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Thank You to Our Volunteers at the May 31st Pro Bono Clinic in Brooklyn

We extend our sincere gratitude to Volunteers, AABANY, Asian American Law Fund of New York (AALFNY), AABANY’s Pro Bono and Community Service (PBCS) Committee, and the Chinese-American Planning Council, for your invaluable contributions to the Pro Bono Legal Clinic held in Brooklyn on May 31, 2025. Thanks to your dedication, we were able to assist 21 clients with a wide range of legal concerns, including housing, matrimonial and family law, probate, personal injury, workers’ compensation, immigration, tax, business fraud, public benefits, and civil litigation.

Our volunteer attorneys and interpreters demonstrated exceptional patience and commitment in addressing client questions, offering guidance, and connecting them with further legal support through AABANY’s Legal Referral and Information Service (LRIS). We are proud to offer our services in both Mandarin and Cantonese, allowing us to continue our mission of providing crucial support to individuals facing linguistic or cultural barriers in accessing quality legal care.

Thank you to our volunteer attorneys at the May 31st Brooklyn Pro Bono Clinic:

Volunteer Attorneys
Francis Chin
Jenny Dai
Kwok Ng
Shuyao Wang
Yilan Wang
May Wong
Gary Yeung
Jungeun (Evelyn) Yu
Interpreters & Shadowers
Sam Chen
Jingjuan Guo
Nandar Win Kerr
Nikita Kohli
Samuel Liu
Albert Tong

We invite you to continue supporting our community by joining us at our upcoming pro bono clinics:

  • June 18 [Manhattan link here], from 6:30 – 8:30pm, AAFE Community Center, 111 Norfolk Street, NY, NY 10002 
  • July 12 [Brooklyn link here], from 12:30 – 3:30pm, CPC Brooklyn Community Services, 4101 8th Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11232
  • August 6 [Queens link here], from 6:30 – 8:30pm, One Flushing Community Center, 133-29 41st Ave, 2nd Floor, Flushing, NY 11355

We look forward to your participation in our future clinics! Have a wonderful weekend!

To learn more about the Pro Bono & Community Service Committee, visit probono.aabany.org.

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Thank You to Our Volunteers at the May 21st Pro Bono Clinic in Manhattan

We extend our sincere gratitude to AABANY, the Asian American Law Fund of New York (AALFNY), AABANY’s Pro Bono and Community Service (PBCS) Committee, Asian Americans for Equality (AAFE), and all the dedicated volunteers who contributed to the success of our Pro Bono Legal Clinic in Manhattan on May 21st, 2025.

During the clinic, our volunteers provided invaluable assistance to 10 clients, addressing a range of legal matters including housing, immigration, civil litigation, and nuisance issues. Our volunteer attorneys and interpreters thoughtfully addressed client concerns, offered clarity through their answers, and facilitated connections to appropriate legal resources via AABANY’s Legal Referral and Information Service (LRIS).

We are committed to offering services in both Mandarin and Cantonese to ensure continued support for individuals facing linguistic or cultural barriers when seeking guidance on substantive and procedural legal matters.

Thank you to our volunteer attorneys at the May 21st Manhattan Pro Bono Clinic:

Volunteer Attorneys
Ming Cheung
Francis Chin
Justin Lee
Beatrice Leong
Jasmine Sripa
Kenny Ip
Interpreters & Shadowers
Albert Tong
Collette Chang
Sisu Chou
Emily Kam
Kenny Ip

We invite you to join us for our upcoming pro bono clinics:

  • June 18 [Manhattan link here], from 6:30 – 8:30pm, AAFE Community Center, 111 Norfolk Street, NY, NY 10002 
  • July 12 [Brooklyn link here], from 12:30 – 3:30pm, CPC Brooklyn Community Services, 4101 8th Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11232
  • August 6 [Queens link here], from 6:30 – 8:30pm, One Flushing Community Center, 133-29 41st Ave, 2nd Floor, Flushing, NY 11355

We look forward to your participation in our future clinics! Have a wonderful weekend everyone!

To learn more about the Pro Bono & Community Service Committee, visit probono.aabany.org.

