WASHINGTON – On the evening of Saturday, April 25, an armed individual attempted to attack a dinner event hosted by the White House Correspondents’ Association in Washington, DC. The National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) unequivocally condemns this act of violence. We are grateful for the bravery, professionalism, and swift action of law enforcement, including the officer who was shot, and that the President and all those who attended the event are safe.
An investigation of the shooting remains pending. The U.S. Attorney announced that the perpetrator will face federal criminal charges, and the Acting U.S. Attorney General—at this preliminary stage—advised that the perpetrator likely targeted members of the administration, including the President.
The event was intended to celebrate the First Amendment. Though an investigation behind the motivations of this shooting is ongoing, our constitutional democracy and the rule of law depend on the peaceful resolution of our differences, whether through robust and vigorous debate, our institutions like the judiciary, or the ballot box. Violence, whether motivated by political animus, hate, or otherwise, is antithetical to our core values as a community and as a Nation.
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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. They foster professional development, advocacy, and community involvement.
NAPABA is proud to share a collection of multilingual immigration law resources designed to support the Asian American and Pacific Islander community (AAPI). The resources, which are available here, address “What to Know at Home” and “What to Know at the Airport” in the event of interactions with immigration enforcement authorities.
Originally produced by experts at the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA), the resources are now available in Chinese, English, Hindi, Hmong, Korean, Tagalog, and Vietnamese—expanding access to critical educational information in the languages our communities speak and understand.
These complimentary materials are available to our members, our over 90 affiliate and national bar organizations, and to the public.
NAPABA is grateful to our national partners at the National Conference of Vietnamese American Attorneys (NCVAA), the National Korean American Bar Association (NKABA), the National Filipino American Lawyers Association (NFALA), and the Hmong American Bar Association for their generous time and efforts in ensuring quality and accuracy in the translations.
NAPABA and our partners are committed to providing timely educational resources for our members, affiliates, and the many vibrant AANHPI communities we all serve.
Questions? Please contact NAPABA’s Advocacy and Policy Team at [email protected].
Disclaimer: The information provided and in any associated attachments is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute legal or other professional advice. It is not intended to create, and receipt of it does not establish, an attorney-client relationship. This information should not be relied upon as a substitute for legal or other professional advice tailored to your specific circumstances and may not be used to avoid penalties under law.
On Saturday, April 11, armed with stacks of flyers and information, volunteers fanned out across Chinatown in pairs to distribute flyers for AABANY’s upcoming Pro Bono Clinics in Manhattan. The Clinics provide brief in-person legal consultations in Mandarin and Cantonese, ensuring that language barriers or lack of internet access don’t stand in the way of justice.
Legal issues can be daunting, but a friendly face and a flyer in your native language can make all the difference. By walking the blocks of the “heart of Chinatown,” volunteers were able to engage directly with small business owners and residents, answer immediate questions about clinic schedules, and bridge the gap between the legal profession and the communities AABANY serves.
After volunteers distributed the flyers, they enjoyed delicious dim sum at the world famous Golden Unicorn.
Thank you to our volunteers:
Philip Han Arthur Lin Alexandra Ly Zhibiao Patrick Peng Mark Garner Wendy Zeng Helen Ding Xinyue Zhu Carmen Huang
and PBCS Co Chairs Gary Yeung Beatrice Leong
To learn more about the Pro Bono and Community Service (PBCS) Committee click here.
Below are some of the upcoming Pro Bono Clinics expected to take place across the Manhattan, Queens, and Brooklyn boroughs. We encourage volunteer attorneys and students to attend, support and help expand access to justice in our communities.
On April 2, 2026, the Brooklyn Daily Eagle published an article covering the Brooklyn Bar Association (BBA)’s inaugural Lunar New Year Celebration, which the Asian American Bar Association of New York (AABANY) participated in as a co-sponsor.
The event, which drew more than 200 members of Brooklyn’s legal community, honored two distinguished AAPI legal professionals: Hon. Peggy Kuo, U.S. Magistrate Judge for the Eastern District of New York, and Kin Ng, Esq., Bureau Chief of Trial Bureau II at the Kings County District Attorney’s Office. Both honorees are also AABANY members. Kin co-founded AABANY’s Prosecutors Committee. The honorees were recognized for their decades of exemplary service and their contributions to the Asian American community.
