On October 16, 2025, tax and trusts & estate professionals convened for a highly anticipated joint committee dinner. The event welcomed a diverse group of AABANY members and non-members, including ambitious students and experienced professionals contemplating a career transition into these specialized legal fields. The evening served as a dynamic platform for invaluable knowledge exchange, with discussions spanning a broad spectrum of critical topics such as strategic career advancement, recent legislative updates, and effective practice management strategies.
The group met at Tang Pavilion, which provided a cozy and inviting atmosphere perfectly conducive to engaging conversations and reconnecting with peers. Attendees delighted in a culinary journey featuring an array of delectable dishes, thoughtfully selected by those present. The group savored perennial favorites like the crispy sesame chicken, the flavorful mapo tofu, and perfectly prepared string beans. Complementing the exquisite meal, guests enjoyed a selection of fine wines and refreshing Sapporo beer, creating a perfect ambiance to unwind and socialize after a busy workday. The camaraderie and shared enjoyment truly enhanced the collaborative spirit of the evening.
The Trusts and Estates Committee holds regular virtual meetings, dedicated to discussing topics of interest to its members, with the next meeting scheduled for November 7, 2025. For more details and to register for this upcoming meeting, please click here. To delve deeper into the activities and mission of the Trusts & Estates committee, further information is available here. Similarly, to learn more about the Tax Committee and its initiatives, please click here. To stay informed about all upcoming events hosted by these two committees, as well as other exciting AABANY events, we encourage you to visit the calendar on AABANY’s website for the latest information.
On October 10, 2025, AABANY’s Commercial Bankruptcy & Restructuring and Student Outreach Committees held a Careers in Restructuring panel, generously hosted by Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP.
The program featured three restructuring attorneys: Helen Zhang (Davis Polk), Ismail Buffins (Weil), and Livy Mezei (Greenberg Traurig). The discussion was moderated by Albert Tong, Chair of the Student Outreach Committee.
The panelists shared how they became interested in restructuring and explained the differences between Chapter 11 and Chapter 15 cases, in-court versus out-of-court restructurings, and liability management exercises. They also discussed how representing debtors and creditors requires distinct strategies and priorities. Students gained practical insight into what a “day in the life” looks like for restructuring associates, the evolving skills needed to succeed, and advice for preparing to enter the field. The conversation also touched on current trends, including cross-border matters and liability-management transactions.
The event concluded with a networking reception where attendees were able to network and connect with both the panelists and other law students and attorneys in attendance. AABANY’s Commercial Bankruptcy & Restructuring and Student Outreach Committees extend their gratitude to Weil and everyone who made this event possible, and to the panelists for sharing their time and experience.
To learn more about AABANY’s Student Outreach Committee, click here. To learn more about AABANY’s Commercial Bankruptcy & Restructuring Committee, click here. To find out about upcoming events like this, please visit the calendar on AABANY’s website.
written by Albert Tong, AABANY Student Outreach Committee Chair
A photo of the street signs at Canal and Elizabeth in Manhattan Chinatown. This block of Elizabeth Street was named Private Danny Chen Way in 2014.
On October 3, 2025, community members gathered on the corner of Canal and Elizabeth Streets in Manhattan’s Chinatown to commemorate the life of U.S. Army Private (Pvt.) Danny Chen. Pvt. Chen was a Chinese American soldier who endured months of racial discrimination and severe physical abuse at the hands of his commanding officer and members of his unit while serving in the U.S. Army in Afghanistan. He later committed suicide while on duty. The commemoration was to remember his sacrifice, to bring attention to military hazing and the need for safety reforms, and to link his death to ongoing issues facing marginalized communities serving in the military.
The event was organized by the Committee to Keep Private Danny Chen’s Legacy Alive, a coalition of local and national organizations and community members, including family members of Private Danny Chen, activist Liz Ouyang, and organizations, such as OCA NY and NJ, Chinatown B.I.D., the American Legion Lt. B.R. Kimlau Chinese Memorial Post 1291, the Service Women’s Action Network, and Caribbean Equality Project, among others.
Elizabeth Ouyang speaks in front of a group of community members commemorating Private Danny Chen
Renny Fong, Principal of PS 130, where Pvt. Chen attended elementary school described Pvt. Chen as a “son of Chinatown” who “carried joy wherever he went.” Principal Fong noted that while Pvt. Chen was offered a scholarship to attend Baruch College, Pvt. Chen chose to enlist in the U.S. Army.
