An Invitation to Flushing Town Hall’s Happy Birthday Gala

Veronica Y. Tsang, Presenting Sponsor | Queens College, City University of New York, Presenting Sponsor

On Thursday, June 9, 2022 at 6pm, Flushing Town Hall’s Happy Birthday Gala will celebrate the historic building’s 160th birthday. We are thrilled to be honoring NYC Council Speaker Adrienne E. Adams, the first Black woman Speaker of the NYC Council, and a proud representative of Queens’ 28th City Council District; and Frank Wu, the first Asian American President of Queens College, City University of New York, for his contributions to the University, Flushing, and larger Queens community.

The evening will consist of cocktails in the gallery, a sit-down dinner in the theater, and live entertainment throughout—all supporting Flushing Town Hall’s mission of providing global arts for a global community. 

LEARN MORE & PURCHASE NOW

For more information or to make your purchase via check, please contact Jessica Peña at [email protected].

AABANY Presents: What Do Labor & Employment Lawyers Do?

On April 7, AABANY’s Student Outreach and Labor & Employment Committees hosted a panel on careers in Labor and Employment law. Topics included the types of lawsuits affecting employers and employees, the role of related government agencies and the impact of COVID on employment law. The panelists were: 

William Ng, Shareholder at Littler Mendelson P.C.;

Chris M. Kwok, JAMS Mediator and Arbitrator;

John S. Ho, Chair of Cozen O’Connor’s OSHA Practice;

Yoojin DeNiro, Associate at Goodwin Proctor LLP; and 

Jennifer S. Kim, Associate at Jackson Lewis.

The event was moderated by Jay Hawlader, AABANY Student Leader and a 2L at Brooklyn Law School. 

The panelists provided a wide range of perspectives based on their different experiences. Students learned about career tracks at labor and employment law firms, companies with in-house practices, regulatory agencies and the courts. Panelists also concurred that labor and employment law is a downturn-proof industry with increasing demand and thus offers great opportunities for eager young lawyers. 

Thank you to the panelists, moderator and attendees. To learn more about the Student Outreach Committee, please visit https://www.aabany.org/page/121. To learn more about the Labor & Employment Law Committee, please visit https://www.aabany.org/page/398

Congratulations to Francis Chin on Receiving the Community Service Award from Brooklyn Law School APALSA

Left to Right: Karen Lin,  Hon. Dean Kusakabe, Francis Chin, Hon. Christopher Chin, Mary Kim 

AABANY Director of Technology and Professional Development Committee Chair Francis Chin was honored with the Community Service Award at Brooklyn Law School’s Annual APALSA Alumni Dinner on April 12. The award recognized Francis’ work with Brooklyn Law School students and dedicated leadership at AABANY and AALFNY (Asian American Law Fund of New York). Francis has been active with AABANY since his days as a law student, and he has remained active for more than two decades, now serving in recent years on the Board and in important Committees. Congratulations and thank you, Francis, for all that you do! 

SOC and NOBL Present: Experiences and Tips to Sustain your Legal Career

On March 31, AABANY’s Student Outreach Committee and the Network of Bar Leaders hosted a mentoring session for law students. The event was titled “Experiences and Tips to Sustain Your Legal Career” and featured five distinguished bar leaders: 

  • Vincent Chang, President, New York County Lawyers Association and Past President, AABANY (2007)
  • Jean Dassie, Treasurer, Federal Bar Association SDNY Chapter
  • Austin D’Souza, President, South Asian Bar Association of New York
  • Karen Kim, President-Elect, Asian American Bar Association of New York
  • Meredith Miller, Past President, Network of Bar Leaders and LeGal 

The moderators were Margaret Ling, Vice President of the Network of Bar Leaders, and William Lee, Vice Chair of AABANY’s Student Outreach Committee. 

Reflecting on their career paths, the speakers agreed on the importance of setting professional goals with an open mind. Both Karen and Margaret encouraged students to explore broadly, get to know their classmates and warned about tunnel vision in law school. Meredith shared that membership in a bar association has been important to her career as it helped her form many meaningful connections. Vincent added that many bar associations host mentorship programs that are especially beneficial to students and young attorneys. 

In the second part of the event, attendees had the opportunity to talk informally with the speakers. Attendees introduced themselves and received advice tailored to their areas of interest. The conversation ranged from law practice in real estate to how COVID is changing legal academia. 

Thank you to the speakers, moderators and attendees for a festive and informative event. To learn more about the Student Outreach Committee, please visit https://www.aabany.org/page/121. To learn more about the Network of Bar Leaders, go to https://www.networkofbarleaders.org/

Special Invitation to Attend DisOrientalism Part 2: The Revenge of Hello Kitty

May is Asian American Heritage Month. And in 2022 we have a serious #stopasianhate situation since a certain someone dubbed Coronavirus the “Kung Flu.” Enter an entire cohort of killer Nuyorasian Artists — New York’s premier Asian American performers — tearing up the stage and changing the dynamic with their world class talent: Top notch performers from Broadway, Stand Up Comedy, Burlesque, Rock and Classical Music (with a twist) join forces for one electrifying show. Curated and hosted by notorious comedienne/rapper Kate Siahaan-Rigg alongside child star-turned-Broadway actress Olivia Oguma. This program lasts about 75 minutes and is recommended to boost your immunity against boredom, inaction, xenophobia, and orientalism.

Monday May 2nd, 7pm at Joe’s Pub 425 Lafayette Street.

