Author: Jessie Zhou

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AABANY and AALFNY Partner with CMP to Empower Entrepreneurs Through Legal Know-How

On October 18th, 2025, the Chinatown Manpower Project (CMP) held its Annual Entrepreneurship Training.  The Asian American Bar Association of New York (AABANY) and Asian American Law Fund of New York (AALFNY) partnered with CMP to deliver a legal workshop on Business Entity Formation and Partnership Agreements, designed to assist small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs.

Thanks to May Wong, former Co-Chair of the Pro Bono & Community Service (PBCS) Committee, and Nandar Win Kerr, Treasurer and Consultant to the PBCS Committee for providing invaluable insights on the crucial topics of business entity formation and partnership agreements, equipping aspiring and current entrepreneurs with the foundational legal knowledge necessary for success.

The engaging training covered essential aspects of choosing the right business structure, including understanding the implications of diverse entity classification and the critical components of strong partnership agreements. Attendees gained a clearer picture of how to protect their businesses, navigate legal complexities, cultivate productive collaborations and promote a sustainable business model.

Many immigrants arrive in the United States seeking better economic prospects and face barriers to traditional employment, such as language barriers and lack of local networks. CMP offers employment support to people from all walks of life, including immigrants and second-generation immigrants. CMP also hosts comprehensive entrepreneurial workshops and seminars, provides one-on-one consulting services to small business clients, and refers clients to partnering resource organizations for government assistance, legal consultation, financial literacy, and micro-lending. 

Wong and Kerr also highlighted the availability of free 30-minute legal consultations through the PBCS Committee’s legal clinics in Manhattan, Queens, and Brooklyn. These clinics, co-sponsored by AABANY and AALFNY offer accessible legal guidance to the community. The PBCS Committee encourages pro bono legal service from AABANY members, informs the community of their legal rights, and works with other not-for-profits to bring free or low-cost legal services to the AAPI, immigrant, and other New York communities. AABANY’s Legal Referral and Information Service (“LRIS”) connects members of the New York community with qualified legal counsel, overcoming linguistic and cultural barriers and increasing the accessibility of legal referral services in the Greater New York area for an underserved demographic.

We believe that empowering entrepreneurs with legal education is vital for fostering thriving businesses and communities. As a gesture of our appreciation and support, all attendees were presented with special Pro Bono Clinic items at the conclusion of the training, a small token to remind them of the resources available to them and the importance of legal guidance in their entrepreneurial journey.

AABANY collaborates with CMP to create this legal workshop to help small business owners and tomorrow’s entrepreneurs. AABANY also helps provide legal advice to small business owners and young entrepreneurs at our upcoming legal clinics. We invite you to join AABANY’s upcoming Pro Bono Clinics taking place on: 

November 8th [Brooklyn link here], from 12:30 – 3:30pm, CPC Brooklyn Community Services, 4101 8th Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11232

November 19th [Manhattan link here] from 6:30-8:30pm, AAFE Community Center, 111 Norfolk Street, NY, NY 10002

December 3rd [Queens link here], from 6:30 – 8:30pm, One Flushing Community Center, 133-29 41st Ave, 2nd Floor, Flushing, NY 11355

A big thank you to CMP for their continued dedication to fostering entrepreneurship, and to all the attendees for their enthusiasm and engagement. We look forward to future collaborations that uplift and empower our community.

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AABANY Joins CPC Brooklyn’s Harvest Moon Benefit to Celebrate Community Partnership

On October 23, 2025, members of AABANY’s Brooklyn Pro Bono Clinic joined the Chinese-American Planning Council (CPC) Brooklyn Branch for its annual Harvest Moon Benefit, held at New Phoenix Seafood Restaurant (912 65th Street, Brooklyn, NY 11219). The event brought together community leaders, partners, and supporters for an evening celebrating culture, service, and collaboration.

AABANY’s Brooklyn Pro Bono Clinic volunteers — Victoria Cheng, Judy Lee, Albert Tong, Jameson Xu, Nandar Win Kerr, May Wong, and Kwok Kei Ng — represented AABANY at the banquet. The group was warmly welcomed by CPC staff and community members in attendance.

The Harvest Moon Benefit highlighted CPC’s decades-long work serving Brooklyn’s immigrant and working-class communities through programs in education, family services, workforce development, and senior care. AABANY was proud to celebrate this partnership: CPC Brooklyn generously provides the space that makes the Brooklyn Pro Bono Legal Clinic possible. At the Pro Bono Clinic, which occurs every other month, volunteer attorneys and students assist community members navigating complex legal issues involving housing, employment, family, and consumer matters.

