Asian American Bar Association of Greater Chicago (AABA Chicago)

October is Hate Crimes Awareness Month. Anti-Asian hate crimes remain elevated as compared to pre-pandemic figures, and there has been a marked increase in religious bias against Asian communities in recent years, particularly communities in the Sikh, Muslim, Hindu and Buddhist faiths, according to Asian Americans Advancing Justice | AAJC. The recent news of an allegedly planned mass shooting targeting worshippers at Sri Venkateswara Temple in Aurora, Illinois has disturbed the nation. These incidents have occurred against a backdrop of hate and violence. For example, recently in Wyoming, a Punjabi Sikh truck driver was repeatedly stabbed at a rest stop. See Miriam Jordan, NYTimes, A Sikh Truck Driver Was Stabbed at a Rest Stop. Others Feel Targeted Too (Sept 13, 2026). We acknowledge that news of this nature, especially when it happens in “our backyard,” is disorienting and deeply hurtful. But we need not look far for solutions. AABA issues this statement as a reminder that we can find strength in one another, and strength in our community. The solution to hate lies in its opposite: the celebration of diversity, building connection across differences, and helping neighbors in need. AABA would like to take this opportunity to uplift organizations that have been engaged in the work of building safer and more resilient communities. The following list is of course not exhaustive, and we encourage our members to share resources, solutions and to check on your neighbor. For AABA's full statement: 🔗https://lnkd.in/gZdmpspU 📌South Asian American Policy & Research Institute 📌Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights 📌KAN-WIN 📌Southern Poverty Law Center

READY, GET SET, VOTE! Illinois voters, take these steps to make sure you’re vote-ready for the Nov. 3rd General Election. ✅ Check your voter registration. 🔗 https://lnkd.in/ei6Dr2h ✅ Decide whether you will vote by mail or in person. If you want to vote by mail (or drop box), you must apply for each election or join the permanent vote-by-mail roster to automatically receive a mail ballot for this and future elections. 📅 October 29 is the vote by mail application deadline. Chicago voters can apply to vote by mail here: 🔗 https://lnkd.in/gv7ETXuT. Suburban Cook County voters can apply to vote by mail here: 🔗https://lnkd.in/gb2ssiZy. If you’re voting in person, find your polling place: 🔗 https://lnkd.in/gbunhM2k. Early voting in Cook County is live! ✅ Know your judicial candidates. Check out the Alliance of Bar Associations for Judicial Screening’s ratings for Cook County judicial candidates: 🔗 https://lnkd.in/gRvF7dWq. AABA is a member of the Alliance. We rate judicial candidates based on detailed information supplied by candidates, a background check, and interviews of each candidates. Ratings reflect the Alliance’s opinion of whether candidates have the necessary qualifications for judicial service and are not a reflection of the candidates’ abilities as lawyers or judges. Questions or issues relating to voting? You can speak with a trained election protection volunteer by calling 866-OUR-VOTE (866-687-8683).

READY, GET SET, VOTE! Illinois voters, take these steps to make sure you’re vote-ready for the Nov. 3rd General Election. ✅ Check your voter registration. 🔗 https://lnkd.in/ei6Dr2h ✅ Decide whether you will vote by mail or in person. If you want to vote by mail (or drop box), you must apply for each election or join the permanent vote-by-mail roster to automatically receive a mail ballot for this and future elections. 📅 October 29 is the vote by mail application deadline. Chicago voters can apply to vote by mail here: 🔗 https://lnkd.in/gv7ETXuT. Suburban Cook County voters can apply to vote by mail here: 🔗https://lnkd.in/gb2ssiZy. If you’re voting in person, find your polling place: 🔗 https://lnkd.in/gbunhM2k. Early voting in Cook County is live! ✅ Know your judicial candidates. Check out the Alliance of Bar Associations for Judicial Screening’s ratings for Cook County judicial candidates: 🔗 https://lnkd.in/gRvF7dWq. AABA is a member of the Alliance. We rate judicial candidates based on detailed information supplied by candidates, a background check, and interviews of each candidates. Ratings reflect the Alliance’s opinion of whether candidates have the necessary qualifications for judicial service and are not a reflection of the candidates’ abilities as lawyers or judges. Questions or issues relating to voting? You can speak with a trained election protection volunteer by calling 866-OUR-VOTE (866-687-8683).

