From Wednesday, July 22nd through Sunday, July 26th, experience a week of extraordinary performances, music, dance, family activities, and cultural celebrations during Chinese Arts Week, part of Lincoln Center’s Summer for the City festival. This special week of programming showcases the richness and diversity of Chinese culture through a dynamic lineup of both traditional and contemporary performances.
Highlights include:
Stunning performances by Shen Wei Dance Arts and Guangdong Modern Dance Company
Electrifying live music from Ian Chang and Guzheng Meets Jazz with Qi Yu
Traditional Lion Dancing
Kids & Family workshops and storytimes
A restorative Tai Chi workshop with Raymond Li
Local Chinese food vendors
and much more!
Chinese Arts Week is a unique opportunity to experience the creativity, heritage, and global influence of Chinese culture. Explore the full schedule here to learn more!
Admission & Registration
All events are FREE to attend.
Fast Track registration will open on Monday, July 20th, and offers guaranteed entry and expedited access to events. Spots are limited, so be sure to reserve yours as soon as possible through the individual event pages.
General admission will also be available on a first-come, first-served basis, subject to venue capacity.
Spread the Word
Bring your friends, family, and community members to enjoy an unforgettable celebration of Chinese culture. Feel free to share this blog post to help spread the excitement for Chinese Arts Week!
For group reservations or additional questions, please contact Alex Simpson at asimpson@lincolncenter.org.
On July 9, 2026, AABANY’s Corporate Law and In-House Counsel Committees hosted a vibrant Summer Karaoke Social at Rewind Karaoke Lounge in Long Island City, Queens. The event brought together corporate attorneys and in-house lawyers for an evening of conversation, connection and community. Attendees reconnected with familiar faces, cultivated new relationships and engaged with one another in a lively environment that blended professional networking with a relaxed social setting.
The event reflected the Corporate Law and In-House Counsel Committees’ shared commitment to creating welcoming spaces where legal professionals can connect across practices, industries and career stages. Attendees first enjoyed mingling in the lounge space and connected with each other over fun cocktails and delicious food. Later into the evening, some continued to carry on conversations in the lounge while others sang songs in the private karaoke room.
The Corporate Law Committee is spearheaded by Co-Chairs Keli Huang, Partner at Kirkland & Ellis LLP and Ashley Wong, Associate Corporate Counsel at Amazon, along with Vice-Chairs Kyle Zhu, Senior Associate at Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP and Judy Lin, Associate at Kirkland & Ellis LLP. The In-House Counsel Committee is spearheaded by Co-Chairs David Sohn, Vice President and Assistant General Counsel at JPMorgan Chase & Co., Peter Wei, Head of Legal at Mercuryo, Jack Chen, Deputy General Counsel at Public.com and Michelle Lee, General Counsel at MediaCo Holding Inc.. Their dedication and leadership continue to strengthen the AABANY community.
The Corporate Law and In-House Counsel Committees extend their gratitude to their generous co-sponsors, McGill and Partners and PNC Bank, for helping make the Summer Karaoke Social possible.
– Written by Judy Lin, Vice Chair of AABANY’s Corporate Law Committee
On June 16th, 2026, the Immigration Law Committee of the Asian American Bar Association of New York (AABANY) held its first meeting of the year on Zoom. Nicole Fink, Chair of the Immigration Law Committee, used this occasion as an opportunity to reconnect with fellow immigration attorneys and to gauge interest in potential events later this year.
At the start of the meeting, Yang Chen, the Executive Director of AABANY, sought applications for AABANY’s Legal Referral and Information Services (LRIS) program. Currently, the LRIS program is looking for experienced lawyers to join its panel due to high demand for qualified immigration lawyers.
Next, the meeting focused on plans for the Immigration Law Committee’s growth and potential topics of interest for the near future. Nicole Fink made a request for more participation in AABANY’s Pro Bono Clinics, especially from immigration lawyers. The Pro Bono Clinics take place in community settings, to create a more welcoming environment for those seeking legal advice. Lawyers serving in the Clinic provide limited scope representation and would only give brief advice and refer clients to legal resources, and are thus not committed to representing any client after the consultation at the Clinic ends. As an incentive, Fink offered to buy a free meal for any lawyers on the call who volunteered at the Clinic.
