San Francisco -- Asian Law Caucus' Policy Director and Criminal Justice Reform Senior Staff Attorney Angela Chan has been named a 2014 "Best Lawyers Under 40" award from the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA). Presented on November 8 at NAPABA's 26th annual convention in Scottsdale, Arizona, this award recognizes Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) attorneys 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 is such an honor to be recognized by NAPABA. I am fortunate to do this work at the ALC of advancing and protecting the rights of vulnerable immigrants," said Angela. "I am humbled to receive this award and know that much more remains to be done in empowering marginalized communities of color throughout the country."

Angela has spent the last eight years at ALC advocating for policy reforms that disentangle local police from immigration enforcement and advance criminal justice reforms, such as strengthening language access, promoting restorative justice approaches, and challenging wrongful arrests. She co-led the successful campaign to pass the TRUST Act (AB4), a California state bill, which went into effect in January 2014, to set a statewide minimum limit on local jails holding immigrants for additional time for deportation purposes. Angela joined ALC in 2006 with a Soros Justice Fellowship. She was named a Local Hero by the San Francisco Bay Guardian and given a 40 Under 40 Leadership Award from the New Leaders Council for her work assisting immigrant families.

Angela served on the San Francisco Police Commission for four years and was also an instructor for the Raza Department at San Francisco State University. In addition, she was a judicial law clerk to the Honorable Napoleon A. Jones in the Southern District of California. Angela earned a J.D. from Harvard Law School and a B.A. from Occidental College.

"Angela's dedication to the communities we serve is unparalleled," said Chris Punongbayan, Executive Director at ALC. "Her commitment to cross-racial alliance-building and tireless advocacy on behalf of immigrants caught in the immigration dragnet has changed not only what is possible within California, but across the entire country."