WE Blog @ AABANY

May 26, 2026May 26, 2026

AABANY Book Club Honors AAPI Month with Han Kang’s We Do Not Part

On May 19, 2026, AABANY hosted its monthly book club meeting, where a dedicated group of members gathered at Anderson & Associates‘ new office at 347 W 36th St., Suite 1003, to share their thoughts on this month’s book. In honor of Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage (AAPI) month, the group decided to read Nobel Prize-winning South Korean author Han Kang’s We Do Not Part. The meeting was hosted by Yen-Yi Anderson, Co-Chair of the Solo & Small Firm Practice Committee, and S. Yan Sin, AABANY’s Board Secretary for the 2027 fiscal year. While they shared their insights, the attendees enjoyed a delicious dinner of dumplings, green beans, and fried rice.

The conversation centered on a moving story of friendship set against the tragic backdrop of the 1948 Jeju massacre in South Korea. Throughout the evening, the participants explored complex themes of memory, trauma, and human connection. Kang’s novel is widely celebrated, having earned a place as a New York Times bestseller and winning the National Book Critics Circle Award.

The group also discussed recent news regarding the dismissal of the CEO of Starbucks in South Korea following a controversial marketing campaign that touched on historical state-sponsored suppression. As The Guardian reported, the chief executive was dismissed after the company ran a promotional event using slogans that evoked a massacre of pro-democracy protesters during the country’s dictatorship era, which subsequently sparked public outrage and boycott calls. The coffee chain had launched a “Tank Day” campaign on May 18 for its “Tank” tumbler series. The date coincided with one of the most politically sensitive days in the South Korean calendar, when citizens commemorate the 1980 democratization movement in Gwangju. By pairing the date “5/18” with the slogan “Tank Day,” the online campaign inadvertently evoked the armored vehicles used by the military regime to crush the uprising.

This successful gathering set a thoughtful and engaging tone for many meetings to come. Whether you’re a speed reader or someone who lingers on every sentence, we’d love to have you join the conversation. See you in June!

Written by Eva Lee, Intern at Anderson & Associates

May 26, 2026May 26, 2026

AABANY Celebrates AAPI Heritage Night with the New York Liberty at Barclays Center

On Thursday, May 21, 2026, the AABANY Membership Committee hosted an incredible evening of community, culture, and basketball for AAPI Heritage Night at Barclays Center. Members, family, and friends gathered in Brooklyn to cheer on the home team as the New York Liberty took on the Golden State Valkyries, making it a memorable celebration of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month.

While the Liberty ultimately fell to the Valkyries with a final score of 87-70, the energy inside the arena remained electric. It was the perfect, high-spirited alternative for local sports fans looking for a fantastic live experience right here in Brooklyn, especially on a heavy New York sports night that was competing directly for the city’s attention with Game 2 of the NBA Eastern Conference Finals (Knicks vs. Cavs) over at Madison Square Garden.

The crowd at Barclays was treated to spectacular cultural showcases and high-profile guests throughout the evening:

Halftime Performance by Aum Dance Creations: The crowd was treated to a mesmerizing halftime show by Aum Dance Creations. Founded by Director Rina Shah, this New Jersey-based academy is dedicated to preserving traditional Indian classical dances like Kathak and Bharat Natyam, while blending them with the high-energy rhythms of modern Bollywood, contemporary, and hip-hop styles. Their dynamic fusion performance captured the stadium’s attention on the big screen, bringing a vibrant and culturally rich showcase to center court.
Special Guest Suni Lee: Adding to the excitement, Olympic gymnast and two-time gold medalist Suni Lee was in attendance. When she was featured on the Jumbotron, the arena erupted in cheers, highlighting the incredible achievements of AAPI athletes on the global stage.

Beyond the action on the court, the night served as a wonderful opportunity for AABANY members to connect, support the community, and show their local pride. A portion of the proceeds from the group’s ticket sales went directly toward supporting AABANY’s ongoing mission of advocacy and community service.

Thank you to everyone who came out to make the night such fun!

