Author: Apollo Baltazar

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Thank You to the Volunteers at the August Manhattan Pro Bono Clinic

Thank you to the Asian American Law Fund of New York (AALFNY), Asian Americans for Equality (AAFE), and AABANY’s Pro Bono & Community Service (PBCS) Committee, as well as our dedicated volunteers, for supporting our Manhattan Pro Bono Clinic on August 19, 2026.

Our volunteer attorneys and law students met with 21 clients to provide critical guidance on various legal issues, including housing, public benefits, family law, torts, immigration, trusts and estates, employment discrimination, and civil litigation. 

One happy client remarked, “Francis took the time to listen to my situation and explained everything clearly.”

We would like to extend our sincere gratitude to the following volunteers who attended:

Attorneys:
Sam Chen
Ivy Chien 
Francis Chin
Marcus Cheung  
Carmen Huang 
Justin Lee 
Beatrice Leong 
Susan Song
Gary Yeung 
Evelyn Yu

Interpreters/Shadowers:
Cheri Chibut
Michael Chu
Helen Ding
Emily Kam  
Nandar Win Kerr 
Alexandra Ly
Jingjing Wang 
Wendy Zeng
Shang Zhai

Thank you to our volunteers for your incredible service and for inspiring the Pro Bono & Community Service Committee.

We invite you to continue supporting our community by joining us at our upcoming Pro Bono Clinics:

– October 7 [Queens link here], from 6:30 – 8:30pm, AAFE One Flushing Community Center, 133-29 41st Ave, 2nd Floor, Flushing, NY 11355

– October 21 [Manhattan link here] from 6:30-8:30pm, AAFE, 111 Norfolk St., New York, NY 10002

–November 14 [ Brooklyn link here] from 12:30pm-2:30pm, CPC Brooklyn Community Service, 4101 8th Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11232


To learn more about our work, please visit probono.aabany.org. We look forward to seeing you at our upcoming sessions.

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Applications for the MinKwon Dream Scholarship Now Open!

MinKwon Center for Community Action was founded on the commitment and people power of young immigrants who wanted to build a more democratic world for themselves and their communities. As an organization, we believe that immigrants are a critical part of our society, regardless of immigration status.

MinKwon Center for Community Action’s DREAM Scholarship recognizes immigrant students with a strong record of community involvement, who also demonstrate financial need and a commitment to furthering their education.

Eligibility: We invite immigrant students ages 16–28 residing in New York or New Jersey with a demonstrated track record of volunteerism and civic engagement to apply. Applicants of all backgrounds are welcome to apply – this scholarship is open to students of all immigration statuses.

Deadline: Applications are due by 12:00 p.m. ET on September 30, 2026. 

Award: Four recipients will each receive a $2,000 scholarship.

Notification: Recipients will be notified by October 5, 2026.  

Award Ceremony: Scholarships will be presented at MinKwon Center’s 42nd Anniversary Gala Reception on October 22, 2026. 

For any questions, please contact Ju-Bum Cha at [email protected].

Click here to apply by September 30th!

Two Scholarships, $2,000 Each — Two Winners Per Award

Lee Kyoung Hui Scholarship: This scholarship is open to immigrant students dedicated to building stronger communities through volunteering and service. Special thank you to Ms. Lee Kyoung Hui for providing this scholarship and her continued commitment to supporting MinKwon’s work.

MinKwon Youth Scholarship: The MinKwon Youth Scholarship is open to all immigrant students who have participated in MinKwon’s Youth Empowerment Program (YEP) or Organizing Committee (OC).

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Rule of Law Lab and Berkeley Judicial Institute Issue Report on Threats to Federal Judicial Independence

In a democracy, criticism of court decisions is protected by the right to free expression. It can be vital for informing public debate. 

However, in recent years, threats of violence, intimidation, and disinformation directed at federal judges, and defiance of court orders have gone far beyond healthy criticism and are fundamentally threatening judicial independence. The volume, intensity, and character of recent attacks on federal judges is profoundly eroding the rule of law in the United States. 

