AABANY’S PBCS Committee Takes on Chinatown with Community Outreach for Upcoming Pro Bono Clinics

On Saturday, April 11,  armed with stacks of flyers and information, volunteers fanned out across Chinatown in pairs to distribute flyers for AABANY’s upcoming Pro Bono Clinics in Manhattan. The Clinics provide brief in-person legal consultations in Mandarin and Cantonese, ensuring that language barriers or lack of internet access don’t stand in the way of justice.

Legal issues can be daunting, but a friendly face and a flyer in your native language can make all the difference. By walking the blocks of the “heart of Chinatown,” volunteers were able to engage directly with small business owners and residents, answer immediate questions about clinic schedules, and bridge the gap between the legal profession and the communities AABANY serves.

After volunteers distributed the flyers, they enjoyed delicious dim sum at the world famous Golden Unicorn.

Thank you to our volunteers:

Philip Han
Arthur Lin
Alexandra Ly
Zhibiao Patrick Peng
Mark Garner
Wendy Zeng
Helen Ding
Xinyue Zhu
Carmen Huang

and PBCS Co Chairs
Gary Yeung
Beatrice Leong

To learn more about the Pro Bono and Community Service (PBCS) Committee click here.

Below are some of the upcoming Pro Bono Clinics expected to take place across the Manhattan, Queens, and Brooklyn boroughs. We encourage volunteer attorneys and students to attend, support and help expand access to justice in our communities.

Written by Beatrice Leong

In the News: Brooklyn Bar Association’s Inaugural Lunar New Year Celebration

On April 2, 2026, the Brooklyn Daily Eagle published an article covering the Brooklyn Bar Association (BBA)’s inaugural Lunar New Year Celebration, which the Asian American Bar Association of New York (AABANY) participated in as a co-sponsor. 

The event, which drew more than 200 members of Brooklyn’s legal community, honored two distinguished AAPI legal professionals: Hon. Peggy Kuo, U.S. Magistrate Judge for the Eastern District of New York, and Kin Ng, Esq., Bureau Chief of Trial Bureau II at the Kings County District Attorney’s Office. Both honorees are also AABANY members. Kin co-founded AABANY’s Prosecutors Committee. The honorees were recognized for their decades of exemplary service and their contributions to the Asian American community.

The article highlights remarks from both honorees. Judge Kuo reflected on the personal significance of being honored in Brooklyn, alluding to A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, a book she loved to read as a child. The article also touches on Judge Kuo’s candid reflection on the challenges she faced in forging her own path in public service. Judge Kuo noted that she had to “find her own way” without a “playbook or a script.” 

Kin Ng spoke to the transformative growth of AAPI representation in the Kings County DA’s office over the past three decades. He recalled that in 1991 there were only six Asian ADAs with no seniors or managers out of a staff of 600. Today, there are more than 50. He emphasized that “diversity matters” and is a “source of strength.”

For the complete coverage on the evening and extraordinary careers of the honorees, read the full article in the Brooklyn Daily Eagle here.

KCMB-TV Video Tribute: Community Leaders Reflect on Michelle Go’s Impact and the Path Forward

The Korean Community Media Broadcasting TV, INC. (KCMB-TV) recently posted a video memorializing the January 15, 2026 Prayer Walk that honored the memory of Michelle Go and reflected on the four years since her tragic passing. Featured speakers in the video included Justin Go (father of Michelle Go and advocate), Rachel Lee (President and General Counsel, Stand with Asian Americans), Yang Chen (Executive Director, Asian American Bar Association of New York), and Richard In (Executive Director, Korean American Empowerment for Community). 

This gathering served as a solemn reminder of the outpouring of love and support for her family while highlighting the failure of a system that neglected both mental health and public safety. Justin Go described Michelle as a “cheerleader” and an “adventurer” who sought the best in everyone she met. He shared a moving tribute, noting that his family grieves for her every day while thinking about what “should have been, could have been, would have been.” Rachel Lee spoke on the importance of mental health support and public safety priorities. Richard In urged the community toward a path of healing and systemic reform. The video concluded with a collective call for New York City government to prioritize the safety of all New Yorkers and to speak out against all forms of hate.