The article highlights remarks from both honorees. Judge Kuo reflected on the personal significance of being honored in Brooklyn, alluding to A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, a book she loved to read as a child. The article also touches on Judge Kuo’s candid reflection on the challenges she faced in forging her own path in public service. Judge Kuo noted that she had to “find her own way” without a “playbook or a script.”
Kin Ng spoke to the transformative growth of AAPI representation in the Kings County DA’s office over the past three decades. He recalled that in 1991 there were only six Asian ADAs with no seniors or managers out of a staff of 600. Today, there are more than 50. He emphasized that “diversity matters” and is a “source of strength.”
For the complete coverage on the evening and extraordinary careers of the honorees, read the full article in the Brooklyn Daily Eaglehere.
The Administrative Board of the Courts is soliciting public comment on six proposed amendments to New York court rules. The six proposed rule changes are outlined below and open for public comment:
Request for Public Comment on a proposal to add a new 22 NYCRR § 202.16-d relating to the filing of papers in matrimonial actions[Comments due May 8].
A new rule (22 NYCRR § 202.16-d) would require the Supreme Court to promptly deliver all papers in matrimonial actions including judgments of divorce, ancillary orders, and post-disposition documents directly to the county clerk instead of entrusting original papers to attorneys or litigants to file. The proposal addresses a documented problem in some courts outside New York City where unfiled or late-filed papers have made it difficult for parties to enforce divorce judgments on matters like child support, custody, and equitable distribution. To read more click here.
Request for Public Comment on a proposal to amend 22 NYCRR §§ 206.3 and 206.26 to authorize the Presiding Judge of the Court of Claims to refer matters to a judicial hearing officer in certain circumstances [Comments due May 8].
The proposal would amend 22 NYCRR §§ 206.3 and 206.26 to authorize the Presiding Judge of the Court of Claims to refer matters to a judicial hearing officer (JHO) upon the consent of the parties, on a judge’s recommendation, or on the Presiding Judge’s own initiative. The change is driven by the surge of cases filed under the Adult Survivors Act which includes approximately 1,700 civil claims against state agencies, more than 1,500 of them against the Department of Corrections and Community Supervision. Many of these cases are now approaching trial readiness, and retired Court of Claims judges serving as JHOs would help manage the resulting backlog. To read more click here.
Request for Public Comment on a proposal to add two new rules to authorize e-filing in the City Courts outside New York City and the District Courts [Comments due May 8].
Two new rules (22 NYCRR §§ 210.4-a and 212.4-a) would extend mandatory e-filing via NYSCEF to the City Courts outside New York City and the District Courts. This follows last year’s expansion of mandatory e-filing to the Supreme Court (Civil Term), NYC Civil Court, and the Court of Claims. The proposed rules mirror the framework adopted for NYC Civil Court and preserve exemptions for self-represented litigants and attorneys without e-filing capability. Immediate plans call for rolling out NYSCEF to the 11 City Courts in the 9th Judicial District. To read more click here.
Request for Public Comment on a proposal to ensure that summary housing proceedings involving the Red Hook Houses will continue to be adjudicated at the Red Hook Community Justice Center [Comments due May 8].
Amendments to 22 NYCRR §§ 208.42 and 208.43 would remove the requirement that NYCHA be a party to a proceeding in order for housing cases involving the Red Hook Houses to be heard at the Red Hook Community Justice Center. The change is prompted by the Red Hook West Houses’ ongoing conversion under the federal RAD/PACT program, which will transfer day-to-day management to a private LLC. Without the amendment, those cases would shift to Brooklyn Housing Court — a result that local judges and advocates say would deprive residents of the community court’s integrated social services, which have eliminated evictions among participating residents since 2022. To read more click here.
Request for Public Comment on a proposal to amend 22 NYCRR Part 137 relating to the Attorney-Client Fee Dispute Resolution Program, to increase certain threshold monetary amounts [Comments due May 15].