A special message to AABANY members from event curator and AABANY Annual Dinner master of ceremonies Kate Siahaan-Rigg: 

From the first ever Asian American to play Hamilton on Broadway to a legendary burlesque dancer, to an award winning classical duo to a rising comedy star. Part of the reason violence against Asian Americans has exploded in the face of rhetoric around Corona Virus and the rise in xenophobia is becasue Asians have always been marginalized and shut out of the cultural converation about what it is to be an American. Artists are on the front lines of visibility and speaking up for our community. By showing up and speaking up and practicing their art in a public way, AAPI artists are part of the inclusion of all of us and actively fight racism. 

I have assembled the best of the best and we intend to sing, dance, get crazy, have fun and celebrate our place in the cultural conversation.  Please come. Friends and family discount code: HELLOKITTY

To learn more and purchase tickets, please visit https://publictheater.org/productions/joes-pub/2022/d/disorientalism-part-2/

Don’t forget to register for NAPABA’s Virtual Lobby Day!

NAPABA Logo

Make your voice heard on issues that are important to AAPI communities

This year’s NAPABA Lobby Day will be held on May 18 and 19 in observance of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month! This is our second virtual Lobby Day and 11th annual event. 

Lobby Day is an opportunity for NAPABA members from across the country to educate members of Congress and Congressional staffers on issues of importance to the AAPI community. This year, our agenda includes addressing anti-Asian hate with a focus on what Congress and the federal government can do to stop bias from taking root and how to support victims.

Register today to ensure that your voices and advocacy for justice, equity, and opportunity for all AAPIs are heard from your home districts to the halls of Congress!

Click here to register.

The deadline is register is April 30. Learn more about Lobby Day and bookmark the page for the latest information. If you have any questions, please contact [email protected]

NAPABA Applauds the Nomination of John Z. Lee to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit

For Immediate Release: 
Date: April 13, 2022 

Contact: Mary Tablante, Associate Strategic Communications & Marketing Director

WASHINGTON – Today, President Joe Biden nominated Judge John Z. Lee to serve on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit. If confirmed, Judge Lee would be the first Asian American appellate judge on the Seventh Circuit.

“NAPABA congratulates Judge John Z. Lee on his historic nomination to the Seventh Circuit,” said A.B. Cruz III, acting president of NAPABA. “Judge Lee is a well-qualified nominee who has a decade of experience on the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. He will make an excellent contribution to the appellate court.”

Judge Lee is the son of a coal miner and a nurse, and immigrated to the United States when he was only five years old. Throughout his career, Judge Lee has been very active in serving the greater community, particularly in providing legal services to those in need. He was the President of the Board of Directors for the Coordinated Advice and Referral Program for Legal Services (“CARPLS”), a co-founder of the Willow Creek Legal Aid Clinic in Hoffman Estates (a joint program between CARPLS and Willow Creek Church), and the President of the Board of Directors of Asian Human Services. Judge Lee is a former Board Member of the Asian American Bar Association of the Greater Chicago Area, and he continues to be active with both AABA and NAPABA.

NAPABA thanks President Biden for nominating Judge Lee and Senate Judiciary Committee Chair Senator Durbin and Senator Duckworth for recommending and supporting his 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.

Fall 2022 Federal Judicial Internship Opportunity with Hon. Dora L. Irizarry, E.D.N.Y.

Federal Judicial Internships Available 

The Honorable Dora L. Irizarry, U.S. District Judge for the Eastern District of New  York, currently is accepting applications for Fall 2022 Internships.  

Qualifications: 

  •  Must be a rising second or third year law student. 
  •  Must have good grades. 
  •  Must have good research, writing, and analytical skills, although participation in  Law Review or a Journal is not a prerequisite. 
  •  Military and/or other life/career experience is a plus. 
  •  Must be vaccinated fully against COVID-19 (including a booster shot). 

In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, interested law students should forward their  application package in PDF format via email to [email protected].  

  • One-page cover letter briefly describing your background, why you are interested  in a legal career and setting forth why you are interested in interning for Judge  Irizarry specifically. 
  • Resume. 
  • Law school transcript. Self-prepared transcripts will not be accepted. 
  • One recent writing sample no longer than 10 pages. Journal or research articles  will not be accepted.  
  • Two to three reference letters.  

The deadline for receipt of materials is May 13, 2022. 

Please note that, while these are not paid internships, the Judge will participate in  any appropriate sponsored program that provides academic credit or stipends for interns.  

If you have further questions, please contact chambers at: 718-613-2150.

COVID-19 Rapid Needs Assessment Survey Now Available In Multiple Languages

Survey participation needed to better understand community needs during the pandemic.

NAPABA has partnered with the Asian & Pacific Islander American Health Forum (APIAHF) and the NYU Center for the Study of Asian American Health (CSAAH) to conduct a survey to learn more about the ongoing experiences and needs of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders living in the U.S. during the COVID-19 pandemic. Input from this survey will help develop resources and programs to support these communities. You can take the survey here and it will remain open until 1,000 responses are collected. 

Take Survey

Purpose of the survey: We are trying to learn more about the current and ongoing experiences and needs of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Eligibility: (a) aged 18 or above; (b) self-identify as a(n) Asian American, Native Hawaiian, or Pacific Islander; and (c) be a person living in the United States. 

Survey languages now available: English, Arabic, Bengali, Chinese (Simplified), Chinese (Traditional), Chuukese, Hindi, Japanese, Korean, Marshallese, Native Hawaiian, Nepali, Punjabi, Samoan, Tagalog, Tongan, Urdu, Vietnamese. 

You will receive an Amazon gift card as a token of thanks for your participation after the survey has been completed. If you are interested in receiving the gift card, you will be asked to complete a short form at the end of the survey link. No survey information will be linked with your personal information.

If you have already taken this survey, please share with those who are eligible. If you have questions or concerns about the study, please reach out to Navdeep Singh, Interim Policy Director, at [email protected]. Feel free to share this link with your family and friends, but we ask that you refrain from posting on your social media.