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On Wednesday, July 23, AABANY held a general interest meeting at Wollmuth Maher & Deutsch LLP to explore the formation of a Technology Committee. The meeting included about 20 attendees who were law students, private, non-profit, small firm, and solo practitioners.
Chris Chan began the meeting by explaining why a Tech Committee was needed. He said, “The future of law is mobile and we need to keep up with technology, which leads to better service.” Having a Tech Committee would allow the organization and its members to stay abreast of developments in technology and stay on the fast track to finding more efficient, affordable, and quicker ways to complete tasks.
Chris provided the attendees with a list of apps or programs for them to try. Attendees engaged in the meeting by suggesting other apps and programs that other members could try, which will be added to a list for a future meeting. Attendees further engaged in the meeting by providing feedback on what they want or need from the Tech Committee. Some ideas that were suggested: showing members what information is at their fingertips, drawbacks or pitfalls to moving forward with technology (e.g., The Cloud), ethical issues on the use of certain technologies, hacking problems, research resources for law students, teaching members to use the different systems such as Mac, Microsoft, and Android, and others. The level of enthusiasm evident at the general interest meeting indicated potential viability for the formation of a Tech Committee.
Thank you to Vincent Chang and Wollmuth Maher & Deutsch LLP for hosting the event, Chris for holding the general interest meeting, and all the attendees. If you want to learn more about this potential new committee, contact us at main@aabany.org.
AABANY members, it’s that time of the year — the Asian American International Film Festival is here!
Let’s support Steve De Castro, trial attorney turned film director, and his new documentary, “Fred Ho’s Last Year,” a tribute to legendary jazz saxophonist/ composer and Asian American activist Fred Ho.
Former AABANY Vice President (ca. 2003), Steve left his lucrative 3-attorney law firm to pursue his passion — filmmaking. Drawn to Fred Ho’s fatalism and optimism in the face of cancer, Steve struggles to portray the life and times and intellectualism as Fred Ho is taken by the same disease that claimed Steve’s father.
Capturing his 7-year ordeal with colon cancer, Steve pays homage to Fred Ho’s intellectual scrutiny, his confidence in himself as an artist, and his radical vision. Above all, he allows Ho’s music to speak for itself.
AABANY supports and commends Steve’s emotional experience in creating this film and recognizes Fred Ho as his inspiration. In Steve’s words: “When times are tough in post production, I thought to myself, if Fred can mount his performances while his body is running on only half his heart, one lung, and half of his digestive organs removed, I can finish this film.”
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You can get 20% off your ticket purchase for this film by using our special promo code when you purchase on the AAIFF ‘14 website. You’re welcome!
Promo Code: aabany
How to apply this code: First, go to the AAIFF website and choose the film Fred Ho’s Last Year; then, click the button of “Add to Cart,” you will enter the Cart page; in this page, there is a field called “Apply Promo Code” on the bottom. Please put the discount code (aabany) in this field and click the button, then, you will get a discount.
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From the AAIFF website:
"An homage to the award-winning avant-garde jazz composer, Asian American author and political activist, FRED HO’S LAST YEAR captures the unapologetic Fred Ho in an unbelievable year as he fights cancer, leads orchestras, holds lectures, leads protests, publishes books, and even produces his magnum opus: an elaborate, manga-inspired samurai opera on a New York stage. Filmed over the course of 2013, the film provides a glimpse into Fred’s extraordinary life as a musician, a mentor, a pioneer and a dear friend for those who will be continuously inspired by his courage and persistence.
On July 31st, the AAIFF’14 will co-host a sneak preview of FRED HO’S LAST YEAR with Museum of Chinese in America, followed by a discussion with director Steven De Castro, playwright Ruth Margraff (CAFE ANTASIA), and Fred’s long-term friend Anne T. Greene.
On August 2nd, to follow the screening of FRED HO’S LAST YEAR at Village East Cinema will be a music tribute by Fred Ho’s student Ben Barson playing Fred’s saxophone.”
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We’ll see you there!
CONVENTION SCHOLARSHIP
NAPABA strives to keep the Convention affordable for our members and offers one of the best values among legal education conferences. NAPABA also maintains a scholarship fund to help further defray costs for attendees through registration fee waivers, travel stipends, and lodging stipends.
Scholarships are available only to individuals who are NAPABA members (either direct or affiliate) as of the application deadline, August 4, 2014.
“Who could have done this?”
“Why was this not taught to us?”
“Who will remember them?”
The KHRCA in partnership with the Korean community and other concerned individuals have created an internship for our students at Queensborough Community College to understand and champion the cause of these women. Our students will be able to learn as to what their grandparents and parents experienced in Asia during WWII. We will train them to interview those Asian seniors now living in Queens who survived the war. And in hearing their stories, they will know what happened and become witnesses who will tell and retell their ancestor’s stories.
On Tuesday, August 5, 2014 at 7:00 PM, join us in remembering these women.
The Comfort Women of Korea will not be forgotten!
The Korea Society, in partnership with KOTRA, hosts a practical-but-entertaining discussion on the essentials of art collecting, art curating, and art-related intellectual property issues such as copyrights, branding, and ownership rights. The afternoon’s panel features Christina Heekyung Kang, noted art collector and president of Paradigm Art; Jonathan Sirota, entertainment, art, and intellectual property attorney; and Inhee Moon, a well-known Korean art curator. These experts and pioneers in their respective fields will share both the challenges and rewards of managing an art-related business and also impart useful art market information, helpful tips on collecting, and an insider’s view of the art world in both Korea and New York. A reception follows for networking with fellow art lovers and panelists.