Proposed amendments to 22 NYCRR Part 137 would raise two monetary thresholds in New York’s Fee Dispute Resolution Program: the maximum amount in dispute (absent party consent) would increase from $50,000 to $75,000, and the threshold triggering a three-arbitrator panel would rise from $10,000 to $20,000. The $50,000 cap has been in place since 2002; adjusted for inflation it would be roughly $91,500 today. Program caseloads have dropped 38% over the past decade even as average disputed amounts have grown, a trend the Board of Governors attributes in part to the eroding value of the cap. To read more click here.
Request for Public Comment on a proposal to amend Commercial Division Rule 14 regarding good faith consultations on discovery disputes [Comments due May 22].
The Commercial Division Advisory Council proposes revising Rule 14 of the Commercial Division Rules (22 NYCRR § 202.70) to strengthen and modernize its good-faith consultation requirements for discovery disputes. Key changes would require counsel to make a “thorough, good-faith” effort to resolve or narrow disputes before contacting the court; submit a formal certification (rather than a mere representation) detailing the date, manner, participants, results, and whether cost-shifting or proportionality alternatives were discussed; and allow courts to deny discovery motions filed without satisfying the rule. The revisions align Rule 14 with Uniform Civil Rule 202.20-f and draw on the recently adopted Texas Business Court rules. To read more click here.
How to comment: Written comments may be submitted by email to [email protected] or by mail to David Nocenti, Esq., Counsel, Office of Court Administration, 25 Beaver Street, 10th Floor, New York, NY 10004. Comments are public records subject to disclosure under the Freedom of Information Law.
All six proposals, along with supporting memoranda and proposed rule text, are available on the UCS public comment page. Submission of a proposal for comment does not constitute an endorsement by the Unified Court System or the Office of Court Administration.
Justice Karen Lin, a longtime member of AABANY and former Co-Chair of the Pro Bono and Community Service Committee (PBCS), has been appointed to the Appellate Term for the Second Department of the New York State Supreme Court. This appointment marks a historic milestone as Justice Lin is the first Asian American woman to serve in this role. As a lifelong public servant and sitting Second Department Justice, she brings decades of experience and a deep commitment to justice to one of the most impactful appellate tribunals for everyday New Yorkers.
Breaking Barriers: The Significance of “the First” Justice Lin’s appointment to the Appellate Term for the Second Department carries historic significance. Yet, for Justice Lin, the meaning of this milestone is inseparable from the community that shaped her.
Born and raised in Queens by her immigrant parents, Justice Lin’s story is rooted in the borough she now serves. At a time when Asian Americans were significantly underrepresented in both civic and professional spaces within Queens County, her early experiences acutely instilled in her a heightened awareness of the importance of being seen and heard. As a child, she recalls helping interpret for her parents who spoke limited English. She also recalls attending school events where she was one of the few Asian American faces in the room. These moments made her realize the significance of representation, or the lack thereof. Coupled with her parents’ tireless work ethic and emphasis on community, these experiences profoundly shaped her sense of justice and responsibility to her community.
Despite Asian Americans comprising more than 27 percent of the population in Queens, they have historically remained underrepresented on the bench. While precise figures vary by dataset, estimates by the Brooklyn Daily Eagle suggest that fewer than 10 percent of judges in Queens County identify as Asian. This number is even lower statewide as according to the New York State Unified Court System’s 2024 Judicial Demographics Report, only about 5 percent of judges statewide identify as Asian. These figures highlight the persistent gap between the Asian American community and their representation within the judiciary.
For Justice Lin, the awareness of this disparity came into sharper focus back in 2022, when she grappled with these demographic realities during her campaign for Queens Civil Court. She recognized both the urgency and the responsibility to step forward.
Now, in 2026, as Justice Lin assumes her role on the Appellate Term, she reflects on both the progress made and the work that remains. While her appointment marks a historic milestone, Justice Lin is candid about what the broader implications of her distinction as “the first” means.
“We shouldn’t still be talking about ‘firsts’ in 2026,” she notes. “It matters to break that ceiling—but it matters even more that we are not the only ones.” Justice Lin maintains that her appointment is part of a larger trajectory which she hopes will continue to open doors for others who will follow and ultimately surpass her.
“I may be the first,” she reflects, “but I certainly do not want to be the last. And I won’t.”