Several distinguished members of AABANY were participants in this remembrance and movement for justice. Retired Federal Judge Marilyn Go, who was a founder of AABANY, joined the walk to celebrate the life Michelle lived. Grace Vee, the Senior Appellate Counsel in the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office, and Law Professor Elaine Chiu were also present to lend their support. Rachel Lee and Richard In, who spoke on the video, are also AABANY members.  You can find the full video at this link.

The ongoing efforts of the Go family and their supporters will be recognized at the Asian American Federation (AAF) Gala, to take place on April 22 at Tribeca 360. Justin Go and his Pro Bono Legal Team, which includes AABANY members the Honorable Marilyn Go (retired), Lawrence G. Wee (Partner at Milbank LLP), and Jennifer H. Wu (Founding Partner at Groombridge, Wu, Baughman & Stone, LLP), will be honored as Courage Awardees for their advocacy and dedication to Michelle’s legacy.

Information regarding the AAF Gala and its mission to support the community can be found at https://www.aafederation.org/gala/.

Inside the Bench: AABANY Panel Explores Pathways to Careers in the State Judiciary

On Thursday, April 2, 2026, AABANY’s Student Outreach Committee and Judiciary Committee co-hosted a panel titled: Careers in the State Judiciary at King & Spalding. At the panel discussion, attendees heard from the following experienced and accomplished panelists within the state judiciary:

Honorable Lillian Wan – Associate Justice, New York State Appellate Division, Second Department
Honorable Frances Wang – Justice, New York State Supreme Court, Queens County, Criminal Term
Honorable Zainab A. Chaudhry – Judge, New York State Court of Claims
Honorable L. Austin D’Souza – Supervising Judge, New York City Civil Court, New York County
Louise M. Lingat – Court Attorney to the Hon. Adetokunbo O. Fasanya, Judge of the Family Court, Queens County

The discussion was moderated by Lisa Lin, Principal Law Clerk to Acting Justice Joanne Watters (Queens Supreme Court, Civil Term). Approximately 20 attendees gathered in King & Spalding’s conference space to engage with the panel.

The discussion opened with each panelist sharing their journey to the judiciary. Several panelists reflected on how the mentorship of judges they once served under as law clerks helped guide them toward this path. Panelists also spoke candidly about the limited Asian American representation in the judiciary earlier in their careers, noting that becoming a judge had not initially felt attainable without the support and encouragement of their mentors.

As trailblazers, these panelists help pave the way for future Asian Americans to pursue careers in the state judiciary. Their presence in the judiciary reflects the diversity of the communities they serve and helps expand what future generations of Asian American attorneys see as possible. Panelists shared that even the simple act of appearing before a judge who shares one’s background can be meaningful for community members. 

The discussion also included practical guidance for aspiring attorneys. Panelists stressed to the audience the importance of building strong professional relationships, maintaining a solid reputation, and mastering court rules and procedures. They also emphasized attention to detail, particularly careful proofreading, and cautioned against taking shortcuts in legal practice.

The program concluded with an engaging Q&A session, during which attendees asked thoughtful questions about pathways into the judiciary and opportunities for involvement in the legal community. Following the panel, attendees and speakers continued conversations over refreshments.

AABANY’s Student Outreach Committee and Judiciary Committee thanks our panelists for sharing their time, insights, and experiences. We also would like to thank King & Spalding for the refreshments and gorgeous space.

– Written by Mirai Kim

New York Courts Seek Public Comment on Six Proposed Rule Changes

The Administrative Board of the Courts is soliciting public comment on six proposed amendments to New York court rules. The six proposed rule changes are outlined below and open for public comment:

Request for Public Comment on a proposal to add a new 22 NYCRR § 202.16-d relating to the filing of papers in matrimonial actions [Comments due May 8].

