UNDER


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advocating on behalf of her pro bono clients while in private practice. “I frequently run into former clients at the grocery store, restaurants and around town, in Dallas and sometimes when I am visiting Houston. Tey thank me for assisting them through the immigration process and giving them opportunities, such as joining the U.S. military, obtaining a U.S. education for themselves and also for their children, being able to earn enough to feed their families and, for some, becoming successful professionals and entrepreneurs. It’s such an amazing feeling to have contributed to their abil- ity to achieve a better life for themselves and their families in our great nation and realize the American dream.” Amardeep Singh turned his passion for law and civil


rights into a career by co-founding the Sikh Coalition, the largest Sikh civil rights organization in the United States. He has represented dozens of Sikh victims of airport profil- ing, employment discrimination, and hate crimes since the organization’s inception after 9/11.


FACING THE FUTURE When asked about the APA issue which concerned them


32


the most, this year’s honorees consistently cited the dis- proportionate representation of APAs in leadership roles within the government and large firms. Aney Chandy, senior labor and employment counsel at Toys “R” Us, Inc., said, “Despite the fact that APAs represent one of the fastest growing minority communities in the state of New Jersey and in the country, APAs continue to be under-represented in the executive, legislative, and judicial leadership in New Jersey and across the United States. Tis lack of leadership affects our ability to have a meaningful voice on so many


cians and business folks to push through elected officials and appointments.” Michael Lee, founding partner of Pamir Law Group,


notes that he sees an America that is much more accepting of diversity than when he was growing up, but echoes the concern that APA representation at the leadership level is an ongoing struggle. “We should continue to find ways to get more APAs in prominent non-stereotypical roles. NAPABA has played a role with its campaign to get more APA judges elected. Television shows and movies are increasingly putting APAs in non-stereotypical roles. Tese are all good things, but a lot still needs to be done. For example, we need an APA in the White House.” As if to answer the call, this year’s honoree Paul Grewal


was sworn in on October 1, 2010, as a United States magis- trate judge for the Northern District of California. Grewal is only the second sitting South Asian federal magistrate judge in the United States. Honorees further expressed the need for APA leadership


in the private sector as well. Christian Na, deputy general counsel of CIRCOR International, Inc., reflects that “With respect to the legal field, growing the number of managing APA partners at law firms is critical. I would propose that APA in-house attorneys find more meaningful ways to engage and support APA law firm partners and, equally important, for those APA law firm partners to mentor and support APA associates to rise through the ranks of their law firms.”


MENTORING AND ADVICE TO NEW ATTORNEYS Tis year’s honorees all stress the importance of both having


“ I HAVE BEEN VERY LUCKY TO FIND


WONDERFUL MENTORS. I THINK ANYONE CAN BE A MENTOR REGARDLESS OF BACKGROUND, PROFESSION, AND COMMON INTEREST. IT’S AMAZING WHAT WE CAN FROM OTHERS.” –TANYA BOVÉE


issues that impact the APA community, such as immigra- tion reform, hate crimes, etc.” Clinton Foy, general counsel, vice president of legal and


business affairs, and corporate secretary for Square Enix, Inc., Square Pictures, and Square Enix America Holdings, Inc., concurs. “We have a severe shortage of Asian American federal district court and appellate court judges. We need to work on the pipeline of law students, lawyers, judges, politi-


JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2011 DIVERSITY & THE BAR®


and being mentors. Tanya Bovée, a partner at Jackson Lewis LLP, states, “I have been very lucky to find wonderful mentors. I think that anyone can be a mentor regard- less of background, profession, and common interest. It’s amazing what we can all learn from others.” As for advice to new attorneys,


Nina Wang, a partner at Faegre & Benson LLP, encourages new attorneys to “work hard, learn your craft, and don’t forget to laugh at yourself.” Alice Wong reminds new attorneys to “stay


positive” and remember that “things happen for a reason.” Emi Gusukuma, an attorney at Haas & Najarian, says, “Get out of your comfort zone. Do things that scare you. Be open-minded. Early in your career, everything is a learning experience.” Eugene Lee, the voting rights project director at the


Asian Pacific American Legal Center (APALC) in Los Angeles, reminds young attorneys, “Right from the outset of one’s career, it’s important to establish and maintain a


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