Diversity and Perspective at the Appellate Term In her run for the Queens Civil Court in 2022, Justice Lin noted, “The air in the room changes depending on who is in it.” Now, as Justice Lin assumes her seat at the Appellate Term for the Second Department, she brings her philosophy into a new and vastly different judicial environment.
The nature of judging at the appellate level is necessarily collaborative. Rather than presiding over a single courtroom, justices at the Appellate Term engage in a rigorous discussion of the law. The presence or absence of diverse perspectives can play a significant role in the nature of judicial decision-making.
“The lens through which we interpret the law is shaped by our lived experiences,” Justice Lin explains. “It matters who is in that room.”
The Appellate Term occupies a uniquely consequential position within New York’s judicial system. For many New Yorkers navigating housing disputes, consumer debt matters, and low-level criminal cases arising from the Civil Court and Criminal Court, the Appellate Term often represents the primary avenue for reviewing decisions made in those courts. As such, this court plays a critical role in ensuring public confidence in the fairness and legitimacy of the judicial process and of everyday challenges faced by many families and individuals. Justice Lin approaches this responsibility with a deep awareness of the communities served by the court. As a lifelong Queens native and an experienced legal professional, Justice Lin brings a grounded perspective to the bench and seeks to ensure that the appellate review is conducted with both rigor and awareness.
A Jurist Grounded in Care From civil rights attorney to legislative counsel, from Housing Court Judge to Court Attorney-Referee in Surrogate’s Court, Justice Lin has been guided by a single constant: care.
Justice Lin’s decade as a court attorney referee in Surrogate’s Court, where she handled sensitive guardianship matters, reinforced the centrality of due process, particularly for vulnerable individuals. In those proceedings, she understood the risks of presuming incapacity based solely on diagnosis or circumstance. Instead, she stresses that every individual is entitled to a meaningful hearing where their voice is heard.
This philosophy carried directly into Justice Lin’s work on the trial bench, where she implemented practices designed to make the courtroom more accessible. For example, she required in-person appearances in certain matters involving self-represented litigants, recognizing that virtual proceedings—while efficient—can inadvertently exclude individuals who lack access to technology or familiarity with digital platforms. In-person appearances allowed her to better assess credibility, clarify the relief being sought, provide language support, offer flexible scheduling, promote accessibility for litigants with disabilities, and ensure that litigants could express themselves in their own words. Similarly, her practice of inviting court users to indicate their preferred pronouns reinforces the principle that every individual who enters the courtroom is entitled to be treated with respect.
To illustrate, Justice Lin described a family conflict case she dealt with where a father passed away, leaving his home to only two of his children and excluding the others. Justice Lin guided the family through structured discussion by helping each member articulate concerns and expectations by meeting with them individually. This ultimately fostered a mediated resolution that balanced the legal framework with the opportunity for members of the family to retain some control over their outcome. In the end, the siblings reached an agreement to divide the home equally among all of the children.
“The court cannot advocate,” she notes, “but it can ensure fairness, dignity, and that due process is fully respected.”
A Career Defined by Purpose Long before she entered the legal field, Justice Lin was already cultivating an ethos of advocacy at the University at Buffalo. As an undergraduate, she noticed that Asian American history and experiences were largely absent from the curriculum. Determined to address this gap, she petitioned the history department to introduce a course on Asian American history which had never previously been offered. Simultaneously, she co-founded the University’s Asian American student organization, the Asian American Students Association (AASA) and served as its first president where she organized cultural programming and panel discussions to highlight the contributions of Asian Americans on campus. These initiatives included guest lectures, heritage month celebrations, and workshops that engaged the broader student body in conversations about diversity and inclusion. Reflecting on these formative years of her life, Justice Lin noted, “I wanted students like me to see themselves in the stories being told and to have a community where our voices mattered.”
A couple years later, Justice Lin championed these same values through her leadership with AABANY’s Pro Bono and Community Service Committee (PBCS), where she served as Co-Chair. During the COVID-19 pandemic, when the need for legal services increased significantly, she played an instrumental role in promoting access to legal services by expanding Pro Bono Clinics to underserved communities in Queens. Building on this work, Justice Lin highlights that meaningful legal assistance requires the ability to communicate effectively, especially with individuals who struggle to find services in a language they understand. She speaks of her time with PBCS, describing it as the “best committee ever” and her service as both a “great joy and privilege.” Additionally, she praises AABANY’s Pro Bono Clinics as an invaluable resource for individuals with limited English proficiency.
