Posts

Posted on

NAPABA Statement in Response to Shooting at White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner

For Immediate Release:

April 27, 2026

Contact:
[email protected]

WASHINGTON – On the evening of Saturday, April 25, an armed individual attempted to attack a dinner event hosted by the White House Correspondents’ Association in Washington, DC. The National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) unequivocally condemns this act of violence. We are grateful for the bravery, professionalism, and swift action of law enforcement, including the officer who was shot, and that the President and all those who attended the event are safe.

An investigation of the shooting remains pending. The U.S. Attorney announced that the perpetrator will face federal criminal charges, and the Acting U.S. Attorney General—at this preliminary stage—advised that the perpetrator likely targeted members of the administration, including the President.

The event was intended to celebrate the First Amendment. Though an investigation behind the motivations of this shooting is ongoing, our constitutional democracy and the rule of law depend on the peaceful resolution of our differences, whether through robust and vigorous debate, our institutions like the judiciary, or the ballot box. Violence, whether motivated by political animus, hate, or otherwise, is antithetical to our core values as a community and as a Nation.

###

The National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) represents the interests of more than 80,000 Asian Pacific American (APA) attorneys, judges, law professors, and law students, as well as over 90 national, state, and local APA bar associations. Founded in 1988, NAPABA promotes justice, equity, and opportunity for APA legal professionals and Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities. They foster professional development, advocacy, and community involvement.
Posted on

Know Your Rights: NAPABA Releases Multilingual Immigration Law Resources for AAPI Communities

NAPABA is proud to share a collection of multilingual immigration law resources designed to support the Asian American and Pacific Islander community (AAPI). The resources,  which are available here, address “What to Know at Home” and “What to Know at the Airport” in the event of interactions with immigration enforcement authorities.

Originally produced by experts at the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA), the resources are now available in Chinese, English, Hindi, Hmong, Korean, Tagalog, and Vietnamese—expanding access to critical educational information in the languages our communities speak and understand.

These complimentary materials are available to our members, our over 90 affiliate and national bar organizations, and to the public.

NAPABA is grateful to our national partners at the National Conference of Vietnamese American Attorneys (NCVAA), the National Korean American Bar Association (NKABA), the National Filipino American Lawyers Association (NFALA), and the Hmong American Bar Association for their generous time and efforts in ensuring quality and accuracy in the translations.

NAPABA and our partners are committed to providing timely educational resources for our members, affiliates, and the many vibrant AANHPI communities we all serve.

Click here to access Immigration Law Resources.

Questions? Please contact NAPABA’s Advocacy and Policy Team at [email protected].

Disclaimer: The information provided and in any associated attachments is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute legal or other professional advice. It is not intended to create, and receipt of it does not establish, an attorney-client relationship. This information should not be relied upon as a substitute for legal or other professional advice tailored to your specific circumstances and may not be used to avoid penalties under law.

Posted on

Thank You to the Volunteers at the Manhattan Pro Bono Clinic in April

Thank you to the Asian American Law Fund of New York (AALFNY), Asian Americans for Equality (AAFE), the Pro Bono & Community Service Committee (PBCS), and all the dedicated volunteers who contributed their time and expertise at the April 15th Pro Bono Clinic in Manhattan. 

At the Clinic, our volunteers met with 12 clients, providing guidance on various legal issues, including housing, immigration, public benefits, and civil litigation. Their collective efforts ensured that each client received personalized support and essential legal assistance.

In addition to providing vital legal guidance to community members, our 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.

Volunteer attorneys:

  • Beatrice Leong 
  • Francis Chin
  • Jieman Tan
  • Helen Ding
  • Meng Ru
  • Anna Chuen
  • Carmen Huang
  • Anthony Wong
  • Xiaodan Song
  • Arthur Lin
  • Cecilia Yang
  • Alexandra Ly

Interpreters/Shadowers:

  • Rachel Kim
  • Eva Lee
  • Elaine Pan
  • Shang Zhai

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

  • May 9th [Brooklyn link here], from 12:30 – 2:30pm, CPC Brooklyn Community Services, 4101 8th Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11232
  • May 20th [Manhattan link here], from 6:30 – 8:30pm, AAFE Community Center, 111 Norfolk Street, NY, NY 10002

Thank you for making a significant difference in our community. We are deeply grateful for everyone’s contributions and look forward to continuing this important work together! We hope to see you at our May clinics!

