On Wednesday, February 25, 2026, AABANY’s Trusts & Estates Committee gathered to celebrate the Year of the Horse with a festive dinner in Midtown Manhattan. Held at Tang Pavilion, the evening brought together 18 attendees for a lively night of yummy food and community-building.
As guests arrived, they were directed to a separate private room reserved for the Committee, creating an intimate setting for the celebration. Co-Chair Natasha Chang thoughtfully ordered a wide-ranging selection of dishes for everyone to share, ensuring the table was filled with a delectable and generous spread. The meal began with scallion pancakes, cucumber salad, and frosted peanuts, followed by familiar favorites including Orange Chicken, Shredded Beef with Small Hot Peppers, Assorted Noodles, Beef Noodle Soup, Sweet & Sour Pork Ribs, Boneless Chicken Feet, and Smoked Fish. The steady arrival of dishes encouraged camaraderie as attendees around the table’s central lazy susan spun the glass turntable to share each dish and sample a bit of everything.
Beyond the delicious food, the dinner served as a valuable networking opportunity. Attendees went around the table introducing themselves and sharing their practice areas and career paths. The conversation evolved into a thoughtful reflection on the attendees’ respective law journeys. Many shared what they might have done differently, including whether taking one or more gap years before law school or gaining more practical experience earlier on. Some also talked about how the practice of law is changing with new technologies like AI and how future lawyers will need to adapt to these shifts.
Adding to the festive spirit, attendee Julie Min Chayet from Fiduciary Trust International passed around traditional red envelopes to all of the attendees. Inside were $2 bills and chocolate gold coins representing prosperity and good fortune for the year ahead. The thoughtful gesture sparked smiles and appreciation around the tables.
As we move forward into the Year of the Horse, AABANY’s Trusts & Estates Committee looks ahead with enthusiasm and renewed energy for the year’s programming and initiatives. Thank you to everyone who joined us for an evening of celebration and camaraderie.
Registration is open for NAPABA’s Lobby Day, and we want your voice!
Each year, NAPABA brings the AANHPI legal community to Capitol Hill to advocate directly with Congressional leaders and elevate the issues impacting our communities. Lobby Day is a powerful opportunity to turn your commitment into action and ensure your perspectives are heard and represented at the national level.
Why Participate?
Engage directly with Members of Congress and their staff
Receive advocacy training and issue briefings to prepare you for Capitol Hill
Connect with AANHPI attorneys and leaders from across the country
Represent and elevate your community’s voice at the national level
NAPABA is committed to ensuring that Lobby Day is accessible to members from all backgrounds and career stages. To support this goal, we offer limited travel and lodging support for active members who would otherwise face financial barriers to attending. Click the button below to learn more and apply for a stipend. The deadline to apply for a stipend is Tuesday, March 17, at 8:00 pm ET.
As part of Lobby Day, NAPABA will equip you with the tools and resources you need to be an effective advocate and share your participation in this important event. After registering, be sure to use our toolkit to share on your social media channels and invite others to join you.
Storytellers are invited to submit to the 3rd Annual Asian American Stories Video Contest, presented by AAUC (Asian American Unity Coalition) in collaboration with Silicon Valley Community Media and Ding Ding TV. This year, $20,000 in total prizes and grants will be awarded across Youth and Adult categories.
Submissions should be one minute long and must be received by March 31, 2026. Full details and additional contest information is available here.
The 2026 theme, “Coming to America,” focuses on personal journeys: the motivations, challenges, and aspirations that shaped the decision to build a life in the United States, whether your own story or someone else’s. Click here to view last year’s entries.
To support participants, two complimentary virtual workshops will be offered:
Session A: March 1, 2026 at 7:00 PM Pacific. Sign up here. Session B: March 2, 2026 at 4:00 PM Pacific. Sign up here.
Each session cover the following topics:
Contest Mastery: A deep dive into the 2026 rules and submission details.
Production Training: Practical tips on how to film and edit your 1-minute video.
Live Q&A: Get direct answers to your questions from our organizers.
Individuals are encouraged to spread the word to your networks and anyone interested in sharing meaningful stories. Personal narratives help preserve community history and inspire future storytellers.
ELIGIBILITY
Open to individuals entering either the Youth or Adult division. Participants may submit one entry total.
AWARDS
A ticket (worth $150) to the award ceremony.
$5,000 (total $ 20,000) in grants for your future production.
UCA sponsored trip to Las Vegas.
First 20 submissions will receive an Asian American Stories T-shirt.
