Happy Veterans Day!

AABANY, along with a number of other bar associations, co-sponsored KALAGNY’s inaugural Veterans and Military Networking Event on November 8 at Lee Anav Chung White Kim Ruger & Richter LLP. The speaker for the event was the Honorable Randall T. Eng, Presiding Justice of the Appellate Division, Second Department. Justice Eng has served as Colonel, Judge Advocate General’s Corps, New York Army National Guard, State Judge Advocate, retired. Presiding Justice Eng is also recipient of NAPABA’s Sen. Daniel K. Inouye Trailblazer Award last year and AABANY’s Norman Lau Kee Trailblazer Award this year.

Brian Song, Partner at Baker Hostetler LLP, founder of AABANY’s Military & Veterans Affairs Committee, and co-chair for NAPABA’s Military & Veterans Network Committee, engaged Presiding Justice Eng in a conversation about his service. Justice Eng recounted several challenges of his time in the military and his current work, including his experience as a responder after the events of 9/11. Brian had served on active duty in the U.S. Army Judge Advocate General’s Corp and currently serves as a Major in the Army Reserves.

Andy Hahn, past AABANY and NAPABA President and Chairman of the Board of KALAGNY, served on the U.S. Army Judge Advocate General’s Corp from 1986 to 1990 and asked all the veterans in the room to stand up and be recognized. He also issued a call to action for attorneys to volunteer for pro bono service in support of our veterans and military personnel who face many legal issues and hurdles in returning to civilian life after their military service.

Thank you to Lee Anav Chung White Kim Ruger & Richter LLP for hosting the event, to KALAGNY President Karen Kim for spearheading and organizing the event, and to our military members and veterans for their service.

(Thanks to AABANY intern Nikki Datta for the write-up.)