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AABANY Members and Friends March in the Fourth Annual AAPI Cultural and Heritage Parade

On Sunday, June 1, 2025, AABANY members and friends marched together in the Fourth Annual AAPI Cultural and Heritage Parade in Midtown Manhattan.

Around noon, our group gathered on West 44th Street and Sixth Ave near the New York City Bar Association building to line up for the parade. As everyone was arriving, the street filled with marchers anticipating the start of the procession, many practicing their dances, taking pictures with their groups, and enjoying conversation with the organizations around them.

As we did in last year’s parade, we wore matching red and new blue t-shirts, the front showcasing the AABANY logo and website link on the back pointing to the AABANY Pro Bono website. To attract more attention, AABANY Immediate Past President Joseph Eng Jr., along with his son Max and friends from Summit, NJ, brought a Chinese lion head and a drum to perform a traditional Chinese Lion Dance during the parade. While waiting for the parade to begin, other marchers took pictures with the lion and enjoyed the music and dance as Joe, Max, and friends practiced for their performance. They also taught any willing members of our group how to do a lion dance and play the drums.

In-House Counsel Committee Co-Chair Jack Chen came with his son Cameron, who led AABANY marchers with his spirited dance moves, walking in front of the AABANY group. 

Around 1:30 pm, we saw the floats in the front begin to move, and excitement rose among our group as our time to march in the parade drew near. Once we reached the entry point on Sixth Avenue, the drum was beating and the sun was shining, making it the perfect time to walk along the avenue with pride. Everyone was enjoying the 10-block march, especially as we got to see the performances of other groups and the fancy fast cars that formed the procession.

After the parade, several of the participants enjoyed a family-style lunch at Tang Pavilion on West 55th Street. The delicious meal at Tang Pavilion hit the spot, capping off a gorgeous Sunday for a parade along Sixth Avenue, making up for the long wait for the parade to start.

Thanks to everyone who marched with AABANY, and thanks especially to Joe, his son Max, and their friends, who provided the lion dance for our group. Special kudos go to Cameron for so enthusiastically leading from the front in his Captain America outfit!

To see more photos from the event, go here.

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GSPI and Judiciary Committees Co-Sponsor “A Legacy of Leadership and Resilience: Then and Now in the Context of Korematsu and Thind”

On May 20, 2025, the GSPI and Judiciary Committees co-sponsored “A Legacy of Leadership and Resilience: Then and Now in the Context of Korematsu and Thind” in conjunction with the Queens County Women’s Bar Association (QCWBA) and the Equal Justice in the Courts Committee (QSC-EJIC).  The event featured Queens Supreme Court Justice Karen Lin, QCWBA President Preet Gill, Court Attorney Liman Mimi Hu, Queens Civil Court Judge Soma Syed, St. John’s University School of Law Professor Philip Lee, and Associate Law Clerk Johnny Thach.  Welcome remarks also included Queens Supreme Court Justice Frederick D.R. Sampson and Judge Shahabuddeen A. Ally, Administrative Judge of the Civil Court of the City of New York.
 
In celebration of AANHPI Heritage Month in May, the event highlighted three landmark cases in American history on race, civil rights, and belonging: United States v. Thind, Gong Lum v. Rice, and Korematsu v. United States.  Thind was a 1923 case which held that Thind, an Indian man who served for the U.S. in World War I, was not Caucasian and therefore ineligible for naturalized citizenship.  Lum was a 1927 case that upheld racial segregation and denied admission to a Chinese American nine-year-old student to an all-white school district.  Korematsu was a 1944 case that upheld the conviction of a Japanese American man for violating an exclusion order mandating people of Japanese ancestry, including Japanese Americans, to be incarcerated in internment camps under suspicions, with no factual basis, of being enemy aliens involved in espionage and sabotage.
 
The featured speakers, divided in teams, examined each case through multiple lenses: the historical background around each case, the remarkable individuals who stood for justice and challenged exclusionary and racist policies and laws at the time, the holding of each case, and what transpired after.  Professor Lee emphasized the theme of Asian Americans as “perpetual foreigners” and the construction of race in the context of racial triangulation.
 
