Aim 1: Strategic Career Coaching

First, I will incorporate more robust career-coaching for FBANC members into the Professional Development programming. For the second annual Liwanag Conference (see Aim 2), I will invite an Executive Coach to conduct a hands-on seminar to help attorneys and law students approach their career planning strategically. This coaching session will be specifically geared towards early- and mid-career attorneys and more senior law students. To complement this approach, I will incorporate a career counseling component into one of our more established flagship events, Night with Fil-Am Professionals (see Aim 3). My plan is to have a professional development session during the first half of the event, followed by networking and socializing. Lastly, I will pilot peer-led Career Coaching Circles for FBANC members who are interested in forming small groups that meet quarterly to discuss career moves. By incorporating these career-coaching components into FBANC programming, my goal is to help ensure that FBANC members feel supported and empowered as they make key career decisions moving forward.

Aim 2: Skills-Based Training

Second, I will organize skills-based workshops for FBANC members. The goal is to provide practical guidance and training, and to facilitate continued growth as legal professionals. This Aim will primarily be executed through FBANC’s Liwanag Conference, a day-long conference consisting of skills-based workshops and professional development seminars. 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. FBANC members can also practice their teaching skills as these workshops will be led by FBANC board members and any interested general members. My goal with Aim 1 is to empower FBANC members to invest in their continued growth as legal professionals.

Aim 3: Inclusive Networking Opportunities

Third, I will continue the interdisciplinary format of Night with Fil-Am professionals.  The goal is to encourage new collaborations across fields and motivate FBANC attorneys to adopt new ways of thinking. In addition, I will carve out spaces for Pinay and queer professionals to discuss and support their goals at this and other professional development events, especially at Liwanag Conference (see Aim 2). Lastly, I will continue FBANC tradition of hosting A Night with Fil-Am Judges, but my goal with this event is to create an environment where FBANC members can get to know our guest judges as people. To do this, I will craft Night with Fil-Am Judges to center around an activity that will encourage openness and connection. My goal with these events is to encourage FBANC members to connect with each other within the legal profession and across disciplines, but to do so not just on a professional level, but on a personal one. 

My goal as Co-Director of Professional Development is for the next generation of Pilipinx lawyers and policymakers to have the tools to facilitate their continued growth as legal professionals. This can be made more possible through an expansive professional development program that nurtures the growth of FBANC attorneys to Move Forward with our career goals. Thank you for your time and for reading this statement.