Month: July 2024

Posted on

AABANY Committees Host a Panel on Pursuing a Specialization in Bankruptcy

What is bankruptcy law? How does it differ from general litigation and transactional practices? Why do people call it “restructuring?” And how do I get a job in this amazing field? 

On July 11, 2024, AABANY’s Commercial Bankruptcy and Restructuring, Student Outreach, and Young Lawyers Committees held a panel at the offices of Kelley Drye & Warren LLP to answer these questions—hopefully enticing students and junior attorneys to join the next generation of corporate bankruptcy lawyers and providing added perspectives for the benefit of current legal and non-legal practitioners in the audience. 

Our all-female, all-AAPI panel of attorneys from leading law firms—Cleary Gottlieb, Kelley Drye, Mayer Brown, Sidley, and Skadden Arps—went deep. They talked about the nuances of the corporate bankruptcy and restructuring practice and why it is such an appealing field. It’s a great mix of litigation and transactional work, the panelists emphasized, the work is dynamic and varies based on the nature of one’s representation, and bankruptcy’s faster pace makes it rather exciting and provides hands-on experience earlier on in an attorney’s career. The panel also fielded various questions from the strongly turned-out audience such as what qualities make for an effective bankruptcy lawyer and why the practice tends to concentrate in New York.

What further came out of the panel and the rest of the evening was just how closely knit the bankruptcy world is. During the reception, attendees caught up with old colleagues at other firms, and new and old friends stayed long after they finished their last glasses of wine. 

Thank you to our panelists Connie Choe, Dabin Chung, Weiru Fang, Hoori Kim, and Shan Lu for their insights, to Patrick Chen and Justin Lee for moderating, and especially to Kelley Drye for hosting our event. 

To find out more about the Commercial Bankruptcy and Restructuring Committee, please click here.

To find out more about the Student Outreach Committee, please click here.

To find out more about the Young Lawyers Committee, please click here.

Posted on

Press Release and Public Notice: United States Magistrate Judge Vacancies

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Chief Judge Margo K. Brodie announced today [July 24] that the Judges of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York have appointed a Merit Selection Panel composed of attorneys and residents of the district. (See Administrative Order No. 2024-14 here.) The Panel will consider candidates for three United States Magistrate Judge vacancies in Brooklyn, New York, for eight (8)-year terms, to be created by the retirement of U.S. Magistrate Judges Lois Bloom and Cheryl L. Pollak, effective May 17, 2025 and August 1, 2025, respectively, and by the appointment of U.S. Magistrate Judge Sanket J. Bulsara as United States District Judge, effective on the date of the signing of the Presidential Commission in December of 2024.

All applications for the magistrate judge vacancies must be received by October 23, 2024. The application form can be accessed online at the district’s website:
https://www.nyed.uscourts.gov/forms/application-us-magistrate-judge-vacancy-docx. Please see the below public notice for instructions on how to submit applications for the magistrate judge vacancies.

Within one hundred and fifty (150) days from its appointment on July 24, 2024, the Panel must report to the Court its recommended slate of candidates for consideration for the magistrate judge vacancies.

PUBLIC NOTICE

THREE FULL-TIME FEDERAL MAGISTRATE JUDGE VACANCIES

There are three (3) upcoming full-time United States Magistrate Judge vacancies at the Brooklyn Courthouse of the Eastern District of New York at 225 Cadman Plaza, Brooklyn, New York, effective on a date to be determined in December 2024, on May 17, 2025, and August 1, 2025, respectively. The duties of the position are demanding and wide-ranging, and will include: (1) conduct of preliminary proceedings in criminal cases; (2) trial and disposition of misdemeanor cases; (3) conduct of various pretrial matters and evidentiary proceedings on delegation from the judges of the district court; (4) trial and disposition of civil cases upon consent of the litigants; and (5) assignment of additional duties not inconsistent with the Constitution and laws of the United States.

