Author: Tammy Tam

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Congratulations to Pauline Yeung-Ha, New President of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, NY Chapter

We are thrilled to share that AABANY member and former AABANY Board member, Pauline Yeung-Ha, Partner at Grimaldi Yeung Law Group LLP, is beginning her term as the President of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, New York Chapter (NY NAELA), effective July 1, 2025. Having served as President-Elect, Pauline is now leading the New York Chapter. 

According to the National Academy of Elder Law Attorney (NAELA) Website, NAELA, founded in 1987, is a national association of attorneys devoted to addressing legal issues affecting older adults and individuals with special needs. To enhance the quality of legal services unique to the needs of aging individuals and those with disabilities, NAELA emphasizes the importance of continuing legal education, advocacy, and examining public policy issues. Membership in NAELA reflects a dedication to the highest professional and ethical standards, which includes adherence to the NAELA Aspirational Standards for the Practice of Elder and Special Needs Law. 

In assuming her role, Pauline stated, “During my tenure, NY NAELA and its members will continue to strongly advocate for the legal and care needs of our growing elder population throughout New York State and support the elder law attorneys who do this important work.”

Grimaldi Yeung Law Group LLP, in announcing Pauline’s new role, stated that Pauline’s “integrity, dedication, and compassion” will continue to drive NAELA’s mission of serving older adults and people with disabilities through education, advocacy, and community.

Please join AABANY in congratulating Pauline on her new role as President of NY NAELA. We wish her all the best in this impactful endeavor. 

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Glow Center, Committee of 100, and Foundation Center Inc. Host AAPI Youth Career Workshop

On June 27, 2025, Glow Cultural Center, Committee of 100, and The Foundation Center Inc. hosted the AAPI Youth Career Workshop, a networking reception for students to engage in networking conversations with their peers and experienced professionals from a wide range of industries. The panelists of speakers included: 

Dr. Pauline Lau (Medicine) – Hematology & Oncology, Board of Directors of Coalition of Asian-American Independent Practice Association (CAIPA)

Mark Lee (Business) – Founder of RokStar Chicken

Gary L. Yeung (Law) – Litigation Associate at Schulte Roth & Zabel, Member of Asian American Bar Association of New York (AABANY)

The panel was moderated by Dr. Teresa Hsu (Mental Health) – Founder of Supportive Place for Empowering Asian Americans & Kin (SPEAK)​​

Attendees heard from the speakers about their backgrounds, the challenges they faced pursuing their careers, their passion in giving back to the AAPI community, and their advice on how to build communication skills, confidence, and connection. This program also provided networking opportunities for high school students to learn from these professionals in the medical, business, and legal field.

We thank Gary Yeung, Co-Chair of the Mentorship Committee and Pro Bono & Community Service Committee, for sharing his personal experiences and community-facing work he has been able to do through AABANY. Gary also gave shout-outs to his fellow Pro Bono Clinic volunteers, some of whom were in the audience.

Yes, you too can give back to the community in different ways: whether speaking in public to inspire future young professionals or volunteering at community organizations, such as AABANY’s Pro Bono Legal Clinics! Please consider joining us at our upcoming clinics:

Brooklyn Pro Bono Clinic on July 12, 2025 [Brooklyn link here], from 12:30pm – 2:00pm, at CPC Brooklyn Community Services, 4101 8th Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11232.

Manhattan Pro Bono Clinic on  July 16, 2025 [Manhattan link here], from 6:30pm – 8:30pm, at AAFE Community Center, 111 Norfolk St, New York, NY 10002. 

Queens Pro Bono Clinic on August 6, 2025 [Queens link here], from 6:30pm – 8:30pm, at AAFE One Flushing Community Center, 133-29 41st Ave, 2nd Floor, Flushing, NY 11355.

For more information, visit probono.aabany.org.

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Thank You to Our Volunteers at the June 18th, 2025 Pro Bono Clinic in Manhattan

AABANY extends our sincerest gratitude to the Asian American Law Fund of New York (AALFNY), AABANY’s Pro Bono and Community Service (PBCS) Committee, Asian Americans for Equality (AAFE), and all of our dedicated volunteers for contributing to the success of our Pro Bono Legal Clinic on June 18th, 2025. 

During the clinic, our volunteers met with clients addressing issues ranging from housing, real property, financial, family and matrimonial matters. Our volunteer attorneys and interpreters demonstrated exceptional expertise in addressing client concerns, answering legal questions, and connecting them with legal resources through AABANY’s Legal Referral and Information Service (LRIS).

