History
The Asian-Pacific American Law Students Association (“APALSA”) at SUNY Buffalo Law School was founded in the fall of 1986. It was originally known was the Asian Law Students Association (“ALSA”) as well as the Asian American Law Students Association (“AALSA”).
It was formed to provide support for students of Asian descent, to facilitate Asian law students’ interaction in the law school community, and to provide a forum for discussions on legal issues concerning Asians.
Prior to 1986, many Asian American students were members of Latin American Native American Law Students Association (“LANALSA”) since the mid-1970s. However, after the increasing number of Asian American law students, they decided to establish an independent organization so they could concentrate on their own cultural identity.
The first officers of the fledging group were: Carol S. Ho-Rezvani ’87 as the President, Brian H. Ton ’87 as the Vice President, Mi-ae Park ’89 as the Secretary and Christine Tsai ’88 as the Treasurer. At the time, there were twelve to fifteen members in the organization and Professor David M. Engel was appointed as the organization’s faculty advisor.
Unfortunately, APALSA suffered from a rocky start and within a few years, the organization began to fade. Then in 1990, a student by the name of Maxine Lee took the reins, was voted in as President and completely revived APALSA. Under her leadership, APALSA held events highlighting legal issues of Asian interest like China’s criminal justice system and its treatment of political dissidents as well as inviting guest speakers from the Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund (“AALDEF”) to discuss Asian-Pacific American civil rights and activism.
It was also under Ms. Lee’s leadership that APALSA started its semi-annual potluck dinners at Professor Engel’s house back in 1990. This tradition has remained strong to today.
Since its inception, APALSA has been growing steadily and stronger in presence. Today, APALSA has around 30 members from diverse backgrounds yearly. It is also affiliated with the Asian American Bar Association of New York (“AABANY”) and the Minority Bar Association of Western New York (“MBAWNY”). APALSA hosts regular academic and social events of Asian interest for its members.