On May 1, Suemyra Shah, Head of Content Legal Affairs at Audible joined AABANY’s Dumpling & Discussion Series. The series brings notable AAPI leaders in the legal industry, with a fireside chat in a casual, intimate setting. Attendees enjoyed a wide selection of delicious dumplings and other Chinese food.
Suemyra discussed her background and her pathway to legal profession. She shared candidly about her career journey that led her through various law firm and in-house positions, before landing at her current position at Audible.
Suemyra also talked about how she leads her team and has tackled challenges that she has faced in her career.
The evening ended with more food and drinks, as attendees formed new connections and fostered existing ones.
Check the AABANY calendar for future editions of the Dumplings & Discussion series.
On October 1, 2024, AABANY’s Intellectual Property Committee and the Young Singapore International Arbitration Centre (YSIAC) teamed up to host a fantastic Dim Sum dinner at Dim Sum Palace. The event drew a great crowd of IP litigation professionals, with everyone enjoying dishes like Peking Duck, Shu-Mai, and E-Fu Noodles. Jeffrey Mok, co-chair of AABANY’s IP Committee, and Adriana Uson, director of the SIAC, served as hosts for the evening.
As the night progressed, the event fostered a sense of community among the attendees, encouraging new collaborations and deepening professional relationships. This Dim Sum dinner was a meaningful gathering that provided a perfect balance of intellectual exchange and culinary enjoyment.
Among the attendees was Charlene Valdez Warner, a Senior U.S. Associate at Linklaters. We discussed her fascinating work in international arbitration and litigation, as well as what it is like being a Filipino-American in the legal field. She emphasized how important it is for Asian professionals, especially in underrepresented areas like ours, to have these kinds of gatherings. It’s not just about business; it’s about building community, sharing experiences, and lifting each other up.
Throughout the evening, the conversations were just as varied as the menu, with topics ranging from IP trends to the challenges of working in global markets. Charlene and I both agreed that dinners like these are essential, providing a space where Asian American attorneys can connect on a personal level and strengthen their professional networks.
As the night wrapped up, it was clear that the event was more than just a meal – it was a reminder of the power of community. AABANY continues to bring together legal professionals who support and inspire one another. Check the AABANY calendar for announcements of upcoming IP Committee dinner and events
To learn more about the IP Committee and how you can get involved, go here.
The Trusts & Estates Committee of the Asian American Bar Association of New York (AABANY) recently co-hosted a two-day Guardian ad Litem (GAL) training program at the New York City Bar Association. This highly successful event aimed to attract and certify more minority attorneys to serve as GALs, who represent the best interests of children in legal proceedings. Held in person on September 30 and October 1, 2024, from 5:30 PM to 9:00 PM, the comprehensive training followed the Part 36 stipulations of New York State’s Unified Court System. It provided participating attorneys with the essential skills and certification needed to fulfill their roles as GALs in the courts.
In addition to AABANY, the training was co-sponsored by the Caribbean Attorneys Network, Dominican Bar Association, Haitian American Lawyers Association of New York, Jewish Lawyers Guild, Korean American Lawyers Association of Greater New York (KALAGNY), LGBT Bar NY (LeGaL), Metropolitan Black Bar Association, New York Women’s Bar Association, South Asian and Indo-Caribbean Bar Association of Queens, Suffolk County Bar Association, and Suffolk County Women’s Bar Association. This collaboration showed the collective commitment to providing equitable opportunities for minority attorneys in New York’s legal system.
The program was led by a respected panel of surrogates, court attorneys, experienced trusts, and estates attorneys. Participants received detailed instruction on the GAL appointment process, ethical considerations, administration and probate proceedings, SCPA 17-A guardianship, kinship hearings, accounting proceedings, and the role of GALs in Supreme Court and other courts. The training materials included outlines and sample GAL reports to prepare attendees for future assignments.
Participants appreciated the accessibility of the training, which was offered at a fraction of the usual cost. Co-sponsoring organization members were charged $99, which is significantly lower than typical CLE rates for similar training programs and usually scheduled during work hours. The CLE achieved its objective of greater minority representation among Guardians ad Litem, an important and impactful step toward diversity in the legal profession.