The event was well-attended with over 100 people.  Momos from Bajeko Sekuwa and bubble tea from YAAAS Tea were provided as food and refreshments.  Thank you to the speakers, organizers, co-sponsors, and attendees.  Click here to learn more and join the GSPI Committee and here to learn more and join the Judiciary Committee.

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In the News: Johnny Thach Shares His Journey from Laundromat to Principal Law Clerk 

In a recent Queens Daily Eagle feature, reporter Noah Powelson profiles Johnny Thach, principal law clerk to Civil Term Supreme Court Justice Karen Lin. The article traces Thach’s inspiring journey from growing up in a working-class immigrant family in Elmhurst to becoming a first-generation college and law school graduate. As a child of Vietnamese immigrants, Thach spent much of his youth helping his mother run their family laundromat. That experience shaped his understanding of the challenges immigrant communities face and fueled his drive to pursue a legal career.

“When you are growing up in an immigrant family, it’s often very difficult because that road really isn’t paved for you,” Thach told the Eagle. Now serving in the courts, he supports Judge Lin in assisting litigants and mediating legal disputes, while staying deeply connected to the community through pro bono work and his involvement with the Asian American Bar Association of New York, where he serves as one of the Government Service and Public Interest Committee Co-Chairs. “I’m just trying to be as involved in the community as much as possible and give back,” he said.

Congratulations to AABANY member Johnny Thach on this well-deserved recognition!

To read the full article, click here.

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Federal Public Defender Vacancy – Extension of application period until June 13, 2025

The United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit invites applications from qualified candidates for the position of Federal Public Defender for the Northern District of New York.

The term of office is four years, with potential for appointment to successive terms. If you applied earlier, there is no need to re-submit your application. The extension deadline to submit an application is June 13, 2025.

For announcement, please click here. For application, please click here.

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Register for the 2025 Judge Thomas Tang and Dr. Pearl Tang Moot Court (TTMC) Competition!

NAPABA Law Foundation (NLF) is excited to invite you to register for the 2025 Thomas Tang Moot Court Competition!   

The Judge Thomas Tang and Dr. Pearl Tang Moot Court Competition is an appellate advocacy competition sponsored annually by the NAPABA Law Foundation. The purpose of this Competition is to help law students develop advocacy skills and to foster legal talents of the future.

The Competition was founded in 1993 and is named in honor of the late Honorable Thomas Tang, a respected jurist who served on the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit from 1977 until his passing in 1995. 

This prestigious moot court competition is an incredible opportunity for law students to develop their advocacy skills and engage in complex international legal issues. Whether you’re a seasoned competitor, coach, volunteer or judge, or just starting your journey in moot court, the 2025 TTMC promises to be an exciting and enriching experience. 

Register a law school team here

For assistance in seeking sponsorship to compete, please send an email to thomastangmootcourt@gmail.com. 

Key details:

  • Problem Release: August 1, 2025
  • Registration Closes: September 10, 2025
  • Brief Submission Deadline: October 3, 2025
  • Regional Rounds: In person at the U.S. of International Trade in New York City, NY (October 17, 2025) and Zoom (October 18, 2025) (with the first 12 teams who register to participate and the remainder to compete via zoom).
  • National Competition at the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association Annual Conference: Denver, CO, on November 7-8, 2025.

Stay updated by registering for competition notifications here. 

Follow the TTMC Competition LinkedIn Page for real-time updates and important announcements. 

Visit the National Law Foundation (NLF) website for more information on the competition and other exciting initiatives.

Check out the Thomas Tang Moot Court webpage for updated rules, registration, and this year’s moot court problem when available.

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AABANY Co-Sponsors “Asian Americans in Public Service”

On May 18, 2025, AABANY members from the Government Service & Public Interest Committee (GSPI) and the Pro Bono & Community Service Committee (PBCS), along with other co-sponsors, attended “Asian Americans in Public Service” in the Clinton G. Martin Park Main Room in New Hyde Park, Nassau County. 