Drawing on thirty-four interviews with an equal number of federal judges appointed by presidents of both major political parties and research of publicly available materials, this study assesses the four categories of threats identified in Chief Justice John Roberts’ Year End Report (2024) while situating them in historical perspective. It examines the impact of these threats on the federal bench and proposes recommendations for safeguarding the judicial independence that is a foundation of America’s constitutional order. 

To read the full report, click here.

This report was jointly issued by the Rule of Law Lab and the Berkeley Judicial Institute at UC Berkeley School of Law.

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NAPABA 2026 Convention Registration is Now Open!

November 12-14, 2026 | Los Angeles, CA

This November, we are convening in Los Angeles for what is shaping up to be the largest Convention in NAPABA history. We invite you to join thousands of attorneys, judges, law professors, law students, and industry professionals for three days of dynamic programming, meaningful connections, and inspiring experiences. The Convention offers something for every stage of your professional journey.

Become a member to save!

Members can save up to $675 on Convention registration. In addition to Convention savings, members enjoy year-round benefits such as access to Convention scholarships, exclusive programming, meaningful connections that move your career forward, and leadership opportunities.

If you’re planning to attend, now is the perfect time to renew or become a member and maximize your benefits. Become a member today. AABANY members can contact [email protected] to get your discount code (if you have not already done so).

Early-bird registration ends August 24. Join NAPABA and register to save!

Join or Renew Your Membership
Register for Convention

Housing Information

This year’s host hotel is the JW Marriott L.A. LIVE located at 900 W. Olympic Blvd. NAPABA has negotiated discounted sleeping room rates at the host hotel as well as five additional nearby properties. Discounted rates are only available for registrants. Complete your registration to get access to the booking links. View more information about our housing block here.

Speakers Announcement

NAPABA is thrilled to announce that Emmy Award-winning The Daily Show correspondent, stand-up comedian, and actor Ronny Chieng, and Min Jin Lee, acclaimed author of Pachinko, Free Food for Millionaires, and the forthcoming American Hagwon, will join us as headliners at the 2026 NAPABA Convention. With backgrounds in law, Ronny and Min Jin have become leading voices in entertainment and literature, respectively. They will share their distinctive perspectives on the intersections of immigration, culture, and the law.

RONNY CHIENG

MIN JIN LEE

Questions?

Additional information, housing details, and registration rates can be found on the NAPABA website. For further questions, email NAPABA at [email protected].

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New York Unified Court System Seeks Comment on Certification of Retired Justices of the Supreme Court

The Administrative Board of the Courts of the New York State Unified Court System seeks comment from persons who are able to evaluate the performance of the following Justices of the Supreme Court who are seeking certification to continue judicial service pursuant to N.Y. Const. Art. VI, §25(b) and Judiciary Law §115:

FIRST JUDICIAL DEPARTMENT
Hon. Tandra Dawson
SECOND JUDICIAL DEPARTMENT
Hon. Joseph Risi
FOURTH JUDICIAL DEPARTMENT
Hon. Louis Gigliotti
Hon. Debra Givens

In order to assist in its evaluation, the Board seeks comment on the following qualities and abilities of these judges:

  • Legal ability, including knowledge of the law, legal experience, legal scholarship, and writing.
  • Competence to perform the duties of the office, including organizational, management, and human relations skills; physical and mental health; and work ethic.
  • Judicial demeanor, integrity and character, and commitment to equal justice under law.

How to Comment: Any person wishing to offer comments relating to the performance of any of these candidates for certification or recertification may address written comments to David Nocenti, Counsel, by email to [email protected], with “2027 Certification – Public Comment” in the subject line. Comments may also be sent by postal mail to Counsel’s Office, 25 Beaver St., 10th Fl., New York, N.Y. 10004.

ALL COMMENTS RECEIVED WILL BE PROVIDED TO THE ADMINISTRATIVE BOARD AND OTHERWISE HELD IN STRICT CONFIDENCE. IN ORDER TO BE CONSIDERED, COMMENTS MUST BE RECEIVED NO LATER THAN JULY 17, 2026.

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MNAPABA and NAPABA Statement in Support of AANHPI and Immigrant Communities

For Immediate Release: January 19, 2026Contact: Rahat N. Babar, Deputy Executive Director

MINNEAPOLIS / WASHINGTON – The Minnesota Asian Pacific American Bar Association (MNAPABA) and the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) stand firmly in support of the Asian Pacific American and the broader immigrant communities in Minnesota. 