A new rule (22 NYCRR § 202.16-d) would require the Supreme Court to promptly deliver all papers in matrimonial actions including judgments of divorce, ancillary orders, and post-disposition documents directly to the county clerk instead of entrusting original papers to attorneys or litigants to file. The proposal addresses a documented problem in some courts outside New York City where unfiled or late-filed papers have made it difficult for parties to enforce divorce judgments on matters like child support, custody, and equitable distribution. To read more click here.

Request for Public Comment on a proposal to amend 22 NYCRR §§ 206.3 and 206.26 to authorize the Presiding Judge of the Court of Claims to refer matters to a judicial hearing officer in certain circumstances [Comments due May 8].

The proposal would amend 22 NYCRR §§ 206.3 and 206.26 to authorize the Presiding Judge of the Court of Claims to refer matters to a judicial hearing officer (JHO) upon the consent of the parties, on a judge’s recommendation, or on the Presiding Judge’s own initiative. The change is driven by the surge of cases filed under the Adult Survivors Act which includes approximately 1,700 civil claims against state agencies, more than 1,500 of them against the Department of Corrections and Community Supervision. Many of these cases are now approaching trial readiness, and retired Court of Claims judges serving as JHOs would help manage the resulting backlog. To read more click here.

Request for Public Comment on a proposal to add two new rules to authorize e-filing in the City Courts outside New York City and the District Courts [Comments due May 8].

Two new rules (22 NYCRR §§ 210.4-a and 212.4-a) would extend mandatory e-filing via NYSCEF to the City Courts outside New York City and the District Courts. This follows last year’s expansion of mandatory e-filing to the Supreme Court (Civil Term), NYC Civil Court, and the Court of Claims. The proposed rules mirror the framework adopted for NYC Civil Court and preserve exemptions for self-represented litigants and attorneys without e-filing capability. Immediate plans call for rolling out NYSCEF to the 11 City Courts in the 9th Judicial District. To read more click here.

Request for Public Comment on a proposal to ensure that summary housing proceedings involving the Red Hook Houses will continue to be adjudicated at the Red Hook Community Justice Center [Comments due May 8].

Amendments to 22 NYCRR §§ 208.42 and 208.43 would remove the requirement that NYCHA be a party to a proceeding in order for housing cases involving the Red Hook Houses to be heard at the Red Hook Community Justice Center. The change is prompted by the Red Hook West Houses’ ongoing conversion under the federal RAD/PACT program, which will transfer day-to-day management to a private LLC. Without the amendment, those cases would shift to Brooklyn Housing Court — a result that local judges and advocates say would deprive residents of the community court’s integrated social services, which have eliminated evictions among participating residents since 2022. To read more click here.

Request for Public Comment on a proposal to amend 22 NYCRR Part 137 relating to the Attorney-Client Fee Dispute Resolution Program, to increase certain threshold monetary amounts [Comments due May 15].

Proposed amendments to 22 NYCRR Part 137 would raise two monetary thresholds in New York’s Fee Dispute Resolution Program: the maximum amount in dispute (absent party consent) would increase from $50,000 to $75,000, and the threshold triggering a three-arbitrator panel would rise from $10,000 to $20,000. The $50,000 cap has been in place since 2002; adjusted for inflation it would be roughly $91,500 today. Program caseloads have dropped 38% over the past decade even as average disputed amounts have grown, a trend the Board of Governors attributes in part to the eroding value of the cap. To read more click here.

Request for Public Comment on a proposal to amend Commercial Division Rule 14 regarding good faith consultations on discovery disputes [Comments due May 22].

The Commercial Division Advisory Council proposes revising Rule 14 of the Commercial Division Rules (22 NYCRR § 202.70) to strengthen and modernize its good-faith consultation requirements for discovery disputes. Key changes would require counsel to make a “thorough, good-faith” effort to resolve or narrow disputes before contacting the court; submit a formal certification (rather than a mere representation) detailing the date, manner, participants, results, and whether cost-shifting or proportionality alternatives were discussed; and allow courts to deny discovery motions filed without satisfying the rule. The revisions align Rule 14 with Uniform Civil Rule 202.20-f and draw on the recently adopted Texas Business Court rules. To read more click here.


