The American Arbitration Association® (AAA®) is now accepting applications for the 2026 A. Leon Higginbotham, Jr. Fellows Program.
The Higginbotham Fellows Program is a one-year professional development experience designed to support emerging leaders from diverse backgrounds and perspectives in the field of alternative dispute resolution (ADR). Fellows engage in training, mentorship, and connection with experienced ADR practitioners, including a five-day in-person program in New York during the week of May 4, 2026.
The Program is open to lawyers, arbitrators, mediators, and other ADR practitioners who demonstrate interest in the field.
On December 9, AABANY hosted the final Dumplings & Discussion fireside chat of the year, featuring Alan Chang, Senior Vice President & General Counsel of the New York Yankees. Over a wide selection of dumplings and other bites, Alan generously shared his career journey, offered candid insights into the sports industry, and gave practical advice for junior lawyers navigating their own paths. Thank you to the audience for their thoughtful questions and lively engagement, which made the discussion dynamic and meaningful. Attendees continued networking and exchanging ideas well into the night during the post-chat reception.
We are grateful to all of the incredible speakers of 2025 who helped the Dumplings & Discussion series continue to be a welcoming forum for sharing stories and candid dialogue:
Alan Chang, New York Yankees
Michelle Lee, MediaCo
Christopher Chan, JLL Technologies
Sonia Low, Javits Center
Liz Nie, Acorns
Stephen Mar, Odeko
Osamu Watanabe, Moelis
Thank you to each of these leaders for inspiring our community and contributing to meaningful conversations throughout the year.
We’re excited to keep the momentum going in 2026 with more opportunities to connect, learn, and—of course—enjoy dumplings together. Stay tuned for announcements on future Dumplings & Discussion fireside chats.
See here to read about past Dumplings & Discussion chats.
— Written by Jeffrey Mok, AABANY Board Director and Co-Chair of AABANY’s Intellectual Property Committee
The recent fireside chat featuring SEC Commissioner Mark Uyeda, moderated by AABANY member and Bath & Body Works Chief Legal Officer Michael Wu, was reported on by Alyssa Aquino in a December 5, 2025 article in the New York Law Journal titled “SEC Commissioner Mark Uyeda Reflects on Career in Fireside Chat.”
The event, which was organized by AABANY’s In-House Counsel Committee, took place on the evening of December 4th at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom’s New York City office. Commissioner Uyeda, the first Asian-Pacific American to serve as an SEC Commissioner, shared insights into his career and offered valuable advice to the young professionals in attendance.
The article highlighted key takeaways from the conversation, including Commissioner Uyeda’s counsel on the necessity of gaining managerial experience throughout one’s career and the importance for capital markets attorneys to understand accounting. Uyeda, who began his tenure at the agency in 2006 as counsel to then-Commissioner Paul Atkins, humorously noted that even after 20 years since they first met, they are “still doing the same thing.”
To read the full article on Law.com, please click here. (Subscription required)
AABANY Student Outreach Committee Chair Albert Tong, who is also the Co-Director for the Northeast Region of the National Asian Pacific American Law Student Association (NAPALSA), was featured in a December 9, 2025, Brooklyn Law School News article. The article, titled “Albert Tong ’27 Finds Networking, Community as Regional Co-Director of NAPALSA,” discusses his attendance at the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) Convention in November and his role with NAPALSA.
The piece highlights Albert’s positive experiences with NAPABA, the AABANY Trial Reenactments, and his own involvement in NAPABA’s Bankruptcy and Restructuring Committee.
Two Opportunities to Support Your Journey to a Legal Career
2026 SAIL Scholarship Deadline to Apply: June 30, 2026
The NAPABA Law Foundation is now accepting applications for the distinguished SAIL Scholarship Program—a rare, career-shaping opportunity created to uplift and empower the next generation of leaders in the legal profession.
The SAIL Scholarship offers far more than financial support. Selected scholars receive: – $7,500 in funding (distributed evenly across their 2L and 3L years) – One-on-one mentorship from seasoned legal professionals – Exclusive access to executive-level networking and leadership opportunities
Who Should Apply?
