Author: Max Steinmetz

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AABANY Hosts Meeting with Singapore IP Delegation and Attends Roundtable on IP Disputes

In February and March 2025, AABANY had the honor of participating in two events with a delegation of IP officials from Singapore.

Meeting with the Singapore IP Delegation (February 26, 2025):
On February 26, 2025, AABANY’s Intellectual Property Committee hosted a meeting with a distinguished IP delegation from Singapore at Wilson Sonsini in New York. This exclusive event brought together key leaders in the IP community from both the United States and Singapore, fostering discussions about collaboration and innovation in global IP practices.

The delegation from Singapore included some of the foremost leaders in the fields of IP law, arbitration, and mediation, who shared invaluable insights into Singaporean law and practices in these areas. Attendees had the unique opportunity to engage with:

  • Dr. Stanley Lai, Senior Counsel, Chairperson of the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS)
  • Chuan Wee Meng, Chief Executive Officer, Singapore International Mediation Centre (SIMC)
  • Adriana Uson, Director & Head (Americas), Singapore International Arbitration Centre (SIAC)
  • Sandy Widjaja, Senior Legal Counsel, IPOS

These experts provided an in-depth view of Singapore’s robust legal infrastructure and its innovative approaches to resolving IP disputes through mediation and arbitration. The conversations focused on opportunities for cross-border collaboration, especially in areas where U.S. and Singaporean practices align in the IP field.

Jeffrey Mok (AABANY’s VP of Programs & Operations, and Co-Chair of the IP Committee) delivered a presentation on AABANY’s mission, history, and role as a nationally recognized leader among diverse bar associations.  Ben Hsing, AABANY’s President-Elect and Ada Wang, Co-Chair of the IP Committee, also guided discussions and ensured meaningful dialogue between the two communities.

Roundtable Discussion: Trends in the Resolution of IP and Technology Disputes (March 4, 2025):
On March 4, 2025, AABANY was honored to be invited to, and participate in, a Roundtable Discussion on the Resolution of IP and Technology Disputes, organized by the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS) at Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP at their office in Manhattan West. The event provided a platform for legal professionals from across the globe to discuss key trends and challenges in IP dispute resolution, especially within the context of technology and innovation.

The roundtable was moderated by Dr. Stanley Lai, Senior Counsel and Chairman of IPOS, and featured thought-provoking discussions on critical issues such as:

  • Litigation vs. Arbitration: The advantages and challenges of resolving IP disputes through litigation versus arbitration.
  • Mediation: The increasing role of mediation as a method of resolving disputes without resorting to litigation or arbitration.
  • Arbitration Considerations: Topics like the seat of arbitration, governing law, selection of arbitral institutions, and arbitrator choice.
  • Practical Challenges: Issues related to discovery, expert witnesses, and other pain points commonly faced during IP and technology disputes.

Greg Pan and Ada Wang, Co-Chairs of AABANY’s Intellectual Property Committee contributed to the roundtable discussion alongside other prominent figures from the IP and dispute resolution sectors. Among the attendees were:

  • David Kappos, Partner at Cravath
  • Chuan Wee Meng, CEO, Singapore International Mediation Centre (SIMC)
  • Adriana Uson, Director & Head (Americas), Singapore International Arbitration Centre (SIAC)
  • Sharon Goswami, Partner at Cravath
  • Keith Hummel, Partner at Cravath
  • Mia Levi, Vice President, CPR Dispute Resolution
  • Sandy Widjaja, Senior Legal Counsel, IPOS

The IP Committee looks forward to continuing to foster discussions about intellectual property at a global level. 

To learn more about the IP Committee and how you can get more involved, go here.

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AABANY IP Committee Welcomes Spring with Monthly Dinner On March 31, 2025

On March 31, 2025, the AABANY Intellectual Property (IP) Committee hosted its monthly dinner at Utsav.  Both familiar and new faces gathered to enjoy mouthwatering Indian cuisine while engaging in lively discussions on a range of topics, including racquet sports for the spring (e.g., tennis or pickleball), the evolving role of AI in our lives, and its growing impact on the legal industry.

A big thank you to everyone who attended! The IP Committee is always welcoming new members, and we encourage anyone interested in joining our community to get involved.

To learn more about the IP Committee and how you can participate, visit the IP Committee’s page on the AABANY website.