–Written by Francis Chin, AABANY’s Membership Director

May 26, 2026May 26, 2026

AABANY Corporate Law Committee Hosts First Meet & Greet of FY27 to Connect with Committee Members

On May 19, the AABANY Corporate Law Committee kicked off the new fiscal year with a virtual Meet & Greet, bringing together members and prospective members to share ideas on programming for the year. Attendees ranged from recent law school graduates just beginning their careers to seasoned attorneys returning to corporate practice. Corporate Law Committee leadership, which includes Co-Chairs Keli Huang (Partner at Kirkland & Ellis LLP) and Ashley Wong (Associate Corporate Counsel at Amazon), along with Vice Chairs Kyle Zhu (Associate at Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP) and Judy Lin (Associate at Kirkland & Ellis LLP), introduced themselves and opened the floor to attendees. The conversation was centered on understanding the types of events that would be most beneficial to the members, and the leadership team came away with a clear direction: social events and CLE-eligible programming that support both professional development and genuine community-building.

The Committee leadership also shared about two upcoming AABANY marquee events. First, the AABANY Annual Dinner, taking place next Thursday May 28th, is expected to draw hundreds of attendees and offers one of the year’s premier networking opportunities across the broader AABANY community. Then September 26th, the Fall Conference, hosted at the Fordham Law School, promises another outstanding occasion to connect with colleagues, exchange ideas, and build the cross-practice relationships that make this community so valuable. Both events reflect the Committee’s commitment to creating spaces where members can forge lasting professional connections and strengthen the synergy within the AABANY network.

Beyond these signature events, the Corporate Law Committee is actively exploring programming ideas that speak directly to where the legal profession is heading. Keli shared that the Committee is already planning its popular summer social event, and this time it is in a karaoke location not yet open to the public that AABANY members will get to experience before its opening. Another exciting program under consideration is an event on artificial intelligence focusing on the responsible use of AI in legal practice, managing client expectations around emerging tools, and leveraging technology to make legal work more efficient. Given how rapidly AI is reshaping the industry, this is exactly the kind of timely, practical programming that members expressed enthusiasm for. Stay tuned and keep an eye on the AABANY Calendar for announcements. We hope to see you at upcoming events! To learn more about the Corporate Law Committee and how you can get involved, click here.

May 26, 2026May 26, 2026

New York Courts Request Public Comments on Mandatory Electronic Filing Proposal

Chief Administrative Judge Joseph A. Zayas, J.S.C., is soliciting public comments regarding the proposal to authorize mandatory e-filing in New York State Courts’ Electronic Filing System (“NYSCEF”).

The proposal would implement mandatory e-filing for all new probate, administration, and miscellaneous proceedings in the Surrogate’s Court of Bronx, Kings, Queens, and Richmond Counties. This would mandate e-filing in 61 of the 62 Surrogate’s Courts statewide, with New York County as the only exception. The proposed implementation, if approved, will take effect on or around June 30, 2026.

Persons wishing to comment on this proposal should e-mail their submissions to efilingcomments@nycourts.gov no later than June 24, 2026.

A copy of the request and all other proposals related to mandatory e-filing programs are also available on the Unified Court System’s website at this link.

May 26, 2026May 26, 2026

Henry VI at Public Theater – Special Discount Code Available

HENRY VI : A Trilogy in Two Parts
June 9 to July 19, 2026
The Public Theatre Newman Theater
425 Lafayette Street, NY 10003

The Coalition of Asian and Pacific Americans (CAPA) invites everyone to join them to support NAATCO (National Asian American Theater Company) for an unquestionably unique and amazing upcoming production of Shakespeare’s HENRY 6 , at the legendary Public Theater at Astor Place / downtown Manhattan.

Discount code is H6OUTREACH — please apply this right away on their website, before making your selections or before login / check out.

Each ticket will cost $45.

For more information and ticket purchase (hurry, they’re running out fast !!) : https://publictheater.org/productions/season/2526/henry-vi-a-trilogy-in-two-parts/

May 26, 2026May 26, 2026

AABANY Hosts Third Annual Wellness Retreat at Blue Cliff Monastery

On May 16, 2026, AABANY held its third Annual Wellness Retreat at Blue Cliff Monastery in the Catskills region of New York. Nearly twenty members, family, and friends gathered on a gorgeous spring day to step away from the hustle-and-bustle of life and immerse themselves in mindfulness and connection.

