On Monday, January 27, 2025, AABANY members, friends, and family—40 attendees—gathered at Madison Square Garden to celebrate Lunar New Year while cheering on the New York Knicks as they faced the Memphis Grizzlies. The night began with a graceful rendition of the national anthem by Asian musicians, highlighted by the melodic sounds of the erhu, a traditional Chinese instrument. The Knicks burst onto the court with energy and precision in the first half, electrifying the crowd with their dynamic teamwork and securing a 60-52 lead heading into halftime.
At halftime, the celebration captivated the crowd with a traditional lion dance performed by the New York Chinese Freemasons Athletic Club. The vibrant colors, rhythmic drumbeats, and graceful movements filled the basketball court, offering viewers a glimpse into Chinese culture while spreading wishes of good luck for the Year of the Snake.
Once the second half got underway, the Knicks took complete control of the game, putting on an offensive game that left the Grizzlies struggling to keep up. Their ball movement was seamless, players found their rhythm with ease, and the shots kept falling from every angle. On the defensive end, the Knicks were relentless—challenging every pass, forcing turnovers, and locking down Memphis’ top scorers. The spirit and intensity in Madison Square Garden was contagious as the Knicks cruised to a dominant 143-106 blowout victory. The commanding performance was a perfect way to celebrate the Lunar New Year and left fans cheering well into the night.
For the third consecutive year, the Knicks won their Lunar New Year game with AABANY in attendance—a lucky streak we hope continues! A big thank you to everyone who joined us in celebrating the Year of the Snake. Together, we embraced the spirit of community, tradition, and joy, making it an evening to remember. Go Knicks!
A huge thank you to AABANY’s co-sponsoring committees—Academic, Asia Practice, Commercial Bankruptcy and Restructuring, Immigration Law, Labor & Employment Law, Membership, Mentorship, and Student Outreach—for their support in making this event a success. Their dedication and collaboration brought the community together for an unforgettable evening filled with camaraderie, culture, and celebration. We also welcomed a few friends from one of our sister bar associations, the Jewish Lawyers Guild. We were delighted that they came out to celebrate the Lunar New Year at Madison Square Garden with us.
The AABANY Winter Soiree, hosted by the In-House Counsel Committee and the Corporate Law Committee, stands as one of the premier networking events of the year for senior in-house attorneys and law firm attorneys. Now in its 15th iteration, the Winter Soiree has evolved over the years, previously known as the Summer Soiree and the Wine Tasting and Networking Reception. This year’s invite-only event was held on Thursday, January 23, 2025, at Le Chalet, a cozy, ski-lodge-inspired lounge set within the iconic Saks Fifth Avenue, providing an elegant and intimate setting for an evening of meaningful connections and professional camaraderie.
Bringing together approximately 150 attorneys, the Winter Soiree offered a unique opportunity for professionals across industries to engage in insightful discussions, explore potential opportunities, and strengthen relationships within the legal community. With breathtaking views of Midtown Manhattan from the venue’s balcony and an inviting indoor ambiance, the evening was truly unforgettable.
The Winter Soiree brought together a distinguished group of senior in-house counsel along with senior attorneys and partners from leading law firms. Fourteen general counsels were in attendance, from financial services, insurance, retail, health, pharmaceutical, and real estate industries. This made for a dynamic networking environment, where professionals had the chance to reconnect with familiar faces and build new relationships, across a wide range of companies and legal practice areas. AABANY extends its gratitude to the many companies that participated, with a special mention to the following, representing a variety of fields:
Apple Inc.
Barclays
Blackstone Inc.
J.P. Morgan Chase
Meta
Ralph Lauren
Uber Technologies, Inc.
UnitedHealth Group Incorporated
Wells Fargo
The event commenced at 6:00 PM, welcoming guests with an exquisite array of hors d’oeuvres, fine wines, and cocktails. Conversations flowed as attendees exchanged experiences, discussed industry trends, and formed new connections while strengthening existing ones. A highlight of the evening were the welcoming remarks delivered by the Co-Chairs of the In-House Counsel Committee, Anushree Bagrodia from MasterCard and David Sohn from J.P. Morgan Chase. They shared insights into the Committee’s ongoing efforts in support of AABANY’s mission to advance the legal profession and advocate for the AAPI legal community.