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Notice of Public Hearings: New York State Bar Examination

In January 2025, the Court of Appeals announced that, commencing with the July 2028 administration of the New York State bar examination, the Uniform Bar Examination will be replaced by the NextGen Bar Exam. At the same time, the Court appointed an advisory committee. The Committee, co-chaired by the Honorable Edward D. Carni (Ret. New York State Appellate Division Justice) and Sherry Levin Wallach, Deputy Executive Director of The Legal Aid Society of Westchester County and 2022-2023 President of the New York State Bar Association, is charged with preparing a report and recommendation to the Court of Appeals identifying options on whether, and to what extent, the Court should adopt pre- or post-admission requirements supplementing the NextGen Bar Exam to ensure competency to practice in New York. The report is expected by September 2025

To fulfill its responsibilities, the Committee will hold several virtual public hearings in May of 2025. The purpose of the public hearings is to receive the views of interested individuals, law offices, and organizations on possible options. The Committee is also interested in hearing, assuming the Court retains a New York-specific requirement, views regarding the areas of New York law that should be part of a licensing or continuing practice requirement. After the public hearings, the Committee will prepare a report for the New York Court of Appeals reviewing its findings.

The Committee will hold three four-hour virtual meetings as indicated below:

May 13, 2025, 10:00 am to 2:00 pm
May 20, 2025, 9:00 am to 1:00 pm
June 9, 2025, 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm

The Committee invites testimony on the following issues (the list is not exhaustive):

  • The relative importance of requiring bar applicants to complete a New York-law specific licensing component;
  • The advantages and/or disadvantages of the current New York Law Course (NYLC) and New York Law Examination (NYLE);
  • The advantages and/or disadvantages of alternatives to the current NYLC and NYLE, including eliminating or replacing an examination requirement;
  • Adoption of an open or closed book exam;
  • The impact that a different New York-specific licensing requirement would have on law school curricula and bar exam preparation;
  • A court-mandated New York law course and/or supervised clinic, internship, or externship in addition to the Court of Appeals experiential learning admissions rule 520.18;
  • Adoption of new Continuing Legal Education requirements, including courses based on simulations, hypotheticals, and class participation.

The Committee will consider both oral testimony and written submissions. All testimony is by invitation only. If you are interested in being invited to testify at the hearing, please send an email to NYBEpublichearings@nycourts.gov no later than 10 days in advance of the scheduled hearing at which you propose to testify. Proposed testimony should not exceed 10 minutes in length or 10 written pages, unless otherwise instructed by the Committee Chairs.

If requesting an invitation, please (1) identify yourself and your affiliation; (2) attach a prepared statement or a detailed outline of the proposed testimony and specify which, if any, of the topics described above will be addressed; and (3) indicate at which of the hearings you would like to deliver the testimony. In advance of the hearing, invitations to testify will be issued and will include an approximate time for each presenter’s testimony. For those not invited to present oral testimony, the proposed testimony will be deemed a written submission for consideration by the Committee.

Persons unable to attend a hearing or interested in only making a written submission may send their remarks by email to NYBEpublichearings@nycourts.gov at least seven days in advance of the hearing.

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Expansion of Mandatory Electronic Filing in the Supreme Court – Civil Term

Christopher Gibson, Director, Division of E-Filing, NYS Office of Court Administration, shared the following announcement:

Please be advised that a memorandum from Hon. Joseph A. Zayas, J.S.C., Chief Administrative Judge, outlining the proposed statewide expansion of mandatory electronic filing (e-filing) in the Supreme Court – Civil Term has been posted online.

You can view the memorandum here:

E Filing Memo Supreme Court.pdf

Or visit: Rules – E-Filing | NYCOURTS.GOV

The memorandum also invites comments on the proposed expansion.

Thank you for the continued support of this initiative to improve access and efficiency. 

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AABANY Intellectual Property Committee Co-Hosts Board Games Night

On April 9th, AABANY’s IP Committee, in collaboration with the New York Intellectual Property Law Association (NYIPLA), hosted an exciting and lively Board Games Night at Fish & Richardson. Everyone from IP lawyers and beyond was invited to unwind and connect for a night of friendly competition.


Around 30 players of all skill levels were able to engage in a variety of games that were offered, from familiar games, such as Monopoly, Codenames, and Anomia, as well as new ones like Herd Mentality. Participants enjoyed the lighthearted, relaxed, and enjoyable atmosphere of each game, regardless of skill level, making for a laughter-filled night of fun.

The attendees enjoyed a variety of delicious food and drinks, including dumplings and noodles.

Thank you to everyone who attended, making this event a huge success through your participation.


Thank you as well to IP Committee Co-Chair Jeffery Mok for helping to organize this event and his firm, Fish & Richardson, for hosting. To learn more about the IP Committee and how you can get involved, visit their page here.

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Don’t Miss Out – Apply Now for the 2025 Collaborative Bar Leadership Academy in Washington, DC!

