August 2006 will mark the 18th anniversary of the founding of the Dallas Asian-American Bar Association. In 1988, there were approximately 15 Asian-American attorneys in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. Today in 2006, there are over 250. In 1988, there was only one Asian-American partner at a major firm in Dallas; today, the number is approaching ten. A landmark event occurred in 2001 when Hon. Karen Gren Johnson became the first elected judge in Dallas County. In 2003, the Honorable Brenda Rhodes, a past DAABA President, was appointed as the first Asian American Bankruptcy Judge in the 5th Circuit.

DAABA was founded to promote the interests of Asian-American attorneys and the Asian-American community. It is a chapter of the National Asian/Pacific-American Bar Association ("NAPABA"). Don Joe was DAABA's first President and continues to serve diligently and tirelessly as the organization's Treasurer over the years. Michele Wong Krause, a past DAABA president, served on a committee sponsored by the Texas Legislature to study merit selection of Texas judges. DAABA provides marketing and networking opportunities for its members, mentoring programs for law students and pro bono legal assistance for Asian-Americans. In 1999, under the efforts and leadership of then-President Suzy Fulton and the efforts of past presidents over many years, all DAABA Presidents have gained a voting seat on the Board of Directors of the Dallas Bar Association (DBA). The President-Elect also occupies an Advisory Director seat on the DBA Board.

In 2004, DAABA hosted the NAPABA's Annual Convention. Over 500 Asian American attorneys from all over the United States of America attended this three day event.

Member Benefits

Members of the Dallas Asian-American Bar Association ("DAABA") enjoy the following benefits:

• Discount on Dallas Bar Association dues;
• Discount on National Asian/Pacific-American Bar Association("NAPABA") annual convention;
• Subscription to NAPABA newsletter and access to the NAPABA website;
• Weekly e-Newsletters reporting on upcoming events, job listings, and business and networking opportunities;
• Listing in DAABA members web page;
• Networking events with other DAABA members, DBA members, and members of the Asian American community;
• Promotion of Asian American attorneys at the Dallas Bar Association and the State Bar of Texas and with the judiciary;
• Mentor program for local law students; and
• Forums and professional development meetings.

Your dues support DAABA's efforts, and $5 of your dues go directly to NAPABA. Among its many activities, NAPABA promotes Asian-American attorneys for appointments in the federal government and the judiciary, and lobbies regarding legislation affecting Asian-Americans.