2025 Minoru Yasui Community Service Award

Woon Ki Lau

Woon Ki Lau is a distinguished legal professional and community leader who has dedicated over 50 years to advocating for civil rights and liberties. Born in Hong Kong, Mr. Lau arrived in America in the 1950s, overcoming language barriers and racism to achieve his American Dream. He graduated from CSU with a major in Physics and later found his passion in law, graduating from CU Law School in 1972 despite discouragement from the Dean.

Mr. Lau is one of the founders of the Asian Pacific American Bar Association (APABA) and has been a trailblazer in the legal field, particularly in immigration law. In the early 1970s, he was one of only two immigration lawyers in Colorado, successfully suing the Immigration Service to protect the rights of immigrants. His efforts have helped many immigrants secure lawful permanent residence and become successful members of the community.

Mr. Lau owns Lau and Choi, P.C., and has served as the City Prosecutor for Northglenn for over 30 years. He has also founded several non-profit organizations, including the Organization of Chinese Americans (OCA) and the Asian Performing Arts of Colorado. 

Mr. Lau has tirelessly worked to make the United States a better place for immigrants, believing strongly in the opportunities the country offers. He has set up endowed scholarships for Asian American students and mentored countless individuals. His story is an inspiring example of how immigrants can overcome significant odds to make vital contributions to society.

2024 Minoru Yasui Community Service Award

Deborah Yim

Deborah Yim has dedicated her career to advancing justice and empowering underserved communities through both her legal practice and extensive community service. As founder and managing attorney of the Denver-based Primera Law Group, she champions workplace justice, protecting Colorado workers from discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and workplace abuse. Her excellence in employment law advocacy earned her recognition as "Best Employment Lawyer for Plaintiffs" by Law Week Colorado.

Before establishing the Primera Law Group, Deborah served the public interest for more than 12 years as an Assistant U.S. Attorney (AUSA) and legal counsel for the Department of the Interior. During her tenure as an AUSA, she spearheaded False Claims Act investigations that exposed and held accountable those responsible for millions in healthcare, corporate, and contractor fraud. Deborah also represented the interests of the people of the United States in civil rights cases involving disability access and accommodation. For her dedication and advocacy, she received the United States Attorney's Office Outstanding Service Award.

Prior to serving as president of the Asian Pacific American Bar Association (APABA) in both Colorado and Los Angeles, Deborah chaired community outreach for both organizations for  well over a decade, combined. She has also co-chaired the legal services committee for the Colorado Women's Bar Association. In these capacities, she has organized numerous pro bono legal clinics and know-your-rights educational workshops serving Asian and immigrant communities, as well as low-income women and families throughout Denver. In response to the pandemic, she established a free legal hotline for Colorado's Asian community that continues to serve those in need. For the past five years, she has coordinated two annual donation drives that have benefited thousands of Coloradans over the years – a holiday donation drive benefiting low-income Asian and immigrant senior citizens, and a Lunar New Year drive supporting refugee and immigrant families.

Deborah’s extensive pro bono work includes service to the East Colfax Community Collective (where she co-leads the small business legal clinic), Warren Village, the Federal Pro Se Panel, and the Denver County Court Civil Pro Se Panel Program (which she founded). As chair of the City of Denver's Immigrant and Refugee Commission, she ensures immigrant and refugee voices are heard in local governance. Deborah also serves on the boards of the Nathan Yip Foundation, supporting rural Colorado education, and the Colorado Asian Culture & Education Network (CACEN), advancing the development of an Asian American community center in Denver. She is also the diversity, equity, and inclusion representative for the Colorado Bar Association's Labor & Employment Law Section. Her passion for youth literacy and education is reflected in Kids Reading to Succeed, a literacy program she founded in Los Angeles that has helped hundreds of inner-city children develop reading skills.

For her community service, Deborah has been recognized as a Colorado Asian American Community Hero, Denver Bar Association Pro Bono Star, Asian Avenue Magazine's "100 Asians to Know in Denver", finalist for the Center for Legal Inclusiveness' Inclusiveness at Work Award, and PBS SoCal Community Champion.

2025 Governor Ralph Carr Award

Jandi Keum focuses her practice on trust and estates, corporate, and real estate. She has represented clients in complex financial settlements, conservatorship, negotiation, and litigation. Jandi has also served as a mediator for domestic relations matters, small claims, and landlord-tenant disputes.

Prior to joining 3i Law, Jandi practiced in family law, where she litigated in domestic relations, juvenile, and probate courts. Her experience in this area brings a unique perspective to navigating the nuances of family dynamics faced in estate matters.

Jandi was born in Korea and raised in Costa Rica before moving to the United States for college and law school. She has lived in Colorado Springs since graduating from University of North Carolina School of Law (Chapel Hill) and is an active member of legal organizations in the area. She serves as the EDI Section Chair for the El Paso County Bar Association and was selected for the Colorado Diverse Attorney Community Circle (CODACC) Class of 2024.

In her practice, Jandi emphasizes meeting clients where they are by understanding who they are and what matters to them, then finding a creative solution to support their goals and wishes.

2025 Organization of the Year

Asian Real Estate Association of America - Denver Chapter

AREAA, a nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering homeownership in Asian American communities, has made significant strides this year through the efforts of its Denver Chapter. The chapter has held numerous educational classes and events aimed at equipping aspiring homeowners with the knowledge and tools necessary for successful homeownership. These initiatives have empowered countless individuals, providing them with the confidence and resources needed to achieve their dreams of owning a home.

2024-2025 Scholarship Award Recipients

Nicole Bishay – Nicole is a 3L at University of Colorado Law School. She is interested in practicing in civil litigation and plans to begin a career in the health law sector after sitting for the California Bar. She served as Co-President for CU’s chapter of the Asian Pacific American Law Students Association (APALSA) during her 2L year and plans to take an active role in APABA after graduation.

Zoe Glepa – Zoe Leonore Glepa is a rising 3L at the University of Colorado Law School who is passionate about the intersection of technology and law. She served as Co-President of the Asian Pacific American Law Students Association (APALSA) during her 2L year, and now serves as the Southern Regional Director of the National Asian Pacific American Law Students Association. (NAPALSA).

Angelica Perez -Angelica is a third-year law student at the University of Denver Sturm College of Law. Prior to attending law school, she graduated from the University of Texas at Austin. While in law school, Angelica was a student attorney in Denver Law’s civil litigation clinic and has had a wide array of externship experiences – ranging from the federal judiciary to a Denver-based litigation firm. In terms of extra-curricular activities, Angelica is the secretary for Denver Law’s Asian Pacific American Law Student Association (APALSA) and is a staff editor for Race to the Bottom (Denver Law’s Corporate Law Blog). Additionally, she is heavily involved in her law school’s DEI initiatives as a DEI and Social Justice Assistant.