This year’s retreat was organized by AABANY’s newest Committee, the Wellness Committee, co-chaired by Karen Kim, past AABANY President, and Regina Jin as inaugural Co-Chairs. The Committee seeks to promote attorney well-being and help members cultivate balance and joy in both professional and personal life.

The retreat began with a Dharma Talk led by Sister Empathy in the Monastery’s small meditation room. The space offered an intimate and cozy setting for our group, providing a perfect start to the day. Attendees learned to be more mindful through breathing, setting the tone for a day of reflection and awareness.

After orientation, participants set out for a walking meditation, attuning themselves to each step, the rhythm of their heartbeat, the gentle breeze, the rustle of leaves, and the songs of birds. It was a moving reminder of how mindfulness can awaken the senses and ground us in the present moment.

Lunch in the Sisters’ Dining Hall was another highlight. Everyone practiced mindful eating in silence for the first half-hour, savoring a fresh, local vegetarian spread that included veggie stir-fry, brown and white rice, fried tofu wrapped in seaweed, and hearty vegetable soup. Washing plates afterward became part of the mindful experience, reminding attendees that every act, even the simplest, can be performed with presence and care.

The afternoon was a playful and meditative blend. Attendees explored the Monastery bookstore, hiked the monastery trails, and joined an “Amazing Race”-style working meditation, stuffing foam cushions into covers. Laughter and focus mingled in equal measure. Mindfulness can be both grounding and fun.

The retreat concluded with Dharma Sharing, where participants shared personal experiences and reflections. Stories of gratitude, insight, and connection flowed freely, inspiring everyone and reinforcing the power of mindful community.

This year’s Wellness Retreat was a rejuvenating and joyful experience. Attendees left with practical ways to bring mindfulness into daily life, memories of laughter and quiet reflection. We were reminded that taking time for self-care is not just a luxury; it’s essential.

AABANY extends heartfelt thanks to Sister Empathy and the Monastery team for making this day so nurturing and memorable.

If you have ideas for programs or speakers on the topic of wellness and well-being, please share them with AABANY at main@aabany.org. AABANY’s Wellness Resources Guide provides a variety of information, including links to free assistance programs, trainings, and hotlines, which can be accessed here.

To learn more about the Wellness Committee, please visit here. More information about Blue Cliff Monastery can be found here.

For more photos from the retreat, the album can be viewed here.

May 26, 2026May 26, 2026

Prof. Elaine Chu and Rachel Lee Represent AABANY at the AAPI Summit in Washington, D.C.

On April 30, 2026, AABANY had the privilege of participating in the second Asian American & Pacific Islander Summit. The event was hosted in the U.S. Capitol by Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, and brought together AAPI organizations, advocates, and community leaders from across New York for three panels covering immigration enforcement and community response, civic engagement and the Voting Rights Act, as well as grants and resources for small business owners.

AABANY was represented by Rachel Lee, Board Director and Co-Chair of the Issues Committee, and Prof. Elaine Chiu, past Chair and current member of the AABANY Anti-Asian Violence Task Force. They were joined by a roster of elected officials that included Congresswoman Grace Meng and Senators Kirsten Gillibrand, Tammy Duckworth, Charles E. Schumer, Andy Kim, and Mazie Hirono.

Rachel Lee served as a panelist on the immigration enforcement panel. Drawing on AABANY’s experience collaborating with community members and organizations, Rachel stated, “Representing AABANY on the immigration panel was a valuable reminder of how critical community-facing work is. When audience members raised practical questions about daily best practices, my on-the-ground training and outreach experiences helped me address their needs. This reinforces the importance of know-your-rights education that is ongoing, audience-specific, and grounded in the realities of our communities, as well as the unique role that bar associations like AABANY have in connecting legal resources to the communities we serve.”

While the Summit’s primary focus this year was not on hate crimes, Senator Gillibrand highlighted her ongoing legislative efforts to combat anti-Asian hate and violence. In 2023, Senator Gillibrand introduced the Hate Crimes Commission Act (S.2030 / H.R.4172). This Act established an independent, 12-member federal commission tasked with examining the recent rise in hate-based incidents and developing comprehensive strategies to combat them. Senator Gillibrand has also co-sponsored the Disarm Hate Act (S.2776 / H.R.6258) which prohibits individuals convicted of misdemeanor hate crimes from purchasing or possessing firearms.

