VABANC - Vietnamese American Bar Association of Northern California

• Mock Interview

VABANC introduces its mock interview program, which will begin on August 15, 2010. If you would like to obtain a mock interview in preparation for OCI or for a regular job interview, please contact us and we will connect you with an attorney in the practice area in which you're interested for a mock interview. This is a wonderful opportunity not only to brush up on your interviewing skills but also to learn more about your desired practice area before going into the real job interview. If you're interested, please contact Nhung Le (nle@luce.com) or Nikki Vo (nvo@kvn.com). Please be prepared to send us a copy of your resume prior to the interview.

• VABANC 12th Annual Scholarship Dinner - Friday, October 8, 2010 in San Jose, CA

Please join us for VABANC’s 12th Annual Scholarship Dinner: Rising Stars and a Brighter Future. This special celebration will take place on Friday, October 8, 2010, at Dynasty Chinese Seafood Restaurant at 1001 Story Road in San Jose, California. We are honored and pleased to announce that our keynote speaker this year will be the Honorable Erica Yew. Judge Yew is the first Asian American woman to serve on the bench in Santa Clara County Superior Court. Throughout her career, Judge Yew has always been a tireless advocate for the needs of children and families. Judge Yew is currently presiding over the Family Wellness Court, a $6.3 million project funded by the federal government and First 5. We will also be presenting a “Trailblazer Award” to a prominent member of our community.

Tickets: *$75 - General * $50 - Non-profit/Government * $40 - Students

To purchase tickets and for sponsorship information, please click here.

VABANC Scholarship Application - Due September 1, 2010

Do you fit the following profile?
• I am a law student.
• I am committed to serving my community.
• I will use any funding provided towards public interest/social justice goals/endeavors.

If so, you should apply for VABANC’s Scholarship.

The scholarship award amount will be determined once fundraising is completed. Also, in response to the Deepwater Horizon Oil Disaster in the South, VABANC may be working with non-profit legal organizations to provide a stipend to support a summer fellowship on this project. If you are interested in this project, please indicate that on your application. Priority will be given to those who have demonstrated their commitment to serving the public interest, and to those who will be using the scholarship award towards that end (either in pursuing post-graduate work or for summer internships/positions).

What you need: (1) a completed application form; (2) résumé and three references; and (3) a personal statement (no more than 800 words) describing:

(1) What you see as a pressing concern facing the Vietnamese American community, and how you see yourself contributing to or engaging in such an issue; and/or
(2) Your contributions to or activism within the Vietnamese American community; and/or
(3) Your experience(s) in overcoming socioeconomic and/or other barriers.

Important things to know:
• The deadline is September 1, 2010
• Please e-mail applications to scholarships@vabanc.org
• Interviews are in mid-September and are in person or by telephone

• VABANC Responds to the BP Oil Disaster

In response to the urgent legal needs of the Vietnamese American community affected by the BP Oil Disaster, the Vietnamese American Bar Association of Northern California (VABANC) mobilized attorneys to the Gulf to conduct a Legal Aid Clinic on June 25-26, 2010. The legal clinic provided access and education concerning BP claims policy affecting thousands of Vietnamese fishermen. The clinics were co-hosted by Louisiana Congressman Anh Cao and the Mississippi Center for Justice.

Over 3 days, the corps of volunteers conducted 4 legal education clinics in three Gulf states - Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama – and served over 100 Vietnamese community leaders and members. These clinics are the first bilingual, pro-bono legal education clinics since the Oil Spill disaster occurred. The main purpose of the clinics was to provide information in Vietnamese regarding the BP claims process, legal rights regarding compensation, retaining/firing a lawyer, Vessel of Opportunity (boats) Program, and other resources. The clinic aimed to provide claimants with information regarding their options and to empower them to make more informed decisions.

VABANC is continuing to work on this issue and welcomes DONATIONS TO THAT END. To make a donation, please make checks to our fiscal agent, Asian Law Caucus, but to the following address:

VABANC
1570 The Alameda Suite 212
San Jose, CA 95126
Tel: 408-975-9321

Please write "BP Oil Spill" in the memo line. You will receive a tax deduction if you make the check out to our fiscal agent.

More info on the free legal clinic may be found at: https://sites.google.com/site/volunteervabanc/home

• Induction Ceremony for Judge Lucy Haeran Koh - September 30

United States District Court Northern District of California cordially invites you to the induction of Lucy Haeran Koh as United States District Judge for the Northern District of California on Thursday, September 30, 2010 at 5:30 p.m. at the Corinthian Event Center (196 North Third Street, San Jose). Reception to follow at same location.

RSVP by September 20 to rsvp@cand.uscourts.gov

• NAPABA National Conference in Los Angeles - November 17 - 20

VABANC is proud to announce that Thanh Ngo was chosen as NAPABA's Trailblazer Award winner. Please click here to read Thanh's biography. Congratulations, Thanh!