Big thanks to Paula Yoo for her amazing presentation about the 1992 Los Angeles Uprising (aka riots), which one audience member wrote was "the most interesting and informative presentation I've seen all year." Paula's book Rising from the Ashes tells the stories of Rodney King, Latasha Harlins, Edward Jae Song Lee, and so many others, and we encourage you to check out her book for yourself. AABA members - please reach out if you'd like to get a link for a recording of the presentation.

As we prepare for the NAPABA 2026 convention in Los Angeles, please join us for a virtual conversation on October 14 with author Paula Yoo about her award-winning book, "Rising from the Ashes," a look at the Los Angeles uprising of 1992 and its aftermath through the stories of Latasha Harlins, Rodney King, and Edward Jae Song Lee.  The conversation will be moderated by AABA immediate past president Stephen Lee.  You can register for free at https://lnkd.in/g67yaHFy This is one of several Asian American history events that AABA has done in connection with NAPABA's recent conventions. Stephen spoke at the Seattle convention about Takuji Yamashita (a civil rights pioneer who was not allowed to become an attorney in the early 20th century because he was not "white" under the law), AABA did a panel at the Denver convention about the 25th anniversary of the Wen Ho Lee case, and AABA hosted a talk afterwards about Colorado Gov. Ralph Carr, one of the few politicians to defend the rights of Japanese American citizens in World War II.

Judge Young B. Kim will be moderating a series of monthly webinar events that kicks off this week. Please join us this Friday, October 9, at 12-1pm CDT for “1L Demystified.” I’m honored to be on this first panel to talk about classes, exams, job applications, and how to prepare for it all. All are welcome to register for this free event at the link below. The next event on November 6 will be a panel of federal judges sharing their thoughts on the value of clerkships and strategies to position yourself as a strong applicant. You can register on AABA Chicago’s “Events” page. You won’t want to miss either of these!

AABA is proud to announce that the Sidebar series with Magistrate Judge Young B. Kim is starting off next week with a tutorial on how to succeed in law school. A fuller description of the event and registration page is below. The event is on zoom, and is free to everyone. Sidebar with Judge Kim - 1L Demystified: A Legal Insider's Guide to Grades, Strategy, and Summer Success October 9, 2026, 12:00-1:00 central, register at https://lnkd.in/dHEA-jn9 The transition into law school presents a steep learning curve, but success in your first year is largely a matter of strategy, preparation, and mindset. Join our panel of recent law graduates for an insightful discussion on navigating the 1L experience. Panelists will share candid advice on what to expect during your first year, proven techniques for mastering law school exams and securing top grades, and proactive steps you can take early on to position yourself for competitive summer employment opportunities.

Thanks to everyone who attended our kickoff event for the 2026-27 bar year and the swearing-in of our new board by Illinois Supreme Court Justice Sanjay Tailor. Please reach out if you'd like to get involved with our committees and our upcoming events (https://lnkd.in/gsVbVQPX), especially as we prepare for the NAPABA 2026 convention this November.

We are excited to hear from SABA Chicago’s very own Hon. Debjani D. Desai alongside Hon. Helen Adams and Hon. Sherine Thomas on best practices for presenting arguments before a court. This is an exceptionally beneficial opportunity for litigators to learn how to improve their courtroom oral advocacy skills from these esteemed judges directly. All are welcome to attend this virtual panel discussion, but registration is required (free for members and first-time attendees)! Find out more and register at the NAWL website: https://lnkd.in/eEHhb8Hs.

Join us to support a fundraiser for judges Christina Kye, Terra Costa Howard, and Margaret "Peggy" O'Connell on Wednesday, September 23, at Noon Whistle Brewing. Scan the QR code below.