On Wednesday, January 7, a federal immigration enforcement agent in Minneapolis shot and killed Renee Good. We send our heartfelt condolences to her family and loved ones. Press reports indicate that a federal investigation of the tragedy is underway.

The horrific shooting has exacerbated the existing fear and apprehension within immigrant communities across the state, especially as the national discourse recently turned to disparaging comments against immigrants and refugees in Minnesota and elsewhere across the country. 

On Friday, January 16, Kaohly Her – the mayor of Saint Paul, Minnesota, and the first woman and first Asian American in the role – stated that her office “received reports of federal law enforcement officers going door-to-door asking people where the Asian people live right now in our very own city.”

The allegations in these reports are immensely disturbing. While the residents of Minnesota have the right to engage in First Amendment activities, and as the federal government increases its presence in the region, MNAPABA and NAPABA unequivocally oppose any instances of racial profiling by government enforcement agents, actions that are incompatible with the rule of law. Instead, such actions endanger the public and diminish trust in law enforcement. 

The Minneapolis–Saint Paul region has a vibrant Asian Pacific American community, including one of the largest Hmong populations in the nation. The diverse communities of immigrants and refugees add to the strength and rich tapestry of Minnesota.  Their dignity and constitutional rights must be respected.

For additional information, please see MNAPABA’s supplementary statement, which can be found here.

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The National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) represents the interests of more than 80,000 Asian Pacific American (APA) attorneys, judges, law professors, and law students, as well as over 90 national, state, and local APA bar associations. Founded in 1988, NAPABA promotes justice, equity, and opportunity for APA legal professionals and Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities. We foster professional development, advocacy, and community involvement.

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Request for Survey Participation: Understanding Homelessness and Housing Instability Among AANHPI Population

The Urban Institute, a nonprofit, nonpartisan social and economic policy research organization based in Washington, DC is conducting a study to understand the range of experiences related to precarious housing situations for Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islanders (AANHPIs). Building on Urban Institute’s ongoing research, Unlocking Wealth: Homeownership and Upward Mobility for AANHPIs, this study is funded by the Asian Real Estate Association of America (AREAA) and focuses on AANHPI individuals and families facing homelessness or housing instability.

If you are part of an organization that serves AANHPIs who experience housing instability or homelessness, please consider participating in this survey. This survey aims to document unmet needs, identify gaps in services and data systems, and provide insights to strengthen policies and practices that better support AANHPI communities experiencing housing challenges.

Ideally, the respondent should be someone who can speak to observed experiences of housing instability or homelessness within AANHPI communities. Participation is entirely voluntary. The survey takes approximately 15 minutes and includes questions focused on housing instability, culturally responsive service delivery, and gaps in existing support systems. Feel free to forward the survey link to anyone at your organization you think can speak on these topics. This survey closes on Friday, January 23rd.

You can learn more about the study and access the Voxco survey through the following link.

SURVEY LINK

If you have any questions about this study, please contact the principal investigator, Pear Moraras at [email protected]

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Apply Now: New York Legal Education Opportunity Program (NY LEO) 2026 Cohort Applications

The New York Legal Education Opportunity Program is designed to prepare students entering law school with the tools needed for academic success in law school. Through an intense five-week summer program, NY LEO assists college graduates in acquiring the fundamental and practical skills necessary to succeed in law school. The NY LEO Program is administered by the Honorable Kathie E. Davidson, Dean of the New York State Judicial Institute and Salihah R. Denman, J.D., LL.M., Director of NY LEO. All classes and activities are administered and implemented at the New York State Judicial Institute. Students live on the Judicial Institute’s campus and participate in the program full-time. Experienced law professors provide instruction in first-year law school core courses as well as in legal research, writing and analysis. As part of the program, NY LEO Fellows will also have the opportunity to visit courts in session and meet with members of the judiciary and other legal professionals.

Since 2007, the NY LEO Program has assisted college graduates who are from groups traditionally underrepresented in the law in acquiring the fundamental and practical skills necessary to succeed in law school. The program is available to qualified candidates who are residents of New York State. 