The meeting also covered continued legal education (CLE) programs. After AABANY’s well received training on habeas corpus on June 4th, meeting attendees expressed interest in more CLE opportunities on immigration-related issues and other topics, such as AI usage in the legal field. The discussion also focused on overlapping areas such as matrimonial law and legal issues affecting juveniles. The group talked about the need to connect lawyers with different areas of expertise, and who may be able, for example, to aid conditional residence cases or special immigrant juvenile status cases.
The meeting concluded with a reminder about the 2026 Fall Conference on Saturday, September 26th, in which the Immigration Law Committee is presenting a panel on AI and data analytics in the immigration field, “Beyond Forms & Filings: How Tomorrow’s Immigration Attorneys Build Power Through Tech, Data, and Storytelling.” The meeting attendees also brainstormed on possible wellness opportunities for immigration lawyers, to combat the tough legal environment they operate in by offering more relaxing options to connect and refresh. Committee members were encouraged to reach out in the weeks ahead with additional ideas or interest in getting involved with Pro Bono Clinics, wellness opportunities, or networking across practice areas.
On June 13, 2026, AABANY hosted its Fourth Annual Wellness Day at Brooklyn Law School. This successful event was made possible through the generous support of AABANY’s engaging speakers and generous sponsors, enabling participants to learn about crucial issues related to mental and physical well-being among members of the legal profession.
AABANY held its inaugural Wellness Day during former AABANY President Karen Kim’s 2023-2024 term, which focused on highlighting mental health and well-being in the legal profession. Since then, Wellness Day has continued as an annual event. Mental health and well-being are often overlooked and under-discussed. With programs like Wellness Day, AABANY aims to break down barriers and recognize mental health issues within the legal profession, creating a safe and supportive space for people to share their stories. At Wellness Day this year, participants learned about topics such as managing stress, the importance of resilience, and keeping physically fit.
Doors for Wellness Day opened at 9:30 am. The event started with a Meet and Greet Breakfast, where attendees connected with one another as well as with former and current Wellness Day speakers and sponsors, and eased into the morning with pastries from Paris Baguette. Attendees who checked in early were also eligible to enter a raffle to win prizes designed to support wellness and well-being. The prizes included a complimentary intake session with Anise Health; a Time-Management Intensive Session with Dr. Michelle Thompson, CEO of Resistant Vision; 1:1 Coaching Session with Celina Lee, an executive and career coach, and founder of the Live Your Dream Club; Laser Focus Power Pitch Session with the Perfect Pitch Group; and Rainmaking 101 from Day 1, a book by Precious L. Williams.
AABANY President Varuna Bhattacharyya officially kicked off the programming with welcoming remarks, thanking AABANY’s sponsors, speakers, and attendees who made the event possible.
8 Pillars of Attorney Well-Being
The first morning session featured Jennifer Clayton from the New York State Bar Association and Niti Parthasarathy from Generation SOS. Ms. Clayton highlighted the problems in the legal profession surrounding stress and how it builds. She introduced the “8 Pillars of Attorney Well-Being” as a strategic way to deal with stress in the workplace, which are: Emotional, Spiritual, Intellectual, Physical, Occupational, Financial, Environmental, and Social. Ms. Parthasarathy shared her story as a burned out attorney at her law firm. What helped Ms. Parthasarathy was realizing that everything would be fine if you let go and that self care is not selfish. She emphasized the importance of being kind to yourself. To amplify the point, Ms. Clayton shared an example of being kind to yourself by recounting a story about a biker and a bike chain, where the biker thought that she was slow because she was unathletic, when the real problem turned out to be the bike chain that was broken, showing how some things happen for external reasons. Ms. Parthasarathy shared how doing things like going outside, trying new things, and taking just a little time to meditate improved her overall quality of life, giving her free time and actual hobbies beyond just working. In sharing these lessons, Ms. Clayton and Ms. Parthasarathy helped the audience learn the importance of being kind to yourself and taking time for yourself when needed.
