Press Release: AABANY Presents Kicking Glass, Video About Asian American Women Attorneys, at Annual Fall Conference

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE   
September 11, 2015

Contact: Yang Chen, Executive Director
(718) 228-7206

NEW YORK – September 11, 2015 – The Asian American Bar Association of New York (“AABANY”) is proud to announce that their 6th Annual Fall Conference: Charting New Frontiers, taking place on Saturday, September 19th at Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton, features Kicking Glass: Two Decades and Counting during the luncheon plenary session. Addressing the important question of what it means to be an Asian American female attorney, Kicking Glass: Two Decades and Counting is a groundbreaking follow-up program to AABANY’s video first presented twenty years ago at the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (“NAPABA”) Convention in 1995. 

The first Kicking Glass video in 1995 discussed the position of Asian American women in the legal profession and featured several Asian American women lawyers who discussed the hurdles they faced, the successes they achieved, and what success meant to them. Among the issues addressed in the video were the “Asian woman” stereotype, how to get recognition for one’s work, parity in the workplace, and achieving a work/life balance. Kicking Glass: Two Decades and Counting examines those same questions twenty years later, exploring both how far Asian American female attorneys have advanced and how much more progress needs to be made. Kicking Glass: Two Decades and Counting features both women from the 1995 video and other Asian American women attorneys in different stages of their legal careers. 

Following the video will be a panel discussion to elaborate on the perspectives of those attorneys and identify what challenges remain. Sapna Palla, Esq., AABANY Women’s Committee Co-Chair and Partner, Wiggin and Dana, LLP, will moderate. Scheduled to appear as speakers for this panel are:

  • Hon. Doris Ling-Cohan, New York State Supreme Court Judge, Appellate Term, First Department
  • Sandra Leung, General Counsel, Bristol-Myers Squibb & Co.
  • Clara Ohr, Legal & Compliance Officer, LUKOIL Pan Americas LLC
  • Ryan Park, Associate, Boies Schiller & Flexner LLP
  • Saira Haider, Associate, Axinn, Veltop & Harkrider LLP

“AABANY commends our Women’s Committee for undertaking this important project,” states William Wang, AABANY President. “It brings to the fore persistent issues affecting Asian American women lawyers in New York. While recognizing that some positive change has occurred over time, it forces us to confront the lack of progress since the first Kicking Glass video was produced over two decades ago. The serious discussion that the present video inspires may provide the first steps towards making further progress so that in the near future we can be celebrating the glass being shattered rather just being kicked.”

“The AABANY Fall Conference’s theme of charting new frontiers is the perfect backdrop for addressing how Asian American women lawyers can chart their own new frontiers,” states Sapna Palla. “We look forward to a stimulating discussion on concrete ideas for advancement so that the shattered ceiling is the norm, not the exception.”

For more information, please contact Yang Chen, AABANY Executive Director, at (718) 228-7206, or direct any inquiries to [email protected].


The Asian American Bar Association of New York is a professional membership organization of attorneys concerned with issues affecting the Asian Pacific American community.  Incorporated in 1989, AABANY seeks not only to encourage the professional growth of its members but also to advocate for the Asian Pacific American community as a whole.  AABANY is the New York regional affiliate of the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA).

Press Release: AABANY Honors Rockwell ‘Rocky’ Chin with Norman Lau Kee Trailblazer Award

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE   
September 11, 2015

Contact: Yang Chen, Executive Director
(718) 228-7206

NEW YORK – September 11, 2015 – The Asian American Bar Association of New York (AABANY) is proud to announce that Rockwell ‘Rocky’ Chin will receive the Norman Lau Kee Trailblazer Award this year at AABANY’s Sixth Annual Fall Conference on September 19, 2015, to be held at the offices of Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton.

Named for Norman Lau Kee, a revered legal and community pillar of New York City’s Chinatown for decades, this Trailblazer Award honors an accomplished leader in the legal profession of Asian Pacific American (APA) descent or dedicated to APA issues who has carved a path for others to follow, served the community as a mentor and role model, and has made a lasting impact on the APA community through his or her dedication and commitment. 

Rocky is an attorney and a community activist. He has extensive experience working with the Asian American community and civil rights issues. 

His work in the Asian American community has included: creating and teaching some of the first Asian American studies courses in the country; creating a bilingual childcare program for immigrant families; and coordinating the Asian Pacific American Heritage Festival in New York City. Rocky was a founding member of AABANY’s Board of Directors in 1989. He has also played an integral part in the early formation of organizations such as Asian American Law Fund of New York and Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance. Rocky also served as President of the Asian American Arts Alliance.

Rocky’s experience in civil rights spans decades. He has held several leadership positions, such as Assistant Deputy Commissioner for Community Relations at the New York City Commission on Human Rights. He has helped New York City make significant strides in the areas of immigration, labor, and disability rights.  

Rocky served as Director of the Office of Equal Opportunity & Diversity at the New York State Division of Human Rights from April 2007 through April 2015. He is currently the EEO investigator at the New York State Insurance Fund. 

“In the more than quarter century since AABANY was founded, very few who are still active in AABANY today can claim that they were there at the beginning. Rocky Chin is one of those rare individuals,” says William Wang, President of AABANY. “Through his community activism and involvement, Rocky has not only blazed a trail for us; he reminds us of AABANY’s roots in the community and continues to promote AABANY’s community ties. Rocky will never let us forget that we must continue to advocate for APAs and other under-represented groups in New York. With the Trailblazer Award we honor and recognize Rocky’s leadership, achievements and lasting legacy.”


For more information, please contact Yang Chen, AABANY Executive Director, at (718) 228-7206, or direct any inquiries to [email protected].

The Asian American Bar Association of New York is a professional membership organization of attorneys concerned with issues affecting the Asian Pacific American community.  Incorporated in 1989, AABANY seeks not only to encourage the professional growth of its members but also to advocate for the Asian Pacific American community as a whole.  AABANY is the New York regional affiliate of the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA).

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