How to comment: Written comments may be submitted by email to [email protected] or by mail to David Nocenti, Esq., Counsel, Office of Court Administration, 25 Beaver Street, 10th Floor, New York, NY 10004. Comments are public records subject to disclosure under the Freedom of Information Law.

All six proposals, along with supporting memoranda and proposed rule text, are available on the UCS public comment page. Submission of a proposal for comment does not constitute an endorsement by the Unified Court System or the Office of Court Administration.

AANHPI Heritage Month Congressional Reception hosted by NAPABA

Tuesday, May 19, 2026 | Washington, DC

Join NAPABA, NAPABA members, and community leaders from across the country to celebrate Asian Pacific American Heritage Month at NAPABA’s Congressional Reception!

This widely attended event will bring together Members of Congress, their staff, and leaders in the AANHPI community. Previous speakers have included Sen. Mazie Hirono, Rep. Judy Chu, and CAPAC Chair Grace Meng.

This event is free and open to the public!

Don’t miss this opportunity to network with peers and connect directly with policymakers from both the Senate and the House.

Register for the Congressional Reception

For any questions about the reception, please email the NAPABA Lobby Day Team at [email protected].

Want to join NAPABA for the full Lobby Day experience? Find out more!

Lobby Day Details

Navigating the New Normal: AABANY’s Tax Committee and Solo & Small Firm Practice Committee Present a Webinar on the One Big Beautiful Bill Act

On March 26, 2026, AABANY’s Solo & Small Firm Committee and Tax Committee co-sponsored the webinar “Navigating the New OBBBA Landscape.” This presentation arrived at a critical time as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act was signed into law on July 4, 2025, with some provisions taking retroactive effect going back to January 1, 2025.

Parag P. Patel, Co-Chair of the Tax Committee, led the session by providing a comprehensive update on how solo and small law firms can optimize their financial affairs. He emphasized that the new law offers various ways for small business owners to minimize their liabilities if they understand the specific requirements and limitations of the Act.

Several major changes affect individual taxpayers under the OBBBA through the year 2028. The State and Local Tax deduction cap has been significantly increased to $40,000, which offers substantial relief to those living in high-tax jurisdictions. Seniors who are at least 65 years old are now eligible for a $6,000 deduction, provided their income falls within the established limits. The Act also introduces new deductions for reported tips and overtime pay to assist service and hourly workers. Furthermore, individuals may now deduct interest on car loans up to $10,000 annually for vehicles that were assembled in the United States.

The legislation provides permanent benefits designed to stimulate business growth and investment for law firms and other small enterprises. Bonus depreciation is now permanently set at 100% for qualified property acquired after early 2025. The Section 179 expensing limit has risen to $2,500,000, and the phaseout threshold has been adjusted to $4,000,000 to account for inflation. Businesses may once again deduct domestic research and development expenses permanently, and some small businesses can even apply this change retroactively to 2022. Additionally, the calculation for business interest expense limits has been restored to align with EBITDA standards.

While these updates offer many advantages, taxpayers must be aware of the income-based phase-outs that could limit their total deductions. Many of the individual tax benefits are scheduled to revert to previous levels by 2030, making long-term planning essential for legal professionals. 

AABANY continues to support its members by translating complex legislative shifts into actionable strategies for the legal community. This webinar successfully provided attendees with the tools needed to navigate the new tax reality with confidence.

To learn more about the Tax Committee, go here. To learn more about the Solo & Small Firm Committee, go here. For a listing of upcoming events, check out the calendar on AABANY’s website.

