2026 NAPABA Convention General Scholarship Application Deadline Extended!

We’ve extended the application deadline for the 2026 NAPABA Convention Scholarship!

Applications will now be accepted through Wednesday, August 5, at 8:00 pm ET, giving members additional time to apply.

The Convention is just around the corner, bringing together attorneys, judges, law students, and legal professionals for three unforgettable days of connection, learning, and career growth.

We know attending can come with financial hurdles, which is why NAPABA offers member-exclusive scholarships to help offset registration and ticketed events. If you’re a current NAPABA member, don’t miss this opportunity to make the most of the Convention experience.

Apply now and join us in Los Angeles this November!

Additional resources about the Convention are on our website. For further questions, email us at convention@napaba.org.

Thank You to the Volunteers at the July Manhattan Pro Bono Clinic

Many thanks to the Asian American Law Fund of New York (AALFNY), Asian Americans for Equality (AAFE), and AABANY’s Pro Bono & Community Service (PBCS) Committee, as well as our dedicated volunteers for joining our Manhattan Pro Bono Clinic on July 15, 2026 at AAFE’s Norfolk Street Community Center in Manhattan.

PBCS volunteers, comprising volunteer attorneys and law students, met with 18 clients and provided guidance on a range of legal issues, including housing, immigration, real property, trusts and estates, labor and employment, family law, tax, public benefits, and civil litigation.  Clients who needed further assistance were directed to AABANY’s Legal Referral and Information Service (LRIS), a resource that connects clients with qualified attorneys to represent them.

We had a large turnout at this clinic, including many new and old clients and volunteer attorneys. With the help of our attorneys and translators, we efficiently provided assistance for clients with multi-year old disputes, predetermined court dates, and emerging cases. One client expressed that they were very impressed with the professionalism of the services provided.

While providing legal aid, our volunteer attorneys, shadowers, and interpreters gained a deeper understanding of the clients’ personal struggles and life stories, connecting them with deeply moving narratives that will permanently inspire and guide them throughout their future careers.

We thank the following volunteers for attending the Manhattan Pro Bono Clinic:

Attorneys

Francis Chin 

Jack Hsia 

Beatrice Leong 

Arthur Lin 

Kwok Kei Ng 

Jasmine Tan 

Hin Ton Wong 

Gary Yeung

Interpreters/shadowers

Helen Ding

Cheri Chaibut 

Kaitlyn Cheng 

Qiao Kang 

Nandar Win Kerr 

Momo Sano 

Allison Yu 

Wendy Zeng 

Zhiyi Zhang

Assisting amidst the rainstorm and showing up to serve those in need despite unbearable heat and unhealthy air quality, their dedication to our community was on full display.

We appreciate their dedicated service, serving as an inspiration to the Pro Bono & Community Service Committee.

We invite you to continue supporting our community by joining us at our upcoming Pro Bono Clinics:

– August 5th [Queens link here], from 6:30 – 8:30pm, AAFE One Flushing Community Center, 133-29 41st Ave, 2nd Floor, Flushing, NY 11355

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

– September 12th [Brooklyn link here] from 12:30-2:30pm, CPC Brooklyn Community Services, 4101 8th Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11232

To learn more about the Pro Bono & Community Service Committee, visit probono.aabany.org.

We look forward to seeing you at our upcoming clinic sessions.

AABANY Represents and Advocates at the New York State AAPI Conference

On May 7-8, Jack Hsia, Vice Chair of AABANY’s Issues Committee, attended the New York State Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Conference, including the New York State AAPI Commission’s Community Dialogue and the NYS Legislature’s AAPI Summit in Albany. Over two days, the two events brought together advocates, community leaders, policymakers, and nonprofit organizations to discuss issues impacting New York’s AAPI communities.

On the afternoon of May 7, at the New York State AAPI Commission’s Community Dialogue, speakers and attendees explored challenges and opportunities facing AAPI communities across the state. The discussions emphasized the importance of language access, sustained investment in community organizations, youth engagement, and coalition building. These panels underscored the importance of ensuring that diverse AAPI voices are represented in policymaking and community leadership.

At the NYS AAPI Summit on May 8, Jack Hsia served as a panelist for “AI and Immigration Enforcement: Protecting AAPI Communities in a New Era of Surveillance.” They represented AABANY and the Chinese-American Planning Council’s (CPC) legal services team alongside leaders from the Asian American Federation (AAF), Council of Peoples Organization (COPO), Asian Americans for Equality (AAFE), South Asian Council for Social Services (SACSS), and Mekong NYC. The panel examined the growing role of artificial intelligence and data surveillance in immigration enforcement and their impact on immigrant communities, particularly mixed-status families.

