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

Thank you to the Asian American Law Fund of New York (AALFNY), Asian Americans for Equality (AAFE), AABANY’s Pro Bono & Community Service (PBCS) Committee, and our dedicated volunteers and law students for another successful Pro Bono Clinic on June 17, 2026 at AAFE’s Norfolk Street Community Center in Manhattan.

Our Pro Bono Clinic helped nine clients this month, with varying issues ranging from housing, divorce, immigration, and a noise complaint. Due to the number of volunteers who showed up, the June Manhattan Pro Bono Clinic offered consultations that extended beyond the standard 30 minute time frame for each client, ensuring that our volunteers could provide the best possible guidance for clients with thorny legal issues. For some cases, volunteers directed clients to AABANY’s legal referral and information service (LRIS), a resource that connects clients with qualified attorneys to represent them.

Thank you to all of our volunteers for attending the Pro Bono Clinic. We look forward to your participation in future clinics!

Volunteer Attorneys

Wendy Cheng

Keey Diep

Carmen Huang

Justin Lee

Beatrice Leong

Arthur Lin

Meng Ru

Gary Yeung

Anna Bao

Suzie Yu

Law Students and Other Volunteers

Wenwen Cao

Jason Chen

Clive Chong

Nandar Win Kerr

Wendy Zeng

Zhiyi Zhang

Livy Li

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

July 11 [Brooklyn link here], from 12:30-3:00pm, CPC Brooklyn Community Services, 4101 8th Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11232

July 15 (Manhattan link here], from 6:30-8:30pm, AAFE Community Center, 111 Norfolk Street, NY, NY 10002

August 5 (Queens link here], from 6:30-8:30pm, AAFE One Flushing Community Center, 133-29 41st Ave, 2nd Floor, Flushing, NY 11355

If you are interested in supporting the work of the Clinic, we encourage you to make a donation to AALFNY. AALFNY supports the Pro Bono & Community Service Committee (PBCS), provides scholarships and internship opportunities for law students, and works with the AABANY Anti-Asian Violence Task Force. Donations can be made here.

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

AABANY’s IP Committee Connects at May Dinner at Blue Blossom NYC

On Friday, May 22, 2026, the AABANY Intellectual Property Committee hosted its highly anticipated May Dinner at Blue Blossom NYC in Midtown Manhattan. Generously supported by Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton LLP, the casual gathering served as a Committee bonding highlight during AAPI Heritage Month. The event brought together a dynamic group of 17 legal professionals, innovators, and students to network, share insights, and celebrate the local IP legal community.

Co-Chairs Jeffrey Mok, Gregory Pan, and Ada Wang led the evening, which featured a welcoming atmosphere at the 108 W. 39th Street venue. Attendees included representatives from the sponsoring firm, such as Wendy Cheng, as well as several late registrants who joined the group for an evening of engaging discussion. The sponsorship from Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton LLP helped facilitate the event, resulting in a casual and enjoyable evening for all.

If you’re interested in future dinners, keep an eye on the AABANY calendar for upcoming events. To learn more about the IP Committee and their initiatives, visit their subpage on the AABANY website.

Written by Ada Wang, Co-Chair, AABANY’s Intellectual Property Committee

AABANY’s Student Outreach and Young Lawyers Committees Present Boba Break: An Evening of Community, Mentorship, and Bubble Tea

On May 29, 2026, AABANY’s Student Outreach Committee and Young Lawyers Committee partnered to host Boba Break: Recharge and Connect at King & Spalding. This event brought together law students, young attorneys and members of the AABANY community for an evening of conversation, connection and, of course, boba (bubble) tea in a welcoming and informal setting.

Throughout the evening, attendees exchanged experiences, discussed career paths, shared advice and expanded their professional networks. Law students had the opportunity to connect with practicing attorneys and young lawyers, while attorneys reconnected with colleagues and met the next generation of legal professionals. This event embodied AABANY’s commitment to fostering mentorship, community and meaningful relationships within the profession.

The photos from the evening capture the energy and enthusiasm of the attendees, highlighting the meaningful conversations and new connections formed throughout the event that may continue well beyond the evening. Event photos are now available and can be accessed here: click here.

