On October 16, 2025, AABANY’s Corporate Law Committee, In-House Counsel Committee, Mentorship Committee, and Government Service and Public Interest Committee, in collaboration with Citizens Private Bank, held Pickleball Night at Gotham Pickle (5-25 46th Ave., Long Island City, New York 11101). The event brought together professionals and AABANY members for an evening of networking, community building, and fun competition and conversation.
The event welcomed both seasoned players and first-time pickleball enthusiasts, creating an inclusive atmosphere where attendees learned together and competed in friendly matches. The event provided a unique opportunity for members to connect outside the traditional professional setting, while enjoying one of the fastest-growing sports in the country.
Brandon Martinez from Gotham Pickle coached our group and taught us about the no-volley zone or the “kitchen,” serving in doubles, the two-bounce rule, keeping score, and best practices and strategy to win a rally.
Throughout the evening, the players rotated between courts and teams to allow for a mix of playing experience and so that people were able to meet new people, helping to foster meaningful connections among peers from diverse practice areas and career stages. Each game went to 11, and the players with the most wins reached the finals.
Huge congratulations to Alysha Naik and Don Liu for reaching the finals and winning the prizes!
Special thanks to Citizens Private Bank for their support! Citizens Private Banking offers a personal, relationship-driven approach to managing wealth. Every client is paired with a dedicated relationship manager who takes the time to understand their goals, priorities, and financial vision.
Private Banking clients benefit from:
- Dedicated Relationship Managers who provide proactive, one-on-one guidance.
- Custom Lending Solutions for real estate, investments, and liquidity needs.
- Comprehensive Wealth Strategies, in partnership with our investment and planning specialists.
- Priority Service and Access to exclusive products and premium benefits.
With Citizens, private banking isn’t just about managing assets – it’s about building a trusted partnership that grows with each client over time.
To learn more, connect with Steve Shin, Private Banker (steve.shin@citizensprivatebank.com).
Additional thanks to Rokstar Chicken for catering from their location at 42-02 Northern Blvd., Long Island City, NY 11101 (in front of Food Bazaar Supermarket).
To learn more about the Corporate Law Committee, click here. To learn more about the In-House Counsel Committee, click here. To learn more about the Mentorship Committee, click here. To learn more about the Government Service and Public Interest Committee, click here. To stay informed about all upcoming events hosted by these committees, as well as other exciting AABANY events, we encourage you to visit the calendar on AABANY’s website for the latest information.
If you aren’t an AABANY member yet – consider joining! AABANY membership allows you access to many more events like this one, and also free or discounted admission. Please see this page to learn more about member benefits, and sign up on AABANY’s website.
Thank you to everyone for joining us at the Pickleball Night. We hope to see you again at a future event soon.
Written by Johnny Thach, Co-Chair, Government Service and Public Interest Committee.