On September 10, 2026, Law 360 published an article about the Dumpling Making class organized by the AABANY Women’s Committee on September 3. The Women’s Committee planned and held an evening of dumpling-making, community-building, and cultural connection in Chinatown, hosted by The Dumpling Circle and Welcome to Chinatown. The event was generously sponsored by Ashurst Perkins Coie.
Attendees at the event learned to make dumplings completely from scratch and were assigned random seats to foster new friendships. The evening emphasized family traditions of making dumplings and eating them together, as well as the importance of building community and meaningful connections.
To read the full article by Law 360, click here (subscription required).
Reporter Hu Shengqiao for the World Journal, the largest Chinese-language newspaper in the United States, recently featured AABANY’s Pro Bono and Community Service (PBCS) Committee , highlighting its more than a decade of dedicated service to the community. What began as a single consultation site at the Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association in Manhattan has since expanded to Queens and Brooklyn.
Over the past decade, hundreds of pro bono lawyers and law students have served more than 3,000 Asian American residents across the three boroughs, with consultations covering housing, immigration, family law, inheritance, employment, and workers’ compensation. Most clients speak Mandarin or Cantonese, and many of them face systemic hurdles in the U.S. legal system. Each 30-minute session gives a volunteer attorney time to offer legal advice, review documents, and refer clients to more specialized services when needed.
The article showcases the three attorneys who coordinate the Pro Bono Clinics: Beatrice Leong, who manages the Manhattan clinic and specializes in family and divorce law; Kwok Kei Ng, a Court Attorney who manages the Brooklyn Clinic; and Gary Yeung, an attorney at McDermott Will & Schulte, who manages the Queens Clinic. They remarked that when they offered free legal advice, the people sitting across from them often reminded them of their own families—parents and elders who didn’t speak English facing difficulties with nowhere to turn.
Among the cases they recalled memorably was a nine-month-old girl with an inoperable brain tumor, who they helped by connecting with Yen-Yi Anderson, whose firm Anderson and Associates, P.C., provided the family with pro-bono services and established a trust fund for the girl. PBCS has also held more than ten “Know Your Rights” and community legal education sessions over the years. The Committee currently partners with local elected representatives and various nonprofit organizations, including the Chinese-American Planning Council in Brooklyn (CPC) and the Asian Americans for Equality (AAFE) in Manhattan and Flushing.
To read the full article, click here (in Chinese).
In a democracy, criticism of court decisions is protected by the right to free expression. It can be vital for informing public debate.
However, in recent years, threats of violence, intimidation, and disinformation directed at federal judges, and defiance of court orders have gone far beyond healthy criticism and are fundamentally threatening judicial independence. The volume, intensity, and character of recent attacks on federal judges is profoundly eroding the rule of law in the United States.
Drawing on thirty-four interviews with an equal number of federal judges appointed by presidents of both major political parties and research of publicly available materials, this study assesses the four categories of threats identified in Chief Justice John Roberts’ Year End Report (2024) while situating them in historical perspective. It examines the impact of these threats on the federal bench and proposes recommendations for safeguarding the judicial independence that is a foundation of America’s constitutional order.
On August 25, AABANY’s very own President, Varuna Bhattacharyya was featured as one of the 2026 Women in Commercial Real Estate by theNew York Real Estate Journal (NYREJ).
NYREJ asked Varuna questions about her commercial real estate practice, such as her most rewarding project in the past year and what upcoming commercial real estate trends she sees on the horizon. When reflecting on her most important leadership lesson to date, Varuna emphasized authenticity, finding that “the most effective leadership comes from embracing your own values, strengths, and perspective.”
Please join AABANY in congratulating President Varuna Bhattacharyya on being spotlighted in NYREJ.
On August 27, 2026, almost 20 attendees joined AABANY and the Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund (AALDEF) for a critical webinar on Temporary Protected Status (TPS) terminations. The panelists—Nicole Fink (Ogletree Deakins, AABANY Immigration Law Committee Chair ), Vishal Chander (The Chander Law Firm, AABANY Issues Committee Co-Chair, AABANY Board Director), and Dinesh McCoy (AALDEF)—walked participants through relief pathways for the 1.3 million people losing status: family-based sponsorship, employment-based green cards (EB-2, EB-3), asylum, withholding of removal, cancellation of removal, and special immigrant categories.