This lively and heartfelt evening reflected the collaboration between AABANY and CPC Brooklyn — both focused on promoting access to justice, empowering immigrant families, and building stronger neighborhoods.

AABANY extends its deepest thanks to CPC Brooklyn for the invitation and for their ongoing support of our clinic and the communities we serve.

Those interested in volunteering at AABANY’s Brooklyn Pro Bono Clinic can visit probono.aabany.org to learn more and register here for the next Brooklyn Pro Bono Clinic to be held on November 8.

— Written by Kwok Kei Ng, Co-Chair, Pro Bono & Community Service Committee

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NAPABA Trailblazer Sandra Leung to Receive ABA Spirit of Excellence Award

For Immediate Release:
October 20, 2025		Contact:
Priya Purandare
Executive Director, NAPABA

WASHINGTON — The American Bar Association’s Commission on Racial and Ethnic Diversity in the Profession has announced that past NAPABA President Sandra Leung will receive the 2026 Spirit of Excellence Award. Each year, the ABA honors lawyers who have excelled in their fields and who have demonstrated an abiding commitment to promoting diversity and inclusion in the legal profession. Earlier this year, NAPABA announced Sandra Leung as a recipient of its highest honor, the Daniel K. Inouye Trailblazer Award, in recognition of her achievements, commitment, and leadership in paving the way for advancement of other Asian Pacific, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander lawyers.

An accomplished attorney, prosecutor, C-suite advisor, and champion for justice, Sandra Leung has broken down barriers in a distinguished career that saw her become the first Asian American woman to serve as an Assistant District Attorney in the Manhattan District Attorney’s office, and the first Asian American and the first woman to serve as general counsel for the global biopharmaceutical giant Bristol Meyers Squibb. As one of ten children born to Chinese immigrant parents who operated a Chinese restaurant in Stamford, Connecticut, and whose neighbors had circulated a petition in an attempt to block her family from moving in, Sandra Leung has displayed a lifelong commitment to speaking up for those facing inequality and prejudice.  

“Sandy Leung has blazed trails and set a remarkably high standard of achievement and excellence for our bar,” said NAPABA President Thy B. Bui. “Not only has she walked the talk in terms of her dedication to uplifting attorneys of all backgrounds in the legal profession, but her unapologetic public commitment to diversity and justice has been an inspiration for me as president of NAPABA and for so many others.”

Over more than a three-decade long career at Bristol Meyers Squibb, Sandra built and led a world class team of approximately 200 attorneys and 480 professionals across 35 countries. Among her many accomplishments, she takes greatest pride in her unwavering commitment to nurturing diverse talent at every level of the profession—beginning with the BMS internship program she helped cultivate and which has now been aptly renamed the Sandra Leung Program on Law and Leadership in recognition of her enduring impact.

In addition to her tenure at Bristol Myers Squibb, Sandra has devoted her time, energy, and expertise to advancing the mission of numerous nonprofit organizations. She served on NAPABA’s Board of Governors from 2021 to 2024 and as NAPABA President from 2022 to 2023, where she worked to strengthen and expand the organization’s reach.

“Sandy’s deep commitment to our bar and the legal profession derives from a lifetime of advocacy for diversity and underserved communities,” said Priya Purandare, Executive Director of NAPABA. “I am grateful to Sandy for her leadership in not only guiding NAPABA with steady wisdom through a tremendous period of growth but also her dedication to advancing AANHPI lawyers and the communities they serve.”

Also receiving the 2026 Spirit of Excellence Award are:

  • Hon. Marcella Holland, Circuit Administrative Judge, Baltimore City (ret.);
  • Loren Kieve, Principal, Kieve Law Offices;
  • Rosevelie Márquez Morales, Chief Inclusion Officer, Hogan Lovells;
  • Hector Villagra, Vice President of Policy Advocacy and Community Education, Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund (MALDEF).

The 2026 Spirit of Excellence Awards will be presented during a ceremony at the 2026 ABA Midyear Meeting on February 7, 2026, in San Antonio, Texas.

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Paralegal Pathways Initiative Offers Training Program Opportunity for Formerly Incarcerated Individuals

Paralegal Pathways Initiative (PPI) at Columbia Law School is a semester-long training program aimed at supporting formerly incarcerated individuals to transition into careers within the legal field. Through skills-based legal training and professional mentorship, PPI empowers participants to develop valuable career and interview skills. 

PPI is now accepting applications for their upcoming Spring 2026 class, and wants to extend this opportunity to as many potential applicants as possible. Please reach out to (ppi@law.columbia.edu) if you know of anyone who may be interested or are interested yourself!

