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AABANY’s Asia Practice Committee Presents: 2026 Legal Careers Panel at NYU School of Law

On Sunday, September 27, 2026, AABANY’s Asia Practice Committee (APC), together with the NYU Chinese Law Students Association (CLSA) and the Chinese American Lawyers Forum (CALF), hosted “Career Panel Insights from the Bar: 2026 Legal Careers Panel & Networking” at Lipton Hall, New York University School of Law. The afternoon brought together more than 100 law students, LL.M. candidates, recent graduates, and practicing attorneys for a candid conversation about launching and building a legal career in New York.

The panel featured:

The panelists reflected on the paths that led them to their current roles, from in-house practice at a global financial institution (Lian Duan) and partnership at an international law firm (Jonathan Zhou), to co-founding a law firm (Angus Ni) and practicing litigation (Simona Xu) and tax at a national law firm (Hardy Zhou). Their stories showed that legal careers are rarely linear and that the skills, relationships, and reputation built early on carry forward across very different settings.

The conversation also addressed questions of particular interest to the audience, including choosing a practice area, making the transition from law school to practice, cross-border and China-related work, and considerations facing internationally trained lawyers and LL.M. graduates entering the U.S. legal market. Panelists also shared practical advice on mentorship, networking, and professional development.

After the panel, attendees put their own questions to the speakers in an open Q&A before the event moved into a networking reception. Over refreshments and mooncakes – a nod to the Mid-Autumn Festival just days earlier – students and attorneys continued the conversation, exchanged contacts, and connected with the panelists one-on-one.

AABANY and the Asia Practice Committee thank Lian Duan, Jonathan Zhou, Angus Ni, Simona Xu, and Hardy Zhou for generously sharing their time and insights; our co-hosts, NYU CLSA and CALF; and NYU School of Law for hosting us. To learn more about the Asia Practice Committee and its upcoming programs, visit this page and keep an eye on the AABANY calendar. 

– Written by Ruixi Fu, Vice Chair, AABANY’s Asia Practice Committee

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AABANY Presents CLE Program on Major Changes to Public Charge Rules

On September 17, 2026, the Asian American Bar Association of New York (“AABANY”) presented “Public Charge – What We Need to Know About Upcoming Changes,” a hybrid CLE program, at the Chinese-American Planning Council (“CPC”) Manhattan Community Center. The program addressed significant changes to the public charge ground of inadmissibility scheduled to take effect on September 18, 2026.

Rachel S. Lee, AABANY Board Director and Issues Committee Co-Chair and President & General Counsel of Stand with Asian Americans, moderated the program. Vishal Chander, AABANY Board Director and Issues Committee Co-Chair and Managing Attorney of The Chander Law Firm, P.C., served as the presenter. The program provided one hour of New York CLE credit in the Areas of Professional Practice category, with 24 people attending both online and in person. (Only those who attended in person received the CLE credit.)

A central focus of the presentation was the 2026 Final Rule and revised USCIS guidance, which removed much of the 2022 regulatory framework and shifted operational standards to the USCIS Policy Manual. Vishal explained that public charge determinations remain individualized, totality-of-the-circumstances inquiries, with officers considering factors such as finances, employment, education, health, household composition, and benefit use. He also discussed the broader treatment of means-tested public benefits, the continuing but non-dispositive role of Form I-864, the renewed use of public charge bonds, and the differing roles of USCIS, the Department of State, and CBP. The presentation concluded with an overview of pending litigation challenging the new framework and the legal questions surrounding DHS’s authority and use of subregulatory guidance.

Jack Hsia, Senior Attorney at CPC and a Vice Chair of the AABANY Issues Committee, joined  after Vishal’s presentation to share information about CPC’s programs and resources for the community. Jack thanked the speakers and attendees for being part of an informative discussion. AABANY thanks CPC for co-hosting the program and everyone who attended in person and online. To learn more about the Issues Committee and how you can get involved, go here.

