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FLOW DEEPENS UNIVERSITY PARTNERSHIPS TO BUILD PATHWAYS TO THE LEGAL PROFESSION
May 1, 2026
Seattle, WA — The Filipino Lawyers of Washington (FLOW) continued its hands-on work this spring to expand access to the legal profession by partnering with local university student groups and law school communities to share lived experience, practical guidance, and long-term mentorship with students from traditionally underserved backgrounds.
On February 7, 2026, FLOW President Mario Cava, President‑Elect Caroline Sung, and Directors Bianca Tillman and Kayla Ganir joined the University of Washington’s First-Generation Leaders in Pre‑Law (FGLL) for an FGLL x FLOW discussion. FGLL is a community for students who are the first in their families to pursue higher education or law school, focused on demystifying the pre‑law journey and widening access to networks and resources. The FLOW panel blended candid personal stories with concrete advice—covering how to prepare for law school, navigate professional hurdles, secure mentorship, and find meaningful experience, leaving students with inspiration and actionable next steps.
“Representation matters. One of the most powerful things we can do is show students that people who look like them and share similar backgrounds can thrive in law,” said Mario Cava, FLOW President. “We want to turn hope into a plan—by listening, sharing practical steps, and opening doors to opportunities.”
FLOW’s university engagement is part of a broader, relationship‑driven strategy to build authentic pathways into the profession. Activities include campus panels, Q&A sessions, mentorship, and partnerships that connect students who ordinarily would not have access to a legal network. Through these efforts, FLOW works to lower barriers at every stage: helping students explore careers in law and public policy, gain hands‑on experience, prepare competitive applications, and transition into early legal careers with confidence and community.
On April 10, 2026, President Cava also traveled to Spokane to join a panel hosted by the Asian Pacific Islander Law Caucus (APILC) at Gonzaga Law School. Coordinated and moderated by Pangarap scholar Allison Salvador in the Barbieri Courtroom, the conversation explored cultural identity and professional life. Panelists—including Commissioner Eugene Cruz, Tribal Court Justice Lisa Dickinson, and attorney Amy Guarisco—spoke openly about imposter syndrome, code‑switching, and responding to bias and microaggressions while staying true to oneself. The discussion emphasized practical strategies for self‑advocacy and building supportive networks.
FLOW will continue to expand these efforts across Washington state—working with student organizations, law school partners, bar associations, and community groups—to ensure aspiring lawyers from underrepresented backgrounds have the support, exposure, and opportunities they need to enter and thrive in the profession.
BUILDING COMMUNITY, CREATING PATHWAYS AT OUR SPRING GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING
Seattle, WA
April 16, 2026
At our General Membership Meeting, the energy in the room was a powerful reminder of what it means to be part of the Filipino Lawyers of Washington (FLOW): a community rooted in connection, service, and shared aspirations.
We opened with a warm welcome and grounding in purpose—FLOW exists not just to gather, but to create meaningful pathways in the legal profession for Filipino lawyers and those following in our footsteps. From the outset, members were invited to engage not as passive attendees, but as co-builders of this growing community.
A special shout out to Directors Bianca Tillman and Ailene Limric for leading us through a thoughtful icebreaker, where we moved quickly beyond small talk into deeper connection. That is what makes FLOW different. Membership here isn’t transactional; it’s relational.
In the President’s Report, Mario Cava shared exciting updates that reflect FLOW’s growing visibility and impact. From being featured by the Washington State Bar Association in the Bar News to contributing to the Filipino Community of Seattle’s PAMANA book, our work continues to elevate the stories and presence of Filipino lawyers across Washington and beyond. Partnerships with organizations like FGLL and APILC, along with engagement opportunities through national affiliates such as NFALA, NAPABA, and ABAW, are expanding the reach and influence of our members.
We also put out a clear call to action: representation matters at every level. Members were encouraged to step forward for affiliate leadership roles and award nominations—including recognitions like NAPABA’s “Best Under 40” and NFALA’s “Attorney of the Year.” These opportunities are not just individual honors—they are ways to ensure Filipino lawyers are seen, celebrated, and shaping the broader legal landscape.
A key theme of the evening was ownership. Through committee sign-ups—spanning advocacy, signature events like Barrio, and future membership gatherings—members were invited to plug in and help lead. FLOW’s strength comes from members who raise their hands and bring others along with them.
We also heard updates on advocacy efforts and opened the floor for an “Ask Me Anything” with the Board, reinforcing our commitment to transparency and shared leadership.
Finally, we looked ahead to a full calendar of events—from community celebrations like the Filipinotown Magazine event and the ACRS Walk for Rice, to professional development opportunities like the joint MBA sponsored AAPI Heritage Month CLE, and beloved traditions like Filipino Heritage Night at the Mariners and Barrio in the fall.
What became clear over the course of the evening is that FLOW membership is more than access to events—it is access to people, to mentorship, to leadership opportunities, and to a collective voice.
Why FLOW Membership Matters
It is a space where:
Early-career attorneys can find guidance and sponsorship
Mid-career professionals can expand their leadership and visibility
Senior attorneys can give back and help shape the future of the profession
Most importantly, it is a space where no one has to navigate the legal field alone.
As we continue to grow, our focus remains the same: building a sustainable, thriving organization where members feel connected, empowered, and inspired to lead.
If you haven’t yet plugged in, now is the time. FLOW is strongest when we build it together.’