In a recent feature on the American Bar Association’s Law Practice Today podcast titled “How to Build a Successful Law Firm That Feels Like Family,” Jennifer Wu, Founding Partner of Groomsbridge, Wu, Baughman & Stone LLP, shared her firm’s unique approach to fostering a long-term, family-like culture within their law practice. Wu is a patent litigator, a Director on the AABANY Board, and formerly Co-Chair of AABANY’s Women’s Committee.
In the podcast, hosted by Terrell A. Turner, CPA, Wu emphasizes the importance of providing honest feedback to junior attorneys as a means of building the long-term, familial culture at her firm.
“What we do better at our firm is that if I’m going to be rowing in this boat with you forever, maybe I’m going to give you tips on how to hold your oar or how to steer the boat or how to put on your life jacket. There’s really not a benefit to me holding back in my feedback and telling you later, because we’re going to be in this together for a long time, you might as well know now in a kind way, in constructive feedback, what I really think,” she said.
Additionally, Wu highlights the societal shift from a distinct separation between work and family life to the blending of the two in the workplace, which she incorporates to the firm’s values and her commitment to making the practice of law a joyful and fulfilling experience.
For Immediate Release: February 19, 2026 Contact: Maureen Gelwicks, Deputy Executive Director
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) welcomes the National Korean American Bar Association (NKABA) as a National Associate and the Chinese American Lawyers Association of Orange County (CALA OC) as an Affiliate of NAPABA.
Formed in 2025, NKABA is a national nonprofit professional organization representing Korean American attorneys and law students across the United States. NKABA supports the professional growth of its members through education, mentorship, networking, and business development opportunities, while partnering with regional and local Korean American bar associations to advance shared goals. The organization also engages in advocacy efforts, including research and amicus work, and serves as a national network fostering connection and collaboration among Korean American legal professionals.
“We are honored to be a National Associate and welcome the opportunity to partner with NAPABA in our mission to empower Korean American attorneys nationwide,” said Samuel Yu, President of NKABA. “We hope this affiliation inspires deeper collaboration, stronger advocacy, and a shared commitment to justice.”
Established in 2024, CALA OC is a nonprofit organization dedicated to developing, empowering, and elevating Chinese American contributions to the legal community and civic life of Orange County. CALA OC advances its mission by supporting professional development, expanding the influence of the Chinese American legal community, and celebrating and preserving cultural heritage.
“Chinese American Lawyers Association of Orange County (CALA OC) is excited to join NAPABA and its impressive national network, as we empower our members and elevate our community while navigating the moment in which we live, a pivotal inflection point in American history,” said Amy Chen, President of CALA OC.
“We are proud to welcome NKABA and CALA OC into the NAPABA family,” said Joseph Yao, President of NAPABA. “These organizations exemplify the leadership, collaboration, and dedication to community that define and strengthen our growing national network.”
NKABA and CALA OC join a community of over 90 local, state, regional, and national bar associations in the United States and Canada. Individual members of national associates and affiliates are entitled to discounted NAPABA membership and the benefits that accompany it. For more information about how to become a NAPABA national associate or affiliate, please visit our webpage and learn more here about the benefits of becoming a NAPABA member.
On the morning of Thursday, January 15, 2026, nearly 50 people braved the bone-chilling winds in Times Square to participate in a Prayer Walk commemorating the anniversary of Michelle Alyssa Go’s passing.
Four years ago, on an early Saturday morning, Michelle was standing near the edge of the downtown R subway platform at Times Square when Martial Simon charged at her and pushed her in front of an oncoming train, leading to her death.
Photo by Wellington Chen
Simon, then a 61-year-old homeless man with a history of schizophrenia and prior arrests, was later charged with second-degree murder in connection with Michelle’s death. This act of violence is a tragic example of the surge in anti-Asian hate incidents occurring in America during the COVID-19 pandemic. As noted by the Pew Research Center in 2023, anti-Asian sentiment rose following inflammatory political rhetoric, disinformation, and online extremism, specifically public officials’ use of terms like “Chinese Virus.” Though Asian Americans Advancing Justice (AAAJ) reported a slight decline in 2025 from 2023, anti-Asian hate crimes were still nearly triple pre-pandemic levels. California, New Jersey, New York, Washington, and Massachusetts reported the highest frequency.
Photo by Wellington Chen
During the Prayer Walk, Reverend Cristobal Tong led the group to four specific stops, following the routine route Michelle took that day. Justin Go, Michelle’s father, shared highlights of her tragically short life with the mourners. Born in Berkeley and raised in Fremont, California, Michelle earned a degree in economics from UCLA in 2002, an MBA from NYU in 2010, and later worked at Deloitte in mergers and acquisitions. Michelle was an avid traveler who had explored the Caribbean as a child and frequently traveled to visit friends. Justin highlighted Michelle’s selfless nature, noting that she spent her free time volunteering to help homeless people and assist low-income New Yorkers through the New York Junior League. Despite his grief, Justin emphasized the importance of celebrating Michelle’s life and encouraged loved ones to let their suffering be temporary, as Michelle would have wanted them to continue finding joy in life.