Eligibility Criteria

  • 18 years old or older
  • Have at least a GED or a high school diploma
  • Can commute to New York City
  • At least one year post-release
  • Interest in the legal field

Application Deadline

Sunday, November 16, 2025, at 11:59 PM

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Thank You to Our Volunteers at the October 15th Manhattan Pro Bono Clinic

We extend our sincere gratitude to AAFE, AABANY, AALFNY, PBCS, and all the dedicated volunteers who contributed to the success of our Pro Bono Legal Clinic in Manhattan on October 15th, 2025.

During the clinic, our volunteers provided free legal services and information to 16 clients, addressing a range of matters including housing, immigration, family and matrimonial, estate and property. 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 thank all the volunteers at the October 15th Manhattan Pro Bono Clinic for their time, professionalism, and dedication:

Volunteer Attorneys:

  • Yen Yi Anderson
  • Jack (Zixu) Hsia
  • Justin Lee
  • Beatrice Leong
  • Arthur Lin
  • Jieman Tan
  • Anthony Wong
  • Gary Yeung

Interpreters/shadowers:

  • Kaleah Haddock
  • Emily Kam
  • Nikita Kohli
  • Qi (Ellie) Wang
  • Ruixuan Yi
  • Shang Zhai
  • Wendy Zeng

We invite you to continue supporting our community by joining us at our upcoming pro bono clinics:

November 8th [Brooklyn link here], from 12:30 – 3:30pm, CPC Brooklyn Community Services, 4101 8th Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11232

November 19th [Manhattan link here] from 6:30-8:30pm, AAFE Community Center, 111 Norfolk Street, NY, NY 10002. This clinic is preceded by an Immigration Basics Training at 6pm.

December 3rd [Queens link here], from 6:30 – 8:30pm, One Flushing Community Center, 133-29 41st Ave, 2nd Floor, Flushing, NY 11355. This clinic is preceded by an Immigration Basics Training at 6pm.

We look forward to your participation in our future clinics! To learn more about how you can get involved with AABANY’s Pro Bono Clinics, visit probono.aabany.org.

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Thank You for Attending the Solo and Small Firm Practice Committee Happy Hour!

On the evening of October 9, 2025, AABANY’s Solo and Small Firm Practice (SSFP) Committee hosted a lively happy hour at Cha Cha Tang, bringing together solo and small firm  practitioners, in-house counsel, aspiring small firm practitioners, and others for an evening of networking, community, and good food. Although titled “Solo and Small Firm Practice Committees Happy Hour,” the event drew a wide mix of participants. The energy in the room reflected the entrepreneurial spirit that defines the SSFP Committee.

Attendees enjoyed a delicious spread of shared plates, including potstickers, shumai, shrimp dumplings, scallion pancakes, and more. The cozy atmosphere of Cha Cha Tang provided the perfect setting for meaningful conversations, new connections, and the exchange of experience amongst a wide range of attendees. 

We extend our gratitude to everyone who attended and helped make the evening a success. Your enthusiasm and engagement are what make these gatherings special. If you missed the event, don’t worry; more opportunities are coming! Keep an eye on AABANY’s Events Calendar for upcoming programs and networking opportunities. To learn more about the SSFP Committee, click here.

We extend special thanks to the Co-Chairs of the SSFP Committee, Yen-Yi Anderson and Bianca Lin, and Vice Chair Tiffany Miao for their coordination and organization. Also to our sponsors at Allegaert Berger & Vogel LLP, whose generosity helped make this event possible. 

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Thank You to Our Volunteers and Speakers at the October Queens Pro Bono Clinic

We thank our volunteers and partners for their invaluable contributions to the Queens Pro Bono Legal Clinic on October 1st, 2025. We extend our sincere gratitude to the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs (MOIA), the Asian American for Equity (AAFE), AALFNY, AABANY, all of our dedicated volunteers and the MOIA immigration resource workshop participants.

We especially thank Commissioner Manuel Castro, Lily Liang, Community Liaison, and Shaina Torres, Director of Communications and Strategic Initiatives from the NYC Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs (MOIA) for their insightful community education training and for sharing MOIA resources with us to help create a better and safer New York City for everyone.

Thanks to our volunteers’ dedication, we were able to assist 15 clients with a wide range of legal concerns, including housing, immigration, matrimonial and family law, employment, and criminal cases.

Our volunteer attorneys and interpreters demonstrated exceptional patience and commitment in addressing client questions, offering guidance, and connecting them with further legal support through AABANY’s Legal Referral and Information Service (LRIS). We are proud to offer our services in both Mandarin and Cantonese, allowing us to continue our mission of providing crucial support to individuals facing linguistic or cultural barriers in accessing quality legal care.

