The Vietnamese American Bar Association of the Greater Washington, DC Area, Inc. (VABA-DC) exists to promote the professional growth and advancement of Vietnamese American attorneys, encourage and facilitate the entry of Vietnamese American students into the legal profession, and contribute to the public interest by serving as a voice for the local Vietnamese American community and assisting community members with legal concerns. As part of its mission, VABA-DC collaborates with other Asian American groups on issues that affect our members and our community.

Conceived by a small group of Vietnamese American attorneys in Fall 2006, VABA-DC was formally incorporated in Spring 2007. In February 2009, we awarded scholarships to two truly impressive and community-minded law students at our Inaugural Scholarship Dinner, which was attended by approximately 120 attorneys, law students, community leaders and guests. Congressman Anh “Joseph” Cao was the evening’s Keynote Speaker.

VABA-DC is one of four VABAs in the nation, and the only one on the East Coast. At bottom, we are a group of attorneys and law students who recognize the importance of remaining engaged with our communities even as we work to advance in the mainstream. We are a professional association that understands that the strongest professional bonds are those that also contain elements of genuine friendship. We always welcome new members who, regardless of ethnicity and background, share and contribute to our mission. We look forward to meeting you and seeing you at our events.

VABA-DC Inaugural Reception - March 27, 2008

On March 27, 2008, VABA-DC officially introduced itself to the community.  Approximately 45 Vietnamese American attorneys, students, bar association presidents and community leaders gathered at WilmerHale for the Inaugural Reception of the Vietnamese American Bar Association of the Greater Washington DC Area (VABA-DC).