After being assigned to his platoon in Afghanistan, Pvt. Chen was subjected to unrelenting abuse and hazing. He was physically abused, called racial slurs, and humiliated. He was assigned excessive guard duty to the point of exhaustion, made to do extreme physical training, and kicked and kneed by other soldiers while being forced to stay in a squatting stance. In a final instance of abuse and humiliation, Pvt. Chen was made to crawl across rugged terrain while other soldiers threw stones at him. A few hours later, Pvt. Chen took his own life while on duty in the guard tower. Pvt. Chen was 19 when he passed and was enlisted for only nine months.
Rosie Derong Li of Chinatown B.I.D. described the prosecution of the soldiers who abused Pvt. Chen. Seven enlisted soldiers and one commissioned officer were charged with the crimes of hazing, racial maltreatment, assault, and dereliction of duty. All were convicted. The commissioned officer agreed to resign from the military to avoid a general court martial.
Kenneth Wong, Commander of the American Legion Lt. B.R. Kimlau Chinese Memorial Post 1291, said of Pvt. Chen, “He endured weeks of brutal racist hazing and physical abuse, targeted for being Chinese American …. His death exposed the deeply rooted ugly culture of racism and hazing within the military.”
Angela Lee, President of the Organization of Chinese Americans (OCA) New York, highlighted ongoing issues in the military facing marginalized communities. She noted that this year’s commemoration of Pvt. Chen comes as the U.S. military banned all affinity groups at West Point Academy. Affinity groups offer a place where service members of different backgrounds can come together for support, mentorship, and solidarity and to help educate their peers on the culture and contributions of a diverse force.
Kathy Graham, volunteer with the Service Women’s Action Network (SWAN), talked about the importance of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) in military service and the importance of affinity groups in supporting the first generation of women serving in combat roles. Ms. Graham noted that her daughter was not able to celebrate her Harvard graduation with military peers because anti-DEI executive orders cancelled their graduation ceremony.
Tanya Asapansa-Johnson Walker, a trans veteran from the Caribbean Equality Project, spoke about her traumatic sexual abuse experience as a pre-transition trans person in the 1980s U.S. military and the important role LGBTQ+ affinity groups could have played in her military career had they existed at that time.
Community leaders pushed for concrete steps to prevent harassment and hazing in the military. They noted that restoring affinity and peer support groups, strengthening DEI initiatives, and accountable leadership are essential to safeguarding a culture of dignity and belonging so that what happened to Pvt. Chen never happens again.
Rachel Lee, Co-Chair of AABANY’s Issues Committee and President & General Counsel of Stand with Asian Americans, attended the commemoration. She reflected, “I appreciated that many speakers highlighted the importance of DEI and affinity groups, not only as measures that could have helped prevent tragic incidents like this for our service members but also as essential resources to cultivate a sense of belonging for underrepresented individuals more broadly today and to hopefully protect them from systemic hate.”
Principal Fong stated, “His story is one of heartbreaking loss, not only for his family, but for this entire beloved community. We will always remember Danny Chen, his life, his smile, and his sacrifice.”
AABANY was privileged to stand alongside many community groups and community leaders at this annual commemoration. Thanks to the Committee to Keep Private Danny Chen’s Legacy Alive for their continued dedication to this cause.
– written by Vishal Chander, AABANY Issues Committee Co-Chair and Board Director
On September 22, 2025, the AABANY Intellectual Property Committee gathered at Dumpling Xi for its monthly dinner filled with laughter, conversation, and delicious dumplings.
The attendees enjoyed authentic, hand-crafted dumplings, which many described as “comfort food that feels like home.” Each bite transported us back to family kitchens and hometown flavors, sparking nostalgia and connection.
Equally special was the community that came together. The dinner was a true reunion, with old friends reconnecting over shared plates and fond memories, while also warmly welcoming new faces into the group.
Attendees also shared war stories on the cases they have worked on, while exchanging practical tips and strategies with one another. These discussions highlighted the spirit of collaboration and mentorship that defines the IP Committee.
A heartfelt thank you to everyone who joined us for this special evening. We look forward to many more meals, meaningful conversations, and moments of connection ahead.
If you’re interested in future dinners, keep an eye on the AABANY calendar for upcoming events. To learn more about this committee, visit the IP Committee subpage on the AABANY website.
The Asian American Bar Association of New York (AABANY) brought together attorneys for a night of fun and networking on October 3, 2025, as the Young Lawyers Committee teamed up with the Solo & Small Firm Practice Committee to host a lively social at Puttery. Guests enjoyed imaginative mini-golf courses while connecting with colleagues in a relaxed, playful setting.
The event offered young practitioners and solo attorneys alike a chance to build meaningful relationships outside the courtroom, blending professional networking with a creative twist. It was a perfect way to kick off the fall season with camaraderie and community.
