Celebrating The 25th Anniversary Of The Asian Pacific Interest Section And Honoring AAPI Heritage Month

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2023 APIS Conference Attendees

“My grandma passed away at the top of last year / At the funeral drowning ’cause I couldn’t hold back tears / But after all that’s happened this past year / Part of me sees grace in the fact that she’s not here / As a grandson, this statement is a fact / No elderly should ever be victim of such a heinous attack / Prey on the weak; only cowards would take advantage of that / No more staying meek, it’s time to take a stand and react.” — MC Jin

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Last weekend, I had the opportunity to celebrate Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage (AAPI) Month with the Asian Pacific Interest Section (APIS) of the State Bar of Texas.

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Legal luminaries, lawyers, and, law students throughout the state of Texas gathered in Austin to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of the APIS Conference.

APIS Chair Phil Kim kicked off the weekend by instructing the attendees to “make sure to spend this weekend taking advantage of the ample networking opportunities you have here with attorneys and judges from throughout Texas, terrific CLE programming, a presentation of annual awards recognizing achievements of our members and our section, and a celebration to remember among old and new friends. I know these connections have and will continue to last many years; I certainly hope their impact will last many generations.”

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The prepossessing nostalgia and effervescence were both palpable in the crowded conference rooms. After all, it had been a few years since we were able to reunite in person. Reconvening with old friends and establishing new connections are just a few of the reasons why I’m such a proponent of such fortifying affinity groups throughout the legal profession.

Historic time milestones, like 25th anniversaries, have a violent way of reminding us of the impermanence of our life and careers. We often think of success as that ultimate destination of reaching the peak of the mountain top, only to look back and realize it was the struggle and sweat from the winding climb of the trek, and the bonds that we created along the way, that we will forever cherish.

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In an effort to capture the incredible stories of so many voyages before us, APIS Treasurer, Julie Chen Allen, and I interviewed the past APIS Chairs and compiled a time capsule titled: “25 Years Together: Learning from Past APIS Chairs and Looking Ahead”.

With the backdrop of AAPI Heritage Month, and the escalating violence against the AAPI community, we couldn’t help but to remain inspired by the arresting anecdotes, advice, and tales from the trailblazers and elder statemen and women we connected with earlier this month. We believe you will discover interesting tidbits from these compelling conversations as well. Without further ado, here is a (lightly edited and condensed) write-up from each of our APIS Chair conversations:

1. Daniel D. Hu (’95, ’96, ’97): In 1995, we started work on founding APIS to be an umbrella organization for lawyers in the APA community and for everyone who has an interest in representing and working with our communities.

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We faced a number of internal challenges but ultimately the State Bar Board approved APIS as a section. Reflecting back over 25 years, I am proud of how APIS has grown, served our community and contributes to the future success of its members. I would like to see APIS lead the policy discussions on issues such as DEI at the State Bar level.

2. Peter Sakai (’98): I learned over the years that personal success comes from relationships with friends and mentors. We now call it networking. For example, my close high school friend encouraged me to leave my home to seek opportunity because I had talent and intelligence that I did not recognize myself.

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My college friend who literally mentored me to take the LSAT and apply to law school was crucial because I had no clue of how to get into law school. My law school friend was crucial in counseling me to stick it out in law school when I was not sure that I fit in a law school where I was the only Asian American in the entire law school and wanted to quit.

My law school friends helped me get my first job at the District Attorney’s Office when no one would respond to my letters of interest and resume. A District Court judge mentored me as a judge and later retired so that I could be elected to his bench where I sat for nearly 16 years. 

What I am saying is that no one does it by themselves. The lesson learned is that you cannot do this without friends and mentors. You must give before you receive.  Please remember where you came from. Be kind and respectful with the people that you come into contact with.

3. Michelle Wong Krause (’99, ’11): In the 1990s, the number of API attorneys was small but growing. At that time, the State Bar was appointing very few API’s to committees and I wanted to change that. When it came time for a seat at the state and local bar leadership table, we were rarely seen.

Without API attorneys in bar leadership, our needs and interests would not be on the radar screen. I hope that API attorneys realize the value of APIS. The networking, CLE, and State Bar involvement are opportunities that should not be missed.

4. Albert J. Li (’00, ’01): My “North Star” is always my family, my wife (Tini), and kids (Lucas, Reese and Stella), but also my brother, sister, and parents. I’ve come to learn that everyone has to be grounded in something safe and happy. When the practice of law and our careers are stressful, having a place to retreat to, re-center and find joy is so critical. You realize that the definition of “family” can be broad too, because over the years the personal connections and friends you make through organizations like APIS can also serve as the personal outlet and community where you find comfort, joy and something familial….

My hope for APIS in the next 25 years is that this building of bonds and community continues with more vigor from future generations and also evolves into commitment to influence. Texas is too large of a state with too much diversity to not have an active AAPI community of lawyers that strive to do more for the Bar and Texas. 