The jurisdiction of a United States Magistrate Judge is specified in 28 U.S.C. § 636. To be qualified for appointment, an applicant must: (a) be a member in good standing of the bar of the highest court of a state, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or the U.S. Virgin Islands for at least five years; (b) have been engaged in the active practice of law for a period of at least five years (with some substitutions authorized); (c) be competent to perform all the duties of the office, of good moral character, emotionally stable and mature, committed to equal justice under the law, in good health, patient and courteous, and capable of deliberation and decisiveness; (d) be less than 70 years old; and (e) not be related to a judge of the district court. An applicant should have federal court experience and be knowledgeable in federal civil and criminal practices and procedures.

A Merit Selection Panel (appointed by Administrative Order 2024-14) composed of attorneys and residents of the district will review all applications and recommend in confidence to the judges of the district court the five persons whom it considers best qualified for each vacancy. The Court will make the appointments following FBI and IRS investigations of the appointees. An affirmative effort will be made to give due consideration to all qualified candidates, including women and members of minority groups. The salary of the position is, as of this notice, $223,836.00 per annum. The term of office is eight years.

Please note that the application form can be accessed online at the district’s website:
https://www.nyed.uscourts.gov/forms/application-us-magistrate-judge-vacancy-docx.
Applications must be personally prepared by the applicant and must be received no later than October 23, 2024. Applications should be electronically submitted at
https://edny.app.box.com/f/89d572dd4ab644979ed53683c7005545. Instructions are available on the district’s website.

THE DISTRICT IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Posted on

2024-2025 Judges and Lawyers Breast Cancer Alert GRANT APPLICATION OPEN

Judges and Lawyers Breast Cancer Alert (JALBCA) is currently accepting grant applications to fund projects that support legal and social services for breast cancer victims and their families, education, training efforts, and early detection initiatives. Funding for these grants is raised through our annual Lawyers’ Division dinner, donations, and membership dues.

Mission Statement

Our mission is focusing on the intersection of the law and breast cancer, to leverage the legal community’s strength, passion, resources and expertise to promote awareness, early detection, treatment and support for all those affected by breast cancer; to provide programs that educate members of the profession about critical medical, legal and personal issues around breast cancer; to support the breast cancer community at large by funding major, well-integrated legal and legally-related counseling programs, as well as state-of-the-art early detection initiatives.

Grant Details:

  • Who Receives Grants? JALBCA supports nonprofit organizations with projects aligned with our mission. We do not fund individuals.
  • Geographical Focus: While our primary focus is within New York State, we consider nationwide initiatives that align with our mission.
  • Application Deadline: August 16, 2024

How to Apply:

  1. Review the JALBCA Grant Application Process and Requirements for 2024-2025 [here]
  2. Complete the two-part JALBCA Grant Application 2024-2025: Part 1: JALBCA Grant Proposal Information Sheet [fillable pdf – here] Part 2: JALBCA Grand Proposal [Word document – here]
  3. Submit the completed application form (including the Proposal Information Sheet in PDF and Proposal in Word and PDF formats) and all required materials to [email protected] by August 16, 2024

For questions or inquiries, email [email protected]

Posted on

Thank You to the Volunteers at July 13th Pro Bono Clinic

Thank you to the CPC, the offices of Council Members Alexa Avilés and Justin Brannan, State Senator Iwen Chu, all of our Brooklyn community partners, and AABANY volunteers for joining us at the Brooklyn Pro Bono Legal Clinic held at CPC Brooklyn Community Services, 4101 8th Ave, on July 13, 2024.

During the clinic, we met 18 clients who had questions about housing, immigration, and special education law matters. 

In addition to having law students shadowing us, we had Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) high school students from CPC who helped clients complete their client intake forms and client satisfaction surveys. For any who may want to participate or know of someone who would, SYEP connects New York City kids between the ages of 14 and 24 with career opportunities and paid work experiences each summer.

Pro bono clinics function to address a wide array of problems and questions. At this clinic we had parents asking about how to apply for special education needs for their children. Many NYC children are not receiving adequate and immediate special education services, and if the child is denied special education needs, there is a limited time period for the parents to appeal the Department of Education’s decision. For further help please visit Advocates for Children of NYC (https://advocatesforchildren.org/) who can provide know-your-rights brochures and legal representation.

