Asian Law Students Association hosts diversity banquet, fosters leadership opportunities

The Asian Law Students Association (ALSA) is an academic and professional law student organization dedicated to creating a strong social network for all who are interested in cultivating a community of support at the University of Kansas School of Law. Every year, ALSA works closely with other minority groups in promoting social events, mentorship programs, and charity drives.

We are honored to host the 17th Annual Diversity in Law Banquet this year, with KU Law alumnus David Lloyd as the guest speaker. David graduated from KU Law in 2007, and he has been able to successfully apply his degree in a variety of different fields. Some of David’s many accomplishments include working at a large law firm, as a consultant, and as a law professor, as well as starting his own business.

The Diversity in Law Banquet will be held on March 2, 2012 at Pachamama’s. The banquet, a major fundraiser for the Diversity Scholarship Fund, is a great opportunity to celebrate KU Law’s commitment to diversity. Tickets are available for purchase online.

Last year, ALSA co-hosted the children’s book charity drive with KU Law Legal Entrepreneurs and achieved great success. Our goal was to collect and distribute 1,000 children’s book to low-income health clinics in hopes of promoting the importance of reading and education to underprivileged children. After months of planning and consistent announcements, we were able to collect hundreds of children’s book from faculty, students and local law firms. The books were distributed to the Lawrence-Douglas Health Department, Mercy Hospital, Health Care Access Clinic, and Willow Domestic Violence Center.

ALSA members also attend various functions sponsored by other law firms, bar associations, and conferences. These functions include:

  • Diversity happy hour events hosted by Lathrop & Gage and Seigfreid Bingham.
  • Diversity open houses hosted by Legal Aid of Western Missouri and the Asian American Bar Association of KC.
  • Regional conferences hosted by the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) and the Young Asian American Professional Association (YAPA).

Our members will continue to be actively involved in community services and promote greater awareness of the role of students as future advocates and leaders in the Asian legal community. We hope to continue to expand our presence at the University of Kansas School of Law through many future events!

Juliette Nguyen, Vice President, Asian Law Students Association