Current 1L students (rising 2Ls in Fall 2026) who demonstrate:
Strong academic achievement (undergraduate and 1L performance)
Leadership potential and a commitment to “paying it forward”
Volunteer or public service experience
Knowledge of or dedication to advancing AAPI communities
This program provides sustained support throughout law school — financially, professionally, and personally — helping recipients build a foundation for a career rooted in leadership, service, and impact.
If you know an exceptional first-year law student, please encourage them to apply.
Students: Be sure to review the SAIL Scholarship FAQ to confirm eligibility and expectations before submitting your materials.
Let the SAIL Scholarship help launch your path toward meaningful change in the legal field. To apply, click this link.
2026 NAPABA Judicial Council Summer Internships Deadline to Apply: January 15, 2026
We are pleased to announce that the NAPABA Judicial Council is offering three prestigious summer internship opportunities with distinguished federal judges for Summer 2026. Each selected intern will also receive a $1,500 scholarship stipend to support their experience.
These internships provide invaluable exposure to federal judicial work, insights into the court system, and the opportunity to learn directly from leaders in the judiciary. Each full-time internship will last approximately 4-10 weeks, with dates and times to be arranged between each intern and judge.
The University of Austin School of Nursing is sharing information about their NIH-funded study with our community. Under the guidance of Dr. Eun-Ok Im and Dr. Wonshik Chee, their team is conducting an NIH-funded study focused on providing culturally tailored online support for Asian American breast cancer survivors (IRB-approved, Study ID: STUDY00004807).
They are hoping to reach more survivors who might benefit from this free program, which includes bilingual nurse sessions (Mandarin, Korean, Japanese, or English), culturally adapted health resources, a complimentary Fitbit, and up to $150 in compensation.
Please see the study flyers (in various languages below), and share with your networks. Even one share could make a meaningful difference for someone in need.
This year’s AABANY Annual Holiday Party took place on Friday, December 5, 2025, at Upon The Palace, a premier Asian Fusion restaurant in Tribeca, New York. It was a fun night for everyone who attended and a perfect way to connect during the holiday season.
Tucked away in the downstairs party room of the restaurant, the space was well-liked by AABANY members as a private setting to connect and enjoy the evening. This location, which some members recalled visiting after the Fall Conference in September, is likely to become a favored spot for future AABANY gatherings.
The event quickly reached capacity, with registration filling up in under two weeks and a continuous waitlist right up to the day of the party, demonstrating the high level of enthusiasm among AABANY members for this annual gathering. More than 90 attendees enjoyed the festivities, with many arriving before the 6:00 pm start and staying late into the evening.
Guests enjoyed an open bar alongside a spectacular Chinese buffet that was continually refreshed. The delicious food offerings included Shanghai vegetable spring rolls, spicy garlic cucumber salad, pan-fried pork dumplings, crispy chicken wings, “magic” chili chicken, stir fried noodles with vegetable, sauteed mixed vegetables, sweet & sour pork, stir fried beef & broccoli, and egg & scallion fried rice, rounded out with plates of seasonal fruit. The variety and quality of the dishes were a hit, as evidenced by the long line of attendees going back for second and third servings. Some attendees piled their plates high, indicating either large appetites or reluctance to get back on line for seconds.
Beyond the food, members had the opportunity to network, reconnecting with old friends while developing new connections. The evening was lively with conversations about professional backgrounds, careers, and shared experiences. Karaoke was a highlight, with many members enthusiastically taking the stage to sing in various languages.
We are grateful to everyone who attended and made the event so vibrant and memorable. This annual tradition remains free to members, as a way for AABANY to thank our members for their dedication and involvement in the wide variety of social, educational, pro bono and advocacy programs, initiatives and activities throughout the year.
To see all the photos from the evening, please click here.
We wish you all a very happy holiday season and look forward to seeing you at our upcoming events in the New Year!
At the clinic, our volunteers met with 16 clients and provided guidance on a range of legal issues, including housing, immigration, employment and sexual discrimination, and civil litigation matters. Your collective efforts ensured that each client received personalized support and answers to their pressing legal questions.