College and law student volunteers gained valuable hands-on experience that deepened their understanding of the unique legal challenges faced by underserved individuals in the Asian American and Pacific Islander  community. By shadowing the volunteer attorneys, the student volunteers assisted with client intake and helped translate the consultations. A frequent issue clients faced at this clinic were overdue rent and unexpected payment notices. Due to the linguistic barriers that many clients faced, they often struggled to understand their rights, which led to ineffective communication with landlords and housing authorities. This confusion contributed to heightened stress about their circumstances. Our volunteer attorneys and interpreters played a crucial role in clarifying legal obligations and guiding clients through potential future steps. 

We are dedicated to providing services in both Mandarin and Cantonese to ensure support for individuals who may struggle to obtain quality legal services due to linguistic or cultural barriers when seeking guidance concerning substantive laws and procedural issues.

Thank you again to all of our volunteers at the June 18 Manhattan Pro Bono Clinic:

Volunteer Attorneys

Justin Lee 
Beatrice Leong 
Lily Li
Bich-Nga Nguyen 
Cynthia Park 
Tammy Tran 
Mike Tse
Chenyi Wang
May Wong
Gary Yeung 
Jungeun “Evelyn” Yu 
Francis Chin

Interpreters/Shadowers

Sisu Chou
Katelyn Hai 
Emily Kam 
Nandar Win Kerr
Nikita Kohli
Emily Lai
Nasirn (Nienyin) Lin 
Carrie Nie 
Christine Shea 
Tianyuan Shu 
Tammy Tam
Albert Tong 
Shang Zhai
Kenny Ip

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

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

July 16 [Manhattan link here], from 6:30-8:30 pm, AAFE Community Center, 111 Norfolk Street, NY, NY 10002 

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

Thank you once again to all our volunteers for their commitment to pro bono service and for making a meaningful difference in our community.

We look forward to your participation in our future clinics! 

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

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AABANY Intellectual Property Committee Hosts Dinner at Tosokchon NYC

On June 23, 2025, the Intellectual Property Committee of the Asian American Bar Association of New York (AABANY) hosted its June dinner at Tosokchon, a beloved Korean restaurant in Manhattan’s Koreatown. Attendees bonded over their shared interest in intellectual property law while enjoying lively conversations and savoring a variety of delicious Korean dishes, including japchae, kalbi, and kimchi pancake.

The casual setting offered a unique opportunity for attendees to engage in discussions on topics ranging from recent IP developments to sharing insights from their experiences across the four core IP areas: patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets. The evening also featured thoughtful conversations about how attendees’ diverse experiences guided them to their current positions. Some attendees had backgrounds rooted in science and engineering, while others entered the intellectual property field through a more traditional legal path. Several attorneys offered valuable advice on law school applications to our college student attendees, fostering a supportive environment for the next generation of legal professionals.

The IP Committee’s monthly dinners aim to build an inclusive community where individuals can explore ideas and expand their networks. Thank you to all who attended and helped make the evening a success!

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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2025 NAPABA Convention | Early Bird Registration Starts Now!

2025 NAPABA Convention

Get ready—NAPABA is heading to the Mile High City! Registration is now open for the 2025 NAPABA Convention, our signature event and one of the largest annual gatherings of attorneys, judges, law professors, and students. NAPABA is committed to fostering a welcoming, inclusive community open to all—where everyone is empowered to engage, contribute, and lead. We hope you and your colleagues join us.

This year’s Convention in Denver promises thought-provoking programs, dynamic networking, and countless opportunities to connect with peers and leaders who are shaping the future of the legal profession. Whether you’re looking to advance your career, grow your community, or simply be inspired—there’s something here for you.

Early Bird pricing only lasts for a limited time. As a current NAPABA member, you’ll get the best deal for the Convention if you register now!

Register Now

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW | REGISTRATION & HOUSING

When you register early, you’ll be first in line for our special hotel rates, a la carte plenaries, and gala tickets! This year, a room block has been secured at the Sheraton Denver Downtown Hotel, the Convention host hotel. We’ve also secured overflow hotels at the Hilton Denver City Center and the Sonesta Denver Downtown, both within walking distance to the Sheraton Denver Downtown Hotel. The unique booking link will be provided AFTER you register for the 2025 NAPABA Convention.

