Haynes and Boone, LLP was a proud gold-level sponsor of the 22nd Annual Asian Pacific Interest Section (APIS) Conference, with two firm lawyers playing key roles as leaders of APIS, and another lawyer receiving an award.
Entitled “Breaking Through to Excellence,” the event was held in conjunction with the National Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) Southwest Regional Conference in Austin, Texas. As chair-elect of the APIS of the State Bar of Texas, Haynes and Boone Associate Punam Kaji was a key organizer of the conference. Kaji has been on the APIS board since 2015, previously serving as vice chair, and she will chair the organization for the 2017-2018 term.
The APIS Conference brings Asian Pacific American (APA) attorneys together to network, earn CLE credit and discuss diversity and inclusion initiatives that impact APAs. This year, the conference drew more than one hundred attendees and included nine panels, an awards luncheon and an evening reception. Distinguished attendees included California Supreme Court Associate Justice Goodwin Liu and CBS General Counsel Larry Tu. A number of Haynes and Boone lawyers attended the conference.
Partner and firm board member Albert Tan, who serves on the APIS advisory council, was also a speaker at the event, moderating a “fireside chat” panel of in-house counsel and big-law practitioners who discussed the significance of diversity in the industry and provided advice on pursuing partnership and building a successful practice as a minority attorney. In 2015, APIS presented Tan with its highest honor, the Justice Wellington Chew Award, a distinction reserved for a lawyer who has paved the way for the advancement of other Asian Pacific American attorneys and made lasting contributions to the APA legal profession and community. Award recipients demonstrate vision, courage and tenacity in their practice, and are recognized for their outstanding professional achievements and leadership.
In addition, firm Counsel Chris Kang accepted the APIS Affiliate of the Year award on behalf of the Dallas Asian American Bar Association (DAABA), which was awarded in recognition of its contributions to the Asian American legal community. Kang is the current president of DAABA and has been leading the organization through another successful year, including promoting the professional development of its members, advancing advocacy issues, and hosting a number of networking and social events. Kang was previously the recipient of the APIS Best Lawyer Under 40 Award in 2016.