On March 26, 2026, the Pro Bono & Community Service Committee and the Government Service & Public Interest Committee continued their tradition of hosting a Volunteer Appreciation Dinner to recognize the volunteer attorneys, law students, AABANY staff, AALFNY board members, and community partners who make our Pro Bono Clinics possible. Together, we celebrated our shared mission of serving the public and promoting access to justice for those who cannot afford legal services.
The backbone of AABANY’s public service initiatives is its dedicated volunteers. We extend our deepest gratitude to the attorneys who generously devote their time and expertise to assisting members of the community. These Pro Bono Clinics also serve as valuable learning opportunities for law students, providing hands-on experience across various areas of law while allowing them to give back through direct service.
We also express our sincere appreciation to the Asian American Law Fund of New York (AALFNY) for its continued support, as well as to the AABANY staff, whose administrative efforts are essential to making this work possible.
The session featured insights from trademark attorneys Tracy Shen (who stepped in last minute for original speaker Spring Chang) and Lilian Qiu, Partners from Chang Tsi and Partners. Twelve attendees were given a summary on the upcoming legislative developments affecting China’s trademark office laws. As the market in China continues to grow and cater to more global business, it is important for legal professionals protecting their clients’ trademarks in this area to stay well-informed and on top of changes to the trademark filing process and rules. This webinar aimed to dissect the latest draft amendment to the trademark law, likely to be enacted this year, offering actionable insights and strategies that participants can implement in their trademark portfolio management and enforcement strategies.
Key Discussions and Highlights Both Tracy and Lilian shared their expertise in the field, walking attendees through the significant proposed changes outlined in the draft amendment. They provided a clear analysis of the policy background, explaining how these legislative shifts signal a more robust trademark regime in China and how the trademark office is attempting to fix existing difficulties by trademark holders and filers.
The speakers outlined the changes introduced in the new draft amendment, focusing on several focal points:
Changes Addressing Bad Faith Filings: One of the pivotal aspects of the discussion was centered on new provisions designed to inhibit bad faith trademark filers and malicious filings, such as by levying harsher penalties. Tracy and Lilian emphasized how these changes are set to enhance protections for genuine trademark owners, addressing long-standing dilemmas faced by businesses navigating China’s trademark system.
Efficiency Improvements: The speakers highlighted improvements brought forth by the draft amendment, showcasing how the streamlined processes would make the application and enforcement of trademarks more efficient. Such efficiencies, designed to reduce the opposition period and expanding protection for well-known trademarks, are expected to make a significant difference for foreign entities operating in China, providing clearer pathways to securing and maintaining trademark rights.
Unpacking Prior Amendments: The discussion also delved into analyzing which proposed changes from the prior draft amendment were not included in the latest version. Tracy and Lilian provided industry context that illuminated the rationale behind these omissions, guiding participants in understanding the current legislative climate.
Strategies for Portfolio Management and Risk Mitigation: Perhaps most importantly, the webinar concluded with actionable strategic advice for firms gearing up to adapt to these upcoming changes. Tracy and Lilian shared essential insights on proactive measures that businesses can take to protect their intellectual property rights in light of the new framework.
This was a specialized session for trademark attorneys who conduct trademark work in China and provided valuable insights to help navigate the upcoming changes.
We extend our gratitude to Tracy Shen and Lilian Qiu for their expert contributions to this webinar and encourage attendees to stay connected with UCIPF for future discussions on intellectual property developments.
For those interested in gaining more details from this session or joining future webinars and topics, and networking events, please join AABANY’s Intellectual Property Committee and reach out to Committee Chairs Greg Pan, Jeffrey Mok, and Ada Wang for with questions.
On March 25, AABANY was delighted to host another engaging installment of the Dumplings & Discussion series, featuring Grace Fu, Chief Legal and Administrative Officer of Nanit—and this year’s AABANY Annual Dinner honoreefor the Corporate Leadership Award. The evening, which took place at the New York office of Fish & Richardson, was filled with candid conversation, thoughtful insights, and, of course, delicious dumplings.
