Awards & Accomplishments

Community Activities

  • Chair, T.I.R.Z #15 2009-Present
  • Commissioner, National Commissions on Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity 2008-Present
  • Chair, Asian Chamber of Commerce of Houston 2007-2008
  • Board Member, South Texas College of Law 2008-Present
  • Board Member, Partners for Livable Communities 2008-Present
  • Vice Chair, Asia Society-Texas Center 2004-Present
  • Board of Directors, Coalition for the Homeless 2007-Present
  • Chair, Blue Ribbon Commission to End Chronic Homelessness 2004-2006
  • Public Member, American Institute of Architects 2005-2007
  • Member of the City of Houston Board of Trust 1990-1999; (President of the Board) 1993-1999
  • President, Houston Lodge, Chinese American Citizens Alliance 1985-1986; (Special Assistant to the National President) 1986-1993; (Regional Grand Executive) 1993-2000
  • Advisory Board Member, The Women’s Home 2006-Present
  • Board Member, Theatre Under the Stars 2004-2007
  • Member, Board of Directors, Catholic Charities of Houston 2000-Present
  • Member, Advisory Board-Holocaust Museum of Houston 2000-2006
  • President, Philippine American Chamber of Commerce 1997-1998; Houston, Texas
  • Trustee, Chinese Baptist Church of Houston 1991-1996
  • Chair, Asian American Heritage Month Association 1993

National and Local Civic Awards

  • International Service Award- Houston Junior Chamber of Commerce 2009
  • Diversity Award,- Council on Legal Education Opportunities 2009
  • Asian Heritage Award, Houston Community College 2008
  • Spirit of America Award, National Chinese American Citizens Alliance 2007
  • E-10 Excellent Award, Houston Minority Business Council 2006
  • Impact Award, Asian American Bar Association of Houston 2006
  • Honorary Degree from Houston Community College 2005
  • Voice for Children, Children at Risk 2005
  • Wellstone Award, Young Democrats of Harris County 2005
  • Friend of the Homeless, Coalition for the Homeless 2004
  • Council Member of the Year, Houston Police Officers Union 2004
  • Bridge Builder Award, Masonic Lodge of Texas 2004
  • Trailblazer Award, National Asian Pacific American Bar Association 2000

Professional Honors

  • American Law Institute 2009-Present
  • Who’s Who in International Corporate Immigration Law 2000-Present
  • Best Lawyers in America 1993-Present
  • Texas Super Lawyer
  • Best Lawyers in Houston 2005-Present
  • AV Rated by Martindale-Hubbell
  • Board Certified in Immigration & Nationality Law 1982-Present
  • Texas Board of Legal Specialization

Professional Affiliations

  • Vice Chair, Immigration Section, State Bar of Texas 2008-Present
  • President, Asian Pacific American Municipal Officials 2002-2004
  • President, Asian American Bar Association of Houston 1990-1991
  • Member of Board of Directors 1991-1996
  • Member of the National Board of Directors, 1987-1990
  • American Immigration Lawyers Association
  • Chair, Texas Chapter, American Immigration Lawyers Association 1985-1986
  • Chair, Law Day Committee, Houston Bar Association 1985-1996
  • Member, Examination Committee for Immigration and
  • Nationality Law Texas Board of Law Specialization
  • Chairman, Immigration Committee, National Asian Pacific 1991, 1993-1998
  • Panel Chair, Grievance Committee, State Bar of Texas 1994-1999

Political Positions

  • Council Member, At-Large Position 2, City of Houston 2000-2006
  • Mayor Pro-Tem, City of Houston 2002-2004
  • President, Asian American Democrats of Texas 1998-1999