Photo by Wellington Chen
The Prayer Walk drew participation from a broad range of community figures and prominent Asian American New Yorkers. Notable attendees included attorney and activist Rockwell ‘Rocky’ Chin and retired U.S. Magistrate Judge Marilyn Go, both of whom are Co-Founders of AABANY. Additionally, Rachel Lee, President of Stand with Asian Americans and Co-Chair of AABANY’s Issues Committee, played a key role in organizing the walk.
I asked Elaine Chiu, a professor at St. John’s University School of Law, who attended the Prayer Walk, about the justice that may or may not be served for the Go family. Professor Chiu, who had previously chaired the Anti-Asian Violence Task Force, discussed the systemic failures surrounding this legal case. She emphasized that lawyers need to recognize that the justice system was not designed to effectively prosecute or assess individuals with severe and fluctuating mental instability. Furthermore, she lamented that the system is currently unequipped to provide defendant Martial Simon with adequate mental health care or to offer the Go family the justice they deserve.
Simon was initially deemed mentally unfit for trial and held at Kirby Forensic Psychiatric Center. After treatment, he passed a mental health evaluation in April 2024 but stopped taking his medication upon being transferred to Rikers Island. His disruptive behavior during a court appearance on April 30 resulted in his return to Kirby.
In response to systemic mental health issues, Governor Kathy Hochul signed legislation on May 9, 2025, allocating over $196 million to improve statewide mental health care, including $160 million for 100 new forensic inpatient psychiatric beds in New York City, and strengthening involuntary commitment laws and Kendra’s Law, which allows judges to mandate Assisted Outpatient Treatment (AOT) for individuals with severe mental illness who cannot safely live in the community without supervision. This law ultimately aims to prevent dangerous relapses while protecting both the public and the patient.
Photo by Wellington Chen
The Prayer Walk concluded at the R Times Square subway station, where the group stood on the platform to pray near the site where Michelle was murdered four years ago. Michelle was only 40 at the time of her death, and attendees who knew her remembered her as a bright and kind individual. Her death continues to fuel concerns regarding anti-Asian violence and the “revolving door” of psychiatric institutionalization. While the prosecution remains determined to bring Martial Simon to trial, the community continues to pray that lasting justice will finally be achieved.
Photo by Wellington Chen
The Prayer Walk was organized by AABANY’s Anti-Asian Violence Task Force (AAVTF), established in response to the surge in anti-Asian hate during COVID-19. The Task Force, at its formation five years ago, included leadership from AABANY’s Issues, Pro Bono and Community Service, Prosecutors, Student Outreach, Legal Referral and Information Service, and Academic Committees. Partnering with AABANY’s affiliate, the Asian American Law Fund of New York (AALFNY), the AAVTF launched the Turning the Tide (T3) Project, a comprehensive initiative focused on education, communication, advocacy, and research. After releasing two reports, the AAVTF produced a documentary, “Voices Against Anti-Asian Hate,” which humanized victims’ and survivors’ experiences and was nominated for best short documentary at the New York Independent Art Film Fest. Throughout 2025, the film was screened nineteen times for various groups. A notable screening at the Asia Society featured a moving panel with Justin Go, Michelle Go’s father, and Sungkon Lee, Christina Yuna Lee’s father.
To view more photos from the Prayer Walk, click this link to the photo album. To learn more about AAVTF, please email [email protected].
The Criminal Justice Act Committee of the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit is accepting applications for service on the Court’s Criminal Justice Act Panel. CJA Panel Members represent indigent criminal defendants and petitioners for habeas corpus.
Admission to practice before this Court is a necessary qualification for membership on the Panel. The Court seeks attorneys of superior experience and proven competence in federal appellate criminal defense work. The qualifications of attorneys applying for service on the Panel will be examined by the CJA Committee’s Attorney Advisory Group, which will make recommendations for membership on the Panel. Membership on the Panel will be for a term of one to three years, at the discretion of the Court. Attorneys currently serving on the panel need not reapply until the expiration of their present term.
Application forms for membership on the Criminal Justice Act Panel are available at the Court’s website at www.ca2.uscourts.gov, or by calling 212-857-8702.
A signed original application, one copy of each of your appellate briefs, and three paper copies of the completed application and your resumé, along with a CD containing both your completed applications and resumé, must be received by the Clerk of Court by 5:00 p.m. on Monday, April 6, 2026.
Please check the Court’s website (www.ca2.uscourts.gov) periodically for CJA developments.
