Firm Recognizes AAPI Month with Employee Panels

Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month is celebrated annually during the month of May. It’s a time to recognize and learn more about Asian and Pacific Islander culture, history, contributions, sacrifices and victories.

At BCLP, we have learned that sharing personal stories and perspectives is incredibly powerful in driving inclusion. To mark AAPI Month, the firmwide Inclusion & Diversity Team will share programming, interviews and resources to raise awareness and help educate one another. 

On May 24, the firm will offer all employees the chance to view a keynote panel discussion focused on the rise and history of anti-Asian violence in the United States. The panel will be moderated by Partner George Chen, past president of the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association. Panelists will include Counsel Angela Hsu, current president of the Georgia Asian Pacific American Bar Association; Sandy Leung, executive board member of the Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund (AALDEF); and Phil Tajitsu Nash, adjunct lecturer at the University of Maryland Asian American Studies Program and AALDEF Board member.

In addition, BCLP/Off Script in May will include two episodes focused on the experiences of Asian American and Pacific Islander colleagues. Counsel Angela Hsu will talk with Partner Amit Parekh and Associate Puanani Norwood.

BCLP launched the diversity podcast BCLP/Off Script in July 2020 to focus on the open and sometimes uncomfortable conversations we need to be having right now. Introduced in the wake of the death of George Floyd, it has since expanded to include meaningful discussions on the experience of women, LGBTQ*, disabled, Jewish, Hispanic, Black and AAPI colleagues.

“BCLP is dedicated to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment where everyone, regardless of race, ethnicity, nationality or heritage, feels able to bring their true selves to work every day,” said Inclusion & Diversity Director (US) Tommy Shi. “There is a growing sense of responsibility, ownership and accountability for inclusion and diversity across the firm, and we must continue to work together to ensure we enact meaningful and lasting change.”