Posts

Posted on

NAPABA Welcomes the Federation of Asian Canadian Lawyers Western Chapter (FACL Western) and the Pasifika Attorneys Law Society (PALS)

For Immediate Release:Contact:
July 6, 2026press@napaba.org

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Continuing to expand its network and strengthen its representation across North America and the Pacific, the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) welcomes the Federation of Asian Canadian Lawyers Western Chapter (FACL Western) as its newest affiliate and the Pasifika Attorneys Law Society (PALS) of Guam as its sixth national associate.

Founded in 2025, FACL Western is a nonprofit organization serving Asian Canadian legal professionals across Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba. As part of the broader Federation of Asian Canadian Lawyers network, FACL Western advances advocacy, mentorship, professional development, and community engagement throughout Western Canada.

“FACL Western is thrilled to become an affiliate of NAPABA. For our members, this affiliation opens the door to a large community of mentors, peers, and leaders, along with the resources and opportunities that come with NAPABA’s network. What excites me most is collaborating with organizations facing similar challenges and learning from their experience while bringing our distinctly Canadian perspective to the table,” said Angad Bedi, President of FACL Western.

Established in 2025, PALS is a national organization dedicated to advancing the professional interests and representation of Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander attorneys across the United States and its territories. The organization provides a dedicated professional home and network of peer support for Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander legal professionals while promoting advocacy, collaboration, and partnerships with bar associations and community organizations nationwide.

“We share NAPABA’s belief that representation in the legal profession matters—not just symbolically, but structurally. This partnership gives our mission to elevate Pasifika voices a powerful platform, ensuring those once identified as statistically invisible will no longer be overlooked,” said Henry Aho & Puanani Norwood, Co-Founders of PALS.

“We are proud to welcome FACL Western and PALS into the NAPABA community,” said Joseph Yao, President of NAPABA. “FACL Western reflects the continued growth of NAPABA’s presence throughout Canada, strengthening our cross-border community of Asian legal professionals. At the same time, PALS represents an important step forward in deepening representation and engagement for Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander attorneys within our national network. Together, these organizations broaden the perspectives, leadership, and advocacy that make our community stronger.”

PALS and FACL Western 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.  

Posted on

Request for Public Comment from NY Courts on Proposal to Amend the Uniform Rules for Surrogate’s Court

The Administrative Board of the Courts is seeking public comment on a proposal recommended by the Surrogate’s Court Advisory Committee (SCAC) to amend the Uniform Rules for Surrogate’s Court (22 NYCRR § 207.38) to include additional persons authorized to review in camera disclosures of agreements affecting settlement recoveries.

Background: In 2025, Rule 207.38 for the Surrogate’s Court (and the parallel Rule 202.67 for Supreme and County Court) was amended to require an in camera submission of terms and documentation of interest or fees charged in connection with litigation financing agreements (LFAs). This disclosure applies to petitions for leave to compromise wrongful death actions and personal injury actions involving an infant or judicially-declared incapacitated person. Attorney financing agreements that affect only the attorney, with no impact on an infant distributee’s funds or obligations, are exempt.

The proposal: The SCAC now recommends amending Rule 207.38 to authorize the court to share these in camera submissions with:

  • A guardian ad litem appointed to represent the infant’s interests
  • Any party “objecting to the proposed allocation and/or distribution of such proceeds.”

The SCAC notes that guardians ad litem “perform an important function in the litigation process and are often called upon to investigate the particulars of a settlement and report to the court as to whether the settlement is in the best interests of the ward.” It similarly notes that objecting parties need access to this information “in order to fully articulate their arguments … and to knowingly enter into settlement agreements.”

A copy of the full request for public comment is available on the UCS website here.

Any comments on the proposal should be submitted by e-mail to rulecomments@nycourts.gov or write to: David Nocenti, Esq., Counsel, Office of Court Administration, 25 Beaver Street, 10th Fl., New York, New York, 10004. Comments must be received no later than Friday, August 14, 2026.