Written by Rachel Lee, AABANY Board Director and Issues Committee Co-Chair

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AALFNY and AABANY Connect with Brooklyn Community Members at RaisingHealth’s 11th Annual Health Empowerment Celebration

On September 19, 2026, the Asian American Law Fund (AALFNY) and AABANY’s Pro Bono & Community Service (PBCS) Committee co-hosted a community outreach table at RaisingHealth’s 11th Annual Health Empowerment Celebration Event in Sunset Park, Brooklyn. The event brought together community organizations and offered free health exams, hot meals, groceries, and other resources for local residents. RaisingHealth, formerly known as the Academy of Medical & Public Health Services, is a nonprofit health service organization founded in 2010 that supports underserved communities through culturally competent health, education, and community-building programs.

Community Outreach and Legal Resources

At the health fair, AABANY volunteers, including Kwok Ng, Co-Chair of the AABANY’s PBCS Committee, and May Wong, past Co-Chair of the PBCS Committee, along with Nandar Win Kerr, AALFNY’s Pro Bono and Grant Consultant, set up a table to pass out important resources, including:  

Public Charge Guidance

Throughout the fair, volunteers shared legal resources, flyers and Pro Bono Clinic promotional materials with more than 200 attendees. Volunteers also distributed Public Charge Guidance Info Sheets about the current changes to the public charge rule that took effect on September 18, 2026. A shout-out to the Asian American Federation (AAF), Chinese-American Planning Council (CPC) and Issues Committee (Co-Chairs Vishal Chander and Rachel Lee) for providing training, toolkits and resources that helped volunteers share accurate information with the community members in their native languages. 

The Public Charge materials were provided by the New York Immigration Coalition and Asian American Federation. The materials are available in 13 Asian languages: Arabic, Bangla, Burmese, Khmer, Chinese (Traditional and Simplified), Hindi, Japanese, Karen, Korean, Nepali, Urdu, and Vietnamese. 

Community members seeking assistance can contact the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs’ hotline at (800) 354-0365 or by calling 311 or the New York State Office of New Americans Hotline at (800) 566-7636. For more information, please visit Public Charge Guidance Info Sheets.

Upcoming Pro Bono Clinics 

October 7th – Queens: Interested volunteers should register here. 6:30 – 8:30pm, AAFE One Flushing Community Center, 133-29 41st Ave, 2nd Floor, Flushing, NY 11355

October 21st – Manhattan: Interested volunteers should register here. 6:30-8:30pm, AAFE Community Center, 111 Norfolk Street, NY, NY 10002 

November 14th – Brooklyn: Interested volunteers should register here. 12:30 – 3:30pm, CPC Brooklyn Community Services, 4101 8th Avenue, 3rd Floor, Brooklyn, NY 11232

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AABANY’s Capital District Chapter Hosts Kickoff Event at Volcano BBQ and Hotpot in Niskayuna

Lillian Moy, the newly-appointed Chair of the Capital District Chapter of AABANY, submits this report:

The inaugural event for AABANY’s Capital District Chapter kicked off on September 15 at a Volcano BBQ and Hotpot in Niskayuna. Our turnout exceeded expectations with more than 15 attendees gathering together to enjoy great drinks, food, and conversations.

In attendance were AAPI lawyers spanning multiple industries and experience-levels, including administrative judges and law graduates. We were honored to be joined by Tina Sodhi, candidate for Albany County Clerk Judge, who, if elected, will be the first AAPI person to serve in that role. 

Between snacks, we pitched ideas for future events, both social and educational, as the warm season comes to a close. We also discussed how certain AABANY Committees – through their focused network and programming – could strengthen our relationship with APALSA members from Albany Law School.

We hope to increase AABANY membership and participation in the full range of activities that AABANY offers. We are particularly excited that Committees can offer virtual attendance via Zoom, to open the door for upstate involvement. Our group is deeply talented and believe we have much to offer to the local community and AABANY at-large.

Thanks to Lillian for stepping into this important new role, as AABANY deepens its ties to the legal and AAPI community upstate. Lillian will be joined by Kaitlyn Chopra, Associate at Barclay Damon LLP, and Steve Nguyen, Assistant Attorney General at the Office of New York State Attorney General, as Vice Chairs. Please join us in congratulating the Capital District on its kick-off event!

