Congressional Reception in Celebration of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month
Tuesday, May 20, 2025 | 6:00 – 8:00 PM ET
Join NAPABA members and community leaders from across the country in celebrating AANHPI Heritage Month with members of Congress at the Russell Senate Office Building in Washington, DC. The reception will unite Lobby Day participants, Congressional members and their staff, as well as influential leaders from the AANHPI community.
This is a unique opportunity to engage with our political leaders and hear their insights. In 2024, participants heard from influential figures such as Senator Mazie Hirono and Representative Judy Chu, Chair Emerita of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus.
This is a widely attended event. An RSVP is required to secure your spot.
Registration for Lobby Day is not required to attend the Congressional Reception, but we invite you to participate in Lobby Day, which consists of training and meetings with Congressional offices. Please note that only NAPABA members or members of NAPABA affiliates are eligible to participate in Lobby Day.
Thank you to AABANY, AALFNY, PBCS, Chinese-American Planning Council, our incredible volunteers, and our community partners for helping out at the March 8th pro bono legal clinic in Brooklyn. Our volunteers met with 16 clients, addressing questions related to housing, matrimonial and family law, and immigration.
We are grateful to have our special guest speakers, Vishal Chander and Karen Kithan Yau, provide a “Know Your Rights” training on immigration laws to our volunteers and clients. For the next couple of clinics, we will be inviting speakers to provide crucial information about immigrants’ interactions with law enforcement in the public and at the workplace.
At these clinics, we not only help answer clients’ legal questions, but we also want to teach law students and young attorneys how to explain the law in layman’s terms and provide an opportunity for the clients to be heard. We had volunteers explaining the concept of jurisdiction to a litigant who wasn’t sure why her petition was denied, the process of suing in small claims court, and discussing differences between wills and trusts. So thank you all for listening to the clients’ stories!
Thank you again to our amazing volunteers:
Volunteer Attorneys
Anna Chen
Beatrice Leong
Ben Choi
Chenyi Wang
Francis Chin
Gary Yeung
Karen Kithan Yau
Kwok Kei Ng
May Wong
Peter Wei
Victoria Cheng
Vishal Chander
Interpreters & Shadowers
Albert Tong
Chia-Jung (Colette) Chang
Emily Kam
Kenny Ip
Kirin Moy
Leo Shen
Miao Wen
Nandar Win Kerr
Ruo Yang
Sam Chen
Shuyao (Sherry) Wang
Xiaocen Zhang
Zekai Lian
Please come back and join us at our upcoming clinics:
April 2, 2025 [Queens link here], from 6:00 – 8:30pm, One Flushing Community Center, 133-29 41st Ave, 2nd Floor, Flushing, NY 11355
[Please note that after April 2, 2025, all registrations for the clinics will take place through AABANY’s calendar. Please be patient with the transition.]
On Tuesday, February 11th, 2025, AABANY held its Annual Meeting of Members at King & Spalding. President Joseph Eng called the meeting to order and established a quorum. The main order of business was conducting the election for the 2026 Fiscal Year Board of Directors and Officers.
Once all ballots were collected, President Eng called up President-Elect Ben Hsing and Immediate Past President Karen Kim to receive them as the Tellers. They departed to a separate room to count up the votes cast, both at the Annual Meeting and via electronic voting prior to the Annual Meeting.
While the votes were being tallied, President Eng invited the Membership Director, Alysha Naik, to present the Membership Director’s report. He then invited Treasurer Jasmine Ball to give the Treasurer’s Report, sharing information about AABANY’s financial performance during the past fiscal year.
President Eng then gave the Annual Report of the Board, summarizing AABANY’s major events for the past fiscal year, covering April 1, 2024, to date. He thanked the Board members for their service during the past year and asked those present in the room to stand and be recognized.
Executive Director Yang Chen then gave the Annual Report of the Committees, giving thanks to the Vice Presidents of Programs and Operations Ashley Shan and Jeffrey Mok, and the Committee Chairs for their hard work. Yang also went over a few highlights from committee events over the past year. Yang then presented the Awards for Committees of the Year, Program of the Year, and Member of the Year.