The comprehensive panel discussion went beyond individual legal remedies to examine broader systemic impacts. Presenters addressed the severe operational challenges facing employers who must navigate complex workforce transitions as valued employees risk losing their authorization. Furthermore, the speakers explored active federal litigation challenging the administration’s TPS termination decisions, highlighting ongoing legal battles aimed at protecting impacted populations.
Throughout the webinar, the experts underscored a critical tactical takeaway: affected individuals must proactively file for alternative relief options prior to their official status termination date. Doing so is essential to preserving uninterrupted work authorization while their legal petitions undergo administrative processing. With multiple country designations already terminated or approaching imminent expiration deadlines, the panel warned that time is of the essence and the window to take corrective legal action is rapidly closing.
To mitigate these urgent challenges, attendees were strongly encouraged to get involved directly in community defense efforts. AALDEF is actively recruiting legal volunteers and community advocates for its Rapid Response Task Force. This initiative is designed to provide robust, on-the-ground assistance to vulnerable populations through comprehensive screening clinics, direct legal case representation, individual consultations, and broad community outreach. In parallel, AABANY’s Immigration Law and Issues Committees are expanding their collaborative initiatives by coordinating substantive community education webinars, legal advice clinics, and specialized professional development programs scheduled for later this year.
Whether you are an experienced attorney, a paralegal, a law student, or a dedicated community advocate, your skills are urgently needed. Regardless of whether you can commit one hour a month or ten, there is a vital role for you to make a meaningful difference in the lives of impacted individuals. We invite you to reach out and volunteer your time today to support our ongoing advocacy efforts. Please consider becoming a member of AABANY to support our work in support of vulnerable communities.
–Written by Nicole Fink, Chair of AABANY’s Immigration Law Committee
On April 29, 2026, AABANY’s Asia Practice Committee successfully hosted the U.S.–China Legal Elite Dialogue Forum & Dinner in New York City, bringing together approximately 75 attorneys, legal professionals, and business leaders for an afternoon of insightful discussion and cross-border engagement.
Held at Club 135 by Industrious, the forum convened leading practitioners across the U.S. and China to examine the evolving legal and business landscape shaping cross-border transactions and disputes. The program featured keynote presentations and a dynamic panel discussion focused on the theme: “How U.S. and Chinese lawyers can create value for cross-border business under the new global landscape.”
The panel brought together an accomplished group of practitioners, including Hardy Zhou, Tax Attorney at Cooley LLP and Co-Chair of AABANY’s Asia Practice Committee, and Genny Ngai, Partner at Morrison Cohen LLP and Co-Chair of AABANY’s Litigation Committee. Moderated by Haiyan Tang, Managing Partner at Quinn Emanuel Shanghai, the discussion explored the increasing complexity of cross-border legal work, including heightened regulatory requirements, shifting investment trends, and the need for closer collaboration between U.S. and Chinese counsel.
Panelists shared practical perspectives on how lawyers can deliver value in this environment—ranging from structuring transactions and managing risk to navigating disputes and aligning multi-jurisdictional strategies.
The forum also featured keynote remarks from Yang Chen, the Executive Director of AABANY and Chris M. Kwok, Mediator at JAMS and Co-Chair of AABANY’s Alternative Dispute Resolution Committee, and other distinguished speakers across corporate, litigation, and dispute resolution practices, providing attendees with a well-rounded view of current developments in U.S.–China legal relations.
Following the formal program, participants continued their conversations during a networking reception and dinner, fostering meaningful connections and further strengthening the AABANY community.
AABANY extends its sincere thanks to all speakers, organizers, and attendees for contributing to the success of this event. The Asia Practice Committee looks forward to continuing to facilitate dialogue and collaboration among legal professionals engaged in cross-border practice.
-Written by Hardy Zhou, Co-Chair, AABANY’s Asia Practice Committee
On Tuesday, August 11, AABANY members and their guests met at Yankee Stadium to watch the New York Yankees take on the Seattle Mariners. The evening doubled as KPop Demon Hunters Theme Night, and the ballpark was buzzing with fans decked out for the occasion. The first 18,000 fans to arrive got to take home a free Rumi bobblehead.
