The North American South Asian Bar Association is proudly hosting its Fifth Annual Convention in Chicago, Illinois on June 26 to 29, 2008, with partner organizations, the Indian American Bar Association and the Pakistani American Bar Association of North America.

The convention kicks off with a reception at the Sears Tower Metropolitan Club, a lavish venue that perfectly captures this year's theme of "Reaching New Heights." Kavita Patel, one of the co-chairs of the NASABA 2008 Convention, described the theme of this year's convention as "a celebration of the accomplishments that the South Asian legal community has reached in the past year and the new accomplishments that many South Asian lawyers are achieving every day."

NASABA’s 2008 Convention has much to celebrate, with over 22 panels, featuring distinguished professors, judges, and practitioners from across the globe, covering more than 80 different legal topics ranging from private equity in emerging markets to domestic violence and family law. The convention also features several international luminaries as keynote speakers: Shashi Tharoor, accomplished Indian author, academic, and former UN Under-secretary General; Hina Jilani, high-profile Pakistani human rights lawyer, UN Special Representative of the Secretary General's Human Rights Defenders, co-founder Pakistan's first all-woman legal practice, and founder of the Human Rights Commission's Pakistan chapter; and United States Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald, best known for his high-profile prosecution of public figures like former Illinois Governor Dan Ryan, Scooter Libby, and Lord Conrad Black.

The diversity of the convention's programs is also a hallmark of the diversity of the South Asian American legal community, which can proudly claim judges, private practitioners, public interest attorneys, government attorneys, community activists, and academics in its ranks. Ms. Patel noted, "The NASABA convention offers a variety of programs and activities for people from diverse legal backgrounds in order to allow them to not just interact with other attorneys and legal professionals that are diverse, but also expand their understanding of diversity in the legal profession, by attending various panels focused on professional diversity."

Indeed, the staggering sponsorship figures reflect recognition of the wide range and high caliber of attorneys that the NASABA convention attracts - this year, the convention raised more than $600,000 in sponsorship funds. "Jenner & Block is proud to sponsor this year's NASABA convention," said Jenner & Block Partner Susan C. Levy, who is the firm's incoming Managing Partner. "Supporting the South Asian legal community furthers Jenner & Block's longstanding commitment to diversity in the legal profession." Ms. Levy added, "The convention's global networking opportunities and sessions on a variety of cross-border legal issues will be of interest to all attorneys seeking to develop business in India and other rapidly growing economies.” Many South Asian American attorneys recognize the value of their heritage not only in their personal lives, but professionally as well. "Like all other aspects of commerce, the legal market is becoming increasingly globalized, and my connections with the South Asian community - both domestically and internationally - position me to service clients in a way that my colleagues cannot," said Reena Bajowala, another co-chair of the convention.

A NASABA convention would not be complete without unique entertainment options for its attendees, and this year is no exception. Convention guests will be have a chance to marvel at the urban landscape of Chicago on an architectural boat cruise along the Chicago River, or revel in Chicago's unsurpassed sports culture by attending baseball game at historic Wrigley Field, to watch the Chicago Cubs play the Baltimore Orioles. At the banquet dinner, guests will also be regaled by the unique musical stylings of Funkadesi, Chicago's nationally renowned reggae-bhangra world music band. Funkadesi recently caught the attention of presidential hopeful and United States Senator Barack Obama, who gushed: "Funkadesi really knows how to get a crowd going. I can't say enough how energizing this band is. There's a lot of funk in that desi!"

NASABA started as loosely connected association of local South Asian Bar Association leaders from across the country. The ever increasing body of South Asian attorneys united to form what is now the fastest growing minority bar association in the country, as well as the second largest South Asian professional association. NASABA represents over 5000 South Asians across North America, and has grown from the original 8 founding chapters to 24 local chapters.