At the University of Florida’s College of Law, the Asian Pacific American Law Students Association (APALSA) host an annual conference to address issues and challenges faced by Asian lawyers and their Asian clients.  This year, the conference was held at the new Martin Levin Law Advocacy Center, a $5.2 million facility that opened earlier this year, featuring state-of-the art courtroom technology.

Jo-Anne Yau, of the Yau Law Firm (pictured above), was a keynote speaker for two sessions.  First, Ms. Yau addressed “Challenges In & Out of the Courtroom.”  As a Magistrate, presiding over Civil Traffic Court in the Fourth Judicial Circuit of Florida, she shared challenges that even seasoned attorneys face in trial and courtroom settings.  And as an attorney, she offered advice to young Asian attorneys.  In addition, she addressed the needs of the Asian community for representation.  For instance, language and cultural barriers often prevent Asians in Jacksonville and the surrounding area from communicating and enforcing their rights under the law.

The second session in which Ms. Yau was a speaker was “Career Choices in the Economic Downturn.”  Ms. Yau explored the variety of career alternatives available to juris doctor graduates.

The conference, which was March 25-27, also featured a poignant presentation by attorney Jenny Do, from San Jose, California, who delivered her segment along with a photo documentary on human trafficking.

Along with local students, faculty, and attorneys, Florida Coastal School of Law’s APALSA was also in attendance.  Attendees earned 5 hours of CLE credits, and 2.5 hours of ethics credits.  The conference also was worth 1 hour of International Law certification course credit.

Filed under: News & Events by Yau Jo-Anne Wednesday, April 13th, 2011