Sugihara was selected as one of twenty attorneys nationwide to receive this prestigious recognition at NAPABA’s 22nd Annual Convention
LOS ANGELES (November 22, 2010) – Luce, Forward, Hamilton & Scripps LLP, a prominent California law firm with a national reputation, today announced Michelle K. Sugihara was honored by the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) as one of the Best Lawyers Under 40 in 2010.
Sugihara, who is a senior associate in Luce Forward’s Los Angeles office, is one of 20 attorneys nationwide to receive the honor this year. Honorees were recognized at NAPABA’s 22nd Annual Convention in Los Angeles last weekend. The Best Lawyers Under 40 Award is given in recognition of talented individuals in the Asian Pacific American legal community who are under the age of 40 and have achieved prominence and distinction in their respective fields while demonstrating a strong commitment to the community.
“Michelle is an exceptional attorney who is committed to her clients, the firm and the Asian Pacific American community,” said Kurt Kicklighter, Luce Forward’s managing partner. “We are proud of her accomplishments both inside and outside of the firm and are pleased to see her efforts recognized.”
In her practice Sugihara handles both transactional and litigation matters, specializing in business, real estate and probate litigation, including easement disputes, construction defect, mechanics’ liens, eminent domain, breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duty, insurance bad faith and other tort actions.
Sugihara has served on the board of the Japanese American Bar Association (JABA) for the past four years and is a founding member and current Vice President of the JABA Educational Foundation. She is also the current Secretary of the Asian Pacific American Bar Association of Los Angeles County, an executive committee member of the Asian Pacific American Friends of the Theater, a past board member of Neighborhood Legal Services of Los Angeles County, a founding member of the Los Angeles Chapter of the National Association of Asian American Professionals and a volunteer videographer for the Go For Broke National Education Center’s “hanashi” oral history program.
About Luce Forward
Founded in 1873, Luce, Forward, Hamilton & Scripps LLP is a full-service California law firm with offices in San Diego, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Carmel Valley/Del Mar, Orange County and Rancho Santa Fe. For more information, visit www.luce.com.
About the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association
The National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) is the national association of Asian Pacific American attorneys, judges, law professors and law students. NAPABA represents the interests of over 40,000 attorneys and approximately 57 local Asian Pacific American bar associations. Its members represent solo practitioners, large firm lawyers, corporate counsel, legal service and non-profit attorneys, and lawyers serving at all levels of government. NAPABA continues to be a leader in addressing civil rights issues confronting Asian Pacific American communities. Through its national network of committees and affiliates, NAPABA provides a strong voice for increased diversity of federal and state judiciaries, advocates for equal opportunity in the workplace, works to eliminate hate crimes and anti-immigrant sentiment, and promotes professional development of minorities in the legal profession.
