• 26 Mar 2020 2:09 PM | Serin Ngai

    Webinar - March 31, 2020

    Please join the WSBA for March’s installment of the Legal Lunchbox™ Series where civil rights practitioners will discuss legal strategies and responses to hate crimes in the Pacific Northwest. Faculty will provide a historic context and highlight current legal strategies to combat the surge of hate crimes and white nationalist activity in our region. 

    FACULTY
    Aneelah Afzali - American Muslim Empowerment Network (A program of the Muslim Association of Puget Sound), Redmond
    Alec Stephens - WSBA Board of Governors (At Large); WSBA Diversity Committee, Seattle
    Bre Weider - Washington State Office of the Attorney General, Seattle

    SCHEDULE
    11:30 a.m. Webinar Login Opens
    12:00 p.m. Webinar Begins
      1:35 p.m. Adjourn

    Register at:  This Link

  • 2 Mar 2020 6:12 PM | Serin Ngai

    With the increase in reported cases of coronavirus (now named COVID-19) globally and in the United States, we are alarmed by recent incidents alleging racial discrimination and xenophobia in our Asian Pacific Islander (“API”) community.  Several instances of misinformation about the virus has resulted in bias toward our API community.  ABAW condemns these actions.  

    Recent news stories about the negative impact of COVID-19 on the API community are concerning to ABAW.  For instance, local businesses in the International District are losing customers.  https://www.king5.com/article/news/local/coronavirus-fears-impact-business-seattle-international-district/281-d0250731-41d5-4641-bf50-1be4a0f7ed95.  Additionally, Asian and Asian American students at U.S. universities have been subject to mistreatment.  https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2020-02-03/fear-panic-around-the-coronavirus-fuels-racist-sentiment and https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2020-02-03/coronavirus-outbreak-narrative-xenophobia. This mistreatment expands to those beyond business owners and students.https://www.nytimes.com/2020/02/16/us/coronavirus-american-mood.html?referringSource=articleShare andhttps://time.com/5775716/xenophobia-racism-stereotypes-coronavirus/.  These alleged instances of reported discrimination and xenophobia are equally concerning to ABAW.

    “These types of reactions have a negative impact on our API community and perpetuate racist sentiment and stereotypes,” said ABAW President Serin Ngai.  “The spread of the virus is extremely concerning as are the misconceptions about who has the virus and how it is spread.”

    ABAW encourages the community to become better informed about the virus and to stop the dissemination of misinformation and perceptions based on stereotypes.

    Some resources to learn more about COVID-19 include the Center for Disease Control website, https://www.cdc.gov/, and the World Health Organization website, https://www.who.int/.  

    The Asian Bar Association of Washington (“ABAW”) is the professional association of Asian Pacific American attorneys, judges, law professors, and law students whose mission is to promote justice, equity and opportunity for Asian Pacific Americans. 

  • 2 Mar 2020 5:00 PM | Serin Ngai

    Assist in the efforts to fundraise for the purchase of a commissioned portrait of Justice Mary I. Yu, which will be placed in the Washington Supreme Court Temple of Justice, with a replica print to be displayed in the Seattle University School of Law. SU Law is also seeking to establish a student scholarship in Justice Yu’s name at Seattle U Law. Washington Supreme Court Justices Steven Gonzalez and Charles Johnson, Professor Bob Chang, the Hon. Donald Horowitz (ret.), and Kellye Testy have all lent their names in support of this effort.  

    In 2014, Justice Mary I. Yu became the first Asian American, the first Latina, the first woman of color, and the first member of the LGBTQ+ community to serve as a justice on the Washington Supreme Court. In recognition of this singular accomplishment, a portrait by the artist Alfredo Arreguin was recently commissioned by Justice Gonzalez for the Temple of Justice.

    In carrying out this project to fund the portrait and a student scholarship, we, of course, seek to honor Justice Yu, but more than that, we desire to honor and acknowledge all that she represents to individuals who never dreamed that someone like them could become a state supreme justice.