AABANY Member Profile: Justice Karen Lin Makes History with Her Appointment to Appellate Term, Second Department

Justice Karen Lin, a longtime member of AABANY and former Co-Chair of the Pro Bono and Community Service Committee (PBCS), has been appointed to the Appellate Term for the Second Department of the New York State Supreme Court. This appointment marks a historic milestone as Justice Lin is the first Asian American woman to serve in this role. As a lifelong public servant and sitting Second Department Justice, she brings decades of experience and a deep commitment to justice to one of the most impactful appellate tribunals for everyday New Yorkers.

Breaking Barriers: The Significance of “the First”
Justice Lin’s appointment to the Appellate Term for the Second Department carries historic significance. Yet, for Justice Lin, the meaning of this milestone is inseparable from the community that shaped her.

Born and raised in Queens by her immigrant parents, Justice Lin’s story is rooted in the borough she now serves. At a time when Asian Americans were significantly underrepresented in both civic and professional spaces within Queens County, her early experiences acutely instilled in her a heightened awareness of the importance of being seen and heard. As a child, she recalls helping interpret for her parents who spoke limited English. She also recalls attending school events where she was one of the few Asian American faces in the room. These moments made her realize the significance of representation, or the lack thereof. Coupled with her parents’ tireless work ethic and emphasis on community, these experiences profoundly shaped her sense of justice and responsibility to her community. 

Despite Asian Americans comprising more than 27 percent of the population in Queens, they have historically remained underrepresented on the bench. While precise figures vary by dataset, estimates by the Brooklyn Daily Eagle suggest that fewer than 10 percent of judges in Queens County identify as Asian. This number is even lower statewide as according to the New York State Unified Court System’s 2024 Judicial Demographics Report, only about 5 percent of judges statewide identify as Asian. These figures highlight the persistent gap between the Asian American community and their representation within the judiciary.


For Justice Lin, the awareness of this disparity came into sharper focus back in 2022, when she grappled with these demographic realities during her campaign for Queens Civil Court. She recognized both the urgency and the responsibility to step forward. 

Now, in 2026, as Justice Lin assumes her role on the Appellate Term, she reflects on both the progress made and the work that remains. While her appointment marks a historic milestone, Justice Lin is candid about what the broader implications of her distinction as “the first” means.

“We shouldn’t still be talking about ‘firsts’ in 2026,” she notes. “It matters to break that ceiling—but it matters even more that we are not the only ones.” Justice Lin maintains that her appointment is part of a larger trajectory which she hopes will continue to open doors for others who will follow and ultimately surpass her.

“I may be the first,” she reflects, “but I certainly do not want to be the last. And I won’t.”

Diversity and Perspective at the Appellate Term
In her run for the Queens Civil Court in 2022, Justice Lin noted, “The air in the room changes depending on who is in it.” Now, as Justice Lin assumes her seat at the Appellate Term for the Second Department, she brings her philosophy into a new and vastly different judicial environment.

The nature of judging at the appellate level is necessarily collaborative. Rather than presiding over a single courtroom, justices at the Appellate Term engage in a rigorous discussion of the law. The presence or absence of diverse perspectives can play a significant role in the nature of judicial decision-making.

“The lens through which we interpret the law is shaped by our lived experiences,” Justice Lin explains. “It matters who is in that room.”

The Appellate Term occupies a uniquely consequential position within New York’s judicial system. For many New Yorkers navigating housing disputes, consumer debt matters, and low-level criminal cases arising from the Civil Court and Criminal Court, the Appellate Term often represents the primary avenue for reviewing decisions made in those courts. As such, this court plays a critical role in ensuring public confidence in the fairness and legitimacy of the judicial process and of everyday challenges faced by many families and individuals. Justice Lin approaches this responsibility with a deep awareness of the communities served by the court. As a lifelong Queens native and an experienced legal professional, Justice Lin brings a grounded perspective to the bench and seeks to ensure that the appellate review is conducted with both rigor and awareness.

