KABA-DC Newsletter 2Q 2024
- Event in Focus: Join KABA DC for the Mentorship Kick-off and Networking at Our Summer Reception! (July 18)
KABA-DC is proud to announce the 2024 Summer Reception, which will be held at The Hyatt House / Canopy by Hilton, The Wharf on Thursday, July 18, 2024. With cocktails and hors d’oeuvres at the waterfront setting, the KABA-DC Summer Reception will also be the launch ceremony for the 2024 Mentorship Program: You can sign up here for the summer reception and here for the mentorship program.
To take advantage of the membership price for tickets, make sure to sign up for KABA DC membership and ensure your membership is current through this year. Please visit website (here) and click the Subscribe button on the top right side.
- Reminiscing Past Events
o Legal Business Development Webinar (May 22)
In a members-only webinar, KABA DC hosted Steve Fretzin, author and premier coach for legal business development. In addition to writing four books on legal marketing and business development, Steve is the host of a highly-rated podcast BE THAT LAWYER. Steve has been featured in the Chicago Tribune, Crain’s, and Entrepreneur.com, and has appeared on NBC News, WGN Radio. Steve's writing has appeared in Attorney at Law Magazine, the National Law Review, the American Bar Association, and the Illinois State Bar Association.
Steve discussed why attorneys don't need to be a "salesman" to be successful at business development, and how to identify low-hanging fruits and convert them into business, build your personal brand, and develop stronger relationships.
o White Collar Criminal Defense Practice Group Meeting (April 24)
As a part of KABA DC's new initiative, a group of white-collar defense practitioners launched the first practice group meeting. Craig Lee of Paul Hastings, Jae Park of Greenberg Traurig, Mason Pan of BDO, Chris Kim of Guidepost Solutions, and KABA DC co-president Nathan Park met for a dinner on April 24, sharing the latest trend in practice.
- Upcoming Events: If interested in each event, please contact kabadc2009@gmail.com or keep an eye on our further email announcements!
o August 22 - Members-only Get-Together: Join us for our quarterly membership hangout.
o September 18 - Chuseok: Together with traditional food, KABA-DC will also recognize and toast the successes and accomplishments of Korean American women attorneys of the Washington DC area.
o To receive email updates, please sign up for our newsletter by visiting our website (here) and click the Subscribe button on the top right side. We have more upcoming events including wellness programs with pickleball and boxing, and educational programs for Korean business and legal terms.
- Quarterly Spotlight: Top 10 things to know about Sean Lee, real estate attorney at Seyfarth Shaw LLP
1. What motivated you to become a lawyer? After being a victim of racism in college, I wanted to pursue justice and fight hate in this country. I initially went to law school to become a prosecutor, but COVID-19 derailed that plan and here I am as a transactional attorney! Fortunately, I have not let go of my passion for justice and am actively involved in my Firm’s pro bono work.
2. Tell me about your practice! I am a Real Estate lawyer and I support clients on various real estate law matters, such as sales and acquisitions, leasing, financing, and development of properties. My core competencies include drafting and reviewing contracts, agreements, and other legal documents, conducting due diligence and title searches, and collaborating with clients, stakeholders, and other professionals to facilitate transactions and resolve issues. My primary client is a leading fast-food chain for whom I prepare documents for Closing/Commencement, draft Ground Leases, and Purchase & Sale Agreements, review underlying title documents, and much more.
3. What is your favorite thing about DC? Being able to work in the nation’s capital is pretty cool and I try not to take the limitless networking opportunities for granted.
4. Why did you decide to serve as a KABA officer? To meet and connect with more Koreans in the DMV and to give back to the Korean-American community which motivated and empowered me to become a lawyer in the first place.
5. What was your greatest moment for the past year or so? I was featured as a new attorney in the January issue of The Washington Lawyer magazine.
6. Please tell us about your non-work passion, whatever it is! I’ve been playing basketball since I was in the third grade, and I still try to find whatever time I have to get on the court and shoot some hoops.
7. What is the weirdest/quirkiest thing about you? I love reading books at night when it’s raining outside.
8. What was your favorite trip in the past? My first family vacation after starting work to St. Regis in Riviera Maya, Mexico this past January.
9. What is your favorite movie or book (comic book included)? Favorite movie: Gladiator
10. What do you look forward to the most in the next 5 years? I’m in the process of reviving the Korean American Coalition’s DMV chapter, which is a nonprofit focusing on uplifting the local Korean American community. I’m very excited to see where this will go in the years to come.
Make Sure Your Membership is Current! Visit KABA-DC website (here) and click the Subscribe button on the top right side. See you next quarter.