Asian/Pacific Islander Affinity Group Highlights
ABOUT THE GROUP
The goal of Holland & Knight's Asian/Pacific Islander (API) Group, which includes nearly 70 members, is to maintain a strong and productive network among our API attorneys and focus on issues relating to recruiting, promoting and retaining top minority attorneys.
The group officially meets quarterly, but also coordinates other specific meetings (such as socials, partners’ roundtables) and maintains an email list to keep the firm's API attorneys informed and connected, and to promote cross-promotion of firm and client opportunities
The group actively participates in the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) and South Asian Bar Association (SABA), and various local affinity bar organizations.
KEY INITIATIVES
Mentorship Program. A flexible mentoring program allows Mentees desiring a formal mentor to be paired with mentors experienced in their areas of interest Mentees may also connect with any of a number of mentors in various identified resource areas
Pivotal Programming. In 2021, in the wake of rising violent acts against the API community, the group hosted a webinar titled "Understanding and Supporting" the API Community, featuring Connie Chung Joe, CEO of Asian Americans Advancing Justice, and Eugene Moy, vice president of the Chinese Historical Society of Southern California. This was followed by Bystander Intervention Training to better equip all of us to act safely when faced with witnessing an act of hate.
Annual Celebration of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month. The group annually leads firmwide efforts to celebrate Asian Pacific American Heritage Month Past programming includes:
o Webinar featuring Asian American Pacific Islander clients and a legal expert, who discussed their experiences in the legal profession and how we can promote diversity, equity and inclusion in our law firms and legal departments.
o Spotlight Series. Attorneys and staff from across the firm discuss their individual backgrounds, racial justice and allyship.
o Highlights of Asian American Pacific Islander contributions to American culture and history through profiles of notable Asian and Pacific Islander individuals in the legal profession.
AFFINITY GROUP LEADERSHIP
Stacey H. Wang
Affinity Group Chair | Los Angeles
213.896.2480
stacey.wang@hklaw.com
Yunnie Youn Son
Mentoring Chair | Los Angeles
213.896.2595
yunnie.son@hklaw.com
Melissa Wong
Business Development Chair | Boston
617.305.2156
melissa.wong@hklaw.com