Committee of the Year: Professional Development Committee
The Committee of the Year Award was presented to the Professional Development Committee for their many years of volunteer service to the association, accreditation of numerous continuing legal education programs over the years that benefited our members and the profession, and making sure that the association complies with New York State CLE board rules, along with other programming to support professional development.
Program of the Year: Pre-Holiday Multi-Association Gathering
The Program of the Year Award was presented to the Pre-Holiday Multi-Association Gathering for bringing together numerous bar and judicial associations to promote wellness and well-being in the legal profession during a time of the year that may prove challenging for many.
Member of the Year: Gary Yeung
The Member of the Year Award was presented to Gary Yeung for his many years of active and dedicated involvement, participation, and leadership in service to the association, to its members, and to the wider community.
After the presentation of the awards, Joseph announced the election results. The following officers were elected to serve a one-year term for the fiscal year beginning April 1, 2025, and ending March 31, 2026 (the “2026 Fiscal Year”):
Varuna Bhattacharyya
President-Elect
Pei Pei Cheng de Castro
Vice President, Programs and Operations
Tai Chien
Vice President, Programs and Operations
P. Bartlett Wu
Treasurer
David Mou
Secretary
Alysha Naik
Membership Director
Beatrice Leong
Development Director
The following candidates were elected as Directors to serve two-year terms beginning on the first day of the 2026 Fiscal Year:
Glenn D. Magpantay Katherine Loanzon Jeffery Mok
The night concluded with a bittersweet goodbye to Deputy Executive Director, Alice Biagini. February 11 was Alice’s last day at AABANY. She accepted a position as a business development and marketing manager at a law firm. During her eight months with us, she made a great impact on our operations and activities and supported our Board members and Committee Chairs as well as our membership. Alice will be missed by everyone she has touched. Yang presented her with some parting gifts from AABANY, which included a cookbook entitled The Woks of Life as well as a personalized apron with the AABANY logo. We wish her well in her future endeavors and hope to continue seeing her at AABANY events, as a participant.
We thank everyone who attended the Annual Meeting and everyone who voted, whether by proxy or in person. Congratulations to all the award recipients and the newly elected Officers and Directors.
Special thank you goes out to AABANY President Joseph Eng and the wonderful staff at King & Spalding for hosting AABANY’s 2025 Annual Meeting.
We understand how hectic schedules can be and you may not have had a chance to submit your proposal for the 2025 NAPABA Convention. That’s why we’ve extended the deadline to March 24 at 8:00 pm ET. This is your opportunity to fine tune and perfect your proposal.
Here’s a reminder for what we’re looking for:
GENERAL CLE PROGRAMMING
At NAPABA, we are committed to offering inclusive and innovative CLE programming that reflects the diverse experiences, perspectives, and backgrounds of our membership. Our general CLE programming aims to appeal to the broadest audience by covering a wide range of legal topics. We encourage proposals that bring fresh, relevant discussions to the forefront.
SPECIALTY PROGRAMMING
Our Specialty Programming takes you deeper into topics that will help you excel in your practice and career. With immersive and interactive learning opportunities, you’ll get to lead the conversation and provide members a session that goes beyond what may be possible during a general CLE session. Share your expertise in one of these tracks:
International Law Symposium – Explore global legal topics with diplomats, judges, and business leaders.
Young Lawyers Workshop – Tackle real-world career challenges and professional growth.
Solo & Small Firm Boot Camp – Get practical strategies for business development and firm expansion.
Law Student Workshop – Equip law students with essential skills for a successful legal career.
On the evening of February 21, the AABANY Women’s Committee hosted an art night in downtown Manhattan called “Nourish Your Creativity.” This gathering aimed to inspire creativity and bring participants together for a fun-filled evening.
Eight enthusiastic participants arrived, excited to explore their artistic sides. They had the freedom to choose their desired art activities, allowing each person to have a personalized experience.