AABANY extends its sincere gratitude to King & Spalding for hosting the event and to everyone who attended. The enthusiastic participation from law students, young lawyers and community members made the event a memorable success. We look forward to continuing to create engaging opportunities that strengthen relationships across the AABANY community and to support the growth of future legal leaders.

– Written by Helen Ding, Co-Chair, Student Outreach Committee

AABANY Co-Sponsors Community Screening of “Voices Against Anti-Asian Hate” Documentary at Safe Horizon for AAPI Heritage Month

On May 29th, 2026, the Asian American Bar Association of New York (AABANY) joined the Safe Horizon AAPI Affinity Group in New York for a screening of the “Voices Against Anti-Asian Hate” documentary. The documentary produced by AABANY and AALFNY (Asian American Law Fund of NY) shares the experiences of survivors and families affected by the rise in anti-Asian violence in New York during the Covid-19 pandemic and highlights the legal and community response that followed. 

The Safe Horizon AAPI Affinity Group welcomed a gathering of colleagues in office and also over Zoom and emphasized the importance of allyship and community in increasingly uncertain times. The in-person contingent held a Kimbap making activity that accompanied the documentary screening, highlighting the importance of cultural celebration along with education. 

The film featured deeply personal stories from Justin Go, father of Michelle Go; Sungkon Lee, father of Christina Yuna Lee; and Noel Quintana, a survivor of a violent subway slashing to his face. Their accounts highlighted the lasting impact of anti-Asian violence, the challenges victims face in seeking recognition and support, and the critical role of culturally sensitive pro bono legal advocacy.

Following the documentary screening, Safe Horizon AAPI Affinity Group Co-Chair Audrey Williams facilitated a discussion with Rachel Lee, President & General Counsel of Stand with Asian Americans and a member of AABANY’s Board and Anti-Asian Violence Task Force. The Q&A covered a diverse series of topics, ranging from the Task Force’s work to broader questions touching upon what is at the root of anti-Asian hate. Moreover, in reflecting on Safe Horizon’s role as a victim services nonprofit, Audrey and Rachel discussed the particular application of hate-crime definitions and culturally responsive care. Audrey and Rachel also responded to questions and comments from the group that joined virtually. 

We thank the attendees who joined us in-person and virtually to attend the screening and provided their attention and deeply insightful comments. We are also grateful to the AAPI Affinity Group at Safe Horizon for hosting such a wonderful event, which incorporated both joy and serious discussion in an effort to give a platform to the survivors and families of Anti-Asian violence. 

If anyone is interested in hosting their own  screening of this documentary, contact Daphne Mei, Program Manager of the AABANY Anti-Asian Violence Task Force, at daphne.mei@aabany.org. To contact the Task Force, email aavtf@aabany.org.

–Written by Kate Mao, for the AABANY Anti-Asian Violence Task Force

NAPABA Membership | Renew Now for Convention Access and Voting Eligibility

Two Important Membership Deadlines Are Approaching

You’ve been an important part of the NAPABA community, and we’d love to welcome you back as a member for 2026.

With Convention registration opening soon and voting eligibility deadlines approaching, now is the perfect time to renew your membership and continue enjoying the connections, opportunities, and benefits available exclusively to NAPABA members.

Why Renew Your NAPABA Membership?

Connect. Save. Grow.

  • Build meaningful relationships with attorneys, legal professionals, and law students across the country.
  • Save on Convention registration, leadership programs, networking events, and more.
  • Access exclusive opportunities, resources, and programs that support your professional success.

Convention Registration Opens June 16

NAPABA members receive exclusive access to Convention registration and housing beginning June 16, along with up to $600 in registration savings.

To ensure your membership is active when registration opens, we encourage you to join by June 15.

Voting Eligibility Ends July 1

Members who join by July 1, 2026, and meet NAPABA’s voting eligibility requirements will be eligible to vote in the 2026 Board of Governors election and help shape NAPABA’s future.

In order to vote, you must be licensed to practice law in the U.S. or Canada (or have previously been licensed and now retired), and you must have be a current NAPABA member in good standing on or before July 1, 2026, at 11:59 pm ET.  Non-lawyer members (Law Student and Non-Attorney membership categories) are not eligible to vote.

If you are joining through a NAPABA affiliate or national associate, please contact membership@napaba.org to verify current dues and receive your membership discount code.

Questions? Contact us at membership@napaba.org.