5. Toni D. Nguyen (’02): Don’t be afraid to ask questions; always be curious; be quick to listen and slow to speak; and be resourceful and do your part to gain the needed knowledge and skills to perform the job well. Growing often requires getting out of your comfort zone. Find a trusted mentor and champion to help navigate the new role and join your local AAPI organization.

Most successful lawyers are problem solvers,  are pragmatic and practical, see the big issues that are most relevant to the situation, and do not get caught in the weeds or details that are trivial or don’t make an impact. They don’t sacrifice the good on the altar of the perfect, and are not afraid to give timely advice in situations where they may not complete information. Women lawyers should read the books The Confidence Code” (Kay and Shipman) and “How Remarkable Women Lead” (Barsh and Cranston).

6. Charlene Tsang-Kao (’03): Flashback to 1994: as a student leader at Berkeley and a California transplant to Texas, I took it for granted that Asian Americans had established support networks to help each other along and be supported. It was demoralizing to learn as a 1L at UT that not only were we one of the smallest minority groups but also we were not allowed to participate in UT’s minority orientation program.

I was told there “wasn’t a need” even though I, like many of my fellow AAPI students, were first-generation law students. When I graduated, that gap was evident in law firms too, and the local AABA and statewide APIS was a welcoming platform for us to gather, be supportive, and share our experiences.

7. Brenda T. Rhoades (’04): APIS was in its infancy at a time I had leadership roles in both DAABA and NAPABA. I jumped at the chance to support the newly founded statewide Asian organization. It allowed members of local Asian bars to establish relationships throughout Texas. I cherish the people I met through APIS and maintain friendships to this day.

8. Wesley Young (’06): Let your standard be excellence in all things. It doesn’t matter whether it’s in the office or at a volunteer community service day or when you take a position at an organization or on a committee. People notice and your performance at these “non work” events will define your reputation as much as your job.

9. Patsy Yung Micale (’07): For me, APIS represents a bond of Asian American attorneys across Texas, who support each other through both personal and professional growth, and collectively stand together as a voice for the Asian American community.

Through APIS, I have met many incredible colleagues, some of whom are now dear friends, and been given the opportunity to honor my heritage….

My “North Star” is to always remember to be grateful for the blessings in my life. An attitude of gratitude keeps things in perspective both personally and professionally, and helps me maintain an optimistic outlook most days!

10. Lisa S. Tsai (’09):  I think there is a dearth of literature for law students and lawyers on a very important topic: the happiness of lawyers. My own view is that we have a silent crisis that has been percolating for some time in our profession. Most lawyers report being unhappy in their professional lives, which unfortunately often extends into their personal lives.

I believe our profession has lost its way over the last few decades, with many factors contributing to the erosion of the purpose and meaning behind practicing law. My law partner and I are currently writing a book on this topic, and we hope it will serve as a touchstone for law students and lawyers (and hopefully a happier profession).

11. Cindy Y. Lin (’10): The greatest accomplishment in my legal career has been starting my own law firm. It was a very difficult and long-drawn-out decision to leave behind my partner role in Biglaw. I truly loved what I was doing but I was at a point in my life that required change. However, it was difficult to leave because

I thought being a partner at a big law firm defined me and I would be lost if I left. I also felt a responsibility to struggle through in order to be a role model for Asian American female lawyers. I also thought that there was no way I could give up such a coveted position after working so hard for it, especially after being told by a law school professor that I would never make it to Biglaw. After a series of events that gave me the push I needed, I am now a happy, practicing solo attorney!

12. Zeena Angadicheril (’12): I remember feeling instantly comfortable at my first APIS event, in a way that I never had at other professional legal events. I met so many smart and accomplished people, who also happened to be friendly and approachable.

That successful, kind and welcoming vibe is something I always associate with APIS. I was honored to be a part of the organization; its membership includes trailblazers who paved the way for other Asian American attorneys and who were willing to openly share resources and lessons they had learned along the way.

13. Alice Liu McCoy (’13): My fervent hope is that APIS invests in the great minds, resources, and relationships of our membership to give back to our communities across the state. This can take many forms, depending on the values of each individual member, but I hope that APIS can provide a consistent, organized forum for discussions, planning, and partnerships to take place for members who share similar values and goals beyond career advancement.

Since I have switched tracks from private practice to public interest work, I have found relatively few forums for API attorneys to connect on public interest issues. All of us, whether in private practice or doing public interest work, invest in important projects and issues in our communities. I would love to see APIS provide that forum.

14. Bill Richmond (’14): To me, APIS means Community, Connection, and Camaraderie. Community because of a group with shared experiences both personally and professionally—people that just get you. Connection because of a deep desire amongst all members to learn more about each other and be supportive. And Camaraderie because of the nonstop support that every member has for each other’s success.  My hope is that APIS continues to exemplify these ideals for decades to come.

15. Ann Sheu (’15, ’17): My hope is that APIS continues to grow in members, as well as impact. There is something truly unique and special about our community, and our annual conference always feels like a fun family reunion. The support that APIS members provide each other is unparalleled, and my hope is that we continue to nurture this.

