On March 31, 2025, the AABANY Intellectual Property (IP) Committee hosted its monthly dinner at Utsav. Both familiar and new faces gathered to enjoy mouthwatering Indian cuisine while engaging in lively discussions on a range of topics, including racquet sports for the spring (e.g., tennis or pickleball), the evolving role of AI in our lives, and its growing impact on the legal industry.
A big thank you to everyone who attended! The IP Committee is always welcoming new members, and we encourage anyone interested in joining our community to get involved.
To learn more about the IP Committee and how you can participate, visit the IP Committee’s page on the AABANY website.
In January 2025, the Court of Appeals announced that, commencing with the July 2028 administration of the New York State bar examination, the Uniform Bar Examination will be replaced by the NextGen Bar Exam. At the same time, the Court appointed an advisory committee. The Committee, co-chaired by the Honorable Edward D. Carni (Ret. New York State Appellate Division Justice) and Sherry Levin Wallach, Deputy Executive Director of The Legal Aid Society of Westchester County and 2022-2023 President of the New York State Bar Association, is charged with preparing a report and recommendation to the Court of Appeals identifying options on whether, and to what extent, the Court should adopt pre- or post-admission requirements supplementing the NextGen Bar Exam to ensure competency to practice in New York. The report is expected by September 2025
To fulfill its responsibilities, the Committee will hold several virtual public hearings in May of 2025. The purpose of the public hearings is to receive the views of interested individuals, law offices, and organizations on possible options. The Committee is also interested in hearing, assuming the Court retains a New York-specific requirement, views regarding the areas of New York law that should be part of a licensing or continuing practice requirement. After the public hearings, the Committee will prepare a report for the New York Court of Appeals reviewing its findings.
The Committee will hold three four-hour virtual meetings as indicated below:
May 5, 2025, 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm May 13, 2025, 10:00 am to 2:00 pm May 20, 2025, 9:00 am to 1:00 pm
The Committee invites testimony on the following issues (the list is not exhaustive):
The relative importance of requiring bar applicants to complete a New York-law specific licensing component;
The advantages and/or disadvantages of the current New York Law Course (NYLC) and New York Law Examination (NYLE);
The advantages and/or disadvantages of alternatives to the current NYLC and NYLE, including eliminating or replacing an examination requirement;
Adoption of an open or closed book exam;
The impact that a different New York-specific licensing requirement would have on law school curricula and bar exam preparation;
A court-mandated New York law course and/or supervised clinic, internship, or externship in addition to the Court of Appeals experiential learning admissions rule 520.18;
Adoption of new Continuing Legal Education requirements, including courses based on simulations, hypotheticals, and class participation.
The Committee will consider both oral testimony and written submissions. All testimony is by invitation only. If you are interested in being invited to testify at the hearing, please send an email to [email protected] no later than 10 days in advance of the scheduled hearing at which you propose to testify. Proposed testimony should not exceed 10 minutes in length or 10 written pages, unless otherwise instructed by the Committee Chairs.
If requesting an invitation, please (1) identify yourself and your affiliation; (2) attach a prepared statement or a detailed outline of the proposed testimony and specify which, if any, of the topics described above will be addressed; and (3) indicate at which of the hearings you would like to deliver the testimony. In advance of the hearing, invitations to testify will be issued and will include an approximate time for each presenter’s testimony. For those not invited to present oral testimony, the proposed testimony will be deemed a written submission for consideration by the Committee.
Persons unable to attend a hearing or interested in only making a written submission may send their remarks by email to [email protected] at least seven days in advance of the hearing.
Christopher Gibson, Director, Division of E-Filing, NYS Office of Court Administration, shared the following announcement:
Please be advised that a memorandum from Hon. Joseph A. Zayas, J.S.C., Chief Administrative Judge, outlining the proposed statewide expansion of mandatory electronic filing (e-filing) in the Supreme Court – Civil Term has been posted online.
On April 9th, AABANY’s IP Committee, in collaboration with the New York Intellectual Property Law Association (NYIPLA), hosted an exciting and lively Board Games Night at Fish & Richardson. Everyone from IP lawyers and beyond was invited to unwind and connect for a night of friendly competition.
Around 30 players of all skill levels were able to engage in a variety of games that were offered, from familiar games, such as Monopoly, Codenames, and Anomia, as well as new ones like Herd Mentality. Participants enjoyed the lighthearted, relaxed, and enjoyable atmosphere of each game, regardless of skill level, making for a laughter-filled night of fun.
The attendees enjoyed a variety of delicious food and drinks, including dumplings and noodles.