On September 17, 2025, AABANY’s Labor & Employment Law and In-House Counsel Committees hosted a fireside chat with Grace Fu, Chief Legal & Administrative Officer at Nanit. Grace shared her experience with AABANY members about working with unions in her prior role as Chief Legal and Administrative Officer and Executive Vice President at Barneys New York.
The event, hosted at Littler Mendelson P.C.’s midtown Manhattan office, aimed to explore the “labor” side of the practice of labor and employment law. Grace explained that her role at Barneys was the first time she had in-depth exposure to labor and employment law, and highlighted the learning curve that came with participating in collective bargaining and addressing the needs of a unionized workforce. She shared stories from her interactions with employees and union officials at Barneys, and expressed gratitude for the unique experience she gained in her dual role in both the Legal and Human Resources departments while at Barneys.
The fireside chat was followed by a Q&A session where Grace continued to provide insight and perspective on her role at Barneys, and shared how she has carried lessons from those experiences to her current role at Nanit.
The Labor & Employment Law Committee plans on scheduling quarterly fireside chats with leaders in the field of labor and employment law. Please be on the lookout for future events, which will be posted on the AABANY calendar!
We extend our sincere gratitude to AABANY, AALFNY, PBCS, CPC, RaisingHealth and all the dedicated volunteers who contributed to the success of our pro bono legal clinic and our community outreach activity at RaisingHealth’s Health Empowerment Celebration in Brooklyn on September 20th, 2025.
Kwok Kei Ng (Co-Chair), May Wong (former Co-Chair) and Nandar Win Kerr (Treasurer and Impact Consultant) of the Pro Bono and Community Service (PBCS) Committee hosted a community outreach table at the RaisingHealth’s Health Empowerment Celebration event. We effectively referred guests with legal questions to the pro bono legal clinic in real-time and distributed “Know-Your-Rights” brochures on immigration law in Chinese and Spanish, upcoming pro bono clinic flyers, and information about AABANY’s legal referral and information service. Our participation highlights our commitment to community lawyering and addressing current immigration rights issues, including constitutional rights and fraudulent schemes targeting vulnerable immigrants. By utilizing our legal knowledge, language skills, and resources, we aim to build relationships with local communities and advocate for policy and social changes.
During the clinic, our small but mighty team of volunteers provided invaluable assistance to 28 clients, addressing a range of legal matters including housing, immigration, civil litigation, personal injury and employment. 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.
We especially want to thank all the volunteers at the September 20th Brooklyn Pro Bono Clinic for their time, professionalism, and invaluable contributions. Your dedication, including staying later than necessary to ensure no guest was turned away, is truly admirable.
Volunteer attorneys:
Ben Choi
Arthur Lin
Kwok Kei Ng
May Wong
Jameson Xu
Karen Yau
Interpreters/shadowers: Elaine Ou Yang
Qi (Ellie) Wang
Francisco Yau-Smith
Wendy Zeng
We invite you to continue supporting our community by joining us at our upcoming Pro Bono Clinics:
October 1st [Queens link here], from 6:30 – 8:30pm, One Flushing Community Center, 133-29 41st Ave, 2nd Floor, Flushing, NY 11355 (We have guest speakers from NYC MOIA regarding immigration resources. Please join us!)
October 15th [Manhattan link here] from 6:30-8:30pm, AAFE Community Center, 111 Norfolk Street, NY, NY 10002
November 8th [Brooklyn link here], from 12:30 – 3:30pm, CPC Brooklyn Community Services, 4101 8th Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11232
Thanks once again to all our volunteers for attending the Pro Bono Clinic. We look forward to your participation in our future clinics!
To learn more about the Pro Bono & Community Service Committee, visit probono.aabany.org.
Announcing the Daniel K. Inouye Trailblazer Award Honorees
The Daniel K. Inouye Trailblazer Award is NAPABA’s highest honor, celebrating the outstanding achievements of lawyers whose leadership and dedication have left a profound mark on both the legal profession and the Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) community. This lifetime achievement award recognizes those whose vision, courage, and commitment have opened doors and paved the way for future generations of attorneys.
Trailblazers are leaders who have not only excelled in their practice but have also made enduring contributions to advancing equity, opportunity, and justice within the legal community and beyond.
We are honored to celebrate the 2025 Trailblazer Award recipients and their extraordinary impact at this year’s NAPABA Convention in Denver.
