APABA-DC is honored to be the 2021 recipient of NAPABA’s Affiliate of the Year Award! This award recognizes outstanding NAPABA affiliates for their best practices and accomplishments in their local communities.

We are thrilled to receive this award in our 40th year of service to the APA community in the Nation’s Capitol. In response to the unique challenges our community has faced during the pandemic, APABA-DC redoubled our efforts to realize our mission: to raise awareness of the critical issues facing the DC APA legal community, foster the professional growth and advancement of our members, and collaborate with community organizations to serve the community at large. Over the last year, APABA-DC led 20 diverse bar associations, APA legal student associations, and prominent legal organizations in the DC area in issuing a joint statement condemning the hate crimes and acts of discrimination targeting APAs, and helped persuade local leaders to take action to meaningfully address them.  In the weeks following the horrific Atlanta shooting, APABA-DC worked swiftly to organize a series of panels focused on how the federal, state, and local governments can combat anti-APA hate and extremism. 

In addition to addressing these important issues, APABA-DC brought our community together to create a safe space for all of us to connect and reflect together. Even in a virtual environment, we found time to laugh, create, and relax together through our holiday-themed murder mystery party, lunar new year magic show, musical performances, comedy show, cooking and fitness classes, local APA brewery and boozy milkshake tastings for in-house counsel, informal “Lawyers in Sweatpants” coffee hours, and many other programs. 

On behalf of the APABA-DC Board, we thank you for your support and contributions to APABA-DC’s mission. The strength of our board, members, and community made this award possible.