Posted on

Molding Charms, Making Matcha, and Mingling Away with AABANY’s Women’s Committee

On June 18, the Asian American Bar Association of New York’s (AABANY) Women’s Committee held a fun evening of charm-molding, matcha-making, and community-mingling at their “Mold, Matcha, and Mingle” event. The event drew a large crowd, as the spots had been completely taken in advance of the event.  The group gathered at Kitsby Studio in SoHo to connect with one another and learn about the history and traditions of matcha. This event was generously sponsored by Ashurst Perkins Coie.

At the start of the session, participants learned about chasen charms—beaded charms that adorn the handle of a matcha whisk—and picked their own beads from a wide variety of colors and patterns. The relaxed and creative environment made it easy to connect with one another, and attendees introduced themselves as they talked about their own careers and about the event.

With the help of the instructors at Kitsby Studio, attendees chose from a wide range of clay colors and began sculpting little pendants, to be strung onto the chasen charms. Attendees exchanged charm ideas, helped each other find reference photos, and oohed and aahed at each other’s creations. The microscopic scale of the charms sent the room into cheerful exasperation as people bonded over trying to add detail to their work. From New York City pigeons to the Dutch cartoon rabbit Miffy, to characters from Studio Ghibli films, to food items, the creativity of AABANY members shined at this event.

While waiting for the charms to bake, attendees learned about the history of matcha from the instructors. Each attendee tried their hand at making a matcha latte, while continuing to connect with one another. Attendees even received their own matcha whisk to take home!

The event closed on a high note as attendees strung their charms and beads onto string to complete their chasen charms. After glazing the charms, each attendee had a beautiful keepsake to take home, and in the process they made many new connections.

Thank you to Bianca Lin (Allegaert Berger & Vogel LLP) and Michelle Nguyen (Ashurst Perkins Coie), Co-Chairs of the Women’s Committee, and Nisha Gera (Groombridge, Wu, Baughman & Stone LLP), Vice Chair of the Women’s Committee, for organizing a wonderful event! They appear in the photo above, with Bianca on the left, Michelle on the right, and Nisha in the middle. Thank you to all of our attendees, and we hope you make good use of your matcha whisk.

Learn more about the Women’s Committee here, and reach out to Bianca, Michelle, and Nisha from that page to get more involved or to subscribe to their listserv, if you are not already on it.

Posted on

Thank You to the Volunteers at the June Manhattan Pro Bono Clinic

Thank you to the Asian American Law Fund of New York (AALFNY), Asian Americans for Equality (AAFE), AABANY’s Pro Bono & Community Service (PBCS) Committee, and our dedicated volunteers and law students for another successful Pro Bono Clinic on June 17, 2026 at AAFE’s Norfolk Street Community Center in Manhattan.

Our Pro Bono Clinic helped nine clients this month, with varying issues ranging from housing, divorce, immigration, and a noise complaint. Due to the number of volunteers who showed up, the June Manhattan Pro Bono Clinic offered consultations that extended beyond the standard 30 minute time frame for each client, ensuring that our volunteers could provide the best possible guidance for clients with thorny legal issues. For some cases, volunteers directed clients to AABANY’s legal referral and information service (LRIS), a resource that connects clients with qualified attorneys to represent them.

Thank you to all of our volunteers for attending the Pro Bono Clinic. We look forward to your participation in future clinics!

Volunteer Attorneys

Wendy Cheng

Keey Diep

Carmen Huang

Justin Lee

Beatrice Leong

Arthur Lin

Meng Ru

Gary Yeung

Anna Bao

Suzie Yu

Law Students and Other Volunteers

Wenwen Cao

Jason Chen

Clive Chong

Nandar Win Kerr

Wendy Zeng

Zhiyi Zhang

Livy Li

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

July 11 [Brooklyn link here], from 12:30-3:00pm, CPC Brooklyn Community Services, 4101 8th Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11232

July 15 (Manhattan link here], from 6:30-8:30pm, AAFE Community Center, 111 Norfolk Street, NY, NY 10002

August 5 (Queens link here], from 6:30-8:30pm, AAFE One Flushing Community Center, 133-29 41st Ave, 2nd Floor, Flushing, NY 11355

If you are interested in supporting the work of the Clinic, we encourage you to make a donation to AALFNY. AALFNY supports the Pro Bono & Community Service Committee (PBCS), provides scholarships and internship opportunities for law students, and works with the AABANY Anti-Asian Violence Task Force. Donations can be made here.

