Candidate for Director:
Armbien Sabillo
I am Armbien Sabillo (he/him), and I am honored to be considered for the role of Co-Director of the FBANC Professional Development Committee.
The theme for FBANC 43 is “Be the Change,” and as Professional Development Co-Director, I will inspire FBANC members to be the change by being open to change and growth. I will empower FBANC attorneys through three aims: 1) practical, skills-based workshops, 2) informational panels for career transitions, and 3) interdisciplinary networking events.
Aim 1: Practical, skills-based workshops
First, I will organize skills-based workshops for junior attorneys. The goal is to provide practical guidance and training, and to facilitate growth as legal professionals. Trainings will include written and oral communication, advanced networking and negotiation techniques, and effective time and stress management. These skills are both crucial and universally applicable to all practices of law. As Co-Director, I will propose a budget to hire professionals who will coach FBANC attorneys in the skills outlined above. These workshops will be formal, highly interactive, and customized to each attendee. For example, participants can choose to attend events for transactional attorneys rather than litigators, etc. My goal with Aim 1 is to build a solid foundation for junior attorneys and to supplement the skillsets of senior practitioners.
Aim 2: Informational panels for career transitions
Second, I will organize informational panels to facilitate career transitions for FBANC attorneys. As Co-Director, I will organize panels and networking events geared towards attorneys who are considering transitioning to different sectors: whether from firm to in-house, public to private, or from the practice of law to something else altogether. My goal with Aim 2 is for FBANC attorneys to explore different career tracks, and to empower FBANC attorneys to redefine their careers based on their values and long-term goals.
Aim 3: Interdisciplinary networking events
Third, I will challenge FBANC members to be more interdisciplinary in their practice of law. As Co-Director, I will collaborate with the Social Committee to organize networking events with Bay Area Pilipinx organizations in the fields of medicine, engineering, finance, art, and others. The goal is to encourage new collaborations across fields and motivate FBANC attorneys to adopt new ways of thinking. There is strength at the intersection of different ideologies, and FBANC will be enriched by collaborating with other professional groups in the Bay Area. These events will highlight how the law can synergize with other fields to holistically address the needs of the Pilipinx community.
My goal as Co-Director of Professional Development is for the next generation of Pilipinx lawyers and policymakers to have the tools to self-reflect and pursue their true passions. This can be made more possible through an expansive professional development program that nurtures the growth of FBANC attorneys so that we can Be the Change. Thank you for your time and for reading this statement.