Celebrating the Impact and Contributions of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders (AANHPI) to the Law and Legal Practice in the United States

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Celebrating the Impact and Contributions of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders (AANHPI) to the Law and Legal Practice in the United States

Program Originally Presented Thursday, May 28, 2026

The United States Congress passed an Act in 1992 which permanently designated May of each year as “Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month." The Federal Asian Pacific American Council sets forth a theme each year. The 2026 theme is “Power in Unity: Strengthening Communities Together,” which highlights how a community working together can change and improve society.

This dynamic CLE program will address the 2026 theme by demonstrating the many landmark legal precedents, important contributions, as well as the positive impacts of advocacy that Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders ("AANHPI") have had on legal practice and in the judicial system in the U.S.  Learn the many ways in which AANHPI attorneys have made significant changes to the law within the areas of anti-discrimination, birthright citizenship, civil right, equal protection, educational rights, and immigration.

The program will celebrate the following impactful contributions and advocacy practices, among others:

Landmark Legal Precedents & Caselaw

• Birthright Citizenship: In Won Kim Ark v. United States (1898)
• Equal Protection: Yick Wo v. Hopkins (1886)
• Educational Equity: Lau v. Nichols (1974)
• Additional caselaw

Key Trailblazers Serving in Legal Advocacy & Public Service

• The Honorable William M. Marutani
• Fred Toyosaburo Korematsu
• Congressmember Patsy Mink
• The Honorable Susan Oki Mollway
• Congressmember Dalip Singh Saund
• Yuri Kochiyama
• Congressmember Grace Meng
• Mayor Michelle Wu
• Tamara Ching
• Stacey Park Milbern
• Additional key trailblazers

Practices That Build and Strengthen Communities

• Supporting national and local AANHPI advocacy organizations
• Supporting national and local AANHPI communities, cultural centers, and businesses
• Celebrating Heritage Months and Cultural Intersectionality
• Partnering with and supporting other affinity groups

Moderator:
Kristine L. Calalang, Esq. (she/her/hers)
The Law Office of Kristine L. Calalang
Chancellor-Elect, Philadelphia Bar Association
Board Member, APABA-PA

Panelists:
Hon. Stella M. Tsai
Judge, Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania
Member, APABA-PA

Rahat N. Babar, Esq.  
Deputy Executive Director and General Counsel
National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA)
Frmr. Judge, Superior Court of New Jersey

Tsiwen M. Law, Esq.  
Law & Associates, L.L.C.
Member, APABA-PA

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