Month: September 2014

As you may be aware, there are widespread pro-democracy protests currently taking place in Hong Kong.  This is in response to China’s decision to restrict candidate nominations for Hong Kong’s election for chief executive in 2017.  China decreed that any potential candidates must be endorsed by Beijing before securing a spot on the ballot.  The protests started shortly after this decision in late August and culminated the weekend of September 27-28, 2014 in mass sit-ins taking place in major areas of Hong Kong.

On September 28, there were confirmed reports in the international media, as well as photographic and video evidence, about the excessive and disproportionate use of force by the Hong Kong Police against peaceful demonstrators.  The Hong Kong Police used teargas, pepper spray and batons to disperse the crowds, many of whom were young students.  The demonstrators only had umbrellas, plastic wrap and goggles as protection, and were otherwise unarmed.

The Hong Kong Bar Association (“HKBA”) released a statement on September 29, 2014 condemning the actions of the Hong Kong Police.  The HKBA recognized that “there can be scope for disagreement on the underlying political debate or demands leading to the demonstration”, but that the use of excessive or disproportionate force could not be justified.  FACL agrees with the HKBA’s statement against the Police’s excessive and disproportionate use of force and offers the following message of support from our President, Lai-King Hum.

To the Hong Kong Bar Association:

I write to you in my capacity as President of the Federation of Asian Canadian Lawyers. Please see attached our Statement in support of the Statement of the HKBA on the Use of Force by the Hong Kong Police at Harcourt Road on 28 September 2014.

Lai-King Hum
President, Federation of Asian Canadian Lawyers

To review the above-referenced Statements:

Statement from the Hong Kong Bar Association dated September 28, 2014

FACL’s Statement in Support of the Hong Kong Bar Association dated September 30, 2014

FACL’s Statement has also been posted in the “FACL Press Releases and Submissions” section of our Media page.

FACL previously wrote to Justice Minister Peter MacKay raising concerns regarding the federal judicial appointment process and the lack of diversity among federally-appointed judges.  This was based on the Globe and Mail article which indicated that only 3 of the past 200 new judges appointed are visible minorities. In our letter of May 7, 2014, FACL requested a meeting with the Minister to discuss potential initiatives to improve the representation of minorities on the bench.  Minister MacKay turned down our request by his letter dated June 26, 2014, “due to a heavy schedule”.

FACL wrote another letter to Minister MacKay on June 23, 2014, to again request a meeting to discuss initiatives to improve the representation of racialized minorities on the federally appointed bench.  Other member associations of the Roundtable of Diversity Associations expressed a desire to join this meeting.

In his letter dated September 16, 2014, Minister MacKay declined our request for a meeting on this “important matter”, citing his heavy schedule.  We are disappointed, but not surprised, by his refusal given the Minister’s previous comments at the council of the Ontario Bar Association on June 13, 2014.

We believe a joint meeting with the diversity associations and the Minister would have been fruitful to address this ongoing concern with federal judicial appointments.  FACL will continue its ongoing efforts to advocate for a more representative judiciary.

Please click on the links below to view our second exchange of correspondence with the Minister:

FACL Letter to Justice Minister Peter MacKay dated June 23, 2014

Response from Justice Minister Peter MacKay dated September 16, 2014

All of FACL’s correspondence with the Justice Minister on this issue have been posted under the Judicial and Legal Diversity in Canada section of our Media page.

FEDERATION OF ASIAN CANADIAN LAWYERS ANNOUNCES WINNERS OF 2014 FACL AWARDS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 19, 2014
Contact: Chris Hope, VP Communications
christopher.m.hope@gmail.com

TORONTO – The Federation of Asian Canadian Lawyers (FACL) has selected the recipients of the 2014 FACL Awards. The FACL Awards recognize talented individuals in the Pan-Asian Canadian community who have demonstrated excellence in their field while maintaining a strong commitment to community service.The Awards will be presented on September 27, 2014 at the combined FACL/National Asian Pacific American Bar Association Gala at the Sheraton Centre Hotel in Toronto, to the following recipients:

Edward Hung (posthumous) – Lifetime Achievement
Constance L. Sugiyama* – Lawyer of Distinction
Kenneth Jim – Young Lawyer of the Year
Jason Tam – Social Justice Award
Gary Yee – Daniel Mark Public Sector Award
Ernest Tuckett – Corporate Diversity and Leadership Award

The 2014 honourees continue the FACL legacy of excellence and leadership in both the legal and pan-Asian Canadian communities. This year’s honourees have vast and varied experiences from leading the largest national law firms, trying and winning major cases, representing Fortune 500 companies, and tirelessly advocating to protect the civil rights of under-represented Canadians of all backgrounds. FACL congratulates each of the 2014 winners and looks forward to their ongoing successes!
Detailed conference information available online at: http://facl.ca/facl-gala-2/facl_neregional_2014/.

