ABOUT US
Our History
The Missouri Asian American Bar Association (MAABA) was officially formed in October 2001, but the idea of forming an Asian bar association in Missouri had been kicked around by some of the original members of the organization for some years prior. The association’s first president, Diane Yu (now residing in New York City), was also a founding member of the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA). She was instrumental in gathering many of us to the first organizational meeting. As a newcomer to St. Louis and a seasoned bar leader, Diane was instrumental in garnering support and membership for MAABA from other bar organizations, locally and statewide.
Our Founding Members include: Ari Bai, Keith Cheung, Hon. Judy Draper, Tony Gao, Linda Ji, Hee Jun "Jay" Kim, Priscilla Lim, Edgar Lim, Maylin Mahoney, Justin Meehan, James Robinson, Ignatius Yuan, and Diane Yu.
MAABA Mission Statement
- To represent and advocate on a state level the interests of Asian-American attorneys and communities
- To foster the exchange of ideas and information among and between its members and other members of the legal profession, the judiciary and the legal community
- To encourage and promote the professional growth of its members
- To coordinate legal services to our Asian-American communities on a local and national level
- To serve as a statewide network of communication among the Asian-American legal community
- To provide an opportunity for fellowship among its members
- To facilitate client referrals and to increase opportunities for Asian-American law students, lawyers and judges
- To present programs of an educational nature aimed at the needs of Asian-American attorneys
- To encourage cooperation with other organizations of minority attorneys
- To provide a vehicle and forum for the unified expression of opinions and positions by members upon current social, political, economic, legal or other matters or events of concern to the membership
National Affiliation
MAABA is an affiliate of NAPABA, the nation's largest Asian Pacific American membership organization representing the interest of 60,000 attorneys, judges, law professors, and law students.
NAPABA is
- The national voice for the Asian Pacific American legal profession.
- Promotes justice, equity, and opportunity for Asian Pacific Americans.
- Fosters professional development, legal scholarship, advocacy, and community involvement.
Current MAABA Leadership
May L. Yeh
President
Courtney Chen
Vice President
Christopher Lee
Treasurer
Mackenzie Arnold
Secretary