Next, Socheth McCutcheon, Associate General Counsel at Verizon and Founder of the National Association of Cambodian American Lawyers, together with Kristin Coletto, Vice President of Integration and Strategic Programs, engaged in a fireside chat to share the importance of listening to your body. Ms. McCutcheon talked about serious health problems she developed as a hardworking lawyer and parent. She noted how work took a toll on her physically, and how she didn’t want to take time off, even through severe weight loss. Ms. McCutcheon recounted how she eventually took time off through the encouragement of her friend, and afterwards, she discovered that she needed a blood transfusion. Even though she was able to get help, Ms. McCutcheon reflected on how long it took her to admit that she needed help. In their discussion, Ms. McCutcheon and Ms. Coletto highlighted the need to listen to your body and the need to ask for help rather than pushing through despite pain and discomfort. The fireside chat closed with an engaging Q&A session where attendees shared personal experiences further emphasizing how important health should be prioritized before serious health issues arise.
After the morning sessions, attendees enjoyed a delicious and healthy lunch featuring a variety of Korean dishes. Raffle winners were selected and announced through a random wheel spin. All speakers and attendees received handheld fans to beat the summer heat as a Wellness Day giveaway. Throughout the day, attendees also enjoyed healthy snacks to help stay focused and energized. Attendees made new connections and re-connected with prior Wellness Day attendees during the break, before diving back into the afternoon session.
Pivot with Purpose: Navigating Career Transitions with Resilience
The afternoon kicked off with a panel on career transitions with Michelle Lee, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary at MediaCo; Christina Chelliah, Corporate Counsel for TransPerfect and founder of the Foreign Trained Attorneys Network; and Rachel Lee, President and General Counsel for Stand with Asian Americans. The panel was moderated by Regina Jin, Associate at Troutman Pepper Locke, and Co-Chair of AABANY’s Wellness Committee. Each member of the panel shared their unique experiences with career change and offered advice to other lawyers considering a career change.
Michelle Lee opened up about how she filed a discrimination lawsuit against her former company, in order to uphold her rights, even if it meant losing her job in the process. Ms. Lee shared how she used the time she had after losing her job to begin exercising to focus on her physical health. She recommended everyone to take time to work out, especially in the context of the legal profession where lawyers do not have much time to focus on their physical fitness. She also advised lawyers to think twice about quitting before trying to switch careers, noting that interviewing while unemployed is challenging.
Christina Chelliah shared her story about being a successful, practicing attorney in Malaysia before moving to the United States. Although her family and peers were surprised by her decision to leave Malaysia in the midst of a successful career, Ms. Chelliah ultimately decided to move to the United States in the pursuit of greater career achievement. As a foreign-trained attorney, she experienced struggles in proving her skills to law firms in the United States. Ms. Chelliah also discussed the sense of duty many Asian American women experience, noting a tendency to prioritize the well-being of others over their own. Consequently, her choice to pursue a new career path represented a significant departure from deeply rooted cultural norms. She urged those in attendance to prioritize their own aspirations rather than focusing solely on the expectations of those around them.
Rachel Lee talked about working at big law firms and then transitioning to a non-profit organization. She spoke about how she disagreed with her firm’s withdrawal from supporting DEI, causing her to ultimately decide to leave the firm. Ms. Lee noted that the transition to non-profit was a financial sacrifice, but it was the right thing to do. She encouraged attendees to have the courage to acknowledge when things aren’t always perfect or right and to stay connected to their passion.
After the first afternoon session, the audience took a quick stretch break led by Michelle Lee. Ms. Lee guided participants through several convenient exercises to do any time during the day from their seats. The stretch break was greatly appreciated after a long day of sitting.
Demystifying the Bench
From the stretch break, we moved to a panel on demystifying the bench, with Judge Judy Kim, Justice of the New York County Supreme Court, and Judge Joseph Zayas, Chief Administrative Judge of the New York State Unified Court System, moderated by Nicole Zayas, LCSW, CEO, Arriving Full Circle (and daughter of Judge Zayas).
Judge Kim talked about being the first Korean American justice elected to the New York County Supreme Court. Reflecting on her journey as an immigrant to the United States, Judge Kim discussed her judicial responsibility to support the community and ensure the court system remains accessible and user-friendly. She talked about her choice to go into the legal profession instead of going to medical school, choosing a profession that actually impacted the real world. Judge Kim reflected on the moment when she decided she didn’t want to be a private sector lawyer and instead transitioned to public service to serve a greater purpose. In response to what advice she would have given her younger self, she highlighted the importance of having self confidence.