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AABANY Joins 19th Annual Caren Aronowitz Unity in Diversity Celebration at the New York State Supreme Court 

On Friday, September 18, 2026, the New York State Supreme Court welcomed the legal community for the 19th Annual Caren Aronowitz Unity in Diversity event. Bar associations, court committees, and professional organizations from across the city participated in this lovely event. Among the co-sponsors was the Asian American Bar Association of New York, represented by Carrey Wong (Deputy Executive Director), Apollo Baltazar (Administrative Assistant), and legal interns Ria Punukollu, Ellyse Ramos, Divya Mukhara, and Pan Pan. 

The program began with the New York State Courts Pipes and Drums, in full Scottish attire, as they marched a circle around the inside of the courthouse, around the gathering at the Rotunda. The sound of the bagpipes and drums filled the Rotunda’s high ceilings and drew people out of hallways and toward this gathering. It was an exciting way to begin, ceremonial yet warm, and it made clear that this was a celebration and not just another day at the courthouse. 

Following the music, Hon. Deborah A. Kaplan (Justice of the New York County Supreme Court) gave opening remarks, reflecting on and honoring the legacy of the late Caren Aronowitz. Caren Aronowitz was a longtime court employee who dedicated herself to bringing cultural programming and awareness into the courthouse. Almost two decades later, this event is still built around her legacy and lasting impact on the court community. Hon. Adam Silvera (Deputy Chief Administrative Judge of the New York City Courts) spoke next, highlighting the importance of the event and how diversity fosters unity, reminding all of us that the legal community becomes stronger through it. 

Hon. Suzanne J. Adams (Administrative Judge of the New York County Supreme Court Civil Term) then presented her  welcoming remarks. She emphasized the court’s commitment to diversity and inclusion and the role that each attendee plays in making the legal community welcoming to all those they serve. 

After the speakers, the Rotunda became a shared space for food and conversation. Each co-sponsoring association and committee set up a table, and attendees walked around the Rotunda sampling dishes from different associations and cultures. Food offers a comforting way to start a conversation, and colleagues who might otherwise only cross paths in professional settings were trading recommendations and asking where each dish came from. 

AABANY’s table drew the longest line in the room and it stayed that way for the entirety of the event. A whole meal’s worth of food was shared: platters of fried rice enough for lunch, dinner, or both; pork and duck buns, dumplings of every kind, and plenty of noodles to go around. Attendees waited patiently and came back for seconds. For AABANY’s interns and staff, serving that line was a highlight and it was a proud way to share a piece of culture and tradition with the broader community. 

We thank the Gender Fairness Committee, Supreme Court, Civil Branch, New York County and their collaboration with the Equal Justice Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee, Cultural Diversity Sub Committee, Board of Justices of the 1st Judicial District, and the New York County Clerk’s Office for presenting and organizing this event, as well as their continued commitment to inclusion. We also thank every co-sponsoring association and committee for their generosity in tabling, and we honor the memory of Caren Aronowitz, whose vision brings the court and the rest of the legal community together. 

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Thank You to the Volunteers at the September Brooklyn Pro Bono Clinic

Many thanks to the Asian American Law Fund of New York (AALFNY), Chinese-American Planning Council (CPC), and AABANY’s Pro Bono & Community Service (PBCS) Committee, our community partners, as well as our dedicated volunteers for joining the Brooklyn Pro Bono Clinic on September 12, 2026.

PBCS volunteers, comprising volunteer attorneys and law students, met with 23 clients and provided guidance on a range of legal issues, including identity theft, matrimonial, housing, immigration, fraud, trust & estates, and civil litigation. We received positive feedback from the clients, expressing gratitude for the advice.

