Sidney Kanazawa and his law firm, McGuireWoods, have been selected to receive the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association’s 2014 President’s Award during the organization’s national convention next month.
In a statement released Monday, NAPABA said its president, William J. Simonitsch, chose to confer the rare honor upon Kanazawa “for his significant contributions as the organization’s general counsel” and to honor McGuireWoods for its ongoing support of NAPABA. The President’s Award is given at the discretion of the organization’s president to recognize individuals and organizations that have made important contributions to NAPABA and the Asian Pacific American community.
“I am humbled by this recognition and deeply appreciative of my McGuireWoods partners and associates who provide the pro bono advice and support that allows me to effectively serve as NAPABA’s General Counsel,” said Kanazawa, a partner in the firm’s Los Angeles office. “It is fitting that the firm is honored. There have been more than 25 McGuireWoods partners and associates – many not of Asian Pacific heritage – who have directly contributed to my efforts as general counsel and to the firm’s support of NAPABA.”
In addition to its support of Kanazawa as NAPABA’s general counsel since 2008, McGuireWoods established two internships through the NAPABA Law Foundation. Last fall, its lawyers and staff raised nearly $74,000 in support of NAPABA’s call for support of the Hurricane Haiyan Relief Effort in the Philippines.
“McGuireWoods is proud to receive the President’s Award being presented to our partner, Sid Kanazawa, and to our firm,” said Tom Cabaniss, the managing partner of McGuireWoods. “We are proud of Sid for the superior work he does every day for our clients and as the general counsel to NAPABA, and the contributions by many other McGuireWoods lawyers to this outstanding organization.”
“Diversity and inclusion are core values of McGuireWoods,” Cabaniss continued. “As the leading voice for 40,000 lawyers and 68 state and local Asian Pacific American bar associations, our firm believes strongly in NAPABA and its work.”
The award will be presented during the NAPABA Anniversary Gala and Installation Banquet in Scottsdale, Arizona, on Nov. 8.