Grace generously shared her career journey, reflecting on the decisions that shaped her path. She touched on her professional growth, navigating change, and lessons learned along the way. Grace shared what went into her decisions each time she changed careers into a different field, while carrying many essential skills with her along the path of her journey. Grace also touched upon working as a woman in the legal field, citing advice she was given in her career. Grace’s openness and authenticity resonated deeply with attendees at all stages of their careers.
We are incredibly grateful to Grace for taking the time to join us and for sharing her insights so generously. Her perspective and experiences made for a memorable and inspiring discussion.
Thank you as well to everyone who attended and helped make the evening such a success. We look forward to continuing the Dumplings & Discussion series with more opportunities to connect, learn, and engage with one another.
—Written by Jeffrey Mok, AABANY Board Director and Co-Chair of AABANY’s Intellectual Property Committee
On February 18, 2026, at the Governor’s Lunar New Year celebration in Manhattan Chinatown, Justice Lillian Wan received a Special Citation from Governor Kathy Hochul. This recognition commemorates Justice Wan’s work in serving fellow New Yorkers with distinction and upholding the highest standards of excellence in public service. Justice Wan expressed deep gratitude for receiving the Special Citation from Governor Hochul, made all the more meaningful by being honored alongside Asian American Federation (AAF) CEO Catherine Chen and Coalition for Asian American Children and Families (CACF) Co-Executive Director Vanessa Leung, two leaders whose contributions to the Asian-American community have been noteworthy and impactful.
In 2022, Governor Hochul appointed Justice Wan to the Appellate Division, Second Department, making her the first Asian American woman to sit in the Appellate Division in New York State. Despite achieving this milestone in the New York State courts, Justice Wan’s path to the bench was not one she originally envisioned for herself. As a practicing attorney, she never appeared before a judge who looked like her, so she never considered it a possibility. That changed when she began working closely with Surrogate Judge Margarita López Torres, the first Latina Surrogate Judge in New York State. Judge López Torres became her mentor and encouraged her to apply for a mayoral appointment to the family court bench, where her experience was strongest, and that the City of New York would benefit from having her as a judge. “She saw something in me that I didn’t see in myself,” Justice Wan reflected.
Since being appointed to the bench in 2012, Justice Wan has witnessed a remarkable shift in representation. When she started, Asian American judges across New York State made up under 2% of the judiciary. Today, that number has grown to about 5% of the approximately 1,300 sitting New York state judges.
Governor Hochul, who awarded Justice Wan the special recognition, has played a meaningful role in that progress. Since taking office in August 2021, the Governor has appointed nine Asian American judges, six of whom have been appointed to the New York State Court of Claims, a higher number than any Governor in the State’s history. She has also appointed three Asian American judges to the Appellate Division, the mid-level appellate court in New York State. Justice Wan was appointed to the Appellate Division, Second Department in May 2022. Justice Philip Hom was appointed in 2024. Most recently, Justice Margaret Chan was appointed to the Appellate Division, First Department. Justice Wan, Justice Hom, and Justice Chan are all members of the Asian American Bar Association of New York.
Justice Wan’s own path was shaped not only by Judge López Torres but also by the Honorable Randall T. Eng, former Presiding Justice of the Appellate Division, Second Department, and now practicing attorney who holds a truly historic distinction: he was the first Asian American judge in the entire state of New York, appointed to the Criminal Court by Mayor Ed Koch in 1983. Justice Eng mentored Justice Wan early in her career and instilled in her a philosophy she carries to this day: visibility matters. Your job is essential, but you need to do more. Asian American attorneys and judges must be active in bar associations, judicial organizations, their law schools, their universities, and their communities. They should embrace leadership roles and ensure people know who they are.
