Welcome to the website of UC Hastings' Asian/Pacific American Law Students Association.

As one of the largest and most active student organizations at UC Hastings, A/PALSA proudly serves the entire student body of UC Hastings by providing Academic Support, Professional Development, Social Events, and Community Service Opportunities throughout the year. A/PALSA offers unparalleled mentorship and guidance through our Buddy Program, which pairs up incoming students with experienced 2L's and 3L's, according to similar professors, career interests, or other characteristics.

Additionally, A/PALSA organizes several social events throughout the year to give students a welcome break from the monotony and stress of law school. Past activities include beach bonfires, snowboarding trips, picnics, baseball games, and theatre excursions. Every spring, A/PALSA coordinates the annual Culture Night, a festival of all-you-can-eat food, alcoholic beverages and culturally inspired entertainment throughout the evening.

Academically, A/PALSA offers its comprehensive resources online with an exhaustive bank of class outlines, generously donated by Hastings students. A/PALSA also coordinates several student panels every semester to give expert advice on pursuing a summer internship, and choosing your statutory elective in Spring semester. A/PALSA also organizes Cram Sessions every semester before Finals that are taught by proven instructors in those subjects or student TA’s who performed exceptionally well in those classes.

Asian/Pacific American issues are extremely important to the members of A/PALSA. Our connections with the AABA (Asian American Bar Association) and proximity to several public service agencies, such as Asian Law Caucus and API Legal Outreach, provide myriad opportunities for students to contribute to the surrounding community. Many members are passionate about issues such as immigration laws, human trafficking, and international human rights, which affect the Asian / Pacific American population and other people of underprivileged backgrounds. Activists will find A/PALSA to be a forum for political debate as we promote and encourage the furtherance of all minority groups.

A/PALSA offers a variety of resources to the students of UC Hastings. Whether you need a helpful outline two weeks before finals, a group of friends to relax with on Friday night, key advice on getting a judicial clerkship this summer, or a collective of conscientious individuals that will help you combat corporate evil, we are here for you.

Please email me or any other Board members by clicking on our names in the Members section. If you would like to be put on our mailing list, please e-mail our Secretary, Michelle Lee, and she will be more than happy to keep you informed of all the activities and events we have planned for the year. Thank you for visiting our website and make sure to check back constantly! Click on the calendar in the upper-left corner for details about our next get-together and check out the career site for new information on summer jobs and scholarships. Finally, if you have any constructive feedback about our website, emails, presentations, or any general comments regarding our student organization, please write me at apalsa@gmail.com.

Thanks again and we look forward to meeting you in person!

Warm Regards,

Matthew Paik
A/PALSA President, 2007-2008