Judge Zayas recounted his story as a young boy who would skip class and who almost failed gym. He reflected that he had no idea that one day he would end up in such an important role. Even as a Justice of the New York State Supreme Court, Judge Zayas admitted that he didn’t always feel absolutely confident. He recalled a time when he went to an event and admitted that he felt a little scared in his role, but he was later told by others that he shouldn’t admit his vulnerability and should appear as completely confident. Judge Zayas disagreed, telling the audience that it was important to be true to yourself, including admitting when things are hard. Judge Zayas offered some key pieces of advice, such as working hard, treating everyone with kindness, and being resilient. Judge Zayas emphasized persistence, noting that anyone, even an almost-failing student like himself, could work hard and contribute to society in a meaningful way. He also gave the audience advice on being in touch with your emotions – even if sometimes obstacles get you upset, you need to learn how to calm down and go back later to reflect on why something made you mad in the first place.
To read a blog post about this panel from Judge Kim’s intern, Devashani Sharma, go here.
Reclaiming Your Life Without Burning It Down: The Journey Back to Yourself
The day ended with a session from Nicole Zayas, LCSW, CEO of Arriving Full Circle. She began by involving everyone in a mindfulness exercise that included a Hershey’s Kiss, where participants felt, heard, smelled, and even tasted the Kiss before finally eating it. The exercise slowed down the attendees and focused them on being present in the moment.
Ms. Zayas began her presentation by telling her story of being a young woman who did “everything right,” going to school, working hard, and finding a job. Then, she suddenly became a mother from two unexpected pregnancies, feeling overwhelmed and disconnected. She managed to find her way back to herself through therapy, breathing exercises, and yoga. Ms. Zayas then proposed that “broken” people aren’t really broken; rather, they are in survival mode, trying to just survive (instead of thriving), and reacting (instead of responding). Ms. Zayas gave three steps to getting back in the driver’s seat:
Believing it is possible
Investing in yourself
Finding your purpose
These three steps shaped what Ms. Zayas called the “Power Pass,” a step-by-step program to get people back in the driver’s seat of their lives. She gave the analogy of a surfer, where the person is the surfer and the waves are their thoughts. The person can either ride the waves or let the waves ride them. Ms. Zayas ended the session by promoting her Power Pass series in August, inviting anyone interested to sign up for a wait list to join the sessions.
Closing Remarks
AABANY Executive Director Yang Chen delivered closing remarks, thanking all of the speakers, sponsors, and participants who made the day possible. Attendees then enjoyed the remaining time to connect with each other before leaving the event, bringing AABANY’s Fourth Annual Wellness Day to a close.
We would like to thank the following sponsors for generously supporting this year’s Wellness Day:
To learn more about the Wellness Committee, go here. To join the e-mail list of the Wellness Committee, email main@aabany.org. For more information about this year’s Wellness Day speakers, go to the website: https://wellness2026.aabany.org/, where you can also find a drop down for previous Wellness Day webpages and blog posts. AABANY’s list compiling Wellness Resources can be found here.
–Written by Samuel Yu, incoming 9th grade student of Livingston Public Schools, New Jersey
On June 2, the Asian Employee Resource Group of the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office (DANY) hosted a fireside chat with DANY alum Sandra Leung in honor of Asian Pacific Islander Desi American (APIDA) Heritage Month. Leung is an Independent Director of Bausch Health Companies and recently retired as Executive Vice President and General Counsel (GC) of Bristol Myers Squibb, where she was the first Asian American and first woman to hold the role. Moderated by Grace Vee (Co-Chair of AABANY’s Prosecutors Committee; Associate General Counsel and Chief, State Civil Litigation Unit, Appeals Division, at Manhattan District Attorney’s Office) and Emily Abrams, the event brought together prosecutors, attorneys, and members of the legal community for a conversation about Leung’s career and the lessons she’s carried from the DA’s office to the boardroom.
Leung credited her career to both her family history and her time at DANY, where she chose prosecution after a stint in legal aid exposed her to criminal justice firsthand. When she first started, diversity wasn’t yet something the profession really talked about. Despite that, she pushed through imposter syndrome, a feeling she said never fully goes away. Leung learned to recognize it and work past it when it counted.