Justice Wan has made it her personal mission to be for others what Judge López Torres and Justice Eng were for her. She remains accessible, attends various events to stay visible, and holds leadership positions in organizations that uplift the Asian-American legal community. As a mentor, Justice Wan sees talented attorneys routinely talking themselves out of applying for judicial positions, convinced that others are more qualified, that they haven’t been around long enough, or that it simply isn’t their turn. Her advice to students and legal professionals who want to follow her footsteps is direct: apply anyway. Often, the only difference between the person who gets the position and the person who doesn’t is that the latter didn’t second-guess themselves.
Besides individual efforts, Justice Wan points to the power of community organizations in building a stronger pipeline. The Asian American Bar Association of New York runs a robust Judiciary Committee that vets judicial candidates, provides letters of endorsement, conducts mock interviews, and hosts educational programs about the path to becoming a judge. The Asian American Judges Association of New York, of which Justice Wan is a past president and current board member, works to support judges and grow their numbers. The organization is open to everyone, not just Asian American judges, and its mission is rooted in the belief that a bench that reflects the full population it serves is stronger and more just.
The Special Citation from Governor Hochul captures both the breadth of Justice Wan’s career and the philosophy that has defined it, recognizing her historic appointment to the Appellate Division, Second Department, alongside her leadership in the organizations that uplift Asian American attorneys, women in law, and the broader legal community. It is a recognition that spans decades of work, from her earliest years on the bench to the mentorship and visibility efforts she continues today. Justice Wan has spent her career being the judge she did not see when she was a young attorney, and in doing so, has made sure that fewer people will have to wonder whether someone like them belongs on the bench.
Please join AABANY in congratulating Justice Wan on receiving this recognition from Governor Hochul.
On March 18, 2026, AABANY’s Corporate Law Committee hosted their Spring Social event at Blue Blossom near Bryant Park. This event brought together a vibrant group of legal professionals for an evening of connection and celebration. During the evening, AABANY members and friends gathered for lively conversation, delicious food, and yummy cocktails. The popular event was so successful that at times the second floor room was packed with attendees. Conversations flowed easily at this networking event, where many corporate attorneys relaxed over a delicious menu of dumplings, noodles, and lobster. Whether catching up with familiar faces or forging new professional relationships, attendees left the evening energized and inspired.
The Corporate Law Committee remains deeply committed to fostering a strong and supportive sense of community among corporate law attorneys in the New York Tri-State area throughout the year. Through thoughtfully curated events like this one, professional development opportunities, and meaningful engagement, the Committee strives to create spaces where members can thrive both personally and professionally. This Committee is spearheaded by Co-Chairs John Hwang from Linklaters, Tracy Feng from Paul Hastings, and Keli Huang from Kirkland & Ellis, along with Vice-Chairs Kyle Zhu from Orrick and Ashley Wong from Amazon. Their dedication and leadership continue to elevate the Committee’s impact across the AABANY community.
The Corporate Law Committee extends its gratitude to the generous sponsors, Datasite and PNC Bank, for making this event a success.
– Written by Ashley Wong, AABANY Corporate Law Committee Vice-Chair
On Wednesday, March 18th, AABANY’s Student Outreach Committee and Women’s Committee organized the Careers in Media Law Panel, hosted by Perkins Coie. The panel featured a diverse group of professionals in media law: Roger Chao (Senior Counsel at A+E Global Media), Jessica Cheng (Associate at Perkins Coie), Amy Gajda (Jeffrey D. Forchelli Professor at Brooklyn Law School), and Alicia Matusheski Khaled (Senior Counsel at Perkins Coie). The event was held at Perkins Coie’s midtown Manhattan office in the SoHo conference room, where around 15-20 lawyers, students, and other registrants attended.