Thank you to everyone who attended, making this event a huge success through your participation.
Thank you as well to IP Committee Co-Chair Jeffery Mok for helping to organize this event and his firm, Fish & Richardson, for hosting. To learn more about the IP Committee and how you can get involved, visit their page here.
You can’t rush art so the deadline has been extended for the “Our History, Our Voice” Video Contest for Middle and High School Students across the United States. All submissions must be received by 11:59 PM EST on April 30, 2025.
This is a joint project of the Center on Asian Americans and the Law at Fordham Law School, the AAPI Crime Victims and Education Fund, and NAPABA. Participants will introduce and highlight the impact of one case from the list of cases in a thoughtful and creative way that will bring attention to this event in Asian American legal history.
ELIGIBILITY
Participants need to be between the ages of 13 and 18 and currently enrolled in middle school or high school.
There is a limit of one (1) entry per person, per case.
Please share the link for the contest landing page broadly to all of your circles, most especially those involving middle and high school aged children. Our stories need to be told, and then passed along and retold, most especially by young people.
Application Deadline: Friday, April 25, 2024 | 11:59 pm ET
We are thrilled to invite you to apply for the 2025 Collaborative Bar Leadership Academy (CBLA) – an exclusive, transformative experience designed to elevate aspiring and current bar leaders like you! The CBLA will take place in the heart of Washington, D.C., from June 29 – July 1, 2025. This is your chance to accelerate your leadership journey and connect with fellow bar leaders from across the country.
Why Apply for CBLA?
This isn’t just another leadership program – it’s a game-changing opportunity to take your career to the next level:
Expand Your Network – Connect with influential leaders from NAPABA and top national bar associations.
Learn from Experts – Gain invaluable leadership insights from renowned professionals in an intimate, collaborative setting.
Sharpen Your Skills – Acquire the tools you need to lead effectively, whether in a local or national bar association.
Impact Your Future – Leave with the skills and confidence to organize, manage, and inspire in any bar leadership role.
Spots are limited! Apply today to ensure you don’t miss out on this once-in-a-lifetime experience!
Application Deadline: Friday, April 25, 2024, at 11:59 PM ET.
Eligibility Requirements
Be an active member of NAPABA
Complete a two-part application process, including a virtual component
Submit your resume to Keevin Woods ([email protected]) and Matthew Archer-Beck ([email protected]) with the subject line: “[Applicant’s Name]’s CBLA 2025 Resume”
Note: Incomplete applications will not be considered, so make sure everything is in order!
The Collaborative Bar Leadership Academy (CBLA) is a joint initiative of the American Bar Association, its Commission on Racial and Ethnic Diversity in the Profession and the Commission on Disability Rights, the Hispanic National Bar Association, the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association, the National Bar Association, the National LGBT Bar Association, the National Native American Bar Association, and the South Asian Bar Association of North America. Together, we aim to empower and prepare leaders to shape the future of the legal profession. Our coordinated effort is designed to strengthen the pipeline of bar association leaders through leadership training, professional development training, and networking.
Don’t miss this incredible opportunity to develop, connect, and lead in the legal world. We can’t wait to see you in Washington, DC!
On Tuesday, April 8, 2025, the Judiciary Committee of the Asian American Bar Association of New York (AABANY) hosted its 2025 Annual Judges’ Reception at Fordham Law School. About 70 attendees gathered for this annual celebration of newly elected/appointed, elevated, and retired Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) judges across New York. It was an evening filled with reflection, gratitude, and hope for the future of AAPI representation in the judiciary.
This year’s event was co-sponsored by Fordham Law School’s Center on Asian Americans and the Law, and featured a panel discussion, an inspiring awards ceremony, and a lively light dinner reception.
The reception began at 5:30 PM with the “Art of Judging” panel, moderated by Referee Vanessa Kong (Kings County Family Court) and featuring distinguished panelists:
Hon. Lillian Wan, Appellate Division, Second Department
Hon. Jeffrey Oing (ret.), Appellate Division, First Department
Hon. Denny Chin, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit
Hon. Melissa De Jesus, New York State Court of Claims
The judges spoke about the heavy responsibilities they carry and the importance of listening with an open mind of applying no personal agenda but rather approaching each case on its merits. Judge De Jesus, who presides over a drug treatment part in Kings County, reflected on managing a busy courtroom while ensuring each party feels heard and making sure to take the extra time if needed to make the best decision with all the information.
