APABA-DC
Women’s Forum

Asian American Women Attorneys in Criminal Law

What are the dynamics of being an Asian American, woman attorney in criminal law? How do stereotypes and misconceptions about Asian American women affect those who chose legal careers in criminal law? What are the challenges and rewards? Our distinguished panelists will share their insights and experiences on these issues.

Panelists

Jeannie E. Cho, Esq., White Collar Criminal Defense, Shulman Rogers Gandal Pordy & Ecker, P.A.; former Assistant State’s Attorney for Montgomery and Howard counties in Maryland

Jessie K. Liu, Esq., Deputy Chief of Staff, National Security Division/U.S. Department of Justice; former Assistant U.S. Attorney, U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia

Moderator

Cynthia Lee, Professor of Law (Criminal Law and Procedure), George Washington University Law School

Sponsor: APABA-DC’s Women’s Forum

Location: King & Spalding, 1700 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W., Washington, DC

Closest metro stops: Farragut West - Exit at 17th & 18th Streets, N.W. or Farragut North - Exit at K Street, N.W. (http://www.kslaw.com/contact_us/directions_washington.asp)

Refreshments and food will be provided. There is no charge for the event.

When: Wednesday, November 15, 2006, 6:30 pm – 8:30pm

Contact: Please RSVP to Elizabeth Lee at womensforum@apaba-dc.org by November 13, 2006.


______________________________________________________________________________ If you are interested in becoming involved with the APABA-DC Women’s Forum, please contact Elizabeth Lee and Rosy Lor at womensforum@apaba-dc.org. For more information about APABA-DC, visit http://www.apaba-dc.org.

Spotlight on Angela Oh Event

By Stephanie Carnes, PAR Committee Member



On September 20, 2006, more than 35 people attended a discussion with Angela Oh, a prominent professor, attorney, advocate, and race relations expert. APABA-DC’s Practicing Attorney Resource Committee organized the interview-style program. Anne-Marie Meegan moderated the event, which was graciously hosted at the law firm of Finnegan, Henderson, Farabow, Garrett & Dunner, LLP.

Ms. Oh began the evening by describing her unique career path. Born to a family of non-attorneys, Ms. Oh did not intend to practice law, and instead pursued options in the field of public health. However, she ultimately decided to obtain a law degree after her experiences as an activist in Sacramento, California. Ms. Oh attended law school at the University of California at Davis. Her early legal career included work in labor as well as criminal defense law.

Ms. Oh gained national prominence through her work in the area of race relations. She was already active in several Los Angeles community-based legal and social organizations when she was propelled onto the national stage. The shooting death of Latasha Harlins, a 15-year-old African-American teen by Soon Ja Du, a Korean-American grocery store owner, and the beating of Rodney King by members of the Los Angeles Police Department – as well as the controversial criminal justice response to these two events – exploded into the 1992 Los Angeles race riots. The riots, which lasted several days, resulted in violence and billions of dollars worth of property damage, including the burning and looting of many Korean-American owned businesses.

Ms. Oh disputed inaccurate depictions of the Korean-American community in the media and analyzed the riots as something deeper than the culmination of existing racial tensions between African-Americans and Korean-Americans. She viewed the riots as resulting from economic recession, deep demographic shifts in the community, the lack of investment in low-income communities, and degenerating police-community relations.

As a direct result of her advocacy during the 1992 riots, President Clinton appointed Ms. Oh to the seven-member Advisory Board to the President’s Initiative on Race, an effort by the President to look at race in the 21st Century context. Ms. Oh described the process by which she was asked to serve on the Board by the President. She also discussed the two reports issued by the Board and how those reports were overshadowed by the media’s focus on the Monica Lewinski scandal.

Ms. Oh provided her perspective on how best to approach the issues of race relations. She stated that it was important for those in the Asian community to become more aware of how they may be perceived by other groups. Additionally, she noted that advocates need to take a harder look at events occurring on the international stage as they can affect race relations and perceptions, such as the branding of North Korea as part of the “Axis of Evil.” Ms. Oh also spoke about the importance of using alternative dispute resolution techniques rather than litigation as a means to resolve conflict.

Finally, Ms. Oh also discussed her experiences as a Rinzai Sect Zen Buddhist priest and how those experiences influence her activities today.

THE PRACTICING ATTORNEYS RESOURCE COMMITTEE OF THE ASIAN PACIFIC AMERICAN BAR ASSOCIATION OF THE GREATER WASHINGTON DC AREA

PRESENTS

"Breaking the Bamboo Ceiling”

How are Asian professionals perceived in boardrooms and corporate halls? And how does being Asian affect your workplace persona? What are Asian and mainstream Western views of position, authority, and conflict? How can you work with your non-Asian colleagues to achieve optimal workplace interactions? Can you identify ways to operate in your corporate culture without compromising your cultural heritage? Jane Hyun, author of "Breaking the Bamboo Ceiling", will address these and other critical issues needed to navigate your career in today’s multicultural workplace. Ms. Hyun’s book "Breaking the Bamboo Ceiling", will also be available for purchase and there will be a book signing session. Cash or check will be accepted.

WHEN: Thursday, November 2, 2006 from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm

WHERE: Arnold & Porter, 555 Twelfth Street, NW, Washington, DC 20004

Metro Center is the closest Metro stop. Take the 12th and F Street Exit and proceed south on 12th Street.

Take the escalator to the second floor. There will be a registration table to check in. There will also be a sign at the table directing participants to the Paul Porter Room located on the 10th floor.

Refreshments and appetizers will be provided. There is no charge for the event.

CONTACT: Please e-mail your RSVP to May C. Lee, PAR Co-Chair, at par@apaba-dc.org by Oct. 29. Space is limited.

SPEAKER BIOGRAPHY:
Jane Hyun, President of Crossroads Associates, is an executive coach, author, and diversity strategist to Fortune 500 companies, top MBA programs, and non-profit organizations.

Previously, she was a Vice President of Human Resources at JP Morgan, and Director of Recruiting at Deloitte & Touche and Resources Connection. She has worked with various diversity councils and senior management teams to raise awareness about the critical role that the minority talent pipeline play in today’s multicultural workplace.

A graduate of Cornell University with a degree in Economics and International Studies, she is active with the University Women’s Alumnae Council. She serves on the Board of the Johnnetta B. Cole Diversity and Inclusion Institute at Bennett College. She is also an advisor to the Hidden Brain Drain Task Force/Center for Work Life Policy, the organization which authored “Leadership in Your Midst” and “On-Ramps and Off-Ramps for Women in the Workplace”.

Her work has received international recognition, and she has appeared in national media, including CNN, CNBC, National Public Radio, Time, Newsweek, Fortune, Working Mother, DiversityInc, and Crains. In 2005, HarperCollins released her first book, "Breaking the Bamboo Ceiling: The Essential Guide to Getting In, Moving Up, and Reaching the Top.” Jane lives in New York City with her family.

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If you are interested in being involved with APABA-DC’s Practicing Attorneys Resource Committee, please contact Leah Frazier or May C. Lee at par@apaba-dc.org. For more information about APABA-DC, visit http://www.apaba-dc.org.