matters, including domestic and cross-border mergers and acquisitions, equity investments and divestitures. She earned her J.D. from Santa Clara University School of Law. Previously, Michelle served as Secretary of VABANC and on the general board as chair of the Mentorship Committee.

Sign up for a Committee today at: 
https://tinyurl.com/vabanc-committees-form

Committees

Community Service
2022 Chair: Mimi Nguyen
VABANC hosts monthly legal clinics in San Jose.  The San Jose legal clinic is co-hosted by the Katharine & George Alexander Community Law Center and are on the second Wednesday of every month from 6pm-8pm at the Vietnamese Voluntary Foundation (VIVO) at 2072 Lucretia Avenue in San Jose. In-person legal advising in currently on hold due to the ongoing pandemic. Please contact us for a referral if you require legal assistance on our webpage at https://vabanc.org/contact/.

Judiciary
2022 Co-Chairs:  Kirby Nguyen, Justin Lee
VABANC’s Judiciary Committee screens, evaluates, and recommends judicial and political candidates to the Board.  Once the committee and the Board makes a determination to endorse a candidate, the committee will work to support this individual’s effort for an appointment to the bench or political position. 

MCLE / Professional Development
2022 Chair: Kathy Nguyen
VABANC strives to promote the professional development of its attorneys through brown bag luncheons with bay area judges and other speakers and MCLE panels.

Mentorship
2022 Chair:  Khoa Nguyen
Attorneys are paired with law students who are interested in the particular field in which the attorney practices.  Attorney mentors and law student mentees may contact VABANC throughout the year to participate in VABANC’s programs.  VABANC organizes social events such as mock interview sessions to assist law students and newer practitioners.

Scholarship Dinner Planning
2022 Co-chairs: Jennifer Liem; Tsu Li Liew
Every year judges, attorneys, law students, and community leaders look forward to attending VABANC’s Scholarship Dinner.  Scholarships and fellowships are given out every year to law students who have shown a demonstrated interest in serving the community.  Sponsorship opportunities and individual ticket sales are available. 

Scholarship Recipient Selection Committee
2022 Co-chairs:  Nguyen Luu; Minh-Chau Nguyen
The selection of scholarships and fellowships are led by the Scholarship Recipient Selection Committee. The Committee will oversee the application process and selection of recipients.

Social / Professional Networking
2022 Co-chairs:  Michael Wang; Ally Phan; Alice Pham
Semi-annual or quarterly mixers and events are coordinated by the Social / Professional Networking committee.  VABANC’s social events allow VABANC members to more easily connect on a one-on-one basis.  They have also organized events with other minority bar associations and our southern CA counterpart, the Vietnamese American Bar Association of Southern California.

Communications
2022 Co-chairs:  Joyce Sun; Felicia Hipps
VABANC’s excellent communications team puts together a monthly newsletter with the current happenings of VABANC, exciting news about the community, and information about upcoming events.  This committee also maintains the VABANC website and social media presence. 

Diversity & Inclusion
2022 Co-Chairs: Leo Kim
The D&I Committee is focused specifically on VABANC’s diversity and inclusion initiatives. This may include town hall events with other minority bar associations and addressing current issues in the Vietnamese and greater AAPI communities.

Membership
2021 Chair: Felicia Hipps
The Membership Committee oversees the organization of VABANC’s membership base, including member sign-ups and acting as a liaison by relaying any member interests to the general board.

Advisory Board
Nguyen Luu, Law Office of Nguyen Luu
Mai D. Phan, Stramaglia Luu, LLP
Winston Liaw, Farella Braun + Martel
Mimi Nguyen, Step Forward Foundation
Minh-Chau Nguyen, Kemper