At the Summit, political strategist Trip Yang encouraged AAPI organizations to create their own content (such as polls, fact sheets, community newsletters) to better mobilize and represent AAPI voters, who are increasingly identifying as politically independent.

The AAPI Summit continues to be a valuable opportunity for AABANY to connect with advocates, elected officials, and community members working toward the same goals. Prof. Elaine Chiu noted, “This summit is a valuable opportunity to showcase AABANY and its unique ways of supporting our communities and to hear from other organizations how we can help.” Rachel and Elaine reported back that two other possible action items AABANY can consider are expanding Know Your Rights Workshops to reach a wider range of audiences and playing a bigger role in pro bono options to address the skyrocketing cost of immigration legal services. As the issues facing our community grow more urgent, events like this remind us of the immediate actions that we need to take to tackle the issues at hand.

AABANY thanks Senator Gillibrand for organizing the AAPI Summit and for including AABANY. Thanks also to Prof. Chiu and Rachel for representing AABANY at this important convening of leaders from across New York and the United States.

May 18, 2026May 18, 2026

From the Courtroom to the C-Suite: Lessons from Linda Lu, Chief Legal and Risk Officer, Zip Co Limited

On April 29, 2026, AABANY’s In-House Counsel Committee hosted a fireside chat with Linda Lu, Chief Legal and Risk Officer of Zip Co Limited, at offices of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP. Over 40 attendees gathered to hear Lu discuss her 25-year career across prominent financial services and insurance companies, offering insights into reaching the top as an Asian American woman.

Moderated by Dwight Yoo, Partner at Skadden and AABANY Board Director, the conversation covered Lu’s strategic career pivots, self-promotion, identity in corporate settings, and the role of AI in law. Lu structured her retrospective in reverse, starting with her current role at Zip, drawn by its female leadership and “low ego” culture. She recounted leaving TransUnion after a promised CLO succession plan failed for the second time in her career, reinforcing the need to remain open to outside opportunities.

Earlier, at Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company, Lu transitioned from Chief Litigation Officer to General Counsel for the largest business unit after mentors stressed the need for CLOs to understand the business. This period, marked by intense corporate politics, shaped her “integrity line” philosophy—the point where a professional must decide if a workplace battle compromises personal values.

Lu introduced the PIE model for career advancement: Performance (10%), Image (30%), and Exposure (60%). She cautioned that brilliance without exposure is insufficient. Lu also addressed the specific challenges she faced as an Asian American woman, including being mistaken for a court reporter, and shared a moment of “overcorrecting” with aggressive assertiveness. She emphasized that the integrity line is a personal threshold for deciding when to leave a toxic environment.

Regarding leadership, Lu distinguished between the operational work of an individual contributor and the strategy and influence of a leader, warning that promotion means less substantive legal work. On the subject of sponsorship, which was a recurring theme in diversity conversations, Linda offered practical guidance. She suggested to the audience to take risks, raise their hand, and above all, make their boss look good. Sponsors are not recruited through eloquent requests, they are earned through visible and reliable performance that reflects well on the people above you.

Lu also shared the personal costs of her ambition, including returning to work six weeks after her first child’s birth—a mistake that she believed set an unhealthy precedent. Perhaps the most poignant moment of the evening involved Lu’s reflections on the personal trade-offs of her career trajectory. She recounted an episode when her second-grade son won a school contest for a story that was later staged as a play. Arriving early to secure a front-row seat, Lu expected a whimsical performance. The play, entitled My Day at the Zoo, began with a mother turning away from her child to answer a work call, leading to the boy getting lost. While the narrative eventually shifted toward a happy ending with talking animals, the image of the mother’s distraction remained a haunting symbol of the professional struggles and the “integrity line” Lu negotiated throughout her journey as a parent and a leader.

The discussion concluded with AI. Lu reported that Zip uses AI tools company-wide with a policy of no headcount reduction associated with use of the technology. She views AI as accelerating “Performance” but unable to replace human judgment, trust, and relationship-building. Her final message was: “People who use AI will survive more than people who don’t.”

