About

Vision Statement

We, the Asian Pacific American Law Students Associations (APALSAs) of the eight leading Bay Area law schools, proudly sponsor Aspire: A New Direction – the Ninth Annual Bay Area Asian Pacific Americans Law Students Association (BAAPALSA) Conference.

Our inaugural conference, Building Bridges, established the foundation for future BAAPALSA conferences. The conference was created in 2001 to promote education, leadership, social awareness and community service, as well as to foster communication and interaction among Asian Pacific American law students, attorneys, and community leaders. In the wake of the September 11, 2001 tragedy, we ventured further into the issues faced by Asian Pacific American communities in the 2002 conference, Crossing Boundaries. In 2003, we began to understand the power of cooperation, concerted effort, and networks in Connecting our Communities. Then in 2004, we examined our potential to translate our awareness into leadership in the community with Reflection to Action. In 2005, with .community, we explored the link between the Bay Area’s IP landscape and the Asian American legal community. With Gateway to Unity in 2006, we emphasized the promotion of cultural understanding and unity among the various APA ethnic subgroups, as well as the ways in which established attorneys can help act as “gateways” for those just entering the profession. In 2007, we recognized the long tradition of community involvement among Asian Pacific American legal professionals in Community. Justice.  Last year, under the theme of The New Faces of Justice, we recognized the value of individuals and communities in the pursuit of justice.

This year, 2009, we have chosen Aspire: A New Direction, to address adapting to the changing legal profession in light of the unprecented events that have defined this year's economic and political landscapes.  The conference seeks to highlight various career options for budding attorneys and promote discussion on pressing issues relevant to the legal community (eg. immigration, voting, pro bono work). It is a forum for students to connect with their peers and role models about their immediate career decisions as well as the potential avenues of exploration in the future.  Aspire: A New Direction is designed to bring together individuals who wish to use their legal skills to not just benefit their careers but also give back to our community, especially in the face of evolving political and economic times.   

Bay Area APALSA members recognize our responsibility as Asian Pacific Americans in the legal profession to act as leaders and advocates for our communities. Today, we gather with the hope that the panels we attend, the conversations we join, and the people we meet and hear will instill in each of us a stronger sense of community and the inspiration to do great things and lead by example. We hope that BAAPALSA 2009 will energize us all to recognize the unique ways that lawyers can contribute to society.