Akin Gump Joins with Legal and Business Communities to Launch Initiative to Combat Anti-Asian Violence

April 16, 2021

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Jacinta O'Shea-Ramdeholl

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Sarah Richmond

Senior Communications Manager

In light of the surge in anti-Asian violence across the country, a group of Fortune 1000 general counsel and more than 40 law firms, including Akin Gump, announced the creation of The Alliance for Asian American Justice, a national pro bono initiative committed to standing up for victims, and preventing future acts, of anti-Asian hate.

The Alliance will coordinate and drive law firm pro bono resources on behalf of victims to assist and support them in obtaining legal remedies. This can include providing victims with counsel to bring lawsuits to seek compensatory and other civil remedies or working with law enforcement to ensure that perpetrators are held accountable, where appropriate. The Alliance will also identify additional resources, when relevant, that will help victims navigate this challenging time, including specialized legal services, social services and other community support.

Commenting on the launch of the Alliance, Akin Gump partner Arshi Siddiqui, co-chair of the firm’s Asian Firmwide Resource Group commented, “We cannot afford to let these incidents of anti-Asian hate go unanswered, and I am proud that Akin Gump is among the firms joining together to launch this effort. So many of us in the AAPI community know first-hand what our parents and grandparents sacrificed to pave the way for the next generation. By joining together with longstanding advocacy organizations, Fortune 1000 companies and other law firms, Akin Gump will work to uphold and protect the civil rights of those who fall prey to anti-Asian violence.” 

Fellow Akin Gump partner Parvin Moyne added, “It is an honor to work with our Alliance colleagues to help victims and stop the hate and violence directed at Asian Americans. By banding together and marshalling our resources, we will be able to meaningfully fight against the injustice and scourge of anti-Asian hate.”

The National Asian Pacific American Bar Association, Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund, Asian Americans Advancing Justice and other frontline legal and community organizations will perform the initial intake with victims of anti-Asian hate and refer them to the Alliance.

More information about the effort may be found here.

Akin Gump chairperson Kim Koopersmith spoke out forcefully on the issue of anti-Asian hate and violence earlier in the year in a message for the Lunar New Year. That message may be viewed here.

Founded in 1945, Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP is a leading international law firm with more than 900 lawyers in offices throughout the United States, Europe, Asia and the Middle East.

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