Ultimately, in each stage of her professional journey, Justice Lin has consistently asked herself: “Where can I be helpful?”
Lifting the Next Generation As a mentor and active participant in programs such as the The Sonia & Celina Sotomayor Judicial Internship Program, Justice Lin is deeply committed to cultivating the leaders of tomorrow. She suggests that a successful legal career rests on a foundation of competence and character. She encourages students and young professionals to strive for mastery in their chosen field. “Be as good at it as you can be,” she advises, because when opportunities arise, “you better be ready to hit the ground running.” Competence, she notes, is central to reputation as it ensures that professionals are prepared to perform effectively in any high-stakes environment.
Justice Lin also stresses that technical skill alone is not enough. Equally important is how one treats others. “Your competence shapes your reputation,” she explains, “but so does how you treat people.” She believes in a universal standard of decency and she encourages individuals from all paths of life to treat everyone—from the janitor to the judge—the way they would want themselves or a loved one treated. She reminds us that “people may forget what you did but they will remember how you made them feel.”
Throughout her career, Justice Lin has also rejected narrow stereotypes of what a lawyer must be. Justice Lin has challenged the notion that success requires aggression. Many assumed she was “too nice” to be an effective lawyer or justice, but she believes there are many ways to practice law successfully without abandoning one’s nature. She encourages young professionals, especially those from underrepresented backgrounds, to embrace their individuality. “What makes us different is really what makes us strong,” she says. Avoiding the temptation to contort oneself to fit an expected mold, she emphasizes that professional growth is most meaningful when it is shared: “It is purposeless to rise alone; we rise together.”
Through her guidance and example, Justice Lin seeks to create spaces where future generations can thrive with confidence and authenticity. Now at the Appellate Term, her role amplifies this impact as she continues to shape the culture of the judiciary itself. Please join AABANY in congratulating Justice Karen Lin on this historic milestone. We look forward to seeing more noteworthy contributions from her public service.
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.
On March 26, 2026, the Pro Bono & Community Service Committee and the Government Service & Public Interest Committee continued their tradition of hosting a Volunteer Appreciation Dinner to recognize the volunteer attorneys, law students, AABANY staff, AALFNY board members, and community partners who make our Pro Bono Clinics possible. Together, we celebrated our shared mission of serving the public and promoting access to justice for those who cannot afford legal services.
The backbone of AABANY’s public service initiatives is its dedicated volunteers. We extend our deepest gratitude to the attorneys who generously devote their time and expertise to assisting members of the community. These Pro Bono Clinics also serve as valuable learning opportunities for law students, providing hands-on experience across various areas of law while allowing them to give back through direct service.
We also express our sincere appreciation to the Asian American Law Fund of New York (AALFNY) for its continued support, as well as to the AABANY staff, whose administrative efforts are essential to making this work possible.
The session featured insights from trademark attorneys Tracy Shen (who stepped in last minute for original speaker Spring Chang) and Lilian Qiu, Partners from Chang Tsi and Partners. Twelve attendees were given a summary on the upcoming legislative developments affecting China’s trademark office laws. As the market in China continues to grow and cater to more global business, it is important for legal professionals protecting their clients’ trademarks in this area to stay well-informed and on top of changes to the trademark filing process and rules. This webinar aimed to dissect the latest draft amendment to the trademark law, likely to be enacted this year, offering actionable insights and strategies that participants can implement in their trademark portfolio management and enforcement strategies.
Key Discussions and Highlights Both Tracy and Lilian shared their expertise in the field, walking attendees through the significant proposed changes outlined in the draft amendment. They provided a clear analysis of the policy background, explaining how these legislative shifts signal a more robust trademark regime in China and how the trademark office is attempting to fix existing difficulties by trademark holders and filers.