    With the support of the leadership group referenced above, Dean Clark is raising funds to pay for Justice Yu’s portrait, as well as for a replica print that will be installed at the Seattle University School of Law, where Justice Yu has served for many years as a Distinguished Jurist-in-Residence. The initial goal is to raise $20,000 for the portrait, print, and a reception at the Temple of Justice. Once this goal is met, we will apply gifts to establish the Justice Mary I. Yu Endowed Scholarship Fund at Seattle University School of Law (minimum of $50,000), which will assist women of color to pursue their legal education. The law school will select the student scholarship recipient(s) once the fund is established.

    Gifts can be made through the Seattle U Law website: https://connect.seattleu.edu/law/deans-club.  Donors should make sure to click on the “Other” designation in the drop-down box and add a Comment on the web form noting that the contribution is for the “Law School Art Fund—Justice Yu Portrait.” In the alternative, donors can send a check to Dean Annette Clark’s attention at Seattle University School of Law, again with the notation that the gift is for the portrait of Justice Yu. In order to avoid any appearance of undue influence, we do ask that sitting judges in lower courts and any trial or appellate lawyers who could have a case go up on appeal to the Washington Supreme Court designate on either the web form or check that their gift is to go to the Seattle U Law scholarship fund in Justice Yu’s name rather than toward the purchase of the portrait.

    Thank you for considering joining in honoring Justice Yu and all that she represents, as together we work toward achieving a justice system that reflects and mirrors the beautiful diversity of our citizenry.

  • 2 Mar 2020 4:50 PM | Serin Ngai

    The King County Superior Court, in partnership with the Washington State Superior Court Judges’ Association, is pleased to announce the presentation of the National Association of Women Judges’ Color of Justice program. This one-day event seeks to encourage 7th graders from diverse backgrounds to consider a career in the law and judiciary. The program will be held at the Maleng Regional Justice Center and the Kent Commons on Friday, May 15, 2020 from 8:30am to 2:30pmVolunteers are welcome to attend all or part of the event. 

    If you are interested in serving as a volunteer, they are seeking judicial officers and attorney volunteers for assistance with the following tasks: (1) escorting the children to various locations; (2) preparation and presentation of character roles during the mock trial; (3) lunchtime mentor sessions and (4) speed/bingo mentor sessions.  If you are available and willing to help, please respond by email (colorofjustice@kingcounty.gov).  In your email response, please provide your need your name, contact information and availability for the day.

  • 25 Feb 2020 6:30 PM | Serin Ngai

    Enjoy an evening of food and drinks with practitioners across diverse practices and get matched with attorney mentors who share your professional interests.

    Location: Ryan Swanson & Cleveland. PLLC  1201 Third Avenue, Suite 3400, Seattle

    RSVP by March 24:  nancylypham@gmail.com

  • 25 Feb 2020 1:29 PM | Serin Ngai

    Come join us on March 3, 2020 at 6pm at Foster Garvey for the Joint MBA 2020 Mentorship Kick-Off Event!  Pre-registration required.

    Generously sponsored by:

    • The Opportunity and Progress Council, Foster Garvey’s diversity, equity, and inclusion initiative

    Hosted by:

    • South Asian Bar Association of Washington (SABAW)

    In partnership with:

    • Middle Eastern Legal Association of Washington (MELAW),
    • Washington Attorneys with Disabilities Association (WADA),
    • Northwest Indian Bar Association (NIBA), &
    • WSBA Indian Law Section

    Lawyers, have you ever reached a point in your career and thought, "If only I had known...."  Young lawyers and law students, have you ever wished you had advice from someone who has actually been there?  Mentors meet mentees!  

    Our team of minority bar associations aims to pair law students and young lawyers from historically underrepresented groups with mentor attorneys from all walks of life, including allies, to support mentees as they prepare to enter and navigate their legal careers.  For mentors and mentees alike, this is a fantastic opportunity to support one another, learn from one another, and meet the movers and shakers of our profession.

    Please feel free to contact me at rania.rampersad@gmail.com for more information!