To enhance your Convention experience and put you in control of your schedule, the Friday and Saturday Plenary Luncheons and the 37th Anniversary Gala will be available for purchase a la carte. To attend these ticketed events, you must add them to your registration for an additional fee.

SCHOLARSHIPS

NAPABA strives to keep the Convention affordable for our members and offers one of the best values among legal education conferences. Scholarships may be used towards Convention registration, airfare, lodging, and/or ground transportation.

  • General Convention Scholarship Application | Deadline: August 5 at 8 pm ET
  • Law Student Scholarship Program Application | Deadline: September 16 at 8 pm ET
Learn More About Scholarships

QUESTIONS

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

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Thank You to Our Volunteers at the June 4th Pro Bono Clinic in Queens

We would like to express our sincere gratitude to AABANY, the Asian American Law Fund of New York (AALFNY), AABANY’s Pro Bono & Community Service (PBCS) Committee, Asian Americans for Equality (AAFE), and our dedicated volunteers for contributing to the success of our pro bono legal clinic in Queens on June 4, 2025. Thanks to your support, our team of volunteers was able to meet with 15 clients and provide assistance on a range of legal issues, including housing and real property, consumer debt, family and matrimonial matters, and civil litigation.

Our volunteer attorneys and interpreters demonstrated great care and expertise in addressing the concerns of our clients. They offered clear explanations and effectively connected individuals with appropriate legal resources through AABANY’s Legal Referral and Information Service (LRIS).

We remain dedicated to providing services in both Mandarin and Cantonese to ensure we can continue to support individuals facing linguistic or cultural barriers when seeking legal guidance.

We would like to acknowledge the contributions of our volunteer attorneys at the June 4th Queens Pro Bono Clinic:

Volunteer Attorneys
Wendy (Wen-Hsien) Cheng
Kevin Hsi
Richard In
David Mou
Johnny Thach
May Wong
Gary Yeung
Jungeun Yu
Meng Zhang
Interpreters/Shadowers
Nikita Kohli
Emily Lai
Christine Shea
Albert Tong

We invite you to join us for our upcoming pro bono clinics:

  • June 18 [Manhattan link here], from 6:30 – 8:30pm, AAFE Community Center, 111 Norfolk Street, NY, NY 10002 
  • July 12 [Brooklyn link here], from 12:30 – 3:30pm, CPC Brooklyn Community Services, 4101 8th Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11232
  • August 6 [Queens link here], from 6:30 – 8:30pm, One Flushing Community Center, 133-29 41st Ave, 2nd Floor, Flushing, NY 11355

Thank you once again for your commitment to pro bono service and for making a meaningful difference in our community.

We look forward to your participation in our future clinics! 

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

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Applications Open: 2025 ADR Institute & Prospective Partners Program

NAPABA programs are designed to accelerate your career growth and provide opportunities to build relationships with mentors and peers — and two of these member-exclusive programs are now accepting applications.  

ADR INSTITUTE

The Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Institute is a multi-day career and skills development program designed to provide a broad overview and hands-on training for those interested in pursuing a career in the in-demand ADR field. Whether you’re looking to integrate ADR into your current legal practice or aiming to become a full-time mediator or arbitrator, this program is for you.

Led by the NAPABA Dispute Resolution Committee and featuring instruction from ADR thought leaders and guidance from top organizations like JAMS, AAA, and CPR, the Institute offers:

  • Foundational and advanced ADR training
  • Mentorship and insights from leading neutrals
  • Networking with professionals committed to advancing the field
  • A potential boost for those interested in becoming an ADR provider

Deadline to Apply: July 9, 2025

Learn More about the ADR Institute

PROSPECTIVE PARTNERS PROGRAM

This program is a unique opportunity for senior associates and of counsel attorneys who are on the cusp of partnership. Now in its fourteenth year, PPP aims to increase the number of NAPABA member partners at major law firms through strategic mentorship, introductions, and relationship building. Through this program, participants:

  • Pitch to real in-house counsel and receive immediate feedback to improve their skills
  • Are paired with law firm partner mentors
  • Build lasting connections that support career advancement and business development

Over 80% of past participants now hold leadership roles in law firms, companies, and throughout government. This is a low-risk, high-reward opportunity to practice and grow.

Deadline to Apply: July 9, 2025

Learn More about the PPP

Note: Registration for the NAPABA Convention is required to participate in both programs.

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