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

Posted on

Apply Now for NAPABA’s Prospective Partners Program

Apply Today and Take the Next Step in Your Career!

The Prospective Partners Program provides strategic mentorship and leadership development for senior associates and of counsel who are on track for partnership consideration within the next 12–18 months. Join a powerful network of senior in-house counsel and law firm partners who are committed to helping you navigate this important career transition with confidence.

  • Dates: November 12–13, 2026, during NAPABA’s Convention in Los Angeles, CA
  • Cohort: Highly selective, limited to 10 participants
  • Program Fee: $400 for NAPABA members | $650 for non-members
Apply For the Prospective Partners Program (PPP)

Not a Member Yet? Join Now & Save Big!

Now is the perfect time to become a member of NAPABA, an organization representing more than 80,000 attorneys, judges, law professors, and law students, along with over 90 affiliated bar associations across the United States, Canada, and U.S. territories. As a powerful convenor, connector, and professional development home, NAPABA advances opportunity, strengthens relationships, and cultivates leadership across the legal profession. NAPABA welcomes everyone committed to advancing the interests of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities in the legal profession and beyond to join us as members.

Become a NAPABA member and enjoy savings that go beyond the cost of membership!

Join or Renew Today

Posted on

AABANY Hosts Dumplings & Discussion with Sandra Leung

On June 10, the Asian American Bar Association of New York (AABANY) hosted an installment of its Dumplings & Discussion event series featuring Sandra Leung, independent Board Member of Bausch Health Companies, retired General Counsel for biopharmaceutical company Bristol Myers Squibb, and past President of the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA). Over delicious dumplings and other dim sum dishes, Sandra shared her extensive career experiences with a captivated audience. 

In addition to her 18 years as General Counsel at Bristol Myers Squibb—the first Asian American and the first woman to serve as their General Counsel—Sandra is also the 2025 recipient of NAPABA’s highest honor, the Daniel K. Inouye Trailblazer Award. In her illustrious career, Sandra was also the first Asian American woman to serve as an Assistant District Attorney in the Manhattan District Attorney’s office. Her board service includes serving on the boards of the Minority Corporate Counsel Association (MCCA) and the Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund (AALDEF). Furthermore, she was a founding member of the Leadership Council on Legal Diversity (LCLD). 

Sandra shared her journey in conversation with moderator and event organizer Jeffrey Mok, Principal at Fish & Richardson, AABANY Board Director, and Co-Chair of AABANY’s Intellectual Property Committee. The audience learned about Sandra’s favorite type of dumpling (homemade veggie dumplings) before launching into Sandra’s career path.

Sandra offered advice for the many young lawyers present, focusing on the path to in-house work and the importance of loving the work you do. The room was spellbound by her compelling storytelling and wealth of experiences and advice, ranging from tales of microaggression to humorous stories to accounts of stressful experiences.

While winding down the discussion and taking questions, Sandra offered cogent advice to the audience to put yourself out there: “If you’re not at the table, you’re on the menu.” 

Sandra’s work ethic, charisma, and initiative left a strong impression on attendees, who continued mingling at the networking reception after the discussion. 

AABANY is grateful to Sandra Leung for her warmth and openness and to Fish & Richardson P.C. for graciously hosting the event. Thank you to all our attendees for joining and being part of a memorable evening!

See here to read about past Dumplings & Discussion chats.

Posted on

Registration for NAPABA Meet & Greet in Chicago on July 31 Now Open

Chicago, IL | July 31, 2026

The next NAPABA Meet & Greet is coming to Chicago, IL! Join NAPABA for an evening of meaningful networking, connection, and engagement with the NAPABA community.

