OK Voices
Kimberly Lau on Identity, Advocacy, and AAPI Heritage in the Legal Field
In this month’s edition of "O|K Voices - The Stories that Shape Us," we recognize Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month by hearing from Kimberly Lau, who reflects on the experiences that shaped her path. We highlight the many ways faith, culture, and heritage intersect across the AAPI community.
Kimberly is a second-generation Asian American with both Chinese and Korean heritage.
What traditions or cultural values from your background have shaped who you are today?
Hard work ethic with an emphasis on academic excellence was repeatedly reinforced in my household. I also grew up with a first-generation immigrant parent and first-generation relatives. I experienced the struggles first-hand of those who could not advocate for themselves. I wanted to use my strengths in oral advocacy, creative problem-solving and compassion to help those who need help advocating for themselves. As an education lawyer, I am able to use my strengths and skills to help students advocate for themselves and safeguard their academic pursuits while facing challenging situations on campus.
What advice would you give to young AANHPI professionals entering the legal field?
Success doesn’t happen overnight. It culminates through hard work, resilience and persistence. Being an AAPI attorney means having a high standard for myself and the service I provide to my clients because I am working in a White male-dominated field and had to fight a lot of isms to get to where I am in my career today.
Our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Committee is proud to present “O|K Voices – The Stories That Shape Us,” a series dedicated to celebrating the personal experiences of our employees. Each edition will highlight employee stories or cultural events, offering a platform for colleagues to share their traditions, histories, and the moments that have shaped them. Through these shared voices, we foster deeper connections, understanding, and appreciation of the diverse perspectives that make up the Offit Kurman community.