The day’s work was praised by clients in attendance. For example, one client stated, “This is the best service for people who can’t afford legal services.”

Thank you again to everyone, including volunteer attorneys:

  • Anna Chen
  • Daobo Wang
  • Francis Chin
  • Gary Yeung
  • Kwok Kei Ng
  • May Wong
  • Willow Liu
  • Yan Sin
  • Yichun Liu

Thanks also to the non-attorney volunteers:

  • Athena Zhang
  • Lingjun Chen
  • Nandar Win Kerr
  • Ruo Yang
  • Wendy Zeng

Please join us at the next exciting events:

July 24th – AABANY Pro Bono Clinic Fundraiser – https://www.aabany.org/events/event_details.asp?legacy=1&id=1858155

Queens Pro Bono Clinic on August 7th, 2024 at AAFE One Flushing Community Center, 133-29 41st Ave, 2nd Floor, Flushing, NY 11355. Sign up here – https://forms.gle/5PjG8A73EE1XENyV9

To learn more about AABANY Pro Bono & Community Service Committee contact [email protected] or click here. 

Posted on

AABANY Membership Committee Leads Group Outing to See NY Liberty at Barclays Center

On July 16, 2024, through a collaboration between AABANY, the LGBT Bar NY (LeGal), the Metropolitan Black Bar Association, and the Puerto Rican Bar Association of New York, we had over 40 collective members and friends who signed up to watch the NY Liberty vs. CT Sun game at the Barclays Center. The crowd was ecstatic and vibrant! We congratulate our home team for winning the game (82-74) and wish them great success at the upcoming 2024 Paris Olympics. We were fortunate to see them in action, since they won’t be playing another organized WNBA matchup until Aug. 15. 

We hope to convene at another joint collaborative bar association event to support minority bar associations and their causes, such as hosting pro bono legal clinics, awarding scholarships, and providing mentorship and training programs to attorneys and judges. 

If you would like to learn more about the participating bar associations, please visit them at: 

Please come and support AABANY’s Pro Bono Clinic Rooftop Summer Fundraiser on July 24. More details here

Posted on

NAPABA Condemns Attack Against Former President Trump

For Immediate Release:

Date: July 14, 2024

Contact:
Rahat N. Babar, Deputy Executive Director

WASHINGTON – The National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) unequivocally condemns the heinous attack on former President Donald Trump during a gathering this past weekend, which tragically left one spectator dead and several wounded.  

We are grateful that the former president is safe and for the swift response by law enforcement. Our thoughts remain with the families affected by this terrible tragedy. Political violence is antithetical to our core values as a community and as a Nation. Our constitutional democracy and the rule of law rest on the peaceful resolution of our differences, whether it be through our institutions like the courts or at the ballot box.

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.

Posted on

2024 NAPABA Convention: Apply for a Scholarship Today!

The NAPABA Convention offers one of the best values among legal education conferences—providing direct access to our extended community and opportunities to meaningfully connect with thousands of AANHPI attorneys. Participate in a multitude of program offerings, meetings, receptions, and initiatives aimed at advancing your personal and professional goals.

NAPABA recognizes, however, that attending the Convention can pose financial challenges to many of our members. Through our Convention and law student scholarship program, we offer financial assistance and access to the transformative NAPABA Convention. This opportunity is only open to active NAPABA members, like you, and we invite you to apply!

Learn more about our scholarships and eligibility requirements here

GENERAL CONVENTION SCHOLARSHIP
Closes August 6 at 8 pm ET

APPLY FOR A GENERAL SCHOLARSHIP

LAW STUDENT CONVENTION SCHOLARSHIP
Closes September 17 at 8pm ET

APPLY FOR A LAW STUDENT SCHOLARSHIP

QUESTIONS? Contact our Meetings Team at [email protected].

