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PRESS RELEASE: Supporting the Expansion of Current Voir Dire Process

March 4, 2024 — The Asian Pacific American Bar Association of Maryland (APABA-MD)* is writing in support of SB 827 and HB 1079 in hopes of further advocating for equity and impartiality within the judicial process. Since our establishment as a non-profit organization in 2002, APABA-MD’s goals have included promoting the quality of legal service to the Asian Pacific American community, monitoring legislative, judicial, and administrative actions that may significantly impact the Asian Pacific American community, and strengthening equal opportunities to ensure equal participation and treatment to eliminate prejudice against Asian Pacific Americans.  

We write in support of expanding the current voir dire process. Maryland’s existing system of limited voir dire relies on jurors to self-assess their own biases and provides limited demographic information about potential jurors. By enacting the expansion of voir dire as a part of the juror selection process, attorneys will receive additional information to assess whether potential jurors have any bias or prejudice that could prevent a juror’s ability to render a fair and impartial verdict. Ensuring that everyone has a right to a fair and impartial trial by jury free from bias is a prominent interest to APABA-MD, and the expansion of voir dire will further that interest.

*Members of the Maryland Judiciary abstained from participating in the decision-making process authorizing this statement by APABA-MD.

PRESS RELEASE: Support of SB50 and HB394

February 7, 2024 — The Asian Pacific American Bar Association of Maryland (APABA-MD) is writing in support of SB50 and HB394 in hopes of further advocating for equity and impartiality within the judicial and administrative process. Since our establishment as a non-profit organization in 2002, APABA-MD’s goals have included promoting the quality of legal service to the Asian Pacific American community, monitoring legislative, judicial, and administrative actions that may significantly impact the Asian Pacific American community, and strengthening equal opportunities to ensure equal participation and treatment to eliminate prejudice against Asian Pacific Americans.

We recognize that there has been a rise of hate crimes against the Asian Pacific American community as well as a long history of racism and public accommodations discrimination against Asian Americans. APABA-MD writes in support of these two bills because we are particularly interested in advocating for full access to the courts, which are both critical to protecting individuals and Asian Pacific Americans from further discrimination and enforcing equitable legal procedures, all in support of APABA-MD’s mission.  

PRESS RELEASE: Gwenlynn D’Souza Appointed Administrative Law Judge in Maryland

September 11, 2023 — Please join us in celebrating Gwenlynn (Gwen) D’Souza's recent appointment as an Administrative Law Judge for the Maryland Office of Administrative Hearings, commencing October 4, 2023. 

In 2014, Gwen D’Souza was appointed as an Administrative Law Judge at the District of Columbia Department of Employment Services in the Administrative Hearings Division. Judge D’Souza adjudicated workers’ compensation cases. In 1996, after receiving her Juris Doctor from The Catholic University of America Columbus School of Law, she began an eighteen-year career in the private sector. She litigated employment matters at the federal, state, local, and administrative levels. 

Judge D’Souza has been an active member of bar and judicial associations in the State of Maryland and District of Columbia. She is a long-time member of APABA-MD, APABA-DC, SABA-DC, and the Asian Pacific American Judicial Council. Judge D’Souza is also the recipient of the Chair’s Award for Exceptional Service from the Maryland State Bar Association Litigation Section and the Award for Outstanding Service from the Maryland Hispanic Bar Association. In addition, she directed District 4 of the National Association of Women Judges, participated in legal and judicial educational programs, and authored several legal works. 

APABA-MD is proud to have Gwen D’Souza as an active member and positive representation of the Asian American and Pacific Islanders community. 

Congratulations! 

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The Asian Pacific American Bar Association of Maryland (APABA-MD) is an affiliate of the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA). APABA-MD represents the interests of Asian American and Pacific Islander legal professionals and students. APABA-MD provides a strong voice for the AAPI community in Maryland and beyond by promoting public service, advocating for equal opportunities, monitoring legislative, judicial, and administrative actions, encouraging mentorship and professional development, and eliminating discrimination through allyship.