Members: Free
Nonmembers: $10
On Tuesday, July 22, The Korean American League for Civic Action (KALCA) held a Law Career Panel, as part of their Public Interest Panel Series, at Kobre & Kim, LLP, followed by a short networking session. Karen Kim, Esq. (Menaker & Herrmann, LLP), former Recording Secretary of AABANY, moderated the panel consisting of the Honorable Gilbert C. Hong (Judge, New York Criminal Court, Kings County), Jane C. Kim (Deputy Bureau Chief, Crime Strategies Unit at the King’s County DA’s Office), AABANY Labor and Employment Law Committee Co-Chair Christopher Kwok (NYC EEOC), AABANY In-House Counsel Committee Co-Chair Austin So (Associate General Counsel & Corporate Secretary, Heraeus), Jihee Suh (Assistant Attorney General, NYS Office of Attorney General), and Jimmy Yan (Chief Deputy General Counsel, Office of NYC Comptroller Scott M. Stringer). Panelists discussed why they got into the law, their interest in the public sector, a typical day at work, likes and dislikes of their job, and what they wish they knew before entering the profession.
The low pay of public interest lawyer versus a private sector lawyer became a major topic of interest: on the one hand, public interest lawyers are underpaid and as a result oftentimes feel undervalued. On the other, the public interest panel members also expressed relief over never worrying about the bottom line. For those that are successful in public interest law, the idea of serving the public good and working in the best interests of the people – whether as a judge, prosecutor, politician, or mediator – superseded the desire to take home a large paycheck. At some point, Austin So, representing the private sector, jokingly called himself the “dark side.” The panel stressed, however, that there was nothing inherently dark or immoral about working for profit, but that public interest law can be directly rewarding for those looking to make an impact.
Discussing the growth of Asian Americans in the profession, certain panelists discussed challenges due to race. Judge Hong stated that, whereas the bias may not be as explicit as in decades past, “the discrimination will happen when you’re not there – when you’re not invited out, when you’re not handed the major assignment, and when the partner wants to help out the guy that he has stuff in common with.” To this challenge, Judge Hong offered this advice: “Say yes. No matter what someone is asking you to do – grab a beer, go to a networking event, or join a bowling league. Get yourself out there and meet the people who are going to help you in ways you don’t even know yet.” Panelists echoed this need for those in the audience to expand their network, pursue risks, and challenge the convention that there is only one set method of success in the profession. The panelists shared that true success occurs when the individuals that achieve success helps others like them do the same.
Thank you to KALCA for running such an important and interesting panel series; Judy Kim, KALCA Board Member, NAPABA Northeast Regional Governor, and former AABANY Membership Secretary, for organizing this event; Kobre & Kim, LLP for hosting the event; the distinguished panelists; and all attendees.
Did you know that there’s a way that you can attend Mets and Yankees games and support the Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund? AALDEF participates in a special program that helps to raise funds for public interest organizations. By purchasing tickets to select baseball games through this program, your cost will include the value of the ticket plus an additional donation to support AALDEF. All donations go directly toward AALDEF’s legal and education programs. Please take advantage of this opportunity to root for your team while making a contribution for a good cause!
METS
Mets vs. Atlanta Braves at Citi Field
Tuesday, August 26, 7:10 pm
Section 512 (above home)
$25 per ticket, plus $5 donation or more
YANKEES
Yankees vs. Boston Red Sox at Yankee Stadium
Thursday, September 4, 7:05 pm
Section 426 (above third base)
$29 per ticket, plus $11 donation or more
Tickets are limited, so act fast! Please contact Eva Lew at elew@aaldef.org or (212) 966-5932, ext. 208 to reserve your tickets. After your reservation is confirmed, we will accept check and credit card payments. Tickets can either be mailed or held for pick-up at the AALDEF office at 99 Hudson Street in Manhattan. Thank you for supporting AALDEF!
Immigrant Youth Fair, presented by the New York Immigration Assistance Consortium, New York City, July 26-27, 10 am to 2 pm.
We respect your privacy. All information disclosed will be treated with the utmost confidentiality, limited to only the Career Placement Committee and AABANY staff.
Interested in moving your legal career forward?
Help AABANY’s Career Placement Committee help you. Launched with the Career Exchange at last year’s Fall Conference, the Career Placement Committee seeks to match qualified AABANY members with available legal positions. AABANY members who are actively seeking or are considering seeking a new position are encouraged to complete the Career Placement Committee Intake Form at http://bit.ly/cpc_intake and email resumes/CVs to resume@aabany.org.
The Career Exchange, offering career advice and resources, will take place again at this year’s Fall Conference on September 20, 2014.
All information disclosed will be treated with the utmost confidentiality. If you have any questions or comments, please contact the Career Placement Committee at careers@aabany.org.
At the NYCLA-AABANY Reception for Glenn Lau-Kee, NYSBA’s 117th President and the first Asian American President of NYSBA, Past AABANY President Vince Chang, Margaret Ling, Chair of NYCLA’s Asian Practice Committee and Director on AABANY’s Board, and Norman Kee, Glenn’s father, introduce Glenn to present his speech to all who gathered for the celebration. Thanks to Francis Chin, Director on AABANY’s Board, for the video.
