On October 11 - 14, 2000, Russ Hom, Rick Sueyoshi, Donna Tamanaha, Patty Reeves, Ruthe Ashley, and Nancy Lee, leaders of the Asian Bar of Sacramento (ABAS), attended the 12th annual NAPABA (National Asian Pacific American Bar Association) convention in Washington, D.C. The theme was "Freedom, Justice & Equality: Reaffirming our Commitment."

ABAS is one of 36 Asian Pacific American Bar associations affiliated with NAPABA, the national umbrella organization. As all NAPABA conventions are, this one was packed with panels designed to stimulate, inform, and educate API lawyers. There were workshops focused on litigation skills, such as the workshop on expert witnesses or enhancing your evidence with technology; a salute to public sector lawyers, featuring Congressman Robert T. Matsui; how to market oneself; a panel on hate crimes; and a discussion of the Wen Ho Lee case.

Donna Tomanaha, Patty Reeves, Ruthe Ashley, Rick Sueyoshi, Rusell Hom in front of the U.S. Supreme Court

Patty Reeves, Deputy Attorney General Bill Lan Lee, Donna Tamanaha, Rick Sueyoshi, Russell Hom at the Smithsonian Sackler Gallery reception.

For the first time NAPABA put on a bar leadership institute, which concluded with a special tour of the White House and Capitol. One of the highlights of the convention, especially for our local delegation was the presentation of the Trailblazer Award. In the beautiful setting of the Arthur M. Sackler Gallery of Asian Art at the Smithsonian Institution, Patty Reeves had the honor of presenting the award to Michael R. Yamaki, appointments secretary to Governor Gray Davis.

At the gala dinner on the final evening of the convention, Attorney-General Janet Reno spoke to a packed crowd. Photos are up on the ABAS website at asianbar.tripod.com/ and appear compliments of our photographer and future president Russ Hom.

ABAS Members, Donna Tomanaha, Patty Reeves, Ruthe Ashley, Russell Hom, and Rick Sueyoshi with NAPABA Trailblazer Awardee Gov. Davis' Appointments Secretary Michael Yamaki and Maeley Tom

ABAS Members Rick Sueyoshi, Nancy Lee, Patty Reeves, Donna Tamanaha, Russell Hom and law students Candace Chung and Karen Locher at the NAPABA Installation Dinner featuring Attorney General Janet Reno.