A Jurist Grounded in Care
From civil rights attorney to legislative counsel, from Housing Court Judge to Court Attorney-Referee in Surrogate’s Court, Justice Lin has been guided by a single constant: care.

Justice Lin’s decade as a court attorney referee in Surrogate’s Court, where she handled sensitive guardianship matters, reinforced the centrality of due process, particularly for vulnerable individuals. In those proceedings, she understood the risks of presuming incapacity based solely on diagnosis or circumstance. Instead, she stresses that every individual is entitled to a meaningful hearing where their voice is heard.

This philosophy carried directly into Justice Lin’s work on the trial bench, where she implemented practices designed to make the courtroom more accessible. For example, she required in-person appearances in certain matters involving self-represented litigants, recognizing that virtual proceedings—while efficient—can inadvertently exclude individuals who lack access to technology or familiarity with digital platforms. In-person appearances allowed her to better assess credibility, clarify the relief being sought, provide language support, offer flexible scheduling, promote accessibility for litigants with disabilities, and ensure that litigants could express themselves in their own words. Similarly, her practice of inviting court users to indicate their preferred pronouns reinforces the principle that every individual who enters the courtroom is entitled to be treated with respect.

To illustrate, Justice Lin described a family conflict case she dealt with where a father passed away, leaving his home to only two of his children and excluding the others. Justice Lin guided the family through structured discussion by helping each member articulate concerns and expectations by meeting with them individually. This ultimately fostered a mediated resolution that balanced the legal framework with the opportunity for members of the family to retain some control over their outcome. In the end, the siblings reached an agreement to divide the home equally among all of the children.  

“The court cannot advocate,” she notes, “but it can ensure fairness, dignity, and that due process is fully respected.”

A Career Defined by Purpose
Long before she entered the legal field, Justice Lin was already cultivating an ethos of advocacy at the University at Buffalo. As an undergraduate, she noticed that Asian American history and experiences were largely absent from the curriculum. Determined to address this gap, she petitioned the history department to introduce a course on Asian American history which had never previously been offered. Simultaneously, she co-founded the University’s Asian American student organization, the Asian American Students Association (AASA) and served as its first president where she organized cultural programming and panel discussions to highlight the contributions of Asian Americans on campus. These initiatives included guest lectures, heritage month celebrations, and workshops that engaged the broader student body in conversations about diversity and inclusion. Reflecting on these formative years of her life, Justice Lin noted, “I wanted students like me to see themselves in the stories being told and to have a community where our voices mattered.”

A couple years later, Justice Lin championed these same values through her leadership with AABANY’s Pro Bono and Community Service Committee (PBCS), where she served as Co-Chair. During the COVID-19 pandemic, when the need for legal services increased significantly, she played an instrumental role in promoting access to legal services by expanding Pro Bono Clinics to underserved communities in Queens. Building on this work, Justice Lin highlights that meaningful legal assistance requires the ability to communicate effectively, especially with individuals who struggle to find services in a language they understand. She speaks of her time with PBCS, describing it as the “best committee ever” and her service as both a “great joy and privilege.” Additionally, she praises AABANY’s Pro Bono Clinics as an invaluable resource for individuals with limited English proficiency.

Ultimately, in each stage of her professional journey, Justice Lin has consistently asked herself: “Where can I be helpful?” 

Lifting the Next Generation
As a mentor and active participant in programs such as the The Sonia & Celina Sotomayor Judicial Internship Program, Justice Lin is deeply committed to cultivating the leaders of tomorrow. She suggests that a successful legal career rests on a foundation of competence and character. She encourages students and young professionals to strive for mastery in their chosen field. “Be as good at it as you can be,” she advises, because when opportunities arise, “you better be ready to hit the ground running.” Competence, she notes, is central to reputation as it ensures that professionals are prepared to perform effectively in any high-stakes environment.

Justice Lin also stresses that technical skill alone is not enough. Equally important is how one treats others. “Your competence shapes your reputation,” she explains, “but so does how you treat people.” She believes in a  universal standard of decency and she encourages individuals from all paths of life to treat everyone—from the janitor to the judge—the way they would want themselves or a loved one treated. She reminds us that “people may forget what you did but they will remember how you made them feel.” 