David and Anushree then introduced representatives from the Winter Soiree’s Platinum sponsors. James Walker from Perkins Coie, Jayun Koo from Haynes Boone, and Jennifer Wu and Josephine Young from Groombridge, Wu, Baughman & Stone LLP all shared their deep appreciation for AABANY’s work in championing diversity, fostering professional growth, and building a more inclusive legal community. Joining this group was Ken McClure of Broadridge Financial Solutions, AABANY’s Diamond Sponsor. All the sponsors emphasized how much they value supporting AABANY’s mission, acknowledging the impact the organization has made in advancing the careers of Asian American attorneys and contributing to the broader legal profession. Their remarks reflected not just the significance of events like the Winter Soiree, but also AABANY’s ongoing commitment to driving positive change.
Closing out the remarks was John Hwang, Co-Chair of the Corporate Law Committee and Partner at Linklaters. He spoke about his Committee and their activities and also thanked the gold and silver sponsors of the Winter Soiree.
AABANY extends its deepest gratitude to the Winter Soiree sponsors whose support made this event possible:
A heartfelt thank you goes out to the In-House Committee, led by Co-Chairs Anushree Bagrodia, David Sohn, and Kazuko Wachter, as well as the Corporate Law Committee and its Co-Chairs John Hwang, Keli Huang, Alice Hsu, and Tracy Feng, for their support. A special thanks to the dedicated staff and interns—Yang Chen, Executive Director; Alice Biagini, Deputy Executive Director; Apollo Baltazar, Administrative Assistant; and interns Kevin Louie and Kiran Raval—whose hard work and assistance were instrumental in ensuring the success of the evening.
The Winter Soiree began to wind down about two hours after it started, coming to a successful conclusion as our guests made their way out of Le Chalet to brave the New York City winter chill. Thank you to everyone who attended, and we look forward to bringing the legal community together at future AABANY events! To see more photos from the event, go here.
Jennifer Wu, Founding Partner at Groombridge, Wu, Baughman & Stone LLP, stands as a trailblazing figure in the legal profession. Her leadership style of empathy, advocacy, and innovation has redefined what it means to be a transformative leader in law. Throughout her career, Jennifer has achieved remarkable milestones while staying determined in her commitment to justice.
Her expanding list of accolades reflects a relentless pursuit of equality and excellence. From her work fighting for the rights of marginalized communities to her pioneering efforts in intellectual property litigation, Jennifer’s influence goes far beyond her legal achievements. She has become a beacon of hope and a source of inspiration for colleagues, mentees, and the communities she serves, proving that true leadership is about lifting others as you rise.
Jennifer’s dedication to her craft and her community is reflected in the diverse and prestigious awards she has received over the past year:
Jennifer’s growing list of awards is more than a reflection of her professional excellence; it is a testament to her dedication to justice and her ability to bridge communities through understanding and action.
Jennifer Wu’s journey as an advocate stems from her childhood experiences as the daughter of Taiwanese immigrants. From a young age, she took on the responsibility of helping her family navigate cultural and language barriers. “As an immigrant kid, you always have that,” she reflected. “Your mom needs you to ask for directions to a grocery store… or get on the phone to explain health insurance because their English was not as good.” These formative experiences shaped her lifelong dedication to helping others. This foundation of service became the cornerstone of her legal career and advocacy efforts.
This commitment to helping others informs Jennifer’s approach to her advocacy and legal career. Whether assisting families affected by anti-Asian violence or guiding immigrant clients through challenges, she treats each case as personally as if it involved her own family, “That is fundamentally just helping people as if they’re your own family.” For Jennifer, true success is measured by the lives she improves, not by the accolades she receives. Her dedication to treating clients with care and respect truly highlights her belief that advocacy is rooted in genuine human connection.
Jennifer’s leadership style is collaborative and empowering. She emphasizes creating an environment where others can grow and excel. “I don’t like to micromanage,” she said. “I want people to think for themselves and learn from their mistakes. That’s how you create leaders who can step up and take charge.” As a founding partner of her firm, Jennifer takes this mindset into every aspect of her work. “I walk into every room with the mindset of an owner,” she said. Her leadership philosophy demonstrates how empowering others and taking ownership can inspire teams.
