Author: Gale Branch

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AABANY Congratulates Muhammad Faridi on his Historic Appointment by Mayor Adams to the Handschuh Committee

On February 21, Mayor Adams announced the appointment of Muhammad Faridi, past AABANY member, as the first Muslim-American representative to the Handschuh Committee, an oversight panel for police practices to investigate political activity.

AABANY Membership Director, Christopher Bae, attended the Mayor’s announcement in City Hall, and offered the following quote:

“Asian-American Bar Association of New York (AABANY) applauds Mayor Adams for appointing Muhammad Faridi as the civilian representative to the Handschu Committee, the first Muslim-American to hold the role,” said Christopher Bae, membership director, AABANY. “With the Handschu Committee charged to ensure that the NYPD is not improperly investigating the Muslim community, it’s long overdue that the Muslim community have representation on the committee. When a government has full participation from its multiracial and diverse religious communities, we are all better for it.”

Congratulations to Muhammad Faridi on this historic and important appointment. To read the full press release, click here.

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A Message from our Annual Dinner MC Kate Rigg: Come See disOrientalism part 3 at Joe’s Pub on Feb. 28

Kate Rigg, MC at AABANY’s Annual Dinner, invites everyone to see her latest show. Here’s her full message below:

The event disOrienatlism is coming back to Joe’s Pub at The Public Theater on Feb 28 at 7pm. We all need a boost and it is a great way to uplift our community, because supporting and uplifting Asian American writers and performers help us turn the tide of prejudice that has been eating away at us since the pandemic and before …

If you can’t come, consider buying a seat for a student or artist to support the show! You can email me the seat numbers and I will make sure someone very deserving gets them. But even better I would love to see you!

The show is disOrientalism part 3: Michelle Yeoh vs. Godzilla. It is an incredible night designed to amplify, connect and empower NYC’s best Asian American Artists in one electrifying night of music, comedy, spoken word, dance and variety. The show was created in response to the upswing in racism and xenophobia towards AAPI people during the pandemic. Hosted and curated by legendary American Asian comedian/activist Kate Rigg and former child star turned Broadway Actor and activist Olivia Oguma. #stopasianhate #aapi #asianamericanartist #hellokitty

All tickets only $25 ($20 after applying the discount code).

Use the friends of AABANY discount code “GODZILLA” and HIT THIS LINK.

Hope to see you there!

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AABANY Committees and KALAGNY Host Second Annual Ski Trip to the Poconos

AABANY’s 2023 ski trip, co-sponsored with the Korean American Lawyers Association of Greater New York (KALAGNY), took place on Saturday, February 11 at Shawnee Mountain. The event was co-sponsored by the Corporate Law, Women’s, Young Lawyers, and Membership Committees.

A private charter bus left New York City Saturday morning for the hour-and-a-half drive to the Pocono Mountains. Over 30 AABANY and KALAGNY members, friends, family and children enjoyed favorable ski conditions at Shawnee on a sunny winter day under bright blue skies.

First timers and beginners participated in group and private ski and snowboard lessons. Skiers and snowboarders met for lunch by the hearth in the Hope Lodge at the base of the mountain. The ski day concluded with an après-ski dinner in the Kirkwood Room of the historic Shawnee Inn accompanied by candlelight and live piano music.

Thanks to all the co-sponsoring Committees and KALAGNY for organizing the event, and thanks to everyone who attended.

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In the News: AABANY Treasurer Evelyn Gong Receives Designation as the Candidate of the Queens Democratic Party for Queens Civil Court Judge, Sixth Municipal District

On February 13, 2023, the Queens Daily Eagle published an article about the Queens Democratic Party’s designation of Evelyn Gong for Queens Civil Court Judge in the Sixth Municipal District. If elected, Evelyn Gong would be the first woman of color elected to this seat. The Sixth Municipal District includes Flushing, Mitchell-Linden, Murray Hill, Queensboro Hill, Fresh Meadows, Bayside, Bayside Hills, Douglaston, Glen Oaks, Little Neck, Oakland Gardens, Bay Terrace, Bayside, Beechhurst, College Point, Malba, Whitestone, Pomonok, Electchester, Hillcrest and Parkway Village.

Evelyn Gong is AABANY’s Treasurer, Chair of the Finance Committee and Co-Chair of the Government Service & Public Interest Committee.

To read the full article, click here.

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OATH Legal Internship Program Summer 2023


The City of New York’s Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings (OATH) is the nation’s largest central administrative tribunal, independent of the agencies that commence these proceedings. OATH conducts nearly 300,000 trials and hearings each year through its Trials Division and Hearings Division.


ADJUDICATIONS AT OATH
OATH Trials Division conducts complex adjudications for a wide range of legal matters such as employee discipline, discrimination under the City Human Rights Law, NYPD vehicle seizures, zoning and landlord- tenant disputes under the Loft Law, professional license revocation, and City vendor contract disputes.