—Written by Eva Lee and Rachel Kim, AABANY Interns

Posted on

In the News: AABANY Litigation Committee Co-Chair Genny Ngai Named to City & State’s 2026 “Above & Beyond: Women” List

On March 23, 2026, City & State New York published its 2026 “Above & Beyond: Women” list, celebrating incredible visionaries, policymakers, and leaders who are dedicated to propelling New York forward by tackling new challenges and enhancing services across the state. Genny Ngai, Co-Chair of the AABANY Litigation Committee and Partner at Morrison Cohen, has been recognized on this distinguished list.

Genny is the advocate people and companies seek out “in their worst moments,” according to City & State. Before joining Morrison Cohen’s white collar defense practice, Genny was a prosecutor in the Eastern District of New York.  Her move to private practice was driven by a desire to get ahead of crises before they happen: “I wanted to focus more on how to advise clients proactively to avoid getting into trouble …. There’s ways to help them proactively mitigate risk. I’m all for that.”

Please join AABANY in congratulating Genny on this well-deserved honor. AABANY congratulates all the honorees recognized by City & State. To read the full article, click here.

Posted on

Public Notice: Applications Now Open for New Magistrate Judge, United States District Court, Southern District of New York

The United States District Court for the Southern District of New York is accepting applications for a full-time Magistrate Judge position at New York, NY. The duties of the position are demanding and wide ranging and will include: (1) conduct of preliminary proceedings in criminal cases; (2) trial and disposition of misdemeanor cases; (3) conduct of various pretrial matters, including settlement proceedings, and evidentiary proceedings on delegation from the judges of the district court; (4) trial and disposition of civil cases upon consent of the litigants; (5) inquests and reports and recommendations on dispositive motions and evidentiary matters on reference from the judges of the district court; and (6) assignment of additional duties not inconsistent with the Constitution and laws of the United States.

The basic jurisdiction of the United States Magistrate Judge is specified in 28 U.S.C., Section 636. To be qualified for appointment, an applicant must: (a) be a member in good standing of the bar of the highest court of a State, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or the U.S. Virgin Islands for at least five years; (b) have been engaged in the active practice of law for a period of at least five years (with some substitutions authorized); (c) be competent to perform all the duties of the office, of good moral character, emotionally stable and mature, committed to equal justice under the law, in good health, patient and courteous, and capable of deliberation and decisiveness; (d) be less than 70 years old; and (e) not be related to a judge of the district court.

A Merit Selection Panel composed of attorneys and other members of the community will review all applications and recommend in confidence to the judges of the district court five persons whom it considers best qualified. The Court will make the appointment(s) following an FBI and IRS investigation of the appointee(s). Each individual selected must comply with the financial disclosure requirements of the Ethics in Government Act of 1978 and the Courthouse Ethics Act (CETA) of 2021. The Court seeks a wide range of highly qualified candidates. The current salary of the position is $229,908 per annum (effective 1/1/2026).

Candidates should submit hard copies of the applications to the physical address below and email a copy to: [email protected].

Edward A. Friedland
District Court Executive
United States Courthouse
500 Pearl Street, Room 820
New York, NY 10007-1312
Tel: 212-805-0500

An original plus fifteen (15) copies of a cover letter, resume and application must be received by May 1, 2026. Application forms are available on the Court’s web site: www.nysd.uscourts.gov.

If you are interested in this opportunity, please note that the AABANY Judiciary Committee is hosting the “Pathway to the Bench: Federal Magistrate Judges” event on Wednesday, April 22, 2026, from 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm, virtually on ZOOM. This program will provide valuable insight into the process of becoming a Federal Magistrate Judge, including practical guidance, application tips, and firsthand perspectives from the bench. Please register by April 21, 2026.

