I became SCCLA's president unexpectedly early in August 1993, when my good friend David Tseng resigned to join the fledgling Clinton administration in Washington, D.C. SCCLA had 403 members at that time, a considerable growth spurt since I first joined the SCCLA Board in 1986.

Judge Ronald Lew administered the oath of office to me at a hastily organized installation dinner held at the Empress Pavilion. Approximately 40 people attended. The guest of honor was Jadine Nielson, Los Angeles' first Chinese American Deputy Mayor, appointed by our new Mayor, Richard Riordan. We also surprised Judge Lew with a plaque honoring his dedication to our community.

During my term our Board of Directors debated and adopted a formal policy on rating candidates for judicial office, as well as when SCCLA would take positions on matters of public controversy. The debate was very vibrant. This policy still serves SCCLA well today.

SCCLA members (including then incoming NAPABA president Brian Sun) played an important role in organizing the tremendously successful 5th Annual NAPABA Convention, held in Los Angeles in November 1993. Attorney General Janet Reno was the installation dinner keynote speaker. The Asian Pacific American Women Lawyers Association (APAWLA) formed a working committee and held its first event, a breakfast reception, in conjunction with the NAPABA convention. The Orange County Asian American Bar Association formed the same month. APA lawyers were clearly on the move!

In addition to SCCLA's traditional events, SCCLA members expanded our holiday food basket program, community educational efforts and programs such as the "Downtown Lawyers Luncheon." We pursued our outreach to other organizations so that our members would have opportunities to interact with Asian Pacific American business people, accountants and other professionals.

SCCLA members once again demonstrated their commitment to providing pro bono services. They generously volunteered their time and expertise to counsel victims of the devastating Northridge Earthquake at day long emergency earthquake clinics in January 1994.

The dedicated officers and board of governors during my term included John Mah, Chris Leong, Debra Yang, Ronald Cheng, Ron Chun, Mary Chu, Gloria Dunn, Francesca Frey, Peter Hwu, Curtis Jung, Henry Wong, Kimberly Wong, Wallace Wong, James Yan and Debbie Young.

All in all, it was an action packed and event filled term as SCCLA president (including my better half Marvin's appointment to the bench) that I remember fondly. I enjoy my current role as an advisor to SCCLA and heartily congratulate the organization on its 25th anniversary.