The December 1st and January 1st deadlines have passed, but please see below for the spring dates of Cohort Interviews and their application deadlines:

To learn more about the NY LEO and how to apply visit  http://ww2.nycourts.gov/attorneys/leo.

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NAPABA Announces: Register or Apply Now for ABA’s 2026 BLI & CBLA Leadership Programs

Application Deadline: Friday, February 27, 2026

Two premier ABA leadership development opportunities are now open for registration and applications! NAPABA members are encouraged to take advantage of these programs, consistently recognized for cultivating dynamic and effective bar leaders. Early-bird registration is available for both initiatives.

Bar Leadership Institute (BLI)

Chicago, IL | March 11–13, 2026

Designed for incoming bar leaders and presidents-elect, BLI offers training on governance, strategic planning, and bar leadership fundamentals.

TO REGISTER, CLICK HERE.

NAPABA Affiliate Discount Code: NAPABA40

Collaborative Bar Leadership Academy (CBLA)

Cleveland, OH | June 7–9, 2026

A joint initiative of NAPABA and national affinity bar partners, CBLA is an immersive leadership academy for attorneys dedicated to bar service and community impact.

TO APPLY, CLICK HERE.

These programs provide unmatched professional development, peer networking, and pathways to strengthen leadership within the legal profession. NAPABA encourages interested members to review eligibility details and submit applications early.

For questions about BLI or CBLA, contact us [email protected].

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Spring 2026 Legal Internship for Law Students with the New York Unified Court System

Legal internships in the New York State Courts are programs for law students to gain experience in public service. Interns research and analyze legal issues and are responsible for drafting orders, proofreading opinions, verifying citations, preparing jury charges, and verdict forms. The internship program provides hands-on experience, professional development, and opportunities to work on projects that promote access to justice. Legal Interns, appointed in the Civil Term by Justices of the Supreme Court, are assigned to Judges designated as Acting Supreme Court Justices. This internship position is assigned to Hon. Mary Lynn Nicolas-Brewster, Supreme Court Justice in Bronx County Supreme Court – Civil Term.

This is an unpaid, in-person, eight-week legal internship program for law students interested in becoming a judge or public interest attorney. Interns are expected to participate for 12 hours weekly. Legal interns will receive rare opportunities to develop legal research, oral advocacy, and writing skills. Additional features of the program include weekly lunch-and-learn sessions with attorneys and judges across practice areas, individualized mentorship, and practical advice for law school success. The Internship program is designed to be a pipeline program for law students interested in careers in the courts and public service. 

The in-person legal internship will be hosted from February 16, 2026, through April 10, 2026 (internship location – Bronx Supreme Court – Civil Term, 851 Grand Concourse, Bronx, New York). The application deadline is January 9, 2026.  

Interested students should email: [email protected].

  • The subject line should be “Legal Internship – Spring 2026″  
  • You must include the following documents as one attachment: 
    • A cover letter addressed to Hon. Mary Lynn Nicolas-Brewster, Acting Supreme Court Justice, Bronx  Supreme Court, Civil Term.
    • Please highlight previous public service work or work involving equal justice issues.
  • Your resume.
  •  A writing sample – please respond to the essay prompt below:  
    • ESSAY PROMPT: In this personal injury action involving a motor vehicle accident, Plaintiff has failed  to provide responses to discovery demands and Defendant ABC Holding has moved for an order  dismissing the action in accordance with the Court’s prior April 10, 2025 order. That self-executing  order granted dismissal of Plaintiff’s complaint unless within sixty (60) days of the order, Plaintiff  provided responses to Defendant ABC Holding’s discovery demands. The Court directed dismissal of  Plaintiff’s complaint, pursuant to CPLR 3126, if there was a failure to comply with its Order. Plaintiff  failed to provide the discovery contemplated by the April 10, 2025 order and Defendant ABC Holding  has now moved to dismiss the complaint based on Plaintiff’s failure to comply with this Court’s self executing order of dismissal issued on April 10, 2025. Please draft the analysis and  conclusion/determination section of the proposed decision and order (please limit to 500 words  or less). Please limit your research to First Department case law. 

We look forward to your participation.

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