For Jennifer Fung ’09, community — whether among classmates, peers, or professionals — has been a defining theme in her legal journey.
When Fung started at South Texas College of Law Houston, she was like many of her classmates — navigating it as she went, without a family roadmap to guide her. “A lot of us were the first in our families to even consider law school,” Fung said. “We were all trying to figure it out together.”
Graduating in 2009 at the height of the recession and a brutal job market, Fung found that the most valuable resource from her time at South Texas Law wasn’t her degree, but those formed connections. “Those relationships really matter. I always have someone to call. It’s a lot of intangibles.”
Today, as an Associate General Counsel at U.S. Physical Therapy, Inc. and Chair of the Board of Directors of the Asian American Bar Association of Houston (AABA), Fung is a passionate advocate for the connections found in community and affinity groups and for supporting members’ ideas and passions.
Fung notes that a key reason these groups are so valuable is the space they create for honest conversations. “They’re an opportunity to connect with others who understand your background without you having to tell them,” she said. “That’s the importance of any affinity group. You can feel free.”
Through her years of involvement, Fung has watched AABA grow its network and not only uplift Asian American attorneys, but invest in them through mentorships, scholarships, and public service opportunities. Fung is particularly proud of how younger members have stepped up with fresh initiatives that continue the organization’s legacy of community. “I love seeing that energy,” she said.
As Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month comes to a close, Fung’s sentiments are a reminder and celebration of the power of people and caring for your community.
