Schedule of Events
- 11:30-12:00 Registration
- 12:00-1:15 Lunch
- 1:30-2:45
- Panel Session 1A: Current Issues Facing Asian Americans
- Panel Session 1B: Asians in Academia
- 3:00-4:15 Panel Session 2: Beyond Our Borders: Working for the International Cause
- 4:30-5:45 Panel Session 3: Succeeding in the Workplace as Asian Americans
- Break
- 6:45-7:30 Employer Reception
- 7:30-10:00 Dinner with Speaker J. Doris Ling-Cohan
- 10:00 - 2:00 Afterparty at Marathon Grill in Commerce Square, Open Bar until 12am. Featuring Vudoo Soul
Panel Information
Panel Session 1A: Current Issues Facing Asian Americans
Speakers:
Khin Mai Aung,
Shereen Chen, Vincent Eng,
Alexander Nguyen.
Joining us from both the public and the private sectors, the four panelists come together to discuss pertinent issues presently affecting the Asian-American community. From immigration to political leadership, the issues which the panel will focus upon are not readily or commonly associated with Asian Americans. The speakers will highlight how these topics play out within the Asian American community, discuss why Asian Americans or Americans at large are not aware of the impacts these issues have on Asian Americans, and what existing efforts already attempt to address these issues. Specifically, the panel's discussion will focus upon topics including school desegregation, current and proposed immigration policies, and Asian American political leadership.
Panel Session 1B: Asians in Academia
Speakers: Christopher Yoo, Alfred Yen, Edward Lee.
Every year, the numbers show increasing numbers of Asian-Americans at law schools. At the University of Pennsylvania Law School, Asian-Americans make up 18.9% of the current 1L class. This is the largest minority group, as African-American students are the next largest at 7.9%. This trend is not surprising or revealing; Asian-Americans have been the largest minority group at the nation's top law schools. However, despite these numbers, most, if not all law schools can count the number of fulltime Asian-American faculty members on one hand.
Penn Law, with the addition of panelist Christopher Yoo, will boast three; Ohio State Moritz College of Law also has three, including panelist Edward Lee. Professor Alfred Yen has one other Asian-American colleague at Boston College Law School, while Dean Jim Chen will be the only Asian-American at the Brandeis School of Law at Louisville. There is one at NYU Law School, one at Columbia Law School, and none at Chicago Law School.
This panel will attempt to address why such a discrepancy in numbers exist: will more Asian-American law students now translate to more professors in 5 years? Is there a cultural bias against entering the field of academia? How are the barriers different from attaining partner at large law firm or becoming the Chief Legal Officer at a Fortune 500 company? From the current student's perspective, how should Asian-American students interact with faculty? Is it appropriate to approach a professor and ask for advice simply because you share a common last name?
Panel Session 2: Beyond Our Borders: Working for the International Cause
Speakers: Libby Liu, Adrian Hong, Peggy Kuo.
Attorneys in the United States enjoy the benefit of having been trained in a strong and experienced legal system. However, the possibilities for interesting legal work is not confined to just matters within our country; there are plenty of opportunities overseas to help out in areas where we perceive problems. One of the things we can do as United States attorneys is work towards bringing the freedoms and rights we take for granted to other areas of the world, particularly developing nations. Being Asian-American, our mixed roots and cultural background will help us relate to some of these nations, whether ones of our origin or through travels or particular interest.
The speakers in this panel have all made significant contributions to the international community, particularly in the area of legal rights. They will talk about their experiences in these endeavors, identify common and overarching legal issues in the world, and discuss any issues and concerns with intermediating in foreign countries.
Panel Session 3: Succeeding in the Workplace as Asian Americans
Speakers: Daniel Vatanaviggun (facilitator), William Uchimoto, Sophia Lee, Grace Manno.