Too often, those who face language barriers find themselves overwhelmed and powerless in the face of a complex legal system. Without access to interpretation or culturally informed advocacy, they may not fully understand their rights or the options available to them. Seeing the fear and uncertainty in their eyes is a stark reminder of the urgent need for accessible legal aid.

For many of the AABANY volunteers, this mission is deeply personal. As children or descendants of immigrants, our attorneys and interpreters understand firsthand the struggles that accompany language barriers, cultural misunderstandings, and systemic inequities. Helping these clients is, in many ways, like helping our own parents, neighbors, and communities – a way to honor those who paved the way before us and ensure that others today do not face the same struggles alone. 

AABANY remains steadfast in its commitment to give back to AAPI communities, advancing access to justice and empowerment to those who have been marginalized by the barriers of language, culture, or circumstance.

Here are some of the clients’ comments from this evening’s pro bono clinic:

“I felt truly listened to; the attorneys explained everything clearly and patiently.”

“Very wonderful legal service.”

“Made me feel less alone in my situation.”

We thank the following volunteer attorneys:

  • Wendy (Wen-Hsien) Cheng
  • Richard In
  • Johnny Thach
  • Yilan Wang
  • Anthony Wong
  • May Wong
  • Helen Wu
  • Gary Yeung

Our sincere appreciation also goes to our dedicated interpreters and shadowers:

  • Nandar Win Kerr
  • Ruixuan Yi
  • Wendy Zeng
  • Shang Zhai
  • Jessie Zhou

We invite you to continue supporting our community by joining us at our upcoming pro bono clinics:

November 8th [Brooklyn link here], from 12:30 – 3:30pm, CPC Brooklyn Community Services, 4101 8th Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11232

November 19th [Manhattan link here] from 6:30-8:30pm, AAFE Community Center, 111 Norfolk Street, NY, NY 10002

December 3rd [Queens link here], from 6:30 – 8:30pm, One Flushing Community Center, 133-29 41st Ave, 2nd Floor, Flushing, NY 11355

Future Community Education Speaker and Topic Announcement

In collaboration with the Issue Committee, Vishal Chander, one of PBCS Committee’s incredible volunteers and Issues Committee Co-Chair, will provide 30-minutes Basic Immigration training Part 1 on November 19th at Manhattan Clinic and Part 2 on December 3rd at Queens Clinic from 6 – 6:30pm. 

This training series will prepare lawyers and law students the fundamentals of advising pro bono clients who are or have family in removal (deportation) proceedings. CLE credits will be given to attorneys who attend both trainings.

We look forward to your participation in our future clinics!

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AABANY Hosts Tax and Trusts & Estates Career Panel at Cardozo Law School

On the evening of September 30, the AABANY Student Outreach, Tax, and Trusts & Estates Committees, in collaboration with Cardozo Law School’s APALSA, presented a Tax and Trusts & Estates Career Panel. The program was organized as a single event divided into two parts, offering students a comprehensive look into two dynamic and specialized areas of law.

In the Tax Law portion, Eric Min of Baker McKenzie, Co-Chair of AABANY’s Tax Committee, and Hardy Zhou of Cooley, Co-Chair of AABANY’s Asia Practice Committee, discussed their career paths and the intricacies of cross-border tax practice. The session was moderated by Christine Shea, AABANY Student Outreach Committee Student Ambassador.

The Trusts & Estates portion featured Yi Stewart, Litigation Associate at Farrell Fritz and Co-Chair of AABANY’s Trusts & Estates Committee; Shu-Ping Shen, Wealth Advisor at JPMorgan Bank; George Martin, Senior Associate at ArentFox Schiff; and Bich-Nga Nguyen, Executive Director at Morgan Stanley. The panelists shared insights from their work in litigation, private practice, and wealth management, providing students with a well-rounded understanding of the field. This section was moderated by Bich-Nga Nguyen.

Throughout the evening, students gained a valuable overview of the diverse issues that tax law and trusts & estates law encompass—from corporate transactions and international matters to estate planning and fiduciary litigation. Panelists also offered practical advice on career development, networking, and coursework selection to help students distinguish themselves in the job market.

At the conclusion of the program, the panelists—joined by Trusts & Estates Committee Co-Chair Natasha Chang—networked with attendees, answering follow-up questions and sharing additional insights in an informal setting.

Special thanks go to Cardozo APALSA for hosting the event and providing catering, and to all participating committees and volunteers for making this collaborative event a success.

