Vietnamese American Bar Association of Northern California

Recent News

• VABANC would like to congratulate U.S. District Judge Jacqueline Nguyen on her May 7, 2012 confirmation to the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.  Judge Nguyen was confirmed by an overwhelming 91-3 vote and is the first Asian-American female to serve on any federal appellate court in the nation.
• The California Bar Foundation's Diversity Scholarship seeks to support newly admitted law students from groups historically underrepresented in the legal profession who have commmitted to attend a California law school.  Candidates should apply for the Scholarship at the beginning of the summer prior to commencing their law school studies. The Scholarship helps pay the costs of obtaining a law school education, including tuition, fees, books, and related education expenses. For more information about the scholarship, including an application, please see the Foundation’s website: http://www.calbarfoundation.org/programs/scholarships/diversity.html.
• MIRANDA DU CONFIRMED AS FIRST ASIAN PACIFIC AMERICAN FEDERAL DISTRICT COURT JUDGE FOR THE DISTRICT OF NEVADA: VABANC is pleased to announce that today, March 28, 2012, the Senate voted to confirm Miranda Mai Du to serve on the U.S. District Court for the District of Nevada.  Judge Du is the first-ever Asian Pacific American to serve as an Article III judge in Nevada. Judge Du becomes the second Vietnamese federal judge in the country after Judge Jacqueline Nguyen of the Central District of California.
• Andrew Vu, winner of the Silicon Valley/San Jose Business Times Community Champion Award: VABANC is proud to announce that our very own Andrew Vu, Co-Founder of VABANC, was awarded the Community Champion award last night from the Silicon Valley/San Jose Business Times.  Andrew has been a long time supporter and mentor to VABANC, who are so proud of him.  He has been instrumental in our Public Interest Fellowship and has led our organization to greater heights in the recent years.  Andrew was among a number of extremely qualified nominees. Please join us in congratulating Andrew on this honor. Click here to view Andrew's profile.
• VABANC, APABASV, KABANC, SABANC Joint Holiday Party was held on December 8, 2011 @ Trader Vic's in Palo Alto.
• VABANC was the recipient of SCCBA's UnSung Hero's Award, presented on October 5, 2011.
• VABANC was the recipient of the Business Impact Award from API Legal Outreach for extraordinary volunteer work for progressive social and economic justice, presented on September 16, 2011.
• Thuy Thi Nguyen was VABANC's 2011 Trailblazer Award recipient for her outstanding achievements, commitment and leadership of Vietnamese American attorneys. Press Release.

Upcoming Events 

• July 28, 2012: Employer registration is now open for BASF’s 2012 Bay Area Diversity Career Fair on Saturday, July 28! The Diversity Career Fair brings together prominent law firms and government legal departments in the San Francisco Bay Area with highly qualified diverse second-year law students. Employers are encouraged to register by Friday, April 27. The employer registration deadline is Friday, May 11 (there is an additional late fee for those who register after April 27). For more information and to view 2011 Career Fair stats, please visit http://www.sfbar.org/diversity/career_fair.aspx.
• April 5, 2012: VABANC Spring Mixer, O3 Bistro and Lounge, 6-8 PM - Come join the Vietnamese American Bar Association of Northern California (VABANC) for a few drinks and delicious bites at San Francisco's newest Asian Fusion restaurant, O3 Bistro and Lounge. O3 Bistro and Lounge just opened in January of 2012 and was featured in KRON4's Dine and Dish. The owner has graciously extended the normal happy hour prices to accommodate VABANC as we honor this year's newest VABANC Law Fellow, Gina Szeto. Appetizers (and possibly some libations as well!) will be provided. Sign up on Facebook!
  
• March 24, 2012: VABANC Mentorship Mixer

Community Service

We are proud of our dedicated attorneys and law students who have joined forces to organize pro bono legal clinics serving underresourced communities.

Clinics sponsored by VABANC, Alameda County Bar Association (ACBA)'s Volunteer Legal Services Corporation (VLSC), and Vietnamese American Community Center of the East Bay (VACCEB) are held from 6pm-8pm at 655 International Blvd in Oakland on the first Wednesday of every month.  English flyer. Please click here for more information.

Our collaboration with Katharine & George Alexander Community Law Center (KGACLC) enables us to provide pro bono legal clinics in San Jose, CA. Our clinic in August will be held on August 16, 2011 at Tully Library in San Jose.  English flyer.  Vietnamese flyer.

Please assist us in publicizing these clinics by forwarding the above flyers to your contacts.

Interested lawyers, law students, and interpreters are invited to join us in providing these free legal services. Send an email to communityservice@vabanc.org to volunteer your time or make a contribution. Those seeking assistance may call (408) 512-3818 to schedule an appointment.

VABANC is also jointly sponsoring a Citizenship Day event on July 30 in San Francisco with La Raza San Francisco.