All media inquiries should be directed to FACL VP Communications Chris Hope (as above).

*2014 Recipient of the Order of Canada

[This Press Release is archived on our Media page under “Press Releases and Submissions” and is also available here in PDF format: Federation of Asian Canadian Lawyers – 2014 FACL AWARDS]

MESSAGE FROM FACL PRESIDENT LAI-KING HUM

Hello FACL Members:

FACL has decided to endorse Jin Hwang, candidate for President-Elect of NAPABA. Jin has been a long-time friend to FACL and we are proud to support her candidature. However, apart from being a friend to FACL, Jin has been consistent with her leadership and her passion for the goals of NAPABA (which are the same as FACL’s). Please read Jin’s mesage below, and exercise your right as FACL members to vote in NAPABA’s executive elections.

Lai-King Hum
President, FACL

MESSAGE FROM JIN HWANG, NAPABA PRESIDENT-ELECT CANDIDATE

Thank you to FACL for endorsing me as NAPABA President-Elect!  NAPABA has been undergoing unprecedented growth these last 3-4 years, and I have been a key leader in helping to achieve that growth.  I strongly believe I am the best candidate for NAPABA President-Elect based on my 4+ years of recent Board experience as Northeast RG and VP Programs & Operations, strong continuity of leadership, consensus-building leadership style, and detailed initiatives, which are well-aligned with the NAPABA Strategic Plan, for NAPABA’s even greater success in the years to come.  Many respected NAPABA leaders agree and are endorsing me including past NAPABA Presidents, Leadership Advisory Council members, solo and small firm pioneers, prominent in-house counsel, and government attorneys as well as 7 affiliates across North America (FACL, APALA-NJ, APABA-DC, AABA of Houston, KABA-San Diego, AAABA (Arizona affiliate), and LAPABA (Louisiana affiliate)).  My candidate statement can be found athttp://www.napaba.org/uploads/napaba/statementJHwang2014.pdf, and feel free to contact me at Jin.Hwang@VerizonWireless.com with any questions.

I have been a strong proponent of FACL and met many of you when attending FACL’s annual conference and gala over the last 4 years, including serving as a panelist twice.  As FACL members, you are members of NAPABA and eligible to vote in NAPABA’s elections. Voting ends on Sept. 12^th, and every vote counts.  Thank you for your vote, and I look forward to celebrating with you in person at the FACL/NAPABA Northeast Regional Conference Sept. 27^th and in Scottsdale, Arizona at the NAPABA National Convention Nov. 6-9, 2014!

ELLIGIBILITY AND HOW TO CAST A BALLOT IN THE NAPABA ELECTION

NAPABA Statement of Eligibility: Only members in good standing as of August 1, 2014, are eligible to vote in NAPABA elections. Members must be admitted to the practice of law and (a) be in good standing with the bar of any state, territory, or province of the United States, the District of Columbia, or Canada, or (b) have heretofore met the requirements in category (a) and now be retired. Associate members – which include law students, paralegals, and legal assistants – are not eligible to vote in NAPABA elections. By casting an electronic ballot, you certify that, to the best of your knowledge, you are a member in good standing.

If you were a FACL member in good standing as of August 1^st, 2014, you are eligible to vote and you should have received a ballot by email.  If you did not receive a ballot and you would like to vote, please contact FACL VP Communications Chris Hope atchristopher.m.hope@gmail.com for membership verification and NAPABA confirmation.

The voting deadline for the NAPABA election is September 12, 2014 at 11:59 PDT.

Please feel free to direct any other questions regarding the NAPABA election to:elections@napaba.org.

FACL strongly supports the decision by the Law Society of Upper Canada to refuse to accredit the proposed law program of Trinity Western University in British Columbia.

To view the full formal statement of FACL, CLICK HERE.

The statement has also been posted under the Press Release section of our Media page.