To learn more about the Tax Committee, click here. To learn more about the Trusts & Estates Committee, click here. To learn more about the Student Outreach Committee, click here.

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AABANY Co-Sponsors 18th Annual Caren Aronowitz Unity in Diversity Event at the New York State Supreme Court

On Friday, September 19th, 2025, the New York State Supreme Court hosted the 18th Annual Caren Aronowitz Unity in Diversity Event, co-sponsored by more than 25 bar associations, court committees, and professional organizations. Among the co-sponsors was the Asian American Bar Association of New York, represented by Yang Chen (Executive Director), Carrey Wong (Deputy Executive Director), and Jessie Zhou (Legal Intern). 

The event opened with a majestic performance by the New York State Courts Pipes and Drums, dressed in full Scottish attire. Their music, solemn yet celebratory, created an atmosphere of reverence and set the stage for a program honoring both tradition and community.

Hon. Suzanne J. Adams (Administrative Judge of the New York County Supreme Court Civil Term) offered welcome remarks, affirming the court’s commitment to diversity and inclusion. Then, she introduced Ukrainian singer Valeriia Kuzmuk, who moved the audience with her renditions of traditional and contemporary Ukrainian songs.

The program then continued with a dedication by Hon. Deborah A. Kaplan (Justice of the New York County Supreme Court), who reflected on the legacy of the late Caren Aronowitz. Known for her tireless dedication to cultural programming at the courthouse, Aronowitz was remembered as a beloved colleague whose vision continues to inspire annual celebrations of unity. Special recognition was given to Simone Abrams and Yesenia Herrera (members of the New York County Clerk’s Office) for their efforts in planning the program. 

The event concluded with closing remarks by Hon. Adam Silvera (Deputy Chief Administrative Judge of the New York City Courts). Justice Silvera highlighted the importance of building unity through diversity, reminding all attendees that the legal profession is strengthened when it embraces every community it serves. 

Following the program, attendees were invited to enjoy a reception featuring a wide variety of dishes contributed by all co-sponsoring associations and committees. From savory entreés to sweet desserts, the tables offered a vibrant display of cuisines that showcased the rich cultural traditions across many diverse communities.   AABANY’s spread was a true highlight—an array of of pork, shrimp, chicken, and edamame dumplings; pillowy pork and duck buns; egg fried rice; savory noodles; and Chinese greens. The aromas filled the room, drawing attendees to the tables again and again.

As the event drew to a close, the Unity in Diversity program once again achieved its purpose — to celebrate the richness of difference, to honor those who paved the way, and to strengthen the bonds of communities.

We thank the Gender Fairness Committee, Supreme Court, Civil Term, New York County, the New York County Supreme Court, Civil Term Equal Justice in the Courts Committee and the Cultural Diversity Sub Committee, and the New York County Clerk’s Office for their organization and continued commitment to inclusion and diversity. We thank all co-sponsoring associations, committees, and societies for their dedication and generosity in tabling, and we honor the memory of Caren Aronowitz, whose vision continues to unite the court and community year after year. 

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Thank You to Our Volunteers at the Manhattan Pro Bono Clinic on September 17

Many thanks to AABANY, AALFNY, PBCS, AAFE, and all the dedicated volunteers who contributed to the success of our pro bono legal clinic in Manhattan on September 17th, 2025.


During the clinic, our volunteers provided invaluable assistance to 20 clients, addressing a range of legal matters including housing, immigration, civil litigation, estate and property, personal injury, fraud and theft. 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 thank again all the volunteers at the September 17th Manhattan Pro Bono Clinic for their time, professionalism, and contribution.


Volunteer attorneys:

  • Yen-Yi Anderson
  • Sam (Ming-Sheng) Hou
  • Jack (Zixu) Hsia
  • Justin Lee
  • Beatrice Leong
  • Lily Li
  • Arthur Lin
  • Zixuan  Luo
  • Jie Shi
  • Jieman Tan
  • Jameson Xu
  • Cecilia Yang

Interpreters/shadowers:

  • Nandar Win Kerr
  • Carrie Nie
  • Shang Zhai
  • Wendy Zeng

Please join us at our next Pro Bono Clinics:

November 8th [Brooklyn link here] from 12:30pm – 2:30pm, CPC Brooklyn Community Services, NY, NY 11232

November 19 [Manhattan link here] from 6:30-8:30pm, AAFE Community Center, 111 Norfolk Street, NY, NY 10002

December 3 [Queens link here] from 6:30 – 8:30 PM, AAFE One Flushing Community Center, NY, NY 11355

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 how you can get involved with AABANY’s Pro Bono Clinics, visit probono.aabany.org.

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