The event featured an engaging and thoughtful panel discussion by judges, a court officer, court attorneys, a court clerk, a town councilwoman, and other professionals, who shared their diverse paths and journeys to entering public service as Asian Americans.  Each of the panelists shared what led them to become an attorney in public service, often invoking their immigrant backgrounds and upbringings in their journeys. 

The panelists also imparted valuable advice about becoming a lawyer, attending law school, and entering public interest and government service work.  Among the advice given were to be comfortable with being uncomfortable, being open-minded and to take advantage of opportunities, and building and cultivating your network, using your voice and being engaged in your community. 

The event highlighted the profound impact of representation, as Asian Americans in public service roles are largely underrepresented. The event was well-attended and brought together community members, families, youth, and the volunteers who helped to organize the event.

Thanks to all the AABANY leaders who took part in the event, and thanks to all the co-sponsoring organizations as well as the attendees.

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AABANY Membership Committee Co-Sponsors Outing to Celebrate AAPI Heritage Month with the Mets

AABANY Membership Committee led a group to Citi Field on May 14th, 2025, to catch the Mets in action on AAPI Heritage night!

The Mets featured local Asian musicians, artists and lion dancers performing throughout the night. The fans heard the familiar “Take Me Out of the Ballgame” on a on a pipa, a traditional Chinese instrument.

The attendees also received a limited edition Mets/ AAPI Hat.


When rain started to fall, the group of 16 attendees went up to the Heineken Lounge to dry off. The rain eventually let up in the later innings, which was a welcome relief. Despite the rain and the loss, attendees had a great time at the ballpark!

Let’s go, Mets!

We thank Membership, Government Service & Public Interest, Litigation, Solo & Small Firm, Young Lawyers, and Women’s Committees for co-sponsoring!

Thanks to our sponsor, EcoScribe.

 If you need a process server, translation services, transcriptions or depositions, email Cynthia Kaplan 

cynthia@ecoscribesolutions.com

  • Leading the Industry in Remote Deposition Technology for Over a Decade.
  • Eco-friendly Court Reporting and Litigation Services With a Reduced Carbon Footprint
  • Lower Cost Solutions Without Compromise
  • Strong Worldwide Network with Compatible Partnerships.
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SAIL Scholarship Program: Applications Now Being Accepted

Deadline: June 30, 2025, by 5:00 p.m. ET

The NAPABA Law Foundation is accepting applications for the prestigious SAIL Scholarship Program—a unique opportunity designed to support and empower the next generation of leaders in the legal profession.

This scholarship provides more than just financial aid—recipients receive:

  • $7,500 in financial support (split evenly between their 2L and 3L years)
  • Private mentorship from legal professionals
  • Exclusive networking opportunities with executive-level leaders

Who Should Apply? Current 1L students (rising 2Ls in Fall 2025) who demonstrate:

  • Academic excellence (undergraduate and 1L performance)
  • Leadership experience and a “pay it forward” mindset
  • Volunteerism or service in the public interest
  • Knowledge of or commitment to impacting AAPI communities

This is a rare opportunity to receive ongoing support throughout law school—both financially and professionally—while building a foundation for a legal career rooted in service and leadership.

Do you know an outstanding first year law student? Please encourage your standout 1L students to apply.

Students: Review the SAIL Scholarship FAQ to understand eligibility and expectations before submitting your application.

Let the SAIL Scholarship help launch your journey to making a meaningful impact.

Please share this great opportunity with your networks.

Apply Now

Meet the 2024 SAIL Scholarship Recipient | Jennifer Shim

Jennifer Shim, a second-year law student at the University of Arizona James E. Rogers College of Law, was selected as the 2024 SAIL Scholar. A first-generation Korean American from New York City, Jennifer was recognized for her exceptional leadership, academic achievement, and commitment to public service.

Through the SAIL Scholarship, Jennifer is receiving mentorship, leadership development, and $7,500 to support her legal education.

“Jennifer shows great promise as a leader who gives generously of her time and effort to the broader community. We could not be more delighted to help her as she completes her academic work and becomes part of the next generation of leaders in our profession,” said Ivan Fong, who, with his wife Sharon, endowed the NLF SAIL Scholarship Program.

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