10/21/2026
We are excited to share that Qiaojing Ella Zheng spoke on a panel, "Belonging Beyond Citizenship: Civil Rights and Asian American Advocacy,” at the University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School APALSA-ALR Conference this past weekend! Each year, APALSA's conference brings together students, industry leaders, legal practitioners, and scholars, a central part of fostering a dynamic and diverse community at Penn Carey Law.
The panel discussed how citizenship is more than a legal status, but shapes our rights, our opportunities, and our sense of belonging. As immigration policies shift and civil rights face new challenges, questions about who belongs and who receives legal protection are increasingly urgent, especially for Asian American communities, whose histories reflect both exclusion and advocacy for equal rights. The conference explored how law and advocacy can shape a more inclusive understanding of citizenship and belonging.
Sanford Heisler Sharp McKnight is committed to helping the Asian American community navigate the United States’ legal system and protecting the rights of those disadvantaged groups and individuals. The Asian American Litigation and Finance Practice Group, led by Ella Zheng, represents Asian American executives, professionals, entrepreneurs, employees, and whistleblowers navigate the U.S. legal system, including employment and whistleblower matters, while addressing the cultural and linguistic barriers they often face.
Thank you to the Penn Asian Pacific American Law Students Association and University of Pennsylvania Asian Law Review for the invitation and for creating opportunity for this important dialogue.
