ABC President Edwin K. Prather announces the formation of ABC’s first Advisory Board

For over 27 years, the Asian/Pacific Bar of California (ABC) has been the collective voice for the Asian American legal community in the State of California and from its inception, ABC has made substantial progress in the application and appointment of Asian Americans to the bench. ABC has increased its visibility and influence with various entities, including the Office of the Governor. In order to further advance its goals and influence in the state, ABC announces the formation of its inaugural Advisory Board. The Advisory Board will make recommendations and provide key information and materials to ABC’s leadership. ABC views its Advisory Board as a tremendous compliment to ABC’s overall effectiveness and it continues its work on behalf of Asian American lawyers in California.

The Inaugural ABC Advisory Board members include:

Eddie Angeles (ABC Past President 1997-98)
Special Counsel to the Los Angeles City Council
Los Angeles

David Biderman
Partner, Perkins Coie LLP
San Francisco

Dolly Gee
Partner, Schwartz, Steinsapir, Dohrmann & Sommers LLP
Los Angeles

Joan Haratani
Partner, Morgan Lewis & Bockius LLP
San Francisco

Erika Hiramatsu
Deputy Attorney General, California Department of Justice
San Diego

The Honorable Russell Hom
Sacramento County Superior Court
Sacramento

Bruce Ishimatsu (ABC Past President 1996-97)
Partner, Loeb & Loeb LLP
Los Angeles

Dale Minami (ABC Past President 1981-82)
Partner, Minami Tamaki LLP
San Francisco

The Honorable Erica Yew
Santa Clara County Superior Court
San Jose

ABC Judicial Appointments and Endorsements

ABC endorses candidates for appointment to the superior, appellate, and supreme courts in the State of California, and to the federal district and appellate courts.

ABC has a formalized process for endorsements wherein each candidate is considered and vetted by ABC through a transparent, rigorous, and documented process.

Those applicants interested in an endorsement should refer to ABC’s formal procedures available on-line: Endorsement Procedures.

Any questions should be directed to ABC President Edwin K. Prather at eprather@clarencedyer.com.

APABA’s Annual APA Heritage Month

S y m p o s i u m

A Question of Patriotism:When National Security and Civil Rights Collide
Thursday, May 31, 2007 – 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm

at the Japanese American National Museum
369 East First StreetLos Angeles, California 90012

Confirmed panelists include:
· Arif Alikhan (Los Angeles Deputy Mayor for Homeland Security)
· Ranjana Natarajan ( staff attorney, ACLU of Southern California )
· Eric Seitz (former attorney for U.S. Army Lt. Ehren Watada, court-martialed for refusing to deploy to Iraq)
· Brian Sun (attorney for Wen Ho Lee, Noshir Gowadia, and former FBI Agent James Smith) and
· Chaplain James Yusuf Yee (former U.S. Army Captain/Muslim Chaplain stationed at Guantanamo)

Topic:
The Symposium promises a compelling and thought-provoking examination of the intersection between race and national security, the treatment of Asian Americans caught up in the justice system due to alleged security breaches, the government’s attitude towards U.S. permanent residents/citizens who are natives of Asian countries which are at odds with the U.S., the government’s interests and perspectives on security issues, free speech and military justice, and what role a vigilant public can play to ensure that justice is served even in times of war.