The AEF Annual Benefit Dinner (Part 1)

Poor James Sandman. He’s a partner at Arnold & Porter, one of Washington’s most prestigious law firms, and he’s president of the DC Bar. But ever since he wrote that mean article complaining about associate pay raises, nobody will sit next to him at parties….
(Okay, we jest. The seats next to Jim Sandman were subsequently filled. In fact, he was at our table — and we found him to be a most agreeable dinner companion. There were some associates sitting near him, and Mr. Sandman made no attempt to steal food from their mouths.)
Earlier this week, we attended — and served as the emcee for — the annual benefit dinner of the Asian Pacific American Bar Assocation Educational Fund (AEF).
It was a wonderful event (and not just ’cause we won two Supreme Court bobbleheads in the silent auction). It featured inspiring speeches from Dr. Nguyen Dinh Thang, executive director of Boat People SOS, and Congresswoman Mazie K. Hirono, Democrat of Hawaii. It was tons of fun. And it raised money for AEF’s charitable and educational activities, including its public service fellowships for law students.
Of course we took lots of pictures. Check out the first batch — more will follow later — after the jump.



Who says IP lawyers aren’t cute? Left to right: Rama Elluru, of Fish & Richardson; Laura Robinson, of Sidley & Austin; and Brian Koo, of Sidley & Austin.

Who says Kirkland & Ellis lawyers don’t leave the office before nine on a weeknight? Walter Lohmann heads the firm’s environmental transactional practice group. Kate O’Scannlain Johnson has fabulous fashion sense (and is the daughter of a judicial celebrity, our former boss, Judge Diarmuid F. O’Scannlain).

AEF’s fearless leader: President Peter Ohr.

Jessie Liu, of the DOJ’s National Security Division, is on the lookout for terrorists. We previously praised her here.
Also pictured: her brilliant husband, Professor Michael Abramowicz (center), and AEF prez Peter Ohr.

AEF treasurer Alex Nguyen, an associate at Kirkland & Ellis.

Eunnice Eun, also of K&E. We’ll have what she’s having!

“What is her secret for such soft and manageable hair?”

Earlier: Programming Note: The AEF Annual Dinner
The Most Fun Tuesday Night You’ll Have in a Long Time

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