We thank the following volunteers for attending the Brooklyn Pro Bono Clinic:

Attorneys:

Vishal Chander

Sam Chen

Francis Chin

Angie Liao

Arthur Lin

Kwok Kei Ng

May Wong

Jameson Xu

Gary Yeung

Non-attorneys:

Nandar Win Kerr

Jiaze Qu

Wendy Zeng

Thanks once again to all our volunteers for their commitment to Pro Bono service and for making a meaningful difference in our community. 

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

– October 7th [Queens link here], from 6:30 – 8:30pm, AAFE One Flushing Community Center, 133-29 41st Ave, 2nd Floor, Flushing, NY 11355

– October 21st [Manhattan link here] from 6:30-8:30pm, AAFE Community Center, 111 Norfolk Street, NY, NY 10002.

– November 14th [Brooklyn link here], from 12:30 – 3:30pm, CPC Brooklyn Community Services, 4101 8th Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11232.

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

We look forward to your participation in future Pro Bono Clinics!

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Support the Multilingual Voter Hotline for the 2026 Election

Bilingual Legal Volunteers Needed
Volunteer remotely during early voting and on Election Day to help ensure voters can access election information in their preferred language.

Why Volunteer?
Our partners at Asian and Pacific Islander American Vote (APIAVote) and

Asian Americans Advancing Justice | AAJC are recruiting bilingual volunteers with legal backgrounds to support the 888-API-VOTE Asian Language Voter Hotline for the 2026 Election.

Volunteer service hours may be eligible to satisfy pro bono requirements for legal professionals. Eligibility is subject to the rules of your jurisdiction and/or employer. Please consult the applicable requirements for more information.

Languages Needed

  • Bengali
  • Cantonese
  • Hindi
  • Urdu
  • Korean
  • Mandarin
  • Punjabi
  • Tagalog
  • Vietnamese

Volunteer Responsibilities
As a hotline volunteer, you will:

  • Answer live calls from voters during early voting and on Election Day
  • Help voters locate polling places and access election resources
  • Document calls in the hotline tracking system
  • Report emerging issues to hotline captains
  • Receive support from experienced hotline captains throughout every shift

No previous hotline experience is required.
Training is available on demand after you register, and all volunteers—including returning volunteers—must complete the training and sign the Volunteer Code of Conduct before serving.

Volunteer Schedule

Early Voting (October 15 – November 2)

  • Weekdays: 12:00 – 3:00 pm ET
  • Weekends: 9:00 am – 12:00 pm ET

Election Day (Tuesday, November 3)

  • 8:45 am – 1:00 pm ET
  • 12:45 pm – 5:00 pm ET
  • 4:45 pm – 9:00 pm ET

Sign Up to Volunteer

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NAPABA Welcomes 2026-27 NAPABA Board of Governors

NAPABA is proud to announce the 2026-27 Board of Governors, who will be sworn in during the 2026 NAPABA Convention in Los Angeles.

Our NAPABA community thrives because of dedicated members who step into leadership roles across the organization. From the national Board of Governors to our affiliate leaders, substantive committees, affinity networks, and professional development programs, NAPABA’s impact is fueled by the vision, energy, and service of our volunteers.

We are grateful for all of our leaders and their commitment to advancing NAPABA’s mission and strengthening the AANHPI legal community.

If you are interested in serving and shaping the future of NAPABA, please contact Priya Purandare to learn more.

2026-27 NAPABA Board of Governors

Executive Committee
President | Jason DeJonker, Seyfarth Shaw LLP

President-Elect | Sapna Palla, White & Case LLP

Treasurer | Arlene Yang, Center for Employment Opportunities, Inc.

Secretary | Brian Wong, ServiceNow, Inc.