FLOW SUPPPORTS NAPABA AMICUS BRIEF DEFENDING BIRTHRIGHT CITIZENSHIP
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Filipino Lawyers of Washington Supports NAPABA Amicus Brief Defending Birthright Citizenship
Seattle, Washington
March 16, 2026
The Filipino Lawyers of Washington (FLOW) proudly supports the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association’s (NAPABA) amicus curiae brief dated February 25, 2026, before the United States Supreme Court defending the constitutional guarantee of birthright citizenship under the Fourteenth Amendment. Oral argument is scheduled for April 1, 2026.
FLOW joined NAPABA and 47 other affiliate bar associations nationwide in urging the Court to affirm longstanding constitutional precedent protecting the right to citizenship for all persons born in the United States. The amicus brief emphasizes that the Citizenship Clause, as interpreted in United States v. Wong Kim Ark, affirms that children born on U.S. soil are citizens regardless of their parents’ immigration status.
Birthright citizenship is a cornerstone of American constitutional law and reflects the nation’s commitment to equality, inclusion, and the rule of law. As the brief explains, attempts to narrow the scope of the Fourteenth Amendment distort both the text of the Constitution and the historical context in which it was adopted, including congressional intent that the Citizenship Clause apply broadly to children of immigrants.
FLOW joins this effort because proposed restrictions on birthright citizenship would disproportionately harm immigrant communities, including Asian Americans, Filipino Americans and Pacific Islanders, who comprise a significant share of the nation’s immigrant population. Such change would undermine settled constitutional protections and create uncertainty for families, communities, and future generations of Americans.
“Birthright citizenship is not a political preference—it is a constitutional guarantee rooted in the Fourteenth Amendment and affirmed by over a century of Supreme Court precedent,” said Mario Cava, FLOW President. “FLOW stands with NAPABA in defending the rule of law and ensuring that the promises of equal citizenship apply to all children born in the United States.”
FLOW is honored to join the national coalition of bar associations advocating for the preservation of fundamental constitutional protections and the fair administration of immigration and citizenship laws. Through this amicus effort, FLOW continues its commitment to advancing justice, equity, and opportunity for the Filipino American and broader Asian American communities.
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About Filipino Lawyers of Washington (FLOW)
The Filipino Lawyers of Washington is an affinity bar organization dedicated to supporting Filipino American legal professionals, promoting diversity in the legal profession, and advocating for issues affecting the Filipino American and broader communities.
FLOW ISSUES JOINT STATEMENT WITH FILIPINO COMMUNITY OF SEATTLE
FLOW CO-HOSTS A "KNOW YOUR IMMIGRANT rIGHTS EVENT"
The Filipino Lawyers of Washington (FLOW) proudly co-hosted a successful Know Your Immigration Rights panel with the Filipino Community of Seattle (FCS), drawing over 40 attendees for a timely discussion on urgent legal issues facing our communities.
Held at the FCS on June 3, 2025, the event addressed a wide range of topics, including immigration enforcement, travel risks, the impact of criminal history on immigration status, LGBTQ+ rights and the intersection of family and immigration law.
We are grateful to our distinguished speakers for their leadership and expertise:
Jerilynn Gonzales Abrams, Past President, FLOW and NFALA, immigration attorney
Jonathan “JJ” Gonzales, immigration attorney
Katrina Zafiro, family law attorney
Margaret Duñgo Gritten, FLOW Advocacy Chair (Moderator)
Thank you to FCS for their hospitality and continued collaboration. FLOW remains committed to providing accessible legal education and advancing justice for our community.
FLOW visits seattle university school of law
FLOW Members Bianca Tillman, Dennis Narciso, Eric de los Santos, Cheryl Farrish, and Jeri Gonzales Abrams gave a panel presentation at the Seattle University School of Law to meet with the SU Filipino Law Student Association. We are delighted to see both Seattle-based law schools develop Filipino student organizations this year! Thank you to FLSA President Brianne "Bree" Zamora for hosting us and to Caroline Sung (Stoel Rives) and Kenneth Nelson (Perkins Coie) for sponsoring lunch and coordinating the event.
FLOW visits uw school of law
FLOW Board Members Eric de los Santos, Cheryl Farrish, Odette Polintan and Jeri Gonzales Abrams visited the University of Washington School of Law to meet with members of the newly recognized Filipino Law Student Association. FLOW presented a "get to know FLOW" slideshow and then had a question/answer panel with the law students. It was exciting to see such a diverse law school population! Thank you to FLSA President Gabrielle Fisher for coordinating the event and to Perkins Coie and Stoel Rives for sponsoring lunch.
PHILIPPINE CONSULATE GENERAL COUNSEL MEETING
The Philippine Consulate General of San Francisco, Neil Frank R. Ferrer, led a team for an outreach mission in Seattle on July 21-24, 2021, to provide consular services to Filipino citizens. A town hall with the Consulate General, elected officials, and community leaders was held at the International Drop In Center (IDIC), which was the same venue for the outreach mission. FLOW past presidents, Mimi Castillo, Eric de los Santos, and Jeri Gonzales Abrams attended the town hall. FLOW Statement against Asian American Hate |
The Filipino Lawyers of Washington has joined several other Minority and volunteer Bar Associations in the State of Washington to condemn recent attaches on the Asian American Community here and across the country. Please read the attached Joint Statement Against Asian American Hate and help us amplify this message by sharing within your networks. |
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