Five participants chose to paint pots, transforming them into beautiful vases and cups. As they worked, laughter and friendly chatter filled the air. They shared techniques and encouragement, making the experience even more enjoyable.
Meanwhile, three participants opted for oil pastels, creating vibrant drawings that showcased their unique styles. The atmosphere buzzed with creativity as they immersed themselves in their artwork, allowing their imaginations to flourish.
Beyond the art, the event fostered connection. Participants spent quality time together, sharing stories and inspiration throughout the evening.
After the art session, the group headed to Chinatown for a delightful dinner. Surrounded by the vibrant atmosphere, participants engaged in lively discussions about food, art, and life.
As the night came to an end, participants eagerly looked forward to the next gathering, excited to continue exploring their creativity together. Until then, the joy of this event will linger, reminding us all of the magic found in art and companionship.
Thank you to everyone who attended the event, and thank you so much to the Women’s Committee for organizing. To learn more about the Women’s Committee and how you can get more involved, please click here.
Getting ahead of Women’s History Month in March, AABANY’s Labor & Employment (“L&E”) Law Committee and Women’s Committee co-hosted a CLE event on Thursday, February 20, 2025, on the recent federal and New York state laws related to pregnant workers and new mothers at the workplace. The CLE panel consisted of Samantha Hunt, Equal Justice Works Fellow from A Better Balance; Rachel Lee, Associate from A&O Shearman; and Vilda Vera Mayuga, Commissioner of the NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection. Jennifer Kim from Littler & Mendelson, P.C. moderated the event, which was held at the beautiful office of Robins Kaplan LLP in midtown.
The panelists provided an overview of the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (“PWFA”), the Providing Urgent Maternal Protection for Nursing Mothers (“PUMP”) Act, New York’s lactation break law, and New York’s prenatal leave law. Samantha Hunt started the discussion with a summary of PWFA and the types of claims she has handled related to these laws. Rachel Lee provided best practices for employers when complying with the PWFA and the lactation break law. Commissioner Vilda Vera Mayuga discussed the New York sick leave and the prenatal leave requirements along with an explanation of the type of enforcement her department handles. The attendees walked away with a strong understanding of the rights afforded under these new laws and tips for employers on how to best comply with these changing laws.
Thank you to the panelists for sharing their expertise. Thank you to the Professional Development Committee for assisting with the accreditation of the CLE as well as the L&E Law and Women’s Committees for co-hosting this insightful event.
On March 7, the IP Committee of AABANY hosted a fun and relaxing Board Game Night, inviting members and friends from a variety of backgrounds to unwind, connect, and engage in some friendly competition.
Whether you were a seasoned board game enthusiast or a casual player, there was something for everyone. The night featured a variety of games, including classics such as Taboo and Monopoly, as well as some fresh games that were new to attendees. The casual, fun atmosphere made it easy for everyone to jump right in, regardless of their level of experience with board games. Attendees also enjoyed a spread of dumplings, noodles, and other food and drinks.
A big thank you to everyone who attended for some good fun and conversation, and for making this event such a success!
If you missed out this time, don’t worry—keep an eye on our upcoming events as we continue our goal of building a strong and supportive community. We hope to see you next time!
Thanks to IP Committee Co-Chair Jeff Mok for organizing the event, and his firm Fish & Richardson for hosting. To learn more about the IP Committee and how you can get involved, go here.
On February 8, 2025, AABANY’s Young Lawyers Committee (YLC) and Asia Practice Committee (APC) hosted a rock climbing social at Vital Climbing Gym in the Lower East Side. The event brought together members of all experience levels, from first-time climbers to seasoned enthusiasts who shared tips and techniques as participants tackled the gym’s various climbing routes.
The evening was filled with camaraderie as attendees encouraged one another through challenging climbs. The event provided a fun and active way for members to bond while discussing different practice areas and professional experiences in a relaxed setting.
A big thank you to everyone who attended! The Young Lawyers Committee and Asia Practice Committee always welcome new members to join our growing and dynamic community.