Rose Cuison-Villazor Professor of Law and Chancellor’s Social Justice Scholar at Rutgers Law School Rose Cuison-Villazor is Professor of Law and Chancellor’s Social Justice Scholar at Rutgers Law School where she previously served as Interim Co-Dean (2021-2023) and Vice Dean (2019-2021). She is also Director of the Center for Immigrant Justice, which conducts publicly engaged research and policy work on progressive immigration and citizenship laws. She is an elected member of the American Law Institute.
Marvin S. C. Dang Managing Member, Law Offices of Marvin S.C. Dang, LLLC & Partner, Nelson & Kennard, LLP An attorney in Honolulu since 1978, Marvin Dang is the Managing Member of the Law Offices of Marvin S. C. Dang, LLLC. Separately, Marvin is also a partner in Nelson & Kennard, which is a California law firm doing business in 8 states; he co-manages the Hawaii office, which focuses on civil litigation. In 2023, he was elected ABA Secretary, the first Asian American attorney and the first Hawaii attorney to serve as an ABA officer in the organization’s history.
Daniel D. Hu Chief, Civil Division, United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas Daniel David Hu is a career prosecutor who currently serves as Chief, Civil Division, United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas. He joined the office in 1992 and was promoted to Civil Chief in 2016. In 1995, he founded the Asian Interest Section of the State Bar of Texas and later served as the first APA minority director on the State Bar of Texas Board.
Lily Yan Hughes Assistant Dean at Syracuse University College of Law; Former SVP, Chief Legal Officer and Corporate Secretary of Fortune 500 Arrow Electronics and S&P 500 Public Storage Lily is Assistant Dean at Syracuse University College of Law, overseeing strategy and operations for the Admissions & Financial Aid Office, the Marketing & Communications Office, the Office of Career Services, and SU Abroad. She has also been appointed by the Chancellor as a member of the University Leadership Team. Lily is currently Chair and has served on the board of directors of DirectWomen since October 2021.
Sandra Leung Independent Board Member/Former F500 EVP, General Counsel Sandy Leung retired in 2025 as Executive Vice President and General Counsel of Bristol Myers Squibb Company. Sandy joined Bristol Myers Squibb in 1992 as a staff attorney in the litigation department. She began her legal career as Assistant District Attorney at the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office in New York City, where she was an original member of the Child Abuse Bureau. She served as NAPABA President from 2020-2022. Currently, she is on the Board of Directors of the Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund as well as the board of the Minority Corporate Counsel Association.
Alan Tse Global Chief Legal Officer and Corporate Secretary of Jones Lang LaSalle, Inc Alan Tse is Global Chief Legal Officer and Corporate Secretary at JLL. Before joining JLL, Alan was Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary at Petco. Alan is deeply involved in the legal community and serves on the Board of Directors of the Association of Corporate Counsel, where he previously chaired its Advocacy Committee. He is also a co-founder and board member of the Asian American Legal Foundation, advocating for greater representation and equity in the legal profession.
Honorable Sue Pai Yang Retired Judge of Compensation, New Jersey The Honorable Sue Pai Yang was the first Chinese American appointed as a judge in New Jersey. She served on the Workers’ Compensation Court in Newark, where she heard cases involving workplace injuries. Her most memorable trials and decisions concerned individuals who alleged psychological disabilities due to harassment/workplace bullying. Upon retirement, Judge Yang became a founding member of the National Workplace Bullying Coalition (NWBC). She was a founding member of NAPABA and the first Asian American elected to the Board of Trustees of the New Jersey State Bar Association.
On September 11, 2025, AABANY’s Judiciary Committee hosted the inaugural Breakfast with the Bench Event with the Honorable Rena Malik (New York City Civil Court, Kings County) at Junior’s Cheesecake in Brooklyn. AABANY members and non-members alike, including current law students and working professionals, came together to discuss with Judge Malik her path to the bench and the challenges she overcame to become a judge. Judge Malik, a former Co-Chair of the Judiciary Committee, shared how AABANY can assist those who are interested in becoming a judge a reality.
The Judiciary Committee aims to host regular events to allow members to engage and connect with the judiciary. The Committee encourages those interested in the courts, becoming a judge, or vetting potential judicial candidates to attend future events and to visit the Committee’s subpage on the AABANY website for more information.
NAPABA is committed to having a governing board that reflects the breadth of the AANHPI legal community and brings together the right blend of skills, expertise, and community connections. We value a culture that welcomes a wide range of perspectives and empowers leaders to engage with each other and the community in meaningful ways—building trust, increasing transparency, and maximizing impact.
The NAPABA membership elected the following individuals to serve on the 2025-26 NAPABA Board of Governors. Join us in welcoming these leaders.