  • Date: Friday, July 31, 2026
  • Time: 5:00–6:30 P.M. CT
  • Location: Provided after Registration

Registration Rates:

  • Member: $25/per person
  • Non-Member: $50/per person
Register Now

These convenings turn individual efforts into collective impact, helping shape the future of the legal profession. Whether you want to collaborate, share experiences, or simply reconnect with peers, this event is an opportunity to deepen your ties within the NAPABA community.

Please note: Capacity is limited, and registration is required. Walk-up guests will not be permitted, so be sure to secure your spot as soon as possible.

See you in Chicago!

Not yet a member? Join or renew your NAPABA membership today to access exclusive benefits (like discounted Meet & Greet rates) designed to empower your legal career!

Join or Renew Your Membership

Posted on

AABANY Members Treated to a Special Yankee Stadium Behind-the-Scenes Tour Hosted by Yankees General Counsel Alan Chang

On Friday, June 12, 2026, the AABANY Membership Committee hosted a special behind-the-scenes tour of Yankee Stadium, capped by a discussion with Alan Chang, General Counsel and Senior Vice President of the New York Yankees. The afternoon paired a guided walk-through of one of baseball’s most storied venues along with a conversation with one of its most senior executives. The tour was donated by Chang and the New York Yankees, with all proceeds supporting AABANY’s mission of advancing the interests of the Asian American legal community.

The group gathered at the Office Lobby next to Gate 2 of the stadium, where Gus the tour guide led the way through the Yankees Museum, Monument Park, the visitors’ dugout, and beyond. Gus’s unparalleled passion for baseball helped make decades of history feel immediate and personal. A highlight was the story behind one of baseball’s rarest feats: the perfect game – a game in which all the batters from one team are retired in order, with no one reaching base. Thus far, there have been only 24 perfect games in Major League Baseball history, and the Yankees have thrown more than any other franchise, with four. Gus shared that every Yankees pitcher to throw one shares the same first initial: Don Larsen (1956), David Wells (1998), David Cone (1999), and Domingo Germán (2023). Larsen remains the most famous with the only perfect game in World Series history, sealed on his 97th pitch when he struck out pinch-hitter Dale Mitchell, and catcher Yogi Berra leapt into his arms in one of the sport’s most enduring images.

Bettmann / Getty Images

The most unexpected moment came at the very end of the tour. After a walk through Yankee Stadium, Gus handed each guest a pair of gloves. At first we were confused, but then Gus explained that we will be given the opportunity to hold some artifacts from Yankees history as part of this special tour. Among them were Aaron Judge’s bat, CC Sabathia’s size-15 cleats, Derek Jeter’s jersey from July 9, 2011 (the day he collected his 3,000th career hit, fittingly with a home run), and perhaps most iconic of all: a game-used bat swung by Babe Ruth himself. For a group that had spent the afternoon learning what made these objects significant, holding them in our hands was a once-in-a-lifetime honor.

The afternoon closed with a sit-down discussion with Alan Chang, who spoke candidly about the path that took him from serving as the Assistant Counsel at ESPN to General Counsel and Senior Vice President of the New York Yankees. He offered the group a look at the legal side of running a major ball club from players’ contracts, intellectual property, labor and player matters, stadium operations, regulatory work, and the range of issues that cross his desk on any given day. Speaking to a room of Asian American attorneys and students hoping to become attorneys one day, Chang reflected on what it has meant to reach that level in an industry where AAPI leadership remains rare, and shared advice for those drawn to sports law. The conversation gave members a window into a career few get to see up close.

The afternoon blended baseball history with a look at the legal career of one of the game’s most prominent executives. AABANY extends its sincere thanks to Alan Chang and the New York Yankees for their generosity in making this unique and memorable event possible. Thanks also to the Membership Committee for helping to put it together.

Posted on

NAPABA Applauds SCOTUS Birthright Citizenship Decision in Trump v. Barbara

For Immediate Release:
June 30, 2026		Contact:
press@napaba.org

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the Supreme Court of the United States upheld the fundamental constitutional guarantee of birthright citizenship. In Trump v. Barbara, the Court found that Executive Order 14160, which sought to limit the scope of birthright citizenship, did not comply with the Citizenship Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment.