Eventually the hours and the need for more stability for a growing family pulled her toward in-house work, a path that led her to the GC role at Bristol Myers Squibb. From her time at the company, she learned that diversity was not only about being fair and ethical, but it was also good for business, because it prevents groupthink. She pointed to the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association’s model of mentorship and allyship as a blueprint for what the room could keep building. She closed by urging everyone not to let their differences divide them but to remember that the profession moves further when it moves together.
AABANY thanks Sandra Leung for sharing her insights and her journey, and thanks the Asian Employee Resource Group of the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office for hosting this celebration of APIDA Heritage Month.
On June 13, 2026 at AABANY’s 2026 Wellness Day, attendees had the opportunity to hear a candid conversation between Hon. Joseph A. Zayas, Chief Administrative Judge of the New York State Unified Court System, and Hon. Judy H. Kim, Justice of the Supreme Court, New York County. Moderated by Nicole Zayas, LCSW, CEO of Arriving Full Circle Therapy and Coaching, the session, “Demystifying the Bench,” offered a rare glimpse behind the judicial robe and into the personal journeys that shaped two distinguished members of New York’s judiciary.
Rather than focusing solely on professional accomplishments, the discussion centered on the human experiences behind judicial leadership. Judge Kim shared the pride she felt and the great responsibility she took up as the first Korean American elected judge in New York State in 2016. She spoke movingly about her grandparents, who lived through the Japanese occupation of Korea and were unable to pursue legal and governmental careers despite their aspirations. Their experiences made her achievement particularly meaningful and reinforced her commitment to mentorship and community service.
Chief Administrative Judge Zayas shared an equally powerful story of perseverance. Growing up in public housing in Harlem, facing economic hardship, and navigating the challenges of a family affected by mental illness, he explained that a judicial career was never something he imagined for himself as a child. His path from struggling academically in high school to attending law school and ultimately becoming the state’s Chief Administrative Judge served as a reminder that greatness often emerges from those who refuse to be limited by their challenges.
One of the most compelling themes of the discussion was the importance of authenticity in leadership. Judge Zayas spoke openly about experiencing self-doubt and even “imposter syndrome” upon assuming one of the highest leadership positions in the New York court system. Rather than concealing those feelings, he emphasized the value of acknowledging them, stating that strength is not the absence of fear but the willingness to move forward despite it.
Judge Kim echoed that sentiment while discussing her own experiences with breast cancer and her work with Judges and Lawyers Breast Cancer Alert (JALBCA). She reflected on the cultural barriers that often discourage open conversations about health and vulnerability, particularly within many Asian communities. Her remarks highlighted the importance of wellness initiatives that encourage legal professionals to seek support and prioritize their physical and mental wellbeing.
The conversation also highlighted the critical role of mentorship. Both judges emphasized that professional advancement rarely occurs in isolation. Mentors, sponsors, colleagues, and community organizations all play a role in helping future leaders navigate the legal profession. Judge Zayas stressed the importance of building relationships and remaining humble throughout one’s career. He noted that these qualities are often as important as technical legal skills.
For young attorneys, law students, and aspiring judges in attendance, perhaps the most memorable takeaway came during the program’s closing moments. When asked what advice they would offer someone who doubts their ability to achieve something great, both judges encouraged attendees to trust themselves and continue moving forward. Judge Kim urged young professionals, particularly women and members of underrepresented communities, to have confidence in their qualifications and abilities. Judge Zayas reminded attendees that confidence is built through action, not perfection.
As attendees left the session, they carried with them not only a greater understanding of the judiciary but also an important lesson: the path to meaningful leadership is rarely straightforward, but it remains accessible to those willing to persevere, seek support, and believe in their own potential.
-Written by Devashani Sharma
About the Author: Devashani Sharma is a rising senior at Vanderbilt University majoring in Human and Organizational Development with a minor in Legal Studies. She interned with the Hon. Judy H. Kim through the 2026 Sonia & Celina Sotomayor Judicial Internship Program.
