AABANY’s Labor & Employment Law Committee and Issues Committee Host “Navigating DEI Into 2026: Practical Takeaways & Industry Observations” CLE Program

On March 25, 2026, AABANY’s Labor & Employment Law Committee, with co-sponsorship from the Issues Committee, hosted a timely and thought‑provoking CLE program, Navigating DEI Into 2026: Practical Takeaways & Industry Observations, at Littler Mendelson P.C. in New York City.

The program featured Rachel Lee, President and General Counsel of Stand With Asian Americans and Co‑Chair of AABANY’s Issues Committee, who shared insights on the evolving legal and cultural landscape surrounding diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts.  Rachel drew from her work with organizations seeking to build and sustain inclusive workplaces amid shifting regulatory and societal expectations.  She also offered practical, compliant strategies for fostering inclusive work environments in the years ahead.

The discussion was moderated by Jennifer Kim of Littler Mendelson, Chair of AABANY’s Labor & Employment Law Committee, who guided the conversation and facilitated audience engagement on the real‑world challenges employers and practitioners face when navigating DEI initiatives.

Attendees earned 1.0 NY CLE credit in Diversity, Inclusion, and Elimination of Bias and benefited from an engaging exchange of ideas that balanced legal guidance with practical application. The Committees thank Rachel Lee, the Professional Development Committee, and all attendees for making this program a success.

If you are interested in attending future Labor & Employment Law Committee or Issues Committee events, please check the AABANY calendar.

– Written by Shreya Mantrala, Vice Chair of the Labor & Employment Law Committee

AABANY Committees Celebrate the End of FY26 at Inter-Committee Happy Hour

On March 30, 2025, AABANY’s Military & Veterans Affairs (MVA), Commercial Bankruptcy & Restructuring (CB&R), and Young Lawyers (YLC) Committees co-hosted a lively happy hour at Sling Bar in Urban Hawker Midtown, celebrating the end of fiscal year ’26.

The event brought together AABANY members and non-members for an evening of networking and camaraderie over margaritas, beers, gyozas, and sushi rolls. Attendees included both long-time members and first-time participants, creating a dynamic and welcoming atmosphere.

Throughout the evening, colleagues reconnected and new relationships were formed, with conversations spanning diverse practice areas, career paths, and shared professional experiences. Many attendees also took the opportunity to exchange ideas and perspectives on programming and initiatives for the upcoming fiscal year.

The Committees look forward to building on this momentum and continuing to foster meaningful connections within the AABANY community in FY27.

To learn more about the Military & Veterans Affairs Committee, please visit this page. To learn more about the Commercial Bankruptcy & Restructuring Committee, please visit this page. To learn more about the Young Lawyers Committee, please visit this page. Upcoming events from the Committees can be found on the calendar of AABANY website.

—Written by Jameson Xu, Co-Chair of AABANY’s Young Lawyers Committee