With over 60 participants, the event successfully created a more inclusive and diverse group of certified GALs. The feedback from attendees and faculty was overwhelmingly positive, with many noting that they had never seen a program with such extensive participation from court professionals, including seven surrogates addressing the ethical components. Surrogate Rita Mella and the Trusts & Estates Committee achieved their goal, providing minority attorneys a crucial step toward greater diversity of professionals serving in New York’s legal system.
Thanks to the Trusts & Estates Committee for organizing this important and impactful program aimed at advancing diversity and inclusion in the Surrogates’ Courts of New York. To learn more about the Trusts & Estates Committee and how you can get involved, go here.
The national Thomas Tang Moot Court Competition, an appellate advocacy competition sponsored by the NAPABA Law Foundation, takes place every year at the NAPABA Convention. The event will be held in-person on November 8, 2024 (Friday) and November 9, 2024 (Saturday) in downtown Seattle, WA near the Hyatt Regency. For more information on the event, please click here.
The event’s Planning Committee is currently seeking volunteers. Specifically, the Committee is looking for judges (either current or previous judges on the bench or veteran attorneys of over 6+ years of practice) and volunteer bailiffs. The timeslots run on Friday, November 8 from 9:00am to 4:00pm in 1.5 hour increments, and on Saturday, November 9 from 8:30AM to 9:50AM and 11:05AM to 12:20 PM.
On Wednesday, October 2nd, AABANY members had the opportunity to volunteer at the AABANY Queens Pro Bono Clinic hosted by the Asian Americans for Equality (AAFE) Community Center in Flushing. The clinic brought together AABANY’s Pro Bono & Community Service (PBCS) Committee along with a team of dedicated volunteers to offer free legal consultations to community members facing pressing legal challenges. The volunteers met with 19 clients addressing a variety of issues including housing, divorce, and immigration law. These are the kinds of problems that weigh heavily on people’s lives, both financially and emotionally.
The clinic had a vibrant atmosphere of support and collaboration. Each client was paired with an attorney who took the time to provide thoughtful advice on their specific legal concerns. Shadowers observed the attorneys, eagerly taking notes and learning from real-world interactions. Interpreters fluent in Cantonese or Mandarin were also on hand, ensuring that language barriers didn’t hinder effective communication between clients and their attorneys. This collaborative effort made the clinic a true reflection of community engagement and empowerment.
These interactions went far beyond simple legal advice. Each conversation was a reminder that this clinic isn’t just about solving legal matters—it’s about giving people the power to reclaim control over situations that often feel overwhelming. For many clients, it was the first time they realized they weren’t alone, and that there were resources and options available. A consultation could shift the entire course of someone’s life, offering not just answers, but hope.
Clients expressed their gratitude with comments like, “Thank you very much to the clinic and lawyer Gary Yeung for their help,” and “I appreciate your effort.” These heartfelt messages show the impact of the clinic and the commitment of everyone involved in making it a success.
Thank you again to the following volunteers:
Volunteer attorneys
Beatrice Leong
Gary Yeung
Lina Lee
May Wong
Richard In
Shirley Luong
Interpreters & Shadowers
Jaymark Hawlader
Xuxia Zhao
Eugene Seong
If you’re interested in making a difference in the community through future Pro Bono clinics, we invite you to join us at the following upcoming events:
November 9, 2024 [Brooklyn link here], from 12:00 – 3:30pm, CPC Brooklyn Community Services, 4101 8th Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11232
December 4, 2024, from 6:00 – 8:30pm, One Flushing Community Center, 133-29 41st Ave, 2nd Floor, Flushing, NY 11355
We’re proud to recognize all of the deserving honorees and the exceptional achievements of our membership with the 2024 NAPABA Awards. The impact honorees have made within the legal and AANHPI communities is inspiring and we’re happy to shine a spotlight on them.
Join us next month in Seattle as we celebrate them at the 2024 NAPABA Convention. You only have until November 3 to take advantage of the Advance Rate. While you’re registering, don’t forget to add our plenary luncheons and gala dinner. There will be no opportunity to purchase after November 3, and you won’t want to miss our amazing sessions and speakers.