A big thank you to our guest speaker, Vishal Chander, for successfully presenting the second and final part of the two-part series training, “Immigration Basics for Pro Bono Clinic Lawyers.” This training was extremely valuable, giving attendees the key practice information they need, such as what to expect in an immigration proceeding and the different types of relief available in Immigration Court. Vishal’s presentation was insightful and useful, and we especially appreciate that he stuck around to answer the more complex questions, offering extra help to our community members and clients.
AABANY’s Fall 2025 Legal Intern, Jessie Zhou, volunteered at this Clinic and offered this reflection: “At the Queens Pro Bono Clinic, I witnessed two housing cases that revealed both the urgency of our work and the deep structural barriers that so many community members face. One involved an elderly couple who had fallen behind on rent but were terrified of the prospect of entering shelters or leaving Flushing, the only neighborhood where they felt linguistically and culturally safe. The other was a woman hoping to sue her former landlord for chronic noise disturbances that had caused significant distress and health issues, even though the events had taken place over a year ago. Both clients spoke little to no English, and despite the genuine hardship underlying each situation, the legal options available to them were severely limited. The attorneys walked them through their choices carefully and compassionately, yet the clients remained frustrated, continuing to voice anger and disappointment. It was hard not to feel the weight of their helplessness.”
“Moments like these remind me that many people come to Pro Bono Clinics not only for legal remedies, but for acknowledgment,” Jessie added. “Many people just want to feel heard, someone to listen, to affirm that what they endured matters. Their frustration is understandable; they are navigating a system that is complex, unforgiving, and shaped by structural inequities. In a society built on capitalist priorities, where the most vulnerable often fall through the cracks, our mission seems ever more important, and the Pro Bono Clinics become one of the few accessible spaces where marginalized individuals can be heard. Even when the law offers little recourse, showing up with patience, empathy, and respect remains an indispensable form of advocacy. The AABANY volunteers at the Queens Pro Bono Clinic strive to make others feel heard even when they can be misunderstood by their clients.”
We are deeply grateful for everyone’s presence and contributions, and look forward to continuing this important work together!
Volunteer attorneys:
Vishal Chander
Ivy (Ting-Yu) Chien
Richard In
Beatrice Leong
Jie Shi
Lord Chester So
Anthony Wong
May Wong
Gary Yeung
Meng Zhang
Interpreters/shadowers:
Nandar Win Kerr
Nikita Kohli
Grace Ouyang
Wendy Zeng
Jessie Zhou
We invite you to continue supporting our community by joining us at our upcoming Pro Bono Clinics:
December 17th [Manhattan linkhere] from 6:30-8:30pm, AAFE Community Center, 111 Norfolk Street, NY, NY 10002
January 10th [Brooklyn linkhere], from 12:30 – 3:30pm, CPC Brooklyn Community Services, 4101 8th Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11232
February 4th [Queens linkhere], from 6:30 – 8:30pm, AAFE One Flushing Community Center, 133-29 41st Ave, 2nd Floor, Flushing, NY 11355
Thanks 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.
Prior to the Clinic, Vishal Chander (AABANY Board Member and Issues Committee Co-Chair), presented “Immigration Basics for Pro Bono Clinic Lawyers” (Part 1, NTA, Detention & Bond). This valuable training equipped attendees with important practice tips, such as how to assist a pro bono client who receives a Notice to Appear, how to locate a detained individual through immigration enforcement authorities, and how to obtain or request an immigration bond hearing. Vishal’s expertise was further demonstrated as he remained available to help address complex questions related to immigration issues, offering additional support to our community members.
In the training session, Vishal offered an engaging and informative introduction to the complexities of U.S. immigration proceedings, all while reminding us that knowledge can make a powerful difference for vulnerable communities. While he noted that removal defense is not his primary area of practice, his commitment to sharing essential tools spoke to a deeper truth of pro bono work: sometimes, the most meaningful contributions come not from being an expert, but from being willing to show up, learn, and guide others. He emphasized that even being able to recognize a Notice to Appear (NTA) and understanding what it means is often the first step in helping clients regain a sense of control, dignity, and direction in a system that can feel overwhelmingly confusing and intimidating.