Collaborative Bar Leadership Academy

Application Deadline: Friday, April 25, 2024 | 11:59 pm ET

We are thrilled to invite you to apply for the 2025 Collaborative Bar Leadership Academy (CBLA) – an exclusive, transformative experience designed to elevate aspiring and current bar leaders like you! The CBLA will take place in the heart of Washington, D.C., from June 29 – July 1, 2025. This is your chance to accelerate your leadership journey and connect with fellow bar leaders from across the country.  

Why Apply for CBLA?

This isn’t just another leadership program – it’s a game-changing opportunity to take your career to the next level:

  • Expand Your Network – Connect with influential leaders from NAPABA and top national bar associations.
  • Learn from Experts – Gain invaluable leadership insights from renowned professionals in an intimate, collaborative setting.
  • Sharpen Your Skills – Acquire the tools you need to lead effectively, whether in a local or national bar association.
  • Impact Your Future – Leave with the skills and confidence to organize, manage, and inspire in any bar leadership role.

Spots are limited! Apply today to ensure you don’t miss out on this once-in-a-lifetime experience!

Application Deadline: Friday, April 25, 2024, at 11:59 PM ET.

Eligibility Requirements

  • Be an active member of NAPABA
  • Complete a two-part application process, including a virtual component
  • Submit your resume to Keevin Woods (keevin.woods@americanbar.org) and Matthew Archer-Beck (mattab@nativeamericanbar.org) with the subject line: “[Applicant’s Name]’s CBLA 2025 Resume”


Note: Incomplete applications will not be considered, so make sure everything is in order!

Apply Now



About CBLA  

The Collaborative Bar Leadership Academy (CBLA) is a joint initiative of the American Bar Association, its Commission on Racial and Ethnic Diversity in the Profession and the Commission on Disability Rights, the Hispanic National Bar Association, the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association, the National Bar Association, the National LGBT Bar Association, the National Native American Bar Association, and the South Asian Bar Association of North America. Together, we aim to empower and prepare leaders to shape the future of the legal profession. Our coordinated effort is designed to strengthen the pipeline of bar association leaders through leadership training, professional development training, and networking.    

Don’t miss this incredible opportunity to develop, connect, and lead in the legal world. We can’t wait to see you in Washington, DC!  

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What NAPABA Will Be Advocating for at Lobby Day

2025 NAPABA Lobby Day

May 20-21, 2025 | Washington, DC

Are you joining us for NAPABA’s largest advocacy day on Capitol Hill? NAPABA Lobby Day is your opportunity to meet with policymakers and champion the pressing issues affecting our communities. Now is the time to come together, take action, and make our voices heard to drive meaningful change.

  • NAPABA Supports the AANHPI Community
    • Ensuring Language Access
    • Protecting the Legacy of Fred Korematsu
    • Recognizing the Rich History and Vibrancy of the AANHPI Community
  • NAPABA Calls for Fair and Humane Immigration System
    • Advancing the Right to Counsel
    • Supporting Asylum Seekers
    • Protecting Immigrants from National Origin Discrimination
  • NAPABA Defends Rule of Law & the Legal Profession
    • Protecting Judges from Threats
    • Supporting Funding for Legal Services Corporation
    • Strengthening the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program
  • NAPABA Advances Democracy and Civil Rights
    • Ensuring Equal Rights for the LGBTQ+ Community
    • Advancing Critical Voting Rights
    • Preventing Anti-Asian Alien Land Laws

Will you make sure your voice is represented?

Register Now for Lobby Day


Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month Congressional Reception

Tuesday, May 20, 2025 | 6-8 PM ET

Join NAPABA members and community leaders from across the country as we celebrate AANHPI Heritage Month with members of Congress. The reception will bring together Lobby Day participants, members of Congress and their staff, and leaders in the AANHPI community.

RSVP Now



For any questions about Lobby Day, please email the NAPABA Lobby Day Team at lobbyday@napaba.org.

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AABANY Hosts 2nd Annual Wellness Retreat at Blue Cliff Monastery

On March 22, 2025, AABANY hosted its 2nd Annual mindfulness wellness retreat at Blue Cliff Monastery in upstate New York, designed exclusively for AABANY. The retreat provided a safe space to relax, reflect, and connect with one another while focusing on one’s mental and emotional well-being.

In continuation of AABANY’s 2023-24 theme, “Embracing Wellness and Well-Being: Strengthening the Legal Profession by Investing in Ourselves,” the retreat was organized with the support of AABANY’s Professional Development Committee. 

Over thirty AABANY members, family, and friends attended, starting the day with an orientation and introduction to meditation and mindfulness practices. After some time to relax and connect with each other, members joined in group singing outside before going on a walking meditation led by the monastics. Attendees were taught how to be mindful of their surroundings, their breathing, and walking, as they enjoyed the nature around them in peaceful silence. 