Posted on

AABANY and SABANY Co‑Sponsor JAMS CLE Program on “The Mediation Process: What Works, What Fails, and Why?”

On April 16, JAMS hosted a CLE program titled “The Mediation Process: What Works, What Fails, and Why?,” co‑sponsored by AABANY and SABANY. The program drew a highly engaged audience and generated thoughtful, practical discussion among the panelists. Attendees remained actively involved throughout, contributing questions and insights that enriched the session.

AABANY’s ADR Committee Co‑Chairs, Chris M. Kwok (JAMS) and Rachel Ji-Young Yoo (Yoo Law Group), attended the program in their official capacity. During his opening remarks, Chris — who also serves as a JAMS Neutral — emphasized the importance of increasing visibility and opportunities for Asian mediators and neutrals within the dispute resolution field. His message resonated strongly with participants and set a meaningful tone for the program.

The distinguished panel of ADR professionals included former jurists and seasoned practitioners focused on how to maximize settlement opportunities and avoid impasse in mediation. In addition to Chris Kwok and Rachel Ji-Young Yoo, the panel featured Erica Barrow (BakerHostetler), Rachel A. Gupta (JAMS), Hon. Jeffrey K. Oing (Ret.), and Hon. Anil C. Singh (Ret.). The interactive panel discussion, designed for professionals at all stages of their ADR careers, offered tangible best practices and approaches designed to help navigate the mediation landscape. We are grateful for the presenters who shared best practices and effective solutions for preparing a case, designing client-centered processes, and navigating challenges and professionalism in the most challenging mediation matters.

We extend our appreciation to JAMS for hosting this timely and informative CLE program, and to SABANY for joining AABANY in co‑sponsoring the event. We appreciated the opportunity to participate alongside distinguished colleagues committed to advancing excellence, inclusion, and diversity in mediation practice.

– Written by Rachel Ji-Young Yoo, Co-Chair, AABANY’s ADR Committee

Posted on

AABANY’s Mentorship Committee Hosts Mentorship Program Kickoff Mixer

On April 9th, 2026, AABANY’s Mentorship Committee held its Mentorship Program Kickoff Mixer at the offices of McDermott Will & Schulte at One Vanderbilt. Mentors and mentees mingled in person and made new connections across the Mentorship Program over a delicious spread of hors d’oeuvres and drinks, while enjoying a panoramic view of the city.

Mentorship Program Co-Chairs Emily Chen and Gary Yeung gave opening remarks and thanked the attendees and sponsor, McDermott, emphasizing the importance of being proactive in seeking out mentorship during the course of one’s career.

AABANY’s Mentorship Program provides support, advice, and networking opportunities to aid both mentors and mentees in their professional and personal development. Each mentee is matched to a mentor who will serve as a teacher, role model, and resource to the mentee. By way of the one-to-one relationships and Mentorship Program events, held throughout the year, the program provides the structure to advance professional growth and networking skills of both mentors and mentees.

We would like to again give special thanks to McDermott Will & Schulte for generously sponsoring this Mentorship Mixer, which will undoubtedly help this year’s class of mentors and mentees to build enduring bonds in the coming months and years.

– Written by Gary Yeung, Co-Chair, AABANY Mentorship Committee

Posted on

Law & Letters: AABANY Holds Inaugural Book Club Meeting

On March 19, 2026, AABANY hosted its inaugural 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 favorite reads and literary interests. The meeting was hosted by Yen-Yi Anderson, Co-Chair of the Solo & Small Firm Practice Committee, and S. Yan Sin, now AABANY’s Board Secretary for the 2027 fiscal year which started on April 1. Attendees included Jaehee Yoo, Hannah Lee, Wendy Zeng, Eva Lee, and Regina Chiem. The group enjoyed delicious Korean corndogs and boba teas while they talked about their favorite books. 