The evening closed with further networking. AABANY’s In-House Counsel Committee thanked Linda Lu for her candor and Skadden for hosting. To learn more about AABANY’s In-House Counsel Committee, click here.

May 18, 2026May 18, 2026

Thank you to our Volunteers at the May Pro Bono Clinic in Brooklyn

Thank you to the Asian American Law Fund of New York (AALFNY), AABANY’s Pro Bono & Community Service (PBCS) Committee, the Chinese-American Planning Council, our incredible volunteers, and our community partners for your support at the Pro Bono Clinic in Brooklyn on May 9th. Our volunteers met with 23 clients to address legal matters involving family, real estate, criminal, housing, and labor law.

These clinics not only answer legal questions but also focus on training law students and young attorneys to identify legal issues and explain legal concepts in everyday language. We value your willingness to listen to our clients’ stories and provide them with a safe space to be heard.

We would like to extend our gratitude to the following volunteers who dedicated their time and expertise to make this Clinic a success:

Alexandra Ly	Haotian Chen
Andrew Sun	Helen Ding
Angie Liao	Karen Yau
Anna Bao	Keli Huang
Arthur Lin	May Wong
Elaine Ouyang	Nandar Kerr
Gary Yeung	Wendy Zeng

If you are interested in continuing to support our community, we invite you to join us at our upcoming Pro Bono Clinics:

May 20th in Manhattan from 6:30-8:30pm at AAFE 111 Norfolk St.
June 3rd in Queens from 6:30 – 8:30pm at AAFE One Flushing Community Center.
July 11th in Brooklyn, from 12:30pm-2:30pm at CPC Brooklyn Community Services, 4101 8th Ave.

To learn more about the Pro Bono & Community Service Committee, please visit probono.aabany.org.

May 18, 2026May 18, 2026

Thank You to Our Volunteers at the April Pro Bono Clinic in Queens

Thanks to the Asian American Law Fund of New York (AALFNY), Asian Americans for Equality (AAFE), and AABANY’s Pro Bono & Community Service (PBCS) Committee, as well as our dedicated volunteers for your collaboration and contribution to the success of our Pro Bono Clinic on April 2, 2026.

At the Clinic, our volunteers met with 14 clients and provided guidance on a range of legal issues, including housing, immigration, and civil litigation. Your collective efforts ensured that each client received personalized support and answers to their pressing legal questions.

We are deeply grateful for everyone’s presence and contributions, and look forward to continuing this important work together!

Special thanks to Megan Rha and D. Jenny Kim, partners from the Rha Kim Grossman & McIlwain, LLP, who came to support our Clinic and to provide valuable time and advice to the community. Also, special shoutout to Betty (Xinyue) Zhu who lives in New Jersey and came all the way out to Queens to help us out!

At this Clinic, we had so many intakes that we ran out of spaces and had to use the community playroom’s space. We are grateful for AAFE allowing us to expand to this area to do our work. At this playspace, some of our volunteers enjoyed a game of mahjong in between meetings with clients. While we would love to play more mahjong, we love helping out the community even more!

Volunteer attorneys:

Hung Yi Chien

Ting-Yu Chien

Helen Ding

Richard In

D. Jenny Kim

Emeline Kong

Grace Ouyang

Megan Rha

Sinbay Tan

Wendell Y. Tong

Anthony Wong

May Wong

Interpreters/shadowers:

Yining Pan

Ellie Wang

Jingjing Wang

Wendy Zeng

Betty (Xinyue) Zhu

We invite you to continue supporting our community by joining us at our upcoming Pro Bono Clinics:

– May 20 [Manhattan link here] from 6:30-8:30pm, AAFE Community Center, 111 Norfolk Street, NY, NY 10002

– June 3rd [Queens link here], from 6:30 – 8:30pm, AAFE One Flushing Community Center, 133-29 41st Ave, 2nd Floor, Flushing, NY 11355

– July 11th [Brooklyn link here], from 12:30 – 3:30pm, CPC Brooklyn Community Services, 4101 8th Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11232

Thanks again to all our volunteers for attending the Pro Bono Clinic.

We look forward to your participation in our future clinics! To learn more about the Pro Bono & Community Service Committee, visit probono.aabany.org.