Click on the images below to learn more about each of our honorees.
2024 President’s Award
Nancy. P Lee
Priya Purandare
Wendy C. Shiba
2024 INSPIRE Award Don Liu
2024 Military & Veteran Service Award Marty Lorenzo
2024 In-House Counsel Diversity Leadership Award Hannah Kim
2024 In-House Counsel Diversity Leadership Rising Star Stephanie Chu Clausen
2024 Pro Bono Service Award Muhammad Faridi
2024 Public Sector Leadership Award Jin Hee Lee
2024 Women’s Leadership Award Manisha M. Sheth
2024 Affiliate of the Year Federation of Asian Canadian Lawyers (British Columbia) Society (FACL BC)
2024 APA-Owned Law Firm of the Year Anderson & Associates
2024 Law Firm Diversity Award Davis Wright Tremaine LLP
On September 17th, the Professional Development Committee (PDC) Vice Chairs Maggie Poon and Ona Lu hosted the official launch of their “Hello, It’s Me!” Wellness Podcast.
Attendees gathered at the Sterling Cafe located on the 3rd floor of the offices of A&O Shearman, some dressed in traditional Mid-Autumn Festival attire, and everyone enjoyed light bites and drinks while networking with one another.
PDC Co-Chair Nandar Win Kerr started the program with opening remarks, thanking event host Ashley Shan, Co-Vice President of Programs and Operations and Associate at A&O Shearman, for providing the lovely venue. Nandar then gave the floor to Beatrice Leong and Celina Lee, who introduced themselves.
Beatrice, a former legal intern at the Attorney General’s Office for the State of Connecticut, began her legal career with aspirations to become a prosecutor. However, her path took a turn when she shifted to practicing divorce and family law. Celina, on the other hand, started as an investment banker and corporate lawyer but now dedicates her life to career coaching, helping others find purpose and fulfillment in their professional lives. Their diverse career trajectories set the stage for a thoughtful discussion about life’s unexpected twists and the importance of mental health.
After these brief introductions, Ona Lu, Products Counsel at Uber, and Maggie Poon, Contracts Counsel at Equinox, hosts of the wellness podcast, introduced themselves and treated the attendees to a short 20-minute video excerpt of the second episode in the podcast series, featuring Beatrice Leong.
The conversation started with rapid-fire questions to help the audience get to know Beatrice better, followed by a deeper dive into her experiences. Beatrice opened up about her personal heartbreak. After discovering that her husband had been unfaithful, following a relationship that spanned thirteen years, she described the experience as her “villain origin story.” Up until then, Beatrice had wanted to pursue a career in prosecution, even landing a role at the District Attorney’s Office. However, the pain of betrayal and heartbreak eventually led her to shift her career focus from prosecution to divorce law. Rather than being consumed by her heartbreak, she channeled it into her professional passion for helping others navigate the difficult and emotional process of divorce.
“Why divorce law?” she is often asked. Her answer is simple yet profound: “I like to help people going through what I have gone through; I want to feel like I am doing something important.” For Beatrice, the most rewarding part of her work is helping her clients see light at the end of the tunnel, much like she did during her own personal journey. To hear the full podcast, go here.
Celina had a different journey of mental health counseling and recovery. She recounted how she had dedicated her whole life to “getting good grades” even if it meant skipping parties and “securing a good job” – even if it meant a job that she wasn’t passionate about. In retrospect, she had been motivated by fear: fear of failure and of not making her parents and peers proud.
She expressed regret that although she had achieved prestige and a well-paying job, she did not quite feel fulfilled. “I had won the race, but I felt like I was in the wrong race.”
She entered a dark period in her life where she felt lost in her career and didn’t know what to do. Luckily, after receiving mental health coaching, she developed a support network.
She started to focus on herself and not on what other people wanted her to do. She started her “Live Your Dream” podcast where she regularly reflects on her former life and how she found fulfillment. To hear the full podcast of Celina’s interview on “Hello, It’s Me,” go here.
Both Beatrice and Celina agreed that everyone needs a support network; too many Asians don’t seek support and don’t prioritize their mental health. Those brought up in Asian cultures were never taught the importance of mental health. Lack of support can really weigh one’s mental health down and ultimately makes it harder to focus on work and overcome challenges.