The panelists engaged in a riveting discussion of media law, the field’s niches, and the influence of AI on their work. Topics such as the First Amendment and privacy were brought into the conversation, specifically how these areas were being put in jeopardy and questioned by AI’s emergence. The panelists also engaged in a lighthearted, realistic discussion about the challenges of working within media law, as well as the rewards. They found the work they did to be stressful sometimes. One example included the stress in getting a contract or agreement through as a deadline looms, because not closing the deal can mean delays in production and content that was waiting to be used or seen by millions of people. But what the panelists found most rewarding was seeing the shows, games, or other media they worked on in the news and loved by fans.
The audience was incredibly engaged and interested in what was shared. Attendees asked questions generally about the field of law, but also specific questions, including discussion of AI and its impact. After the panel discussion and Q&A, the attendees and panelists networked over a spread of hors d’oeuvres featuring lime-and-garlic-grilled shrimp and truffled potato croquettes as well as strawberries dipped in chocolate for dessert. Those who attended in the hopes of gaining more insight into media law left with a deeper understanding of the field’s intricacies and the stories of the experts who worked within it.
AABANY thanks Perkins Coie for the refreshments and the beautiful space. Thank you also to our panelists, who were deeply engaged in conversation and who passionately shared stories, information, and tips about media law.
To learn more about AABANY’s Student Outreach Committee, click here. To learn more about AABANY’s Women’s Committee, click here. You can find out more about upcoming events by visiting the calendar on AABANY’s website.
— Written by Emily Kam, AABANY Student Outreach Committee Vice-Chair
On Monday, March 16, 2026, the AABANY Intellectual Property (IP) Committee gathered for its final dinner of the 2025-2026 fiscal year at CHILI, a Michelin-recognized Sichuan restaurant in Midtown Manhattan.
The evening served as a festive conclusion to a productive year, bringing together a diverse mix of legal professionals—from seasoned IP attorneys, in-house and government attorneys, to law students—to network and reflect on the year’s achievements before the new fiscal year begins on April 1. The gathering offered the attendees, all AABANY members at different stage of their careers, an opportunity to share insights and forge connections that extend well beyond the courtroom or office. Conversations flowed easily between the fourteen attendees, from those who have spent decades navigating the complexities of intellectual property law to those just beginning to find their footing in the profession, creating a sense of mentorship and mutual inspiration. As the evening drew to a close, attendees departed with renewed energy and a shared sense of purpose, ready to carry the momentum of the past year into the promising opportunities that the new fiscal year is sure to bring.
A heartfelt thank you to everyone who joined us for this special evening. We look forward to many more meals, meaningful conversations, and moments of connection in the new fiscal year.
If you’re interested in future dinners, keep an eye on the AABANY calendar for upcoming events. To learn more about the IP Committee, visit their subpage on the AABANY website.
– Written by Ada Wang, AABANY Intellectual Property Committee Co-Chair
Thank you to the Asian American Law Fund of New York (AALFNY), CPC Brooklyn, our community partners, and Rachna Agarwal (SABANY Pro Bono Chair). A special thank-you goes to all the volunteer attorneys and law students who stayed late to ensure every client was seen.
Our volunteers assisted 27 clients with matters including identity theft, wills and trusts, employment, family, matrimonial, housing, and real estate.
In addition to providing vital legal guidance, Pro Bono Clinics serve as a training ground for law students and young attorneys to practice communicating complex legal concepts in layman’s terms. We appreciate our volunteers for taking the time to listen to clients’ stories and giving them a space to be heard. The dedication of our volunteers continues to bridge the justice gap in our community.
Finally, at the Pro Bono Clinic, we celebrated the birthday of AABANY member and long-standing Pro Bono Clinic volunteer, May Wong! May was also the AABANY 2022 Member of the Year. Happy Birthday, May!