The game had a quiet and defensive start, with neither team scoring during the first five innings. In the 6th inning, the Mariners broke the deadlock with a solo home run to go up 1-0. But the Yankees exploded in the 7th, taking advantage of clutch hits to score four unanswered runs. New York’s pitchers shut the door from there for a 4-1 win, handing Seattle its fifth straight loss.
Beyond the game, the night offered exactly what these outings are meant to provide: an easy, low-pressure setting for AABANY members to connect outside the usual office setting. Standing together in the open area by the Toyota Terrace, members swapped stories between innings, cheered the late-game rally, and soaked in a fun summer night at the stadium. Thanks to everyone who came out and made the evening memorable and enjoyable, and a special thanks to the Membership Committee for organizing another great outing!
–Written by Victor Way, AABANY Intern, Summer 2026
On July 31, 2026, AABANY’s Student Outreach Committee and Government Service & Public Interest Committee partnered to host Crafting Connections, a friendship bracelet-creating event. This event celebrated International Friendship Day and took place at On Lab in New York’s Lower East Side. While making bracelets, AABANY members conversed, connected, and crafted over a variety of food and drink. This event drew numerous attendees, with registration filling up very quickly after the event was announced.
The Crafting Connections event featured a beautiful selection of beads, string, and crafting templates spread across multiple tables in the cafe. Upon arrival, attendees were able to choose from a large selection of beads and charms, as well as their desired string type. They then chose their seat and began an evening of crafting, laughter, and connections. Law students had the opportunity to connect with a variety of legal professionals, including practicing attorneys and a law professor.
The environment fostered a relaxed atmosphere that encouraged a range of conversations between new people and long-time AABANY members alike. Topics of conversation included attendees sharing their own legal paths and laid-back discussions on upcoming vacations or bonding over connections made by pet owners. Attendees helped others choose charms and beads, and even made bracelets for each other, truly embracing the spirit of International Friendship Day.
The event concluded with new bracelets, full stomachs, and most importantly, new connections.
The photos from this event capture the joyful nature of the evening. To see the full photo album, click here.
As reported in the New York Law Journal on August 11, at the Manhattan Democratic Judicial Convention on August 10, Justice Christopher Chin won the nomination for a vacant Supreme Court seat against Judge Ilana Marcus in a floor vote (90-65). Justice Chin will join Acting Supreme Court Justices Kathleen Waterman-Marshall and Hasa Kingo on the general election ballot to fill three Manhattan Supreme Court vacancies.
The vote was followed by personal moments throughout each of the Justice’s speeches at the convention: Acting Justice Nicholas Moyne declined his nomination and described his neurodivergence as his greatest strength in his declination speech; Acting Justice Kingo reflected on his path to the bench; and Justice Chin spoke on his childhood where his family faced racial discrimination under a dictatorship in Burma. “I’m happy to say that I don’t feel like a second-class citizen anymore,” Chin said during his acceptance speech.
AABANY congratulates Justice Chin, an AABANY member, on his nomination and commends fellow AABANY members Hon. L. Austin D’Souza, Hon. Ilana Marcus, Hon. Eric Schumacher, Hon. Richard Tsai, and Hon. John Zhou Wang for their participation in the nominating convention.
To read the full article, click here (subscription required).
From scholarships and fellowships to the annual Thomas Tang Moot Court Competition, the NAPABA Law Foundation offers many ways to advance your career and deepen your connection to the legal community.
Two important deadlines are coming up. Be sure to mark your calendars:
Judge Thomas Tang and Dr. Pearl Tang Moot Court (TTMC) Competition Registration Deadline: September 10, 2026
Sponsored annually by the NAPABA Law Foundation, the TTMC appellate advocacy competition helps law students develop advocacy skills and fosters future legal talent.
Fall Scholarships Application Deadline: September 23, 2026
Scholarships are awarded nationwide to law students who demonstrate a commitment to serving or contributing to the Asian Pacific American community as future leaders. Check out the opportunities available!
To the attorneys, judges, and legal professionals in our network: share this email with law students in your network. A single message from you could open the door to a defining moment in their career.