The event wrapped up with closing remarks by Yang Chen, AABANY Executive Director. He spoke about the benefits ofjoining AABANY as a member and encouraged attendees to register for upcoming events such as the October bi-monthly pro bono clinic in Queens on October 2, and the AABANY Fall Conference on October 12.
Special thanks to Professional Development Committee Co-chairs Nandar Win Kerr and May Wong for organizing this insightful event.
NAPABA is committed to having a governing board that reflects the diverse AANHPI legal community and has the right blend of skill, expertise, community connections, and diverse perspectives. We value an inclusive culture that embraces our diversity and empowers leaders to engage with each other and the community in a meaningful way by building trust, increasing transparency, and maximizing impact.
The following individuals were elected by the NAPABA membership to serve on the 2024-25 NAPABA Board of Governors. Join us in welcoming these leaders.
WASHINGTON – Today, the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) submitted a written statement for the record to the United States Senate Judiciary Committee that highlighted the dangers of divisive, reckless rhetoric and called on leaders to guard against the continuing demonization of immigrants and communities of color. During the Committee’s hearing on September 17, 2024, entitled, “A Threat to Justice Everywhere: Stemming the Tide of Hate Crimes in America,” a senator baselessly accused one of the witnesses, Maya Berry, an Arab American civil rights leader, of supporting foreign terrorist organizations. Despite the witness clearly and repeatedly stating that she did not support such organizations, the senator continued to interrogate her relentlessly.
“We have seen this playbook before, unfortunately, and members of the Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) community are no stranger to such offensive, differential treatment solely because of their national origin or religion,” observed Anna Mercado Clark, President of NAPABA. “For example, in this same Committee nine months ago, Adeel Mangi, a nominee to be a judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, also endured hostile treatment based solely on his religion. Our national leaders must do better to avoid dangerous rhetoric, which can lead to horrific results in our communities if left unchecked.”
Especially in this political season, NAPABA’s statement called on leaders to “avoid the reckless rhetoric” and on all Americans to “unite in common cause to tackle our Nation’s problems together.”
### The National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) represents the interests of over 80,000 Asian Pacific American (APA) legal professionals and nearly 90 national, state, and local APA bar associations. NAPABA is a leader in addressing civil rights issues confronting Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities. Through its national network, NAPABA provides a strong voice for increased diversity of the federal and state judiciaries, advocates for equal opportunity in the workplace, works to eliminate hate crimes and anti-immigrant sentiment, and promotes the professional development of people of all backgrounds in the legal profession.
This is a non-partisan, multilingual informational hotline designed to help members of our community find polling places, understand how to register to vote, and ensure they have timely and factual information needed to get to the polls. Training sessions started on September 22 and upcoming sessions are on September 24 and October 9!
APIAVote needs persons fluent in Bengali/Bangla, Cantonese, Hindi, Korean, Mandarin, Punjabi, Tagalog, Urdu, and Vietnamese! Lawyers are trusted civic emissaries and voices in our communities, and your voice matters and helps!
As a completely volunteer-run hotline, volunteers will provide the resource to make civic engagement more accessible to the communities.
Here is what you can expect as a volunteer:
Provide live, remote assistance from Monday, October 7, leading up to Election Day on Tuesday, November 5!
Return calls to voters who left voicemails asking for voter assistance
Be supported every step of the way by the co-captains of APIA Vote’s Hotline: Jean Ger, Zaria Guignard, Mike Messina, Hannah Locop, and Yu Jing Chen
Hotline captains will be online and available to assist every day
No prior experience is required – all training will be provided via Zoom throughout the election cycle.
Will you volunteer for the election protection hotline throughout the 2024 Presidential Election cycle? Sign up here!
You can sign up for a training session below.
Tuesday, September 24 at 9:00 PM ET/8:00 PM CT/6:00 PM PT: Sign up here Wednesday, October 9 at 5:30 PM ET/4:30 PM CT/2:30 PM PT: Sign up here
Additional training sessions will be announced in the future.
Please share widely with anyone you believe would like to get involved!
