Legal Definitions - National Asian Pacific American Bar Association

The National Asian Pacific American Bar Association, often abbreviated as NAPABA, is a nationwide professional organization for legal professionals and students of Asian Pacific American heritage.

It serves as a collective voice and resource for Asian Pacific American attorneys, judges, law professors, and law students across the United States. NAPABA's primary mission involves advocating for justice, promoting diversity within the legal profession, and addressing critical legal and social issues, particularly those related to civil rights and immigration that impact the Asian Pacific American community.

Here are some examples of how NAPABA operates:

• Imagine a recent law school graduate of Vietnamese American heritage who is looking to connect with experienced legal professionals and find mentorship. They might attend NAPABA's annual convention, which offers networking events, career development workshops, and opportunities to meet senior attorneys and judges from various practice areas. This illustrates NAPABA's role as a professional association that supports the career growth and community building for its members.

• Consider a situation where a new federal policy is proposed that could significantly impact the immigration status of families from certain Asian countries. NAPABA would likely issue a public statement, engage in lobbying efforts on Capitol Hill, and collaborate with other civil rights organizations to advocate for fair and just policy outcomes. This demonstrates NAPABA's commitment to emphasizing civil rights and immigration issues through active advocacy and policy engagement.

• When a state has open judicial positions, NAPABA might actively work to identify and recommend qualified Asian Pacific American candidates for appointment. They could provide support to these candidates, highlight their qualifications, and advocate for a judiciary that better reflects the diverse population it serves. This showcases NAPABA's efforts to promote diversity within the legal profession and ensure representation at all levels of the justice system.