San Francisco (November 12, 2013) - Asian Americans Advancing Justice - Asian Law Caucus' Litigation Director Winifred (Winnie) Kao has been named a "Best Under 40" award recipient by NAPABA (National Asian Pacific American Bar Association). Presented on November 9 at NAPABA's 25th annual convention in Kansas City, this award recognizes individuals within the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) legal community under the age of 40 who have achieved prominence and distinction in their fields of endeavor and have demonstrated a strong commitment to civic or community affairs.

"It's an extraordinary opportunity and honor to be recognized by NAPABA," said Winnie. "I am humbled to be recognized alongside so many other committed individuals."

Winnie began her career in 2000, where she litigated fair housing cases with the U.S. Department of Justice's (DOJ) Civil Rights Division, Housing & Civil Enforcement Section in Washington, D.C., after having received her Juris Doctor at the University of Michigan Law School. When the landmark University of Michigan Law School affirmative action case Grutter v. Bollinger went to the Supreme Court, Winnie, who was a defendant student intervenor in the case, rejoined the students' legal and organizing team for that appeal. Winnie then entered private practice where for seven years she successfully represented labor unions and victims of employment discrimination, developing expertise in representing immigrant workers.

In 2011, Winnie joined the staff of Advancing Justice - ALC, the country's first civil and civil rights organization serving low-income AAPI communities. While at Advancing Justice - ALC, she re-launched the Workers' Rights Program after a five-year dormant period. Under just 2 years of her leadership, the program has won close to $1.5 million in settlements and back wages for low-wage, largely monolingual and LEP (limited English proficient) clients, secured final approval with co-counsel for a $750,000 class settlement in a wage and hour and discrimination class action case on behalf of nail salon workers, and engaged in collaborative efforts with community partners to enact anti-wage theft legislation in San Francisco. Winnie also serves as co-counsel for the Coalition plaintiffs in Schuette, et al. v. Coalition to Defend Affirmative Action, the challenge to Michigan's anti-affirmative action ballot initiative which was heard by the Supreme Court last month.

"Winnie's dedication to the most underserved in our communities is tremendous," said Christopher Punongbayan, Co-director at Advancing Justice-ALC. "She is a relentless advocate for social justice and we are lucky to have her on our side."

Winnie joins Betty Song, Supervising Attorney at Advancing Justice - Los Angeles, in receiving this award.