When asked what qualities are most undervalued in a judge, all panelists agreed on the importance of patience and humility. Justice Wan reminded the audience that judges “wear a robe, not a crown,” emphasizing the human side of the role and the need to treat litigants and practitioners with compassion and dignity. Justice Wan shared a powerful anecdote: she issued her decision in court, then proceeded to go home where she continued to think about her decision, and the next day returned and recalled the parties and attorneys because she came to the conclusion that she wanted to change her decision. It served as a reminder that judges are not only thoughtful but also human, capable of growth and change even after issuing a decision.
Judge Chin emphasized the need to think about the different audiences a judge must consider when writing a decision. Judge Oing described a particularly moving case where he dismissed fraud charges and took special care to write a decision that cleared the defendant, who had hugely suffered from the accusations.
The panel concluded on a hopeful note. Justice Wan shared how she cherishes attorney swearing-in ceremonies, making it a point to connect with young AAPI attorneys. Judge Chin spoke on the privilege of presiding over naturalization ceremonies, including one where his son attended with his granddaughter, who waved a small American flag in the audience.
Justice Oing concluded with a powerful reflection on the need for continued progress. He noted the absence of any AAPI judges currently sitting in the First Department, Appellate Division, and echoed Judge Chin’s remark that no person of AAPI heritage has ever served on the New York Court of Appeals or the United States Supreme Court. Despite the joyful atmosphere, the panel reminded us all of the ongoing work required to achieve full representation.
At 6:30 PM, the awards ceremony commenced, featuring opening remarks from David Mou, Co-Chair of the AABANY Judiciary Committee, followed by speeches from:
Ben Hsing, AABANY President
Professor Thomas Lee, Center on Asian Americans and the Law
Hon. Biju Koshy, President, Asian American Judges Association of New York (AAJANY)
This year’s honorees included:
Hon. Shahabuddeen Ally
Hon. Giyang An
Hon. Christopher Chin
Hon. L. Austin D’Souza
Hon. Melissa De Jesus
Hon. Amish Doshi
Hon. Jeffrey Gershuny
Hon. Phillip Hom
Hon. Melissa T. Lewis
Hon. Masateru Marubashi
Hon. Jeffrey K. Oing (ret.)
Hon. Kyu Young (Mike) Paek
Hon. E. Grace Park
Hon. Hemalee Patel
Hon. Christine Perumal
Hon. Alice Tam Tien
Hon. Meredith Vacca
Following the presentation of awards, Justice Jeffrey Oing delivered remarks on behalf of all honorees, reflecting on the evolving presence of AAPI judges and calling attention to the collective responsibility of continuing to pave the way for the next generation.
At 7:30 PM, guests gathered for a light dinner reception, where laughter and conversations flowed. Judges, attorneys, law students, and guests had the opportunity to connect and share stories.
We thank the Judiciary Committee for organizing such an impactful and meaningful event, and our co-sponsor, the Center on Asian Americans and the Law, for their partnership. We also thank all the attendees who helped make the night special.
Congratulations once again to our honorees. Your leadership, integrity, and perseverance continue to inspire us all.
To learn more about AABANY’s Judiciary Committee, click here. To see more photos from the event, click here.
Over 40 national, state, and local bar associations join NAPABA to oppose Executive Order 14160.
NAPABA corrects the federal government’s misreading of U.S. v. Wong Kim Ark.
NAPABA highlights the detrimental impact on the Asian American community if EO 14160 is upheld.
WASHINGTON – The National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) and 43 of its affiliates and national associates from across the country joined forces to defend the fundamental constitutional guarantee of citizenship. Led by NAPABA, the coalition filed an amicus brief, which can be found here, with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit in State of Washington v. Donald J. Trump.
The Fourteenth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution promises every person equal treatment under the law. It also includes an equal claim of citizenship to all persons born in the United States, regardless of the stature or circumstances of their parents.
Executive Order 14160 upends that promise. It refuses to recognize the birthright citizenship of any child born in the United States to a mother who is lawfully present on a temporary basis, like those on work or student visas, and a father who is neither a U.S. citizen nor a lawful permanent resident.
In our amicus brief, NAPABA and the coalition highlight the core principles established in United States v. Wong Kim Ark, 169 U.S. 649 (1898). The Court upheld the conferral of citizenship to children born in the U.S. to non-citizen parents under the Fourteenth Amendment’s Citizenship Clause. The brief underscores the historical significance of this precedent, the role of Asian Americans in shaping our nation’s foundational immigration and civil rights precedents, and the disproportionate harms that EO 14160, if upheld, would visit upon Asian American communities.