The National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) applauds the Court’s decision. It upheld what NAPABA has emphasized throughout the litigation: a constitutional right that the Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) community has understood and relied upon for nearly 130 years—ever since a young Chinese American fought for his birthright citizenship in United States v. Wong Kim Ark, 169 U.S. 649 (1898). The Fourteenth Amendment promises every person equal treatment under the law and includes an equal claim of citizenship for persons born in the United States, regardless of the circumstances of their parents. EO 14160 attempted to upend that promise, and we are grateful that the Court invalidated it.

In three federal courts of appeals and in the Supreme Court, NAPABA led a nationwide coalition of its affiliates and national associates to defend birthright citizenship in this litigation. We underscored the significance of Wong Kim Ark, the crucial role of Asian Americans in shaping our nation’s immigration and civil rights jurisprudence, and the disproportionate impacts that EO 14160 would have on AANHPI communities.  NAPABA highlighted how the congressional debates over the Fourteenth Amendment contemplated that the children of Chinese migrants, despite being heavily despised and vilified, would receive birthright citizenship.  Lastly, we maintained that the federal government distorted the holding of Wong Kim Ark and created a faulty legal and historical analogy that Chinese migrants in the late 19th century were akin to today’s lawful permanent residents (i.e., green card holders).

NAPABA is thankful to its legal team for their exemplary work: Rahat N. Babar, who serves as NAPABA’s Deputy Executive Director and General Counsel, Edgar Chen, who serves as NAPABA’s Special Policy Advisor, Chris M. Kwok, who formerly served as co-chair of NAPABA’s Dispute Resolution Committee, and Seyfarth Shaw LLP (Wendy M. Feng, Owen Wolfe, and Lori Chen).

Posted on

Rachel Ji-Young Yoo Serves as Advisor to South Korean Government’s “Study on Policy Improvements to Enhance International Mobility for Artists” 

Rachel Ji-Young Yoo of Yoo Law Group recently served as a U.S. immigration adviser to the South Korean government in their national study of artist-visa systems. Her resulting contributions were published in A Study on Policy Improvements to Enhance International Mobility for Artists in late 2025. Congratulations to Rachel on her achievement!

Rachel is the founding partner of Yoo Law Group, LLC, which specializes in immigration law, family mediation, and international dispute arbitration. In addition to her guidance in cross-border and mediation matters, she serves as the Co-Chair of the Asian American Bar Association of New York’s (AABANY) Alternative Dispute Resolution Committee. Rachel is also General Counsel of the Asian & American Art Foundation, and Mediator with the New York County Supreme Court.

On this project, Rachel was invited to serve as a U.S. immigration adviser to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism of the Republic of Korea. Her involvement grew out of her immigration practice and prior work advising Korean artists and cultural organizations, including the Korean Cultural Center New York, on U.S. visa issues. 

As an official contributor on matters related to U.S. immigration law, Rachel aided in examining how Korea’s institutional framework can be improved to better support the international mobility of artists. 

Drawing on interviews and comparative policy analysis, the project uses insights from both Korea and major countries, surveying artists, agencies, and legal/administrative experts with direct experience navigating the visa process to evaluate Korea’s artist‑visa systems. By identifying key issues, strengths, and weaknesses across countries, the report proposes recommendations to strengthen Korea’s artist‑visa policies and promote smoother global artistic exchange.

For Rachel, the experience was particularly meaningful as it represented a continuation of her work in “bridging two legal systems and two cultural frameworks” and “broadened [her] perspective on how national‑level policy decisions shape the practical realities artists face,” something that strengthens her commitment  to aiding her individual clients through U.S. immigration pathways.

Rachel’s work on this project is a testament to the impact that dedicated legal expertise can have beyond the courtroom in shaping policy, building bridges between nations, and advocating for the communities she serves. We are proud to have her as a valued member of AABANY, and please join AABANY in congratulating Rachel on this important achievement.

Proudly powered by WordPress