The United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit and the American Inns of Court announce the solicitation of nominations for the Twenty-Fifth Annual American Inns of Court Professionalism Award in the Second Circuit. Chief Judge Debra Ann Livingston of the Second Circuit hopes to be able to present the Award in New York at the Thurgood Marshall Courthouse, Courtroom 1703, 40 Foley Square, in Fall 2026.
The person chosen for this honor is a quintessential mentor who embodies the fundamental values of the profession to which the American Inns of Court is dedicated. The honoree is a senior lawyer who for a generation or more has guided younger practitioners in government, private practice, or public service, by word and by example. He or she is a “lawyer’s lawyer”— a master of the craft—whose life and work reflect civility, competence, and ethical behavior.
In short, they are seeking nominations of first-rate attorneys who have taught, supervised, and nurtured developing lawyers; and who, in doing so, have assured that the finest traditions of the Bar will be sustained.
Nominees should:
have engaged in the practice of law for at least twenty years,
be serving now as a lawyer in Connecticut, New York, or Vermont, and
occupy a senior position in the office of a prosecutor, defender, government agency, private law firm, or other private entity.
Judges and full-time professors are not eligible.
Nominations should be in letter form and include sufficient information about the nominee to allow the committee to make a reasoned judgment. Additional letters of recommendation should be included in the package, such as by younger lawyers describing their associations with the nominee and the benefits conferred by the nominee’s teaching, mentorship, and example.
Nominations must be submitted no later than April 10, 2026, through the American Inns of Court Foundation online portal at www.innsofcourt.org/ProfessionalismAwards; copies of the nominations must also be e-mailed as a single PDF to Michael D. Jordan, Circuit Executive, at [email protected]. Nominations should be addressed to the attention of Hon. Carl E. Stewart, Chair of the American Inns of Court Awards Committee.
On January 21, 2026, AABANY’s Solo and Small Firm Practice, Litigation, Judiciary, and Membership Committees hosted “Solo & Small Law Firm Litigators: Strategies for Success and Why Clients Should Care” at the Welcome to Chinatown Hub, at 115 Bowery, bringing together attorneys and non-attorneys for a dynamic and engaging discussion.
Panelists Tristan Loanzon, David Mou, Tiffany Miao, and Alysha Naik shared valuable insights and perspectives on building and sustaining successful solo and small-firm litigation practices, highlighting both career paths and the real value these firms offer clients.
The conversation was expertly guided by moderator Bianca Lin, Co-Chair of the Solo and Small Firm Committee, whose thoughtful questions and discussion topics prompted a lively and meaningful exchange. Audience members were highly engaged, asking insightful questions that added depth to the conversation and demonstrated strong interest in the panelists’ practical takeaways.
The program also included dedicated networking time before and after the panel, which gave attendees a meaningful opportunity to connect, meet new faces, and continue the discussion. The evening was complemented by delicious food catered by Nom Wah, generously made possible by our corporate sponsors, DocketBird, AmeriJudge, and Legal Consultants for Everyone.
AABANY extends its deepest thanks to our panelists, moderator, sponsors, and attendees for making this event such a memorable and rewarding experience.
At the Clinic, our volunteers met with 12 clients and provided guidance on a range of legal issues, including housing, immigration, wills and trusts, fraud and discrimination matters. The collective efforts of our volunteers 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!
Volunteer attorneys:
Wendy (Wen-Hsien) Cheng
Hung Yi Chien
Ivy (Ting-Yu) Chien
Jingjuan (Max) Guo
Kevin Hsi
Richard In
Evonne Lee-Bach
Grace Ouyang
Anthony Wong
May Wong
Gary Yeung
Interpreters/shadowers:
Nikita Kohli
Sinbay Tan
Wendy Zeng
We invite all interested individuals to attend Pro Bono & Community Service (PBCS) Committee’s 30-minute Housing Law training (Non-CLE) on February 18 from 6:00–6:30 PM at the AAFE Community Center. Led by Jack Hsia, Esq. and Deng Lin, Esq., the training will review common housing questions participants may encounter, including eviction timelines, defenses to nonpayment and holdover cases, and legal options related to housing repairs and landlord harassment. To register for the training, click here.
To continue supporting our community, join us at our upcoming Pro Bono Clinics:
February 18 [Manhattan link here] from 6:30-8:30pm, AAFE Community Center, 111 Norfolk Street, NY, NY 10002
March 14 [Brooklyn link here], from 12:30 – 3:30pm, CPC Brooklyn Community Services, 4101 8th Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11232
April 1 [Queens link here], from 6:30 – 8:30pm, AAFE One Flushing Community Center, 133-29 41st Ave, 2nd Floor, Flushing, NY 11355
Thanks once 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.