Afterwards, attendees practiced a mindful lunch in silence for the first 20 minutes, focusing on the vegetarian meal prepared by the monastery, being mindful of the food, how it nourishes the body, and the preparation of the food by the monastics. As meals were finished, attendees washed their own plates and utensils, again focusing on being mindful and present.

In support of the monastery and to experience a working meditation, various activities were presented to the attendees, including raking leaves, planting seeds, and cleaning and cutting vegetables for future meals. This was also an opportunity to connect with guests from CUNY Law School, who had their annual retreat at the same time. 

After some time to further connect and relax with others over tea, with some stopping by the bookstore at the monastery, attendees experienced a relaxation meditation. Everyone rested on mats, providing an opportunity to focus on oneself, away from the challenges of the legal profession as well as the current state of the world. 

To conclude the day, AABANY attendees participated in Dharma Sharing, where everyone shared a little bit about themselves and what they were grateful for that day. Special thanks were made to AABANY, Sister Empathy, and Blue Cliff Monastery for organizing the retreat. Thanks also to AABANY member Khanh Nguyen for helping make arrangements with the monastery, AABANY Professional Development Committee Co-Chair May Wong for helping make van transportation arrangements, and AABANY member Francis Chin for assisting in making sure everyone was accounted for on the van. Finally, thanks to Yang Chen for helping with the overall logistics to make AABANY’s 2nd Annual Wellness Retreat a success.

Attendees offered positive feedback and gratitude for the opportunity to spend the day on mindfulness, with many asking whether the retreat would be organized again next year. The retreat provided a much-needed day of rest for attendees to re-charge and focus on their self-care, as well as spend time with family, friends, and new friends. AABANY thanks Sister Empathy, Brother Emptiness, and the other monastics for their warmth, generosity, and guidance throughout the retreat.

If you have ideas for programs or speakers on the topic of wellness and well-being, please reach out to AABANY at wellness@aabany.org. AABANY’s Wellness Resources Guide provides a variety of information, including links to free assistance programs, trainings, and hotlines, which can be accessed here.

To learn more about the Professional Development Committee, please visit here. More information about Blue Cliff Monastery can be found here.

For more photos from the retreat, the album can be viewed here.

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Apply Now: 2025 NAPABA In-House Counsel (IHC) + Partners Summits August 28-29th

Applications are Now Open

In-House Counsel (IHC) + Partners Summits August 28-29 | New York

We are excited to announce that applications are now open for the NAPABA In-House Counsel (IHC) Summit and Partners Summit, taking place August 28-29, 2025, in New York City! These premier gatherings bring together top legal professionals for two days of high-impact networking, strategic career development, and actionable insights from industry leaders.

Which Summit Is Right for You?

In-House Counsel (IHC) SummitPartners Summit
Designed for senior in-house attorneys looking to accelerate their leadership trajectory, this program features guidance and insights from General Counsels, C-Suite Executives, and search firm leaders on how to navigate leadership transitions and position yourself for top legal roles at Fortune 1000 companies.A dynamic program for law firm partners to strengthen leadership skills, develop business strategies, and connect with the next generation of NAPABA legal leaders. Hosted alongside the IHC Summit, this event also provides a unique opportunity to build relationships with senior in-house attorneys from Fortune 1000 companies.
Learn More & Apply Now
Learn More & Apply Now



Why Attend?

✔️ Engage with Fortune 1000 legal decision-makers
✔️ Gain actionable strategies to elevate and advance your career
✔️ Expand your network and forge meaningful connections with top in-house attorneys and law firm partners
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AABANY Asia Practice Committee Presents: Annual Dinner Party 

On March 23, 2025, the Asia Practice Committee of the Asian American Bar Association of New York (AABANY) hosted a successful Annual Dinner Party at Evergreen in Midtown East in Manhattan. The event brought together a diverse group of legal professionals and entrepreneurs with an interest in Asia Practice for an evening of meaningful networking and engaging conversations.

The night began with welcoming remarks from Hardy Zhou, Co-Chair of AABANY’s Asia Practice Committee, who emphasized the importance of fostering strong relationships within the AABANY community. Hardy also highlighted how the Asia Practice Committee continues to bridge connections between professionals in law and business related to Asia, creating a space for sharing experiences and exploring opportunities for collaboration.

Attendees enjoyed lively discussions and had the opportunity to build new relationships with legal professionals from various practices. The evening proved to be an excellent opportunity to exchange ideas, strengthen connections, and explore potential collaborations.

A special thank you to all those who attended and contributed to the event’s success. We look forward to more events that bring our community together and support the growth of legal professionals. To learn more about the Asia Practice Committee, visit their page on the AABANY website. We look forward to more great events from this Committee in the new fiscal year that started on April 1st.

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