One of the most touching examples of Jennifer’s advocacy is her work with Eva Zhao, the widow of Zhiwen Yan, a Queens delivery worker who was tragically murdered while on the job. After her husband’s death, Eva faced immense fear of deportation and struggled to support herself and her young children. Jennifer stepped in to offer both legal and practical assistance. Jennifer shared,“We’ve been helping her try to get her U visa.” A U Visa helps victims of serious crimes who have been hurt and are helping the police or authorities with their investigations. For Eva Zhao, whose husband Zhiwen Yan was tragically killed, this visa could protect her from deportation and provide her family with safety and stability. “The act of actually helping is the reward,” Jennifer emphasized. “The awards are just tokens; the relationships are what truly matter.”
Jennifer’s leadership attitude and authenticity were also evident at a recent event hosted by AABANY’s Women’s Committee on Monday, December 16, 2024, titled “Building Your Own House: Balthazar Breakfast with Jennifer Wu.” Held at Groombridge, Wu, Baughman & Stone LLP, the breakfast was an intimate gathering that allowed participants to hear Jennifer reflect on her journey. Moderated by Aileen Huang and Ananya Pillutla, associates at Groombridge, Wu, Baughman & Stone LLP, Jennifer discussed her career path, including her decision to create her own firm: a “house” where equity and inclusion thrive, with a partnership that is 50% women. To learn more about Jennifer’s recent breakfast event, click here.
Jennifer continues to redefine what it means to serve with integrity and exemplifies the power of using one’s platform for good. Her journey serves as an inspiration, proving that change begins when we lead with purpose and compassion.
On Saturday, January 11th, AABANY members had the opportunity to volunteer at AABANY’s Brooklyn Pro Bono Legal Clinic, hosted by the Chinese-American Planning Council. The Clinic was organized by AABANY’s Pro Bono and Community Service (PBCS) Committee, staffed by a dedicated team of attorney and non-attorney volunteers, offering free thirty-minute legal consultations for community members facing serious legal challenges. This was the first Clinic of the year, and volunteers met with 14 clients, who asked questions about divorce, immigration, and housing.
The Clinic facilitated a supportive and inclusive space for all in attendance. Attorneys were paired one-on-one with clients to carefully address their legal concerns, while interpreters ensured smooth communication for non-English speakers. Shadowers had the opportunity to sit in on attorney-client conversations, taking notes and learning from these real-world interactions. Through this collaborative effort, the Clinic demonstrated its ongoing commitment to fostering community involvement and empowering individuals.
With the current change of presidential administration, many immigrants are uncertain what will come next. As concerned public interest organizations, we want to protect and prepare our vulnerable clients the best we can. We greatly appreciate that immigration attorneys and legal services are taking their time to keep us updated with the law and providing accessible resources for our clients to know their rights. Please check out the Immigration Coalition’s website at https://www.nyic.org/ and Asian American Legal Defense Education Fund’s website at https://www.aaldef.org/ to learn more!
Thank you to our volunteer attorneys at the January 11 Brooklyn Pro Bono Clinic:
Volunteer Attorneys
Beatrice Leong
Gary Yeung
Kwok Kei Ng
May Wong
Victoria Cheng
Interpreters & Shadowers
Junjie Wang
Nandar Win Kerr
Kemy Parikh
Xiaocen Zhang
Shuyao (Sherry) Wang
If you’re interested in volunteering at future AABANY Pro Bono Clinics, please consider joining us at the following upcoming events:
February 5, 2024 [register here], from 6:00 – 8:30pm, One Flushing Community Center,133-29 41st Ave, 2nd Floor, Flushing, NY 11355
February 19, 2025 [register here], from 6:00 – 8:30pm, AAFE Community Center,111 Norfolk Street, NY, NY 10002
We hope to see you there and wish you a happy Lunar New Year!
To learn more about the Pro Bono & Community Service Committee, visit probono.aabany.org.