Drawing from their work at CPC, Jack discussed the increasing number of community members relying on AI for immigration information and document translation. While AI can improve access to information, they emphasized that inaccurate legal guidance and unreliable translations can have serious consequences. Jack highlighted the continued need for trusted legal professionals, culturally competent services, and community-based organizations to provide accurate guidance. The discussion also addressed digital privacy, language access, and practical strategies for protecting sensitive information in an increasingly data-driven environment, and how the immigration landscape has rapidly changed over the past few years.

The conference reinforced the importance of collaboration among legal advocates, community organizations, and government partners to address the evolving challenges facing AAPI communities. Jack was honored to represent both AABANY and CPC and appreciated the opportunity to contribute to these important conversations while learning from likeminded advocates committed to advancing equity, inclusion, and justice across New York.

To learn more about AABANY’s Issues Committee, click here.


Written by Jack Hsia, Vice Chair of AABANY’s Issues Committee, Senior Attorney for Community Legal Services at the Chinese-American Planning Council (CPC).

Experience Chinese Arts Week with Lincoln Center’s Summer for the City Festival

From Wednesday, July 22nd through Sunday, July 26th, experience a week of extraordinary performances, music, dance, family activities, and cultural celebrations during Chinese Arts Week, part of Lincoln Center’s Summer for the City festival. This special week of programming showcases the richness and diversity of Chinese culture through a dynamic lineup of both traditional and contemporary performances.

Highlights include:

  • Stunning performances by Shen Wei Dance Arts and Guangdong Modern Dance Company
  • Electrifying live music from Ian Chang and Guzheng Meets Jazz with Qi Yu
  • Traditional Lion Dancing
  • Kids & Family workshops and storytimes
  • A restorative Tai Chi workshop with Raymond Li
  • Local Chinese food vendors

and much more!

Chinese Arts Week is a unique opportunity to experience the creativity, heritage, and global influence of Chinese culture. Explore the full schedule here to learn more! 

Admission & Registration

  • All events are FREE to attend.
  • Fast Track registration will open on Monday, July 20th, and offers guaranteed entry and expedited access to events. Spots are limited, so be sure to reserve yours as soon as possible through the individual event pages.
  • General admission will also be available on a first-come, first-served basis, subject to venue capacity.

Spread the Word

Bring your friends, family, and community members to enjoy an unforgettable celebration of Chinese culture. Feel free to share this blog post to help spread the excitement for Chinese Arts Week!

For group reservations or additional questions, please contact Alex Simpson at asimpson@lincolncenter.org.

The Eastern and Southern Districts of New York Invite Public Comment on Proposed Changes to the Courts’ Joint Local Rules

In accordance with Rule 83(a) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure and Rule 57(a) of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure, the Boards of Judges of the Eastern and Southern Districts of New York invite the public to comment on proposed changes to their Joint Local Rules. The proposed amendments, which resulted in part from the work of a committee of representatives from both courts and the bar in both districts, are made in reference to the Joint Local Rules in effect as of January 2, 2026, which are available at:

Persons wishing to comment on this proposal should send their submissions no later than September 29, 2026. Comments should be submitted only once. A comment submitted through either court’s website or in letter form will be considered by both courts.

Comments submitted electronically are preferred, and may be submitted through a form
available on either court’s website at the following links:

Alternatively, written comments may be submitted in letter form to:
Robert Rogers
Counsel to the Clerk of Court
United States District Court for the Southern District of New York
Daniel Patrick Moynihan Courthouse
500 Pearl Street
New York, New York 10007-1312

Please read more here.

AABANY Book Club Explores “Juvenilia” by Ken Chen

On June 16, 2026, AABANY’s Book Club had a fun and creative discussion at Schwartz Sladkus Reich Greenberg Atlas on the collection of poetry, Juvenilia, by Ken Chen, selected by book club member Hannah Lee.

Dissecting syntax and diction, ruminating on intention and imagery, book club members stretched their minds and imaginations to find meaning and understanding in this creative work. Themes of immigrant families, heartbreak, and the passage of time were explored.

Join AABANY Book Club at their next meeting on August 11th where they’ll be discussing I Feel Bad About My Neck by Nora Ephron!

— Written by S. Yan Sin, for AABANY Book Club