EO 14160 distorts the holding of Wong Kim Ark. The federal government misreads the Court’s 1898 description of Wong’s parents as having a permanent residence in the U.S. Our brief explains this oversimplification by recounting the historical discrimination Chinese migrants faced in the late 19th century. Under this backdrop, their presence in the country was a far cry from the lawful permanency afforded to today’s green card holders. At that time, the Chinese immigrants were excluded from full participation in civic life and systematically denied the ability to integrate into American society. They faced mass violence and a cascading series of exclusionary laws designed to expel them. By drawing this parallel, NAPABA underscores how EO 14160 would disproportionately harm Asian American communities, echoing the same past exclusionary motives.
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our exemplary legal team for their tireless work behind the brief, including Rahat N. Babar, who serves as NAPABA’s Deputy Executive Director and General Counsel, Edgar Chen, who serves as NAPABA’s Special Policy Advisor, and Chris M. Kwok, who serves as co-chair of NAPABA’s Dispute Resolution Committee.
Are you joining us for NAPABA’s largest advocacy day on Capitol Hill? NAPABA Lobby Day is your opportunity to meet with policymakers and champion the pressing issues affecting our communities. Now is the time to come together, take action, and make our voices heard to drive meaningful change.
NAPABA Supports the AANHPI Community
Ensuring Language Access
Protecting the Legacy of Fred Korematsu
Recognizing the Rich History and Vibrancy of the AANHPI Community
NAPABA Calls for Fair and Humane Immigration System
Advancing the Right to Counsel
Supporting Asylum Seekers
Protecting Immigrants from National Origin Discrimination
NAPABA Defends Rule of Law & the Legal Profession
Protecting Judges from Threats
Supporting Funding for Legal Services Corporation
Strengthening the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program
Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month Congressional Reception
Tuesday, May 20, 2025 | 6-8 PM ET
Join NAPABA members and community leaders from across the country as we celebrate AANHPI Heritage Month with members of Congress. The reception will bring together Lobby Day participants, members of Congress and their staff, and leaders in the AANHPI community.
On March 22, 2025, AABANY hosted its 2nd Annual mindfulness wellness retreat at Blue Cliff Monastery in upstate New York, designed exclusively for AABANY. The retreat provided a safe space to relax, reflect, and connect with one another while focusing on one’s mental and emotional well-being.
In continuation of AABANY’s 2023-24 theme, “Embracing Wellness and Well-Being: Strengthening the Legal Profession by Investing in Ourselves,” the retreat was organized with the support of AABANY’s Professional Development Committee.
Over thirty AABANY members, family, and friends attended, starting the day with an orientation and introduction to meditation and mindfulness practices. After some time to relax and connect with each other, members joined in group singing outside before going on a walking meditation led by the monastics. Attendees were taught how to be mindful of their surroundings, their breathing, and walking, as they enjoyed the nature around them in peaceful silence.
Afterwards, attendees practiced a mindful lunch in silence for the first 20 minutes, focusing on the vegetarian meal prepared by the monastery, being mindful of the food, how it nourishes the body, and the preparation of the food by the monastics. As meals were finished, attendees washed their own plates and utensils, again focusing on being mindful and present.
In support of the monastery and to experience a working meditation, various activities were presented to the attendees, including raking leaves, planting seeds, and cleaning and cutting vegetables for future meals. This was also an opportunity to connect with guests from CUNY Law School, who had their annual retreat at the same time.
After some time to further connect and relax with others over tea, with some stopping by the bookstore at the monastery, attendees experienced a relaxation meditation. Everyone rested on mats, providing an opportunity to focus on oneself, away from the challenges of the legal profession as well as the current state of the world.
To conclude the day, AABANY attendees participated in Dharma Sharing, where everyone shared a little bit about themselves and what they were grateful for that day. Special thanks were made to AABANY, Sister Empathy, and Blue Cliff Monastery for organizing the retreat. Thanks also to AABANY member Khanh Nguyen for helping make arrangements with the monastery, AABANY Professional Development Committee Co-Chair May Wong for helping make van transportation arrangements, and AABANY member Francis Chin for assisting in making sure everyone was accounted for on the van. Finally, thanks to Yang Chen for helping with the overall logistics to make AABANY’s 2nd Annual Wellness Retreat a success.
Attendees offered positive feedback and gratitude for the opportunity to spend the day on mindfulness, with many asking whether the retreat would be organized again next year. The retreat provided a much-needed day of rest for attendees to re-charge and focus on their self-care, as well as spend time with family, friends, and new friends. AABANY thanks Sister Empathy, Brother Emptiness, and the other monastics for their warmth, generosity, and guidance throughout the retreat.
If you have ideas for programs or speakers on the topic of wellness and well-being, please reach out to AABANY at [email protected]. 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 Professional Development 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.