Volunteer attorneys:
Vishal Chander
Natalie Moulton-Levy
Rachna Agarwal
Wendy Zeng
Kwok Kei Ng
May Wong
Sanketh Bhaskar
Olivia Mao
Francis Chin
Helen Ding
Arthur Lin
Minyao Wang
Beatrice Leong
Law students:
Sam Chen
Eva Zhou
Yining Pan
– Written by Kwok Kei Ng, AABANY PBCS Committee Co-Chair
On March 12, 2026, AABANY’s Tax Committee and Asia Practice Committee co-hosted a vibrant dinner event at Chi Restaurant & Bar. The gathering brought together a diverse group of attendees, including seasoned attorneys, young professionals, and NYU tax LLM students, all eager to connect and share insights. Conversations ranged from emerging trends in Asian markets to recent developments in tax law, fostering both professional growth and community building. Guests enjoyed an array of Asian-inspired dishes while networking with new acquaintances and reconnecting with familiar colleagues in a welcoming atmosphere.
Building on the success of this event, the Tax Committee intends to host additional networking events throughout the year, collaborating with other AABANY Committees to broaden participation. We warmly invite professionals from all backgrounds to join our future gatherings and stay connected with our growing community.
For more information on AABANY’s Tax Committee, click here. For more information on AABANY’s Asia Practice Committee, click here. You can also check out AABANY’s website for information on other committees, as well as a calendar of upcoming events.
– Written by Eric Min, Co-Chair of AABANY’s Tax Committee
The Asian American Bar Association of New York (AABANY)’s Prosecutors Committee, together with its Judiciary Committee, celebrated the 17th Anniversary of the Prosecutors Committee on March 5, 2026, at the Daniel Patrick Moynihan United States Courthouse in Lower Manhattan. The evening honored Pamela K. Chen, United States District Judge for the Eastern District of New York, with a Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of her exemplary service to the Federal judiciary and her longstanding dedication to justice.
Judge Chen was nominated to the Federal bench in January 2013 by President Barack Obama and confirmed by the Senate in March 2013. Since her appointment to the bench, Judge Chen has presided over a wide array of civil and criminal cases, including a civil lawsuit challenging New York’s ban on the possession of nunchuks.
Judge Chen began her legal career at the law firm of Arnold & Porter in Washington, D.C. In 1991, she joined the Special Litigation Section of the U.S. Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division, where she litigated matters relating to conditions of confinement for individuals in state and local institutions, as well as cases involving the enforcement of the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act of 1994.
In 1998, Judge Chen moved to New York City and joined the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York, where she worked until March 2013, except for a brief period in 2008, when she served as Deputy Commissioner for Enforcement in the New York State Division of Human Rights. As an Assistant U.S. Attorney, Judge Chen investigated and prosecuted cases involving terrorism, gang violence, drug trafficking, human trafficking, official misconduct, and civil rights crimes. She also served as the Chief of the Criminal Civil Rights Section and oversaw the development of the Office’s anti-human trafficking program, which resulted in the investigation and prosecution of hundreds of traffickers and the identification, rescue, and restoration of hundreds of survivors of trafficking. In 2015, Judge Chen and then-Attorney General Loretta E. Lynch were honored by Sanctuary for Families for the anti-human trafficking work done by the U.S. Attorney’s Office under Attorney General Lynch’s leadership as the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York.
Judge Chen has also served for nearly ten years on the Board of the Sonia & Celina Sotomayor Judicial Internship Program where she mentors the next generation of legal professionals.
The evening began in the courthouse’s Ceremonial Courtroom, where approximately 150 attendees from across the legal community gathered. The event brought together a wide range of members from our shared communities, including state and Federal judges and prosecutors, government attorneys, private practitioners, law students, law clerks, professors, community advocates, and supporters of AABANY.
The formal program commenced at approximately 6:15 p.m., with opening remarks from the evening’s Masters of Ceremonies, Teri Chung, Major Case Assistant District Attorney at the Bronx County District Attorney’s Office, and Eun Bi Kim, Assistant District Attorney at the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office. Distinguished heads of the Federal judiciary offered warm greetings and reflections on Judge Chen’s career, including Hon. Laura Taylor Swain, Chief Judge of the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, and Hon. Margo K. Brodie, Chief Judge of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York.
