A new group for lawyers of Asian ethnicity, New Zealand Asian Leaders (NZAL) Lawyers, will be launched in Auckland on 10 June 2019.

NZAL was established in 2013 to allow Asian leaders to connect, inspire and grow Asian leaders across New Zealand.

NZAL Lawyers is being established to mentor Asian lawyers and to help them to contribute to the profession and to succeed. NZAL Lawyers will also provide expertise on issues concerning Asians and the law.

The chair of NZAL, Mai Chen, says the formation of the group is timely given the growing numbers of Asians in New Zealand and especially Auckland (where one in three people are Asians), and the growing number of Asian lawyers. There are issues and challenges for Asian lawyers and clients which NZAL Lawyers can assist with.

New Zealand Law Society President Tiana Epati will launch NZAL Lawyers and give an address on how ethnic lawyers can contribute to the profession.

This will be followed by a symposium of distinguished Asian lawyers including former Governor-General, Ombudsman and District Court Judge Rt Hon Sir Anand Satyanand, District Court Judge Sanjay Patel, and former Ombudsman Leo Donnelly.

The launch and symposium will take place from 5:30pm to 7pm, Monday, 10 June in Auckland CPD credits will be available for attending the symposium.

The symposium topics are:

How can Asian lawyers succeed in court? Chaired by Mai Chen, Managing Partner, Chen Palmer Partners. Speakers are Sir Anand Satyanand and Judge Sanjay Patel.

How do Asian lawyers succeed in legal practice? Led by Arthur Loo, co-founder and partner, Loo & Koo.

How can Asian lawyers succeed in the state sector? Led by Leo Donnelly, former Ombudsman.

What issues and challenges do Asian clients face in the legal system? Led by Stella Chan, co-founder and partner, Forest Harrison.

Further information on the launch or about joining NZAL Lawyers is available from karinia.lee@nzasianleaders.com