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.
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 5, 2025, 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm May 13, 2025, 10:00 am to 2:00 pm May 20, 2025, 9:00 am to 1:00 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 [email protected] 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 [email protected] at least seven days in advance of the hearing.
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.
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.
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 ([email protected]) and Matthew Archer-Beck ([email protected]) 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!
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!
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
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.
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 [email protected]. 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.
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) Summit
Partners 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.
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
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.
On Thursday, February 27th, AABANY with FALA New York, NACAL, SABANY, and NYU’s APALSA co-sponsored a Fireside Chat with Bethany Li, the new Executive Director of the Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund (AALDEF). Moderated by Vishal Chander, Co-Chair of AABANY’s Issues Committee, the event gave insight into AALDEF’s history, Bethany’s journey into public interest law, and the pressing civil rights issues facing Asian American communities today.
Bethany Li first took the audience through the history of AALDEF, highlighting how AALDEF has been instrumental in landmark cases that have shaped Asian American advocacy. She emphasized that AALDEF’s history is deeply intertwined with the history of Asian Americans in the United States, stating, “Much of AALDEF’s history coincides with what we understand and study as Asian American history.”
Bethany later shared personal stories of her childhood in Massachusetts, attributing much of her fine-tuned awareness of systemic injustices to her exposure to the immigrant struggle at an early age. This went on to influence her path to public interest law where, at Amherst, she became more involved in Asian American activism through internships at different journalistic and legal organizations, including one experience during college in which she interned at AALDEF. She later attended Georgetown Law, where she studied under Mari Matsuda, one of the nation’s leading critical race theorists, who cemented her commitment to social justice.
Reflecting on her return to AALDEF as Executive Director, she described it as a homecoming and stressed her commitment to expanding AALDEF’s litigation work, strengthening pro bono partnerships, and mentoring the next generation of civil rights attorneys.
The conversation turned to the role of law firms and private attorneys in supporting AALDEF’s mission. Bethany encouraged attorneys to take on pro bono cases, financially support AALDEF’s work through sponsorships, donations, and participation in events like AALDEF’s Annual Gala, and to advocate within their institutions for greater engagement in civil rights litigation and standing up against government policies that harm immigrant communities. She noted that law firms play a crucial role in civil rights litigation, so their support is greatly appreciated. However, she also acknowledged that pro bono support has become more challenging in the current political climate as firms have refused to attach their names to even non-controversial cases.
Bethany also shared valuable insights for law students interested in public interest law. She specifically stressed the importance of getting hands-on experience through internships, clinics, and pro bono opportunities and seeking mentorship from experienced public interest lawyers. Additionally, Niji Jain, the Legal Director of AALDEF, noted the importance of a strong cover letter while applying, saying that “as a lawyer, writing is your craft.” Bethany also mentioned one of AALDEF’s goals in the coming years: launching an Asian American Training Institute to train the next generation of civil rights litigators and community lawyers.
Vishal’s final question to Bethany was regarding whether she had a call to action for the audience. Bethany gave a powerful piece of advice, citing her former Professor Mari Matsuda, saying, “Do the work that gives you energy.”
The event concluded with Bethany taking a few questions from the audience, during which they engaged in discussions about AALDEF’s future priorities, the challenges of mobilizing Asian American communities, and ways to get involved.
AABANY extends its deepest gratitude to NYU Law School for hosting, FALA New York, SABANY, and NYU’s APALSA for co-sponsoring and making this possible, and especially Bethany Li for her time and insights. We also thank the AABANY Committees that worked so hard to put on this event, namely the IP Committee, Issues Committee, GSPI Committee, and Professional Development Committee. Thank you as well to everyone who attended this important discussion.
Engage with Fortune 1000 legal decision-makers