REGISTER FOR CONVENTION

Haven’t registered for the Convention yet? Now’s your chance! Register before August 20 to take advantage of the Early Bird Registration Rate.

REGISTER FOR #NAPABA24

Posted on

NAPABA Applauds the Nomination of Ryan Y. Park to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit

For Immediate Release:Date: July 3, 2024Contact:
Rahat N. Babar, Deputy Executive Director

WASHINGTON – Today, President Joe Biden nominated North Carolina Solicitor General Ryan Y. Park to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit. If confirmed, General Park would be the first Asian American to serve on the Fourth Circuit, which covers Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, and West Virginia.  

“NAPABA applauds President Biden’s historic nomination of Solicitor General Ryan Y. Park,” said Anna Mercado Clark, President of NAPABA. “A brilliant litigator, General Park has presented oral arguments in more than 25 cases and twice at the U.S. Supreme Court. A former law clerk of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Justice David H. Souter, General Park has over a decade of public service at the state and federal levels. We are pleased to support his nomination.”

Ryan Y. Park has been the Solicitor General of North Carolina since 2020 and previously served as Deputy Solicitor General of North Carolina from 2017 to 2020. From 2014 to 2017, he worked as an associate at Boies, Schiller, and Flexner LLP and in the Office of the Legal Advisor at the U.S. Department of State from 2012 to 2013. He served as a law clerk to Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Justice David H. Souter on the U.S. Supreme Court from 2013 to 2014, for Judge Robert A. Katzmann on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit from 2011 to 2012, and for Judge Jed S. Rakoff on the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York from 2010 to 2011. General Park received his J.D., summa cum laude, from Harvard Law School in 2010 and his B.A., with distinction, from Amherst College in 2005.

“President Biden has nominated 41 AANHPIs to Article III courts, and 36 have been confirmed—more than any President in history,” said Priya Purandare, Executive Director of NAPABA. “We thank President Biden for nominating General Park and ask the Senate to confirm him swiftly.”

Posted on

AABANY and AALFNY Celebrate Recipients of the 2024 Public Interest Scholarship at FTI Consulting

On Monday, June 24,  the Asian American Law Fund of New York (AALFNY) gathered with members of the Asian American Bar Association of New York (AABANY) to celebrate the recipients of AALFNY’s 2024 Public Interest Scholarships at the AALFNY-AABANY Summer Reception at FTI Consulting, held at their offices at 1166 Avenue of the Americas.

Upon arrival, attendees chatted with one another, enjoying a grazing table, pizza, and drinks. The program began with the sound of clinking bottles, drawing everyone’s attention to Sylvia Chin, President of AALFNY. Sylvia presented introductory remarks about AALFNY and thanked Jason Sabot, Senior Managing Director at FTI Consulting, for generously providing the venue for the gathering. Yang Chen, Executive Director of AABANY, also spoke, touching on the origins of AALFNY and its prior incarnation as the AABANY Foundation, the charitable arm of AABANY. He reminded the lawyers present of their shared ethical and moral obligations to perform pro bono legal services and emphasized the importance of good works done by AABANY’s Pro Bono Clinics, highlighting the significance of giving back to the community. 

Sylvia then presented the 2024 Public Interest Scholarship award to Ranjana Venkatesh. Ranjana attends CUNY School of Law, and shared that this summer she will be interning at The Bronx Defenders’ Criminal Defense Practice under the Adolescent Defense Project. Ranjana noted that the Bronx is a historically under-represented  borough, but with The Bronx Defenders, she hopes to represent low-income residents through a holistic approach.

Jessica Chan, the other recipient of the scholarship, unfortunately could not attend the reception. Jessica, an AABANY member, attends New York Law School and will be interning with the Legal Aid Society in its Criminal Defense Practice. She is looking forward to using her experience in criminal defense work to build bridges between communities of color.

Thank you to all who attended the Summer Reception at FTI Consulting to not only celebrate the recipients of the 2024 Public Interest Scholarship, but also the value and importance of public interest work. To learn more about AALFNY, please click here.

Proudly powered by WordPress