On Tuesday evening, June 23, 2026, 21 AABANY members and guests gathered at Citi Field for our Membership Committee outing to watch the New York Mets. This time, they hosted the Chicago Cubs. It was a fantastic night of baseball, community, and great seats down on the Field Level!
Beyond the action on the field, our group took full advantage of the stadium’s “Five Dollar Tuesdays,” enjoying an endless rotation of $5 hot dogs, beers, sodas, pretzels, and popcorn. The members who arrived early received a free Mets necklace, which was that evening’s giveaway.
The highlight of the evening was seeing a special welcome message to AABANY flash across the giant Citi Field scoreboard for the entire stadium to see! The beautiful summer weather and high-energy atmosphere in the stands made it a truly memorable night out for everyone in attendance.
Thank you to everyone who came out to cheer, eat, and catch up with fellow members. Although the New York Mets lost 9-6 to the Chicago Cubs, it was an exciting game to watch, with Francisco Alvarez driving the first three runs in for the Mets, through a two-run single and a solo homer.
Missed the Mets Game? Don’t worry—we are heading to the Bronx next. Join AABANY for our upcoming outing to see the Yankees on August 11, 2026, as they take on the Seattle Mariners! You can register now by clicking here to submit your registration and payment, locking in your spot before seats fill up. You won’t want to miss it!
On Wednesday, June 10, 2026, the AABANY Solo & Small Firm Practice Committee hosted a virtual networking event. The event offered busy practitioners an accessible way to socialize and connect with fellow members directly from their home workspaces, offices, and for one of the attendees, even from abroad. The informal virtual setting encouraged the attendees to discuss whatever topic they liked, and soon the conversation flowed to one of the most pressing topics in the legal industry today: the rise of artificial intelligence.
Members shared how AI is reshaping the landscape of solo and small firm practice from multiple angles. A growing challenge has been managing client expectations. Clients increasingly arrive having already consulted a chatbot, presenting AI-generated summaries of their legal situation. Members noted that these outputs are often riddled with hallucinations: citations to laws that do not exist, statutes that are not applicable, or legal frameworks that have no bearing on the client’s actual circumstances.
The problem is not always as simple as the AI being flatly wrong. In some cases, AI tools do surface something relevant, but bury it beneath so much extraneous information that clients themselves struggle to identify what actually matters. This creates an additional layer of work for attorneys, who must not only address the legal issue at hand but also untangle the misinformation and misplaced confidence that clients bring with them into consultations.
The conversation also touched on what AI means for the next generation of legal professionals trying to break into the industry. As AI tools take on more of the research and drafting tasks that once served as entry points for new associates, new recruits face a shifting landscape where the traditional pathways into legal practice look increasingly uncertain.
The Solo & Small Firm Practice Committee looks forward to continuing these conversations at the next virtual networking session on Wednesday, July 16, 2026. Registration details can be found here. To learn more about the Committee and get involved, visit the Solo & Small Firm Practice Committee page.
Attending the 2026 NAPABA Convention is a powerful opportunity to advance your legal career, offering exclusive access to premier programs, industry leaders, and a robust network of legal professionals. We understand that the cost of attending may present a barrier for some. That’s why NAPABA offers a registration scholarship, exclusively for current NAPABA members, to help make participation possible.
The Convention Scholarship Program provides financial support in the form of a registration discount that may be applied toward a full or one-day Convention registration, as well as ticketed events. The scholarship program may not be used for travel reimbursements.
In accordance with Rule 83(a) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure and Rule 57(a) of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure, the Boards of Judges of the Eastern and Southern Districts of New York invite the public to comment on proposed changes to their Joint Local Rules. The proposed amendments, which resulted in part from the work of a committee of representatives from both courts and the bar in both districts, are made in reference to the Joint Local Rules in effect as of January 2, 2026, which are available at:
Persons wishing to comment on this proposal should send their submissions no later than September 29, 2026. Comments should be submitted only once. A comment submitted through either court’s website or in letter form will be considered by both courts.
Comments submitted electronically are preferred, and may be submitted through a form available on either court’s website at the following links:
Alternatively, written comments may be submitted in letter form to: Robert Rogers Counsel to the Clerk of Court United States District Court for the Southern District of New York Daniel Patrick Moynihan Courthouse 500 Pearl Street New York, New York 10007-1312