The speakers outlined the changes introduced in the new draft amendment, focusing on several focal points:
Changes Addressing Bad Faith Filings: One of the pivotal aspects of the discussion was centered on new provisions designed to inhibit bad faith trademark filers and malicious filings, such as by levying harsher penalties. Tracy and Lilian emphasized how these changes are set to enhance protections for genuine trademark owners, addressing long-standing dilemmas faced by businesses navigating China’s trademark system.
Efficiency Improvements: The speakers highlighted improvements brought forth by the draft amendment, showcasing how the streamlined processes would make the application and enforcement of trademarks more efficient. Such efficiencies, designed to reduce the opposition period and expanding protection for well-known trademarks, are expected to make a significant difference for foreign entities operating in China, providing clearer pathways to securing and maintaining trademark rights.
Unpacking Prior Amendments: The discussion also delved into analyzing which proposed changes from the prior draft amendment were not included in the latest version. Tracy and Lilian provided industry context that illuminated the rationale behind these omissions, guiding participants in understanding the current legislative climate.
Strategies for Portfolio Management and Risk Mitigation: Perhaps most importantly, the webinar concluded with actionable strategic advice for firms gearing up to adapt to these upcoming changes. Tracy and Lilian shared essential insights on proactive measures that businesses can take to protect their intellectual property rights in light of the new framework.
This was a specialized session for trademark attorneys who conduct trademark work in China and provided valuable insights to help navigate the upcoming changes.
We extend our gratitude to Tracy Shen and Lilian Qiu for their expert contributions to this webinar and encourage attendees to stay connected with UCIPF for future discussions on intellectual property developments.
For those interested in gaining more details from this session or joining future webinars and topics, and networking events, please join AABANY’s Intellectual Property Committee and reach out to Committee Chairs Greg Pan, Jeffrey Mok, and Ada Wang for with questions.
The Asian American Bar Association of New York (AABANY)’s Prosecutors Committee, together with its Judiciary Committee, celebrated the 17th Anniversary of the Prosecutors Committee on March 5, 2026, at the Daniel Patrick Moynihan United States Courthouse in Lower Manhattan. The evening honored Pamela K. Chen, United States District Judge for the Eastern District of New York, with a Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of her exemplary service to the Federal judiciary and her longstanding dedication to justice.
Judge Chen was nominated to the Federal bench in January 2013 by President Barack Obama and confirmed by the Senate in March 2013. Since her appointment to the bench, Judge Chen has presided over a wide array of civil and criminal cases, including a civil lawsuit challenging New York’s ban on the possession of nunchuks.
Judge Chen began her legal career at the law firm of Arnold & Porter in Washington, D.C. In 1991, she joined the Special Litigation Section of the U.S. Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division, where she litigated matters relating to conditions of confinement for individuals in state and local institutions, as well as cases involving the enforcement of the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act of 1994.
In 1998, Judge Chen moved to New York City and joined the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York, where she worked until March 2013, except for a brief period in 2008, when she served as Deputy Commissioner for Enforcement in the New York State Division of Human Rights. As an Assistant U.S. Attorney, Judge Chen investigated and prosecuted cases involving terrorism, gang violence, drug trafficking, human trafficking, official misconduct, and civil rights crimes. She also served as the Chief of the Criminal Civil Rights Section and oversaw the development of the Office’s anti-human trafficking program, which resulted in the investigation and prosecution of hundreds of traffickers and the identification, rescue, and restoration of hundreds of survivors of trafficking. In 2015, Judge Chen and then-Attorney General Loretta E. Lynch were honored by Sanctuary for Families for the anti-human trafficking work done by the U.S. Attorney’s Office under Attorney General Lynch’s leadership as the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York.
Judge Chen has also served for nearly ten years on the Board of the Sonia & Celina Sotomayor Judicial Internship Program where she mentors the next generation of legal professionals.
The evening began in the courthouse’s Ceremonial Courtroom, where approximately 150 attendees from across the legal community gathered. The event brought together a wide range of members from our shared communities, including state and Federal judges and prosecutors, government attorneys, private practitioners, law students, law clerks, professors, community advocates, and supporters of AABANY.