OATH Hearings Division conducts high volume adjudications involving:

  • Violations of law that protect and promote health, safety, and a clean environment, as enforced by agencies such as the Department of Buildings, the Fire Department, the Department of Sanitation, and the Department of Environmental Protection;
  • Violations of the City’s Health Code and related laws by restaurants and food vendors, as enforced by the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene;
  • Summonses issued by the Taxi & Limousine Commission, the Port Authority of NY and NJ, or the NYPD, against owners and operators of taxis and other for-hire vehicles;
  • Consumer protection laws that prohibit sale of tobacco to minors and home improvement contracts, as regulated by the Department of Consumer Affairs; and
  • Violations under the Criminal Justice Reform Act, which authorizes issuance of civil summonses for certain low-level offenses formerly brought to criminal court and offers the option of community service in place of monetary civil penalties.

OATH’s Administrative Judicial Institute offers administrative judicial training and CLE classes citywide.

ABOUT THE INTERNSHIP
Working within various divisions, including the Office of the General Counsel, interns will develop research and writing, communication, and analytical skills. Typical assignments include: preparing summaries of trial or hearing records; drafting appellate decisions based on the hearing record and relevant law; researching and drafting memoranda of law; analyzing proposed legislation and rules that impact OATH; drafting proposed rules; participating in policy discussions; and assisting counsel prepare the defense in challenges to OATH decisions in state or federal court. Interns will attend training workshops. Networking and social events are also planned.


APPLICATION PROCESS
Interested law students should submit a cover letter explaining their interest, with a resume, writing sample (about 10 pages), and unofficial law school transcript. Applications should be submitted to Frank Ng, Deputy General Counsel, at [email protected]. Deadline is March 6, 2023.


FUNDING
The internship is a paid position. Any arrangements, paperwork, or information needed from OATH to receive outside funding, work study, or academic credit must be made before the start of the internship.

For more information about OATH, visit the Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings website.

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Opportunities in New York City’s Office of Administrative Tribunals and Hearings (OATH)

OATH is New York City’s central, independent administrative law court. From disciplinary matters involving city employees to civil summonses for various violations, OATH typically conducts more than 200,000 hearings and trials annually, making it one of the busiest tribunals in the country.  OATH’s mission is to ensure that everyone who appears before it receives both a fair opportunity to be heard and a timely resolution of their case.  It is a unique place within City government and a wonderful place to work.  You can learn more about OATH here.

And OATH is hiring!  OATH has a broad range of opportunities available for lawyers, from junior level attorney positions to Administrative Law Judge positions for seasoned professionals.  They have positions in the General Counsel unit for individuals interested in in-house work, adjudicator positions for those who want to serve as neutrals in the Hearings Division, as well as specialist positions such as those in the new Special Education Hearings Division.  A full list of openings can be found here on OATH’s website.

OATH also has a pro bono program that pairs volunteer lawyers with legal service organizations to provide free representation to indigent respondents who appear before OATH.  More information is available here.

Questions? Direct them to [email protected]

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NAPABA Applauds the Confirmation of Cindy K. Chung to the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit

For Immediate Release: 
Date: February 13, 2023		Contact:  Priya Purandare, Executive Director

WASHINGTON – February 13. The Senate confirmed Judge Cindy K. Chung to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit. She is the first Asian American to serve as an appellate judge on the Third Circuit.

“NAPABA congratulates Judge Chung on her historic confirmation to serve on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit,” said Sandra Leung, president of NAPABA. “A dedicated public servant, Judge Chung broke barriers when she was confirmed as the first AAPI to serve as U.S. Attorney in Pennsylvania. Today, we celebrate our 16th active AAPI U.S. Circuit Court Judge.”

Before serving as U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Pennsylvania, Chung served as a trial attorney in the Criminal Section of the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division, where she prosecuted the first case under the Shepherd-Byrd Hate Crimes Act. She also served as an assistant district attorney at the District Attorney’s Office, New York County, and investigation counsel in the Official Corruption Unit. Chung began her legal career as a law clerk for Judge Myron Thompson on the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Alabama. She received her J.D. from Columbia Law School and her B.A. from Yale University.

“Judge Chung is active in the Asian American legal community, including participating in community briefings and events addressing anti-Asian hate incidents with our affiliate the Asian Pacific American Bar Association of Pennsylvania (APABA-PA). We congratulate Judge Chung on her confirmation,” said Priya Purandare, executive director of NAPABA.

NAPABA thanks President Biden for nominating Cindy K. Chung and Senator Casey, Senator Fetterman, and retired Senator Toomey for recommending and supporting her nomination.