    Register

    Here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1GGgpRnvFe8zgJ4QRb4WmQetDai-M1oz5-IGz1pHzIKY

  • 15 Feb 2020 10:28 AM | Serin Ngai

    Submit a program for the 2020 NAPABA Convention!  In addition, NAPABA is seeking submissions for the International Law Symposium and Solo & Small Firm Bootcamp. The deadline to submit a program idea is March 16 at 5 p.m. ET.

    For more information, visit: https://www.napaba.org/page/2020_Convention

  • 15 Feb 2020 10:17 AM | Serin Ngai

    Attend the Korean American Bar Association of WA annual banquet on 2/20/2020 at the Four Seasons Hotel in Seattle.
    Keynote Speaker:  Gary Locke
    5:30 p.m. reception
    6:30 p.m. program
    For more information & to register, visit: https://www.kaba-washington.org/2020-annual-banquet

  • 10 Feb 2020 4:21 PM | Serin Ngai

    Volunteer judges needed: 2020 Washington State High School Ethics Bowl

    Please see the request from Dr. Lone below seeking volunteer judges: law students, staff, and faculty volunteers can serve as judges. For more information about the High School Ethics Bowl and this year’s cases and rules, visit:  https://www.philosophyforchildren.org/what-we-do/high-school-ethics-bowl/ 

    From: Jana Mohr Lone, Ph.D.
    Director of the Center for Philosophy for Children and Affiliate Associate Professor of Philosophy

    Hello everyone, 

    I am writing to seek your involvement in the 2020 Washington State High School Ethics Bowl, which will be held on Saturday, February 29, 2020, at the University of Washington School of Law. The UW Center for Philosophy for Children, which works to empower young people by bringing philosophical inquiry into their lives, is hosting this event for the seventh year, with the support of the UW's School of Law, Department of Philosophy, Program on Ethics, College of Arts & Sciences Division of Social Sciences, and College of Education, and the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association. 

    In a High School Ethics Bowl, teams analyze a series of wide-ranging ethical dilemmas involving topics such as cheating, plagiarism, peer pressure, relationships, and abuse of social media. An Ethics Bowl is similar to debate, although in Ethics Bowls teams are not forced to take adversarial positions or to hold fast to an assigned perspective. Instead, students have a forum in which to engage in dialogue, and they are judged on the quality of their analysis and the degree to which they engage in a thoughtful, civil exchange. The idea is really to promote reasoned and respectful conversation about complex and difficult ethical issues, and in so doing help students to recognize how collaborative dialogue can enhance our understanding of the world and each other.

    This year we have decided, after consultation with all of our coaches, that we are taking a break from participation in the National High School Ethics Bowl. This allows us much greater flexibility regarding rules, timing of the event, and the cost for the teams.

    Please consider volunteering as a judge or moderator on February 29. 

    Here is a link to more information about the event, including this year’s cases and rules:  https://www.philosophyforchildren.org/what-we-do/high-school-ethics-bowl/ 

    Judges, lawyers, and faculty and graduate students from UW's School of Law, Philosophy Department, College of Education, and other departments, as well as many others have served in past years as judges and moderators. Each year people write to me to comment on how meaningful and fun this competition is. We are also working hard to continue to increase the diversity of judges and moderators involved in this event, and any help you can provide in this regard would be very welcome!

    At this point, we are expecting 18-22 high school teams to participate. The event will begin around 8:00 am on Saturday, February 29, with a short training for judges and moderators and then a brief orientation for everyone. The bulk of the competition's rounds will be in the morning, until roughly 1 pm, which is when we will need the most judges. For the afternoon rounds, which will involve six teams in the semi-finals and two in the final round, we will only need nine judges and three moderators. So if you would prefer to come for the morning or just part of the morning only, that's totally fine — just let me know.

    I hope you will participate this year! Please respond by email letting me know whether you think this might work for you, along with any questions you have. I will send along more information to all the participants in February, including logistics etc.

    Thanks for considering this!

    Best wishes, 

    Jana Mohr Lone, Ph.D.
    Director of the Center for Philosophy for Children and Affiliate Associate Professor of Philosophy
    University of Washington 
    http://www.philosophyforchildren.org
    Twitter: @JanaMohrLone
    Blog: 
    http://philosophyforchildren.blogspot.com

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