Throughout her career, Justice Lin has also rejected narrow stereotypes of what a lawyer must be. Justice Lin has challenged the notion that success requires aggression. Many assumed she was “too nice” to be an effective lawyer or justice, but she believes there are many ways to practice law successfully without abandoning one’s nature. She encourages young professionals, especially those from underrepresented backgrounds, to embrace their individuality. “What makes us different is really what makes us strong,” she says. Avoiding the temptation to contort oneself to fit an expected mold, she emphasizes that professional growth is most meaningful when it is shared: “It is purposeless to rise alone; we rise together.”

Through her guidance and example, Justice Lin seeks to create spaces where future generations can thrive with confidence and authenticity. Now at the Appellate Term, her role amplifies this impact as she continues to shape the culture of the judiciary itself. Please join AABANY in congratulating Justice Karen Lin on this historic milestone. We look forward to seeing more noteworthy contributions from her public service.

AABANY’s Labor & Employment Law Committee and Issues Committee Host “Navigating DEI Into 2026: Practical Takeaways & Industry Observations” CLE Program

On March 25, 2026, AABANY’s Labor & Employment Law Committee, with co-sponsorship from the Issues Committee, hosted a timely and thought‑provoking CLE program, Navigating DEI Into 2026: Practical Takeaways & Industry Observations, at Littler Mendelson P.C. in New York City.

The program featured Rachel Lee, President and General Counsel of Stand With Asian Americans and Co‑Chair of AABANY’s Issues Committee, who shared insights on the evolving legal and cultural landscape surrounding diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts.  Rachel drew from her work with organizations seeking to build and sustain inclusive workplaces amid shifting regulatory and societal expectations.  She also offered practical, compliant strategies for fostering inclusive work environments in the years ahead.

The discussion was moderated by Jennifer Kim of Littler Mendelson, Chair of AABANY’s Labor & Employment Law Committee, who guided the conversation and facilitated audience engagement on the real‑world challenges employers and practitioners face when navigating DEI initiatives.

Attendees earned 1.0 NY CLE credit in Diversity, Inclusion, and Elimination of Bias and benefited from an engaging exchange of ideas that balanced legal guidance with practical application. The Committees thank Rachel Lee, the Professional Development Committee, and all attendees for making this program a success.

If you are interested in attending future Labor & Employment Law Committee or Issues Committee events, please check the AABANY calendar.

– Written by Shreya Mantrala, Vice Chair of the Labor & Employment Law Committee

AABANY Committees Celebrate the End of FY26 at Inter-Committee Happy Hour

On March 30, 2026, AABANY’s Military & Veterans Affairs (MVA), Commercial Bankruptcy & Restructuring (CB&R), and Young Lawyers (YLC) Committees co-hosted a lively happy hour at Sling Bar in Urban Hawker Midtown, celebrating the end of fiscal year ’26.

The event brought together AABANY members and non-members for an evening of networking and camaraderie over margaritas, beers, gyozas, and sushi rolls. Attendees included both long-time members and first-time participants, creating a dynamic and welcoming atmosphere.

Throughout the evening, colleagues reconnected and new relationships were formed, with conversations spanning diverse practice areas, career paths, and shared professional experiences. Many attendees also took the opportunity to exchange ideas and perspectives on programming and initiatives for the upcoming fiscal year.

The Committees look forward to building on this momentum and continuing to foster meaningful connections within the AABANY community in FY27.

To learn more about the Military & Veterans Affairs Committee, please visit this page. To learn more about the Commercial Bankruptcy & Restructuring Committee, please visit this page. To learn more about the Young Lawyers Committee, please visit this page. Upcoming events from the Committees can be found on the calendar of AABANY website.

—Written by Jameson Xu, Co-Chair of AABANY’s Young Lawyers Committee