To learn more about the Young Lawyers Committee and Asia Practice Committee, as well as how you can get involved, visit their committee pages on the AABANY website by clicking on their attached links.
WASHINGTON – For nearly 25 years, Executive Order 13166 required that every federal agency meet the needs of limited English proficient (LEP) individuals when it delivers critical services. It similarly required those that received federal funding, such as non-profit organizations as well as state and local governments, to guarantee that LEP individuals had meaningful access to their services. EO 13166 brought the full import of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits entities that receive federal funding from discriminating based on national origin, to life. This meant that a Mandarin-speaking LEP individual, for example, could access life-sustaining government entitlement programs or a Vietnamese speaker could receive legal services from a non-profit organization. Those guarantees are now called into question.
The majority of the Asian American community are immigrants. Nearly 32% of the community is limited English proficient. The Asian American population is comprised of over 50 different ethnicities and speak over 100 different languages. NAPABA has long championed linguistic access for AANHPI communities in the legal system, including through our groundbreaking report, which highlighted and provided recommendations on the state of language access in federal and state courts and agencies.
The executive order, which also purports to designate English as the official language of the United States without the consent of Congress, places an unnecessary obstacle for LEP individuals within the AANHPI community who need and deserve to access critical, federally funded services. We call on Congress to engage in appropriate oversight over the Administration’s unwarranted action and strengthen the protections of Title VI.
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The National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) represents the interests of over 80,000 Asian Pacific American (APA) legal professionals and nearly 90 national, state, and local APA bar associations. NAPABA is a leader in addressing civil rights issues confronting Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities. Through its national network, NAPABA provides a strong voice for increased diversity of the federal and state judiciaries, advocates for equal opportunity in the workplace, works to eliminate hate crimes and anti-immigrant sentiment, and promotes the professional development of people of all backgrounds in the legal profession.
On January 30th, 2025, AABANY, together with the South Asian Bar Association of New York (SABANY), co-sponsored a CLE program entitled “Diversity, Equity and Inclusion 2.0, Featuring Jenny Yang.” The event, offering 1.0 credit hours towards the Diversity, Inclusion, and Elimination of Bias requirement, discussed the current situation and potential future of DEI programs in the wake of the current administration’s Executive Orders.
Jenny Yang, former Chair of the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and previous White House Deputy Assistant to the President for Racial Justice and Equity, shared her informed perspective on the issue.
The event was hosted by Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP at their midtown New York office. Attendees streamed in starting as early as 5:30 pm. Then, the program began with some opening remarks by SABANY President Ashish Bhatt, AABANY Executive Director Yang Chen, and an introduction of the keynote speaker by Glenn D. Magpantay, Co-Chair of the AABANY LGBTQ Committee and Commissioner for the US Commission on Civil Rights.
Jenny first shed some light on current developments with the new administration and some of the Executive Orders that have been issued. She described how they do not alter the laws currently in place surrounding DEI, and how, for employers engaging in fully lawful DEI programs, these Executive Orders have no effect. She went on to talk about the current perception held within the country that DEI programs in essence are a form of affirmative action but noted that view to be incorrect because they do not “save spots” for specific marginalized groups and instead analyze already existing workforce data to identify disparities in the workforce and then address them. Additionally, she mentioned the wording in many of these Executive Orders referring to “illegal DEI programs” and how companies and industries are scared into retreating and reducing their DEI initiatives as a result.
Ultimately, Jenny asserted how important it was to recognize that the vast majority of DEI programs are legal under Federal laws such as Title VII and that companies, especially law firms, should not back down in the face of these Executive Orders.
She closed the presentation by noting that the future of DEI programs in the United States is largely uncertain, expressing the hope that they can persist and strive to be more inclusive. A vibrant question-and-answer session followed, during which attendees asked about various topics, from the validity of specific Executive Orders already in place to the potential actions of the administration to undermine previous protections granted by federal legislation, such as Title VII.
Thank you to AABANY’s Issues and Memberships Committees for co-sponsoring this event, as well as to Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP for hosting. To learn more about the Issues Committee, click here. To learn more about the Membership Committee, click here.