The formal program commenced at approximately 6:15 p.m., with opening remarks from the evening’s Masters of Ceremonies, Teri Chung, Major Case Assistant District Attorney at the Bronx County District Attorney’s Office, and Eun Bi Kim, Assistant District Attorney at the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office. Distinguished heads of the Federal judiciary offered warm greetings and reflections on Judge Chen’s career, including Hon. Laura Taylor Swain, Chief Judge of the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, and Hon. Margo K. Brodie, Chief Judge of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York.
Following Chief Judges Swain and Brodie, additional remarks were delivered by Benjamin Hsing, President of AABANY; Hon Joseph Nocella Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York; Hon Bridget G. Brennan, Special Narcotics Prosecutor for the City of New York; Joseph P. Alexis, Chief of the Trial Division at the Kings County District Attorney’s Office; and Karl Metzner, Associate United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York. During the program, each speaker highlighted the breadth and significance of Judge Chen’s judicial and prosecutorial careers. Their words were a tribute to her leadership and dedication to public service.
After the array of accolades was given from many who have worked with Judge Chen, she was formally introduced by Hon. Ann Donnelly, United States District Judge for the Eastern District of New York, who described Judge Chen as the embodiment of a trailblazer.
In her acceptance remarks, Judge Chen delivered a thoughtful and compelling reflection of her career and the importance of representation in public service within the legal profession. Citing data on Asian American participation in public service roles, she observed that “by the end of 2022, approximately 7.5% of Asian American lawyers entered government service directly from law school,” while noting similarly modest percentages entering law school and prosecutorial offices. She posed a critical question: “Why does it matter that Asian Americans are not fully represented in public service?”
Judge Chen explained that the answer lies not only in numbers, but in perception and belonging. She remarked that in this country, there remains an undercurrent that views Asian Americans as perpetual foreigners. Such perceptions have, at times, surfaced most painfully during moments of national hardship, including the COVID-19 pandemic, when anti-Asian sentiment manifested in acts of violence.
Emphasizing the importance of visibility in public roles, Judge Chen reflected on the symbolic power of serving as a prosecutor: “When you stand up in court and say, ‘I represent the People of New York’ or ‘I represent the United States of America,’ you are affirming, every day, that Asian Americans are part of this nation—not outsiders to it.” Judge Chen emphasized how greater participation in public service, specifically institutions of justice, helps achieve equity for all, and simultaneously challenges stereotypes and reinforces the fundamental truth of belonging.
These themes of representation and belonging were echoed in the broader program. Before its conclusion, AABANY Executive Director Yang Chen introduced a trailer for Voices Against Anti-Asian Hate, an AABANY documentary highlighting the surge in anti-Asian hate incidents during the pandemic and the community’s response. The trailer highlighted the importance of continued vigilance and advocacy against anti-Asian violence and hate crimes and described the ongoing work of AABANY’s Anti-Asian Violence Task Force. Yang Chen further expressed gratitude for the role played by members of the Task Force in producing the documentary. In particular, Yang called up St. John’s University School of Law Professor Elaine Chiu, past Chair of the Task Force, and James Lin, retired veteran prosecutor of the Manhattan and Brooklyn DA’s Offices, as well as Daphne Mei, Program Manager for the Task Force, for their contributions to AABANY’s work combatting anti-Asian violence and hate.
The program concluded with closing remarks from Kin Ng before guests proceeded to a networking reception in suite 850. The reception featured an array of delicious food including a variety of kimbap, samosas and dumplings, and provided an opportunity for attendees to connect and celebrate Judge Chen and the continued impact of the Prosecutors Committee within the legal community.
A Second Circuit Judge who attended the event described it as “warm, informative, and fun,” a sentiment that captured the spirit of collegiality and shared purpose that defined the celebration.
AABANY thanks Prosecutors Committee Co-Chairs Grace Vee, Appeals Division Civil Litigation Unit Chief and Associate General Counsel at the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office, and Kin Ng, Bureau Chief at the Kings County District Attorney’s Office, as well as Judiciary Committee Co-Chairs David Mou, founding attorney of Mou Legal PLLC, and Mark Son, Vice President of the Central Investigations Function at Deutsche Bank, for their leadership in organizing this memorable evening. AABANY also thanks the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York for graciously hosting the celebration at the SDNY courthouse. To view photos from the event, click here.