16. Punam Kaji Bains (’18): APIS is more than a legal networking organization or a part of the Bar–it is a community with a longstanding tradition of creating space for APA attorneys. For me, it has been a place where I’ve found mentors and supporters, people who cheer for me, and who I could call on if needed. My career took me from Dallas to Fort Worth to Houston and back to DFW–the statewide relationships from APIS allowed me to feel connected everywhere.

I got involved with APIS as a young attorney, jumping in when new leadership was needed after having attended the conference as a first year attorney. Ann Sheu invited me to get involved and I eagerly said yes. My year as Chair was a highlight of my legal career. My hope for APIS is that as the APA legal community grows, APIS remains an anchor, grounding us all in our history as APA attorneys in Texas, and that APIS remains an umbrella, bringing the many APA bar associations together.

17. Chi Reece (’19): I hope APIS can quadruple its membership and presence in the next 25 years. APIS provides such an amazing network for mentoring, business development, and camaraderie. I am always amazed when I meet an APA attorney who does not know about APIS. APIS certainly deserves more exposure with and involvement from the APA attorney community all over Texas and not just the three major metroplexes (Austin, DFW, and Houston).

Albert Li has been a mentor for me over the years. I first met him when I was at UT Law and over the years, he has urged me to become active in both APIS and the Austin AABA. He also took time to advise me through a legal matter for a client years ago when I felt like I was in over my head. I also want to give a shout out to Judge Peter Sakai who was the first judge that I ever felt comfortable speaking with! I met him at an APIS conference (of course!) and I was pleasantly surprised at how friendly he was and still is, and it made me realize that judges were just like us.

18. Paul Yin (’20): APIS was a space that allowed me to network and get to know other AAPI attorneys from across the state.  I chose to volunteer and give back as an officer because of the many great mentors and attorneys who came before me and gave their time to help other AAPI attorneys grow in their careers.

19. Jim Thomas (’21): APIS has provided me an opportunity to connect with other APA attorneys in a more meaningful way, as compared to other APA associations. I love connecting with APA attorneys across the state and sharing a safe space to discuss APA challenges and learn about unique solutions to those challenges from different perspectives and different local practices. Serving as an officer and eventual Chair gave me an opportunity to work closely with the best attorneys in Texas and gain valuable leadership experience. I hope that APIS continues to provide opportunities for younger APA attorneys to connect with former APIS leaders so that future APA leaders avoid certain obstacles that previous generations may have faced.

 I would never have known about APIS or been encouraged to spend time getting to know the great attorneys at APIS without the invaluable mentorship that I have received from the beginning of my career by another former APIS Chair, Andrea Tran. Andrea has really helped me understand the challenges that I will have to face and gave me the tools to continue to progress in my career despite a variety of obstacles. I also couldn’t have been prepared to be an APIS Chair without watching the magnificent leadership skills of Punam Kaji. Punam invited me to apply to be an officer and I really learned what a great APIS leader looks like from working directly with Punam as part of her officer board.

20. Amar Raval (’22): Growing up, I didn’t know any lawyers, let alone any who looked like me. After law school, the challenge of networking doubled when I left my law school alumni area. APIS felt like home – a place to meet lawyers from around the state, from various practice areas, from various firms and companies. It continues to feel like home, and I look forward to every meeting.

Over the next 25 years, I would like to see APIS grow in size that better represents our overall population. Currently, API lawyers make up about 2% of the Bar but the community exceeds 5% of the state population. We need to encourage the next generation of lawyers and beyond. We need to make sure our voice is always heard. We need to let the public know we are not some party punchline – because we are proud to be lawyers.

Get out there and meet people! Networking always intimidated me because I used to see more seasoned lawyers and judges whom I only knew by reputation, comparing their giant achievements against my lack of them. (Don’t do that!) Let people know who you are and what you are about. Yes, we are lawyers, but we are people first. Make the basic connection with someone else before you start asking, “Where do you work”? You will find that you build deeper, more meaningful connections. Most importantly, go to APIS events! I guarantee you will find friendly smiles and approachable people eager to get to know you.

21. Phil Kim (’23): My hope is that APIS will be exponentially bigger and better than it is today. We have come a long way in the last 25 years; however with the continued growth we see in Texas, we have an opportunity to make APIS a leading organization where Asian American attorneys can call home and network in a unique way.

Thank you to all the past APIS chairs who shared their stories with us. We look forward to following your successes in the future.

We’d also like to give a special shout-out to Russell Wong (’05), Andrea Tran (’08), and Catherine Le (’16), who we didn’t capture a quote from at the time of this publication, but remain inspiring figures in the APIS community.

Renwei Chung is the DEI Columnist at Above the Law. He currently serves as a Board Advisor for The Diversity Movement (TDM), and hosts Footnote 4’s podcast Charge the Wave — focused on entrepreneurs, executives, and icons who are assiduously building companies, cultures, and communities.

Topics

Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month, Holidays and Seasons, Renwei Chung, State Bar of Texas, Texas


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Originally posted on: https://abovethelaw.com/2023/05/celebrating-the-25th-anniversary-of-the-asian-pacific-interest-section-and-honoring-aapi-heritage-month/