ABAS Congratulates Professor Goodwin Liu on his Nomination to the California Supreme Court

On Tuesday, California Governor Jerry Brown nominated Sacramento native Professor Goodwin Liu to become a California Supreme Court Justice. The Asian/Pacific Bar Association of Sacramento (ABAS) commends Governor Brown for this nomination. “ABAS is proud of Professor Liu’s numerous achievements and of Governor Brown’s commitment to diversity,” said ABAS President Grace Arupo. “ABAS is confident that he will be an excellent Justice on the California Supreme Court.”

Governor Brown has a long commitment to diversity on the judiciary. During his first Gubernatorial term from 1975 to 1983, Governor Brown appointed the first African American, the first female and first female Chief Justice, and the first Hispanic American to the California Supreme Court. Professor Liu is the first Asian Pacific American to be nominated to the California Supreme Court by Governor Brown.

Professor Liu is a tenured professor of law at the University of California Berkeley School of Law. He has taught there since 2003. Professor Liu was born in Georgia but was raised in Sacramento, where he attended local public schools. He received his undergraduate degree from Stanford University, was a Fulbright Scholar at Oxford University, and received his law degree from Yale University School of Law.

ABAS wholeheartedly supports Professor Liu and congratulates him on his nomination.

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NAPABA Publication: The Path to the Federal Bench

NAPABA co-authored a publication entitled “The Path to the Federal Bench.”  It is intended to serve as a guide to law students and young lawyers who are interested in pursuing an Article III judgeship in the future, with the intent of encouraging well-qualified, diverse attorneys to consider this path, and also to provide some much needed clarity to an often obscure process. Included in the guide are profiles of several retired and current judges and their respective paths to the bench, including that of our own Judge Tashima on the Ninth Circuit.  The guide has been a collaborative project over many months, and our co-sponsors on the project are the American Constitution Society, the Hispanic National Bar Association, Justice at Stake, the National Association of Women Judges, that National Bar Association, the National Congress of American Indians, and the National LGBT Bar Association.

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ABAS Letter to Governor opposing cuts to California judiciary

On June 28, 2011, ABAS sent a letter to Governor Brown opposing the proposed budget cuts to the California judiciary.

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Angel Island

ABAS members and friends will be making a road trip to the Angel Island Immigration Station, a national historic site in the San Francisco Bay, on July 30. The bus has sold out, but if you’re interested, you can meet up with ABAS on the island. Contact John Yung at jyung@lockelord.com for more information.

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API Night at Raley Field

1st Annual API Night with the Sacramento Rivercats – July 14, 2011. ABAS joined with other API organizations to watch the Rivercats play the Fresno Grizzlies (Giants AAA team).


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ABAS Letter to Assembly Majority Leader Charles Calderon

On May 10, 2011, ABAS sent a letter to Assembly Majority Leader Charles Calderon asking for an apology for his May 5 remarks about Chief Justice Tani Cantil-Sakauye.

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NAPABA Regional Conference

NAPABA’s 2011 Western Regional Conference will be from June 3-5 in Portland, Oregon. The conference kicks off with a judges’ reception on Friday night. A diverse set of CLE topics will be offered on Saturday, and the keynote dinner speech will be given by Carol Lam, former U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of California and currently Deputy General Counsel at QUALCOMM. Discounted airfare and train travel is offered through Alaska Airlines and Amtrak. Special rates have been secured at the Benson Hotel in downtown Portland.

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U.S. Courts for the Ninth Circuit Job Opportunities

The U.S. Courts for the Ninth Circuit is currently recruiting for bankruptcy judgeships in the Northern District of California, the Eastern District of California, and the Central District of California as well as for a federal public defender.

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Food from the Bar

May 10 – Consistent with ABAS’ theme this year, “Giving Back to the Community,” ABAS is assisting with the Sacramento County Bar Association’s 2011 Sacramento “Food from the Bar” program and will be helping with the Sacramento Food Bank’s mobile food distribution program. Please join ABAS board members and members from 3:3o-7:30 at Oak Park United Methodist, 3600 Broadway, Sacramento. Please RSVP to Josh Kaizuka at jkaizuka@sbcglobal.net by May 5.

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ABAS Law Foundation 9th Annual Wine & Food Tasting

May 12 – Please join the ABAS Law Foundation at its 9th Annual Wine & Food Tasting, held in the Pavilions Shopping Center, Fair Oaks Blvd. (East of Howe Avenue), Sacramento, from 6-8:30 p.m. $30 if received by May 6, or $35 at the door. Special offer to ABAS members: 2 for $50 by May 6. Mail a check to ABAS Law Foundation, 555 University Ave., Ste. 235, Sacramento, CA 95825; or e-mail charge info to ABASWineTasting@jplawoffice.com. Interested in being a sponsor? Contact Brian J. Lim, (916) 520-5485 or BLim@DowneyBrand.com.

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