Following Chief Judges Swain and Brodie, additional remarks were delivered by Benjamin Hsing, President of AABANY; Hon Joseph Nocella Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York; Hon Bridget G. Brennan, Special Narcotics Prosecutor for the City of New York; Joseph P. Alexis, Chief of the Trial Division at the Kings County District Attorney’s Office; and Karl Metzner, Associate United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York. During the program, each speaker highlighted the breadth and significance of Judge Chen’s judicial and prosecutorial careers. Their words were a tribute to her leadership and dedication to public service.
After the array of accolades was given from many who have worked with Judge Chen, she was formally introduced by Hon. Ann Donnelly, United States District Judge for the Eastern District of New York, who described Judge Chen as the embodiment of a trailblazer.
In her acceptance remarks, Judge Chen delivered a thoughtful and compelling reflection of her career and the importance of representation in public service within the legal profession. Citing data on Asian American participation in public service roles, she observed that “by the end of 2022, approximately 7.5% of Asian American lawyers entered government service directly from law school,” while noting similarly modest percentages entering law school and prosecutorial offices. She posed a critical question: “Why does it matter that Asian Americans are not fully represented in public service?”
Judge Chen explained that the answer lies not only in numbers, but in perception and belonging. She remarked that in this country, there remains an undercurrent that views Asian Americans as perpetual foreigners. Such perceptions have, at times, surfaced most painfully during moments of national hardship, including the COVID-19 pandemic, when anti-Asian sentiment manifested in acts of violence.
Emphasizing the importance of visibility in public roles, Judge Chen reflected on the symbolic power of serving as a prosecutor: “When you stand up in court and say, ‘I represent the People of New York’ or ‘I represent the United States of America,’ you are affirming, every day, that Asian Americans are part of this nation—not outsiders to it.” Judge Chen emphasized how greater participation in public service, specifically institutions of justice, helps achieve equity for all, and simultaneously challenges stereotypes and reinforces the fundamental truth of belonging.
These themes of representation and belonging were echoed in the broader program. Before its conclusion, AABANY Executive Director Yang Chen introduced a trailer for Voices Against Anti-Asian Hate, an AABANY documentary highlighting the surge in anti-Asian hate incidents during the pandemic and the community’s response. The trailer highlighted the importance of continued vigilance and advocacy against anti-Asian violence and hate crimes and described the ongoing work of AABANY’s Anti-Asian Violence Task Force. Yang Chen further expressed gratitude for the role played by members of the Task Force in producing the documentary. In particular, Yang called up St. John’s University School of Law Professor Elaine Chiu, past Chair of the Task Force, and James Lin, retired veteran prosecutor of the Manhattan and Brooklyn DA’s Offices, as well as Daphne Mei, Program Manager for the Task Force, for their contributions to AABANY’s work combatting anti-Asian violence and hate.
The program concluded with closing remarks from Kin Ng before guests proceeded to a networking reception in suite 850. The reception featured an array of delicious food including a variety of kimbap, samosas and dumplings, and provided an opportunity for attendees to connect and celebrate Judge Chen and the continued impact of the Prosecutors Committee within the legal community.
A Second Circuit Judge who attended the event described it as “warm, informative, and fun,” a sentiment that captured the spirit of collegiality and shared purpose that defined the celebration.
AABANY thanks Prosecutors Committee Co-Chairs Grace Vee, Appeals Division Civil Litigation Unit Chief and Associate General Counsel at the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office, and Kin Ng, Bureau Chief at the Kings County District Attorney’s Office, as well as Judiciary Committee Co-Chairs David Mou, founding attorney of Mou Legal PLLC, and Mark Son, Vice President of the Central Investigations Function at Deutsche Bank, for their leadership in organizing this memorable evening. AABANY also thanks the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York for graciously hosting the celebration at the SDNY courthouse. To view photos from the event, click here.