The discussion began with a deep dive into what truly defines a “great book” in the eyes of a reader. Some attendees suggested that a great book is one that fundamentally changes your outlook on life or features a blurb on the cover so captivating that it demands to be read. Others argued that beautiful prose is essential to the experience, while some noted that a book is worthwhile if it is a classic, even if the reading process is difficult rather than traditionally enjoyable. The group agreed that the best books are those you return to over the years to measure how you have personally evolved since your last reading.

The book club attendees shared an extensive and diverse list of recommendations of books spanning many genres and styles. Among the suggested titles are classics like The Brothers Karamazov, contemporary fiction hits like Severance, The Daughters of Afong Moy, and Disorientation, nonfiction reads like Breaking Rank, and even memoirs like the touching Tuesdays with Morrie. 

To conclude the evening, the book club attendees selected No. 10 Doyer Street as the first official book for the club to read during the month of April. 

This successful first 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. To register for the next meeting, see this link here. A huge thank you to everyone who made our first meeting so memorable. See you in April!

Posted on

AABANY’S PBCS Committee Takes on Chinatown with Community Outreach for Upcoming Pro Bono Clinics

On Saturday, April 11,  armed with stacks of flyers and information, volunteers fanned out across Chinatown in pairs to distribute flyers for AABANY’s upcoming Pro Bono Clinics in Manhattan. The Clinics provide brief in-person legal consultations in Mandarin and Cantonese, ensuring that language barriers or lack of internet access don’t stand in the way of justice.

Legal issues can be daunting, but a friendly face and a flyer in your native language can make all the difference. By walking the blocks of the “heart of Chinatown,” volunteers were able to engage directly with small business owners and residents, answer immediate questions about clinic schedules, and bridge the gap between the legal profession and the communities AABANY serves.

After volunteers distributed the flyers, they enjoyed delicious dim sum at the world famous Golden Unicorn.

Thank you to our volunteers:

Philip Han
Arthur Lin
Alexandra Ly
Zhibiao Patrick Peng
Mark Garner
Wendy Zeng
Helen Ding
Xinyue Zhu
Carmen Huang

and PBCS Co Chairs
Gary Yeung
Beatrice Leong

To learn more about the Pro Bono and Community Service (PBCS) Committee click here.

Below are some of the upcoming Pro Bono Clinics expected to take place across the Manhattan, Queens, and Brooklyn boroughs. We encourage volunteer attorneys and students to attend, support and help expand access to justice in our communities.

– Written by Beatrice Leong

Posted on

In the News: Brooklyn Bar Association’s Inaugural Lunar New Year Celebration

On April 2, 2026, the Brooklyn Daily Eagle published an article covering the Brooklyn Bar Association (BBA)’s inaugural Lunar New Year Celebration, which the Asian American Bar Association of New York (AABANY) participated in as a co-sponsor. 

The event, which drew more than 200 members of Brooklyn’s legal community, honored two distinguished AAPI legal professionals: Hon. Peggy Kuo, U.S. Magistrate Judge for the Eastern District of New York, and Kin Ng, Esq., Bureau Chief of Trial Bureau II at the Kings County District Attorney’s Office. Both honorees are also AABANY members. Kin co-founded AABANY’s Prosecutors Committee. The honorees were recognized for their decades of exemplary service and their contributions to the Asian American community.

The article highlights remarks from both honorees. Judge Kuo reflected on the personal significance of being honored in Brooklyn, alluding to A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, a book she loved to read as a child. The article also touches on Judge Kuo’s candid reflection on the challenges she faced in forging her own path in public service. Judge Kuo noted that she had to “find her own way” without a “playbook or a script.” 

Kin Ng spoke to the transformative growth of AAPI representation in the Kings County DA’s office over the past three decades. He recalled that in 1991 there were only six Asian ADAs with no seniors or managers out of a staff of 600. Today, there are more than 50. He emphasized that “diversity matters” and is a “source of strength.”

For the complete coverage on the evening and extraordinary careers of the honorees, read the full article in the Brooklyn Daily Eagle here.

Proudly powered by WordPress