Immediate Past President | Joseph Yao, Retired

Executive Director | Priya Purandare, Ex-Officio, NAPABA

Regional Governors
Central | Beth Olivera, Cozen O’Connor

Central California | Jason Liang, Liang Ly LLP

Eastern California/Nevada | Glicel Sumagaysay, Law Office of Glicel Sumagaysay

Northeast | Alan Y. Wong, KabaFusion

Northeast | Jack Yu, Fasken

Northern California | Raymond Rollan, State Bar of California

Northwest | Lily Zhang, Owen Bird Law Corporation

Southeast | Onchantho Am, University of Central Florida

Southern California | Julie Houth, Thomas Jefferson School of Law

Southwest | Phil Kim, Jackson Walker LLP

At-Large Board Members
Benes Aldana, Judicial Pathways and Leadership Strategies, LLC

Kainoa Asuega, Crowell & Moring

Anushree Bagrodia, Starbucks

Phil Bautista, Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP

Vishal Chander, The Chander Law Firm, P.C.

Eemaan Jalili, Jalili Law PC

Eugene Kim, Vanguard Cleaning System

Alicia Limtiaco, Former Attorney General of Guam & U.S. Attorney for Guam and NMI

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AABANY’s Commercial Bankruptcy & Restructuring and In-House Counsel Committees Host Joint Happy Hour in Midtown

On August 18, 2026, the AABANY Commercial Bankruptcy & Restructuring Committee and the AABANY In-House Counsel Committee co-hosted a joint happy hour at Bar Lola in Midtown Manhattan.  The event brought together attorneys from a variety of practice areas and professional backgrounds for an evening of networking, relationship-building, and conversation. 

Events like this joint happy hour demonstrate the value of bringing together attorneys from different practice areas to connect, share experiences, and expand their professional networks.  Thank you to everyone who attended and helped make the event a success.  We look forward to hosting more joint programs and networking opportunities in the future.

The Commercial Bankruptcy & Restructuring Committee and the In-House Counsel Committee are committed to providing members with opportunities to engage with one another through networking and community-building events throughout the year.  Those interested in learning more about either Committee are encouraged to attend future programs and visit the AABANY website for additional information.

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AABANY Hosts its Annual Summer Picnic in Central Park

On August 8, 2026, AABANY held its annual picnic at Central Park’s Heckscher Playground Area, one of the oldest playgrounds in Central Park. This family-friendly picnic brings together AABANY members, family and friends. On this day, about 60 attendees joined AABANY for an afternoon of outdoor activities, delicious food, and connection. Among the attendees were AABANY’s President, Varuna Bhattacharyya, and some of the AABANY Board Directors: Beatrice Leong, Vishal Chander, and Alysha Naik. This event was organized by the Young Lawyers Committee (YLC) Co-Chairs, Alexandra Lao and Justin Lee, along with the Military and Veterans Affairs (MVA) Co-Chairs, Amos Kim and Willis Huynh.

The event began with families arriving throughout the morning and settling into the picnic area. On this summer afternoon, the sun shone brightly overhead as a gentle breeze swept through the park. The atmosphere was welcoming and lively as guests found comfort under the trees’ shade. Guests enjoyed a wide spread of delicious food from the Kimbob Club, a family-owned Korean restaurant located in New Jersey, with different varieties of kimbap from their special spicy squid kimbap and grilled pork kimbap. There were also hand-made sandwiches, a charcuterie board, fresh-fruit and a huge assortment of asian snacks. Over shared meals and conversations, longtime colleagues reconnected while new friendships and professional connections began to take shape.

As the afternoon continued, guests spread out across the grass on picnic blankets soaking in the sunshine. Guests also participated in outdoor activities such as badminton, card games, and toss-and-catch on the lawn. The most memorable part of the afternoon was how naturally professional connections became personal ones and a simple introduction turned into a discussion about travel, hobbies, and shared experiences. Overall, the AABANY picnic provided a welcoming and inclusive opportunity for law students, attorneys and friends to spend time together.

Thank you to everyone who joined us and helped make this year’s picnic a memorable afternoon. We look forward to continuing this summer tradition and creating more opportunities for our AABANY community to come together and make wonderful memories!

To learn more about the Young Lawyers Committee, please visit https://www.aabany.org/page/123. 

To learn more about the Military and Veterans Affairs Committee, please visit https://www.aabany.org/page/444. 

To see the album of photos, go here. 

– Written by Alexandra Lao, Co-Chair of AABANY’s Young Lawyers Committee

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