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The National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA), represents the interests of over 60,000 Asian Pacific American (APA) legal professionals and nearly 90 national, state, and local APA bar associations. NAPABA is a leader in addressing civil rights issues confronting APA communities. Through its national network, NAPABA provides a strong voice for increased diversity of the federal and state judiciaries, advocates for equal opportunity in the workplace, works to eliminate hate crimes and anti-immigrant sentiment, and promotes the professional development of people of all backgrounds in the legal profession.

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Joint Statement in Opposition to Texas SB 147

For Immediate Release: 
Date: February 17, 2023		Contact:  Priya Purandare, Executive Director

The Asian American Bar Association of Houston (AABA Houston), the Austin Asian American Bar Association (Austin AABA), and the Dallas Asian American Bar Association (DAABA), and the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) come together to strongly oppose the provisions of Texas Senate Bill 147 that prohibit individuals from owning land, buying homes, or establishing businesses in Texas based on their family’s country of migration.

This ban targets Asian and other immigrants, including those from China, and prevents them from establishing roots in the state, making investments in their communities, and pursuing the American Dream. It continues the pervasive legacy of anti-Asian racism and stereotypes of Asians tracing back over a hundred years. It echoes the bigoted Alien Land Laws, which aimed to drive Asian immigrants from this country by stripping them of their ability to buy homes and start businesses in the United States.

The passage of SB 147, as written, would represent a dramatic step backwards. We call on elected officials in Texas to oppose this bill and ensure that Texas does not repeat a historic mistake rooted in fear and bigotry.

Our associations will continue to advocate on behalf of Asian communities in opposition to this bill, including by building coalitions and identifying ways to engage with the legislature.

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The National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA), represents the interests of over 60,000 Asian Pacific American (APA) legal professionals and nearly 90 national, state, and local APA bar associations. NAPABA is a leader in addressing civil rights issues confronting APA communities. Through its national network, NAPABA provides a strong voice for increased diversity of the federal and state judiciaries, advocates for equal opportunity in the workplace, works to eliminate hate crimes and anti-immigrant sentiment, and promotes the professional development of people of all backgrounds in the legal profession.

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Tax Club Dinner Returns to a Great Turnout on February 7th

The Tax Committee rebooted the Tax Club Dinner series on February 7, 2023, with a great turnout for dinner at Tang Pavilion.  It was the first in person dinner since the pandemic and the Tax Committee was happy to welcome old and new faces. 

Shiukay Hung presented an overview of domestically-controlled REITs, the typical structuring of such REITs, and recent proposed Treasury Regulations that may affect structuring of this kind. 

 It was great to be reunited, and the Tax Committee looks forward to regular dinners going forward.

Click here to learn more about the Tax Committee.

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NAPABA Endorses Julie Ann Su to Become Next Secretary of Labor 

For Immediate Release: 
February 9, 2023		Contact:  Priya Purandare, Executive Director

WASHINGTON – February 9. NAPABA endorsed Julie Ann Su to be the next Secretary of Labor. Currently, Ms. Su is Deputy Secretary of Labor.

“Julie Su is the most qualified candidate for U.S. Labor Secretary and is the best choice to advance the policies of the Biden Administration. As Deputy Secretary of Labor, she was instrumental in working with Secretary Walsh to avert a nationwide railroad strike. In addition, she has partnered with federal agencies to implement the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, the CHIPS and Science Act, and the Inflation Reduction Act with a focus on good-paying, accessible jobs. Prior to her confirmation as Deputy Secretary, Ms. Su was Secretary of the California Labor and Workforce Development Agency – the country’s largest in a state that ranks as the fifth largest economy in the world, makes her extraordinarily well-prepared to serve as our next Secretary of Labor,” said Sandy Leung, President of NAPABA.

In 2014, NAPABA honored Ms. Su with its prestigious Daniel K. Inouye Trailblazer Award, which recognizes the outstanding achievements, commitment, and leadership of lawyers who have paved the way for the advancement of other Asian Pacific American attorneys. Ms. Su was recognized for her advocacy on behalf of the most vulnerable, poor, and disenfranchised workers, including for her efforts to hold garment manufacturers liable for exploiting slave labor.

Prior to her role as California Labor Secretary, Ms. Su was California Labor Commissioner, Litigation Director at Asian Americans Advancing Justice – Los Angeles, and has taught at UCLA Law School and Northeastern Law School. Ms. Su was a recipient of the 2019 American Bar Association’s Margaret Brent Award and a recipient of the MacArthur Foundation’s “Genius” Grant. She is a graduate of Harvard Law School and Stanford University.

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The National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA), represents the interests of over 60,000 Asian Pacific American (APA) legal professionals and nearly 90 national, state, and local APA bar associations. NAPABA is a leader in addressing civil rights issues confronting APA communities. Through its national network, NAPABA provides a strong voice for increased diversity of the federal and state judiciaries, advocates for equal opportunity in the workplace, works to eliminate hate crimes and anti-immigrant sentiment, and promotes the professional development of people of all backgrounds in the legal profession.

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