His session also brought forward the human side of the law. When he spoke about frantic family members trying to locate loved ones across detention facilities, or clients unknowingly waiving important rights by signing English-only forms under pressure, it became clear that pro bono assistance is not just about legal procedure; it is also about compassion, advocacy, and being present for people at their most vulnerable. Volunteers do not need to solve every legal question to have an impact; even helping a client understand their A-number, guiding them to check the EOIR system, or knowing when to challenge errors in an NTA can prevent irreversible consequences. These small interventions protect not only legal rights, but also hope and humanity.
Vishal reminded us that pro bono work is about restoring access to information, to justice, and to basic fairness. The training reaffirmed that volunteers play a vital role in bridging the gap between complex legal systems and civilians, who are often confused, scared, and navigating language, cultural, and legal barriers all at once. Even a minimal understanding can open the door to critical support, and that is sometimes all it takes to change the course of someone’s life.
After Vishal’s presentation, the regular Pro Bono Clinic took place. At the clinic, our volunteers met with 15 clients and provided guidance on a range of legal issues, including housing questions, fraud concerns, and civil litigation matters. The collective efforts of our volunteers ensured that each client received personalized support and answers to their pressing legal questions. As one seasoned volunteer shared with AABANY staff, “sometimes it’s not solely about the legal issues, but about being here to listen.”
Here are some of the clients’ comments:
“Very satisfied (with the service), hope to have more of these (events/services) for me! Thanks!”
“Hope to be able to receive help again.”
“Mr. Justin was excellent.”
We are deeply grateful for everyone’s contributions and look forward to continuing this important work together!
Please join us at Part 2 of Immigration Basics for Pro Bono Clinic Lawyers: Navigating Immigration Court & Relief and future Pro Bono Clinics on December 3rd. The training will be from 6-6:30pm, followed by the Pro Bono Clinic. It will take place in Queens, at AAFE One Flushing Community Center. This training will continue the series that will prepare lawyers and law students on the fundamentals of advising Pro Bono Clinic clients who are or have family in removal (deportation) proceedings. Part 2 will focus on 1) What to expect in an immigration proceeding and 2) what kinds of relief are available in immigration court. Note: NY CLE Credit Available. Attorneys seeking CLE credits must attend both sessions to earn 1 CLE credit hour. No partial credit is available.
Upcoming Pro Bono Clinics:
December 3rd [Queens link here], from 6:30 – 8:30pm, AAFE One Flushing Community Center, 133-29 41st Ave, 2nd Floor, Flushing, NY 11355
December 17th [Manhattan link here] from 6:30-8:30pm, AAFE Community Center, 111 Norfolk Street, NY, NY 10002
January 10th [Brooklyn link here], from 12:30 – 3:30pm, CPC Brooklyn Community Services, 4101 8th Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11232
On Thursday, November 13, 2025, the Asian American Bar Association of New York (AABANY)’s LGBTQ Committee and the South Asian Bar Association of New York (SABANY) came together to co-host the 2025 Fall LGBTQ Reception. The event was held at A&O Shearman‘s Manhattan office, bringing together attorneys, law students, and professionals to foster connections within the Asian American, South Asian, and LGBTQ communities.
The evening’s program began with a warm welcome from Dennis Quinio (he/him), Chief Inclusion Officer – Americas at A&O Shearman, who emphasized the crucial need for inclusive spaces within the legal profession.
Attendees then heard from featured speaker Priya Nair (they/them), Executive Director of the NYC Commission on Gender Equity. Priya shared valuable insights drawn from their nearly ten years working in New York City and State government, which included roles in the Governor’s Office, NYC Health + Hospitals, and the State’s first LGBTQ Fellowship. They also offered a personal reflection on their experience as a queer, non-binary individual of mixed heritage, underscoring how events like this are vital for intersectional community building.
AABANY and SABANY extend their sincere gratitude to A&O Shearman for their generous hospitality in hosting the event, and to Priya Nair for their inspiring and insightful remarks.
To learn more about AABANY’s LGBTQ Committee, click here.
