AABANY Members Treated to a Special Yankee Stadium Behind-the-Scenes Tour Hosted by Yankees General Counsel Alan Chang

On Friday, June 12, 2026, the AABANY Membership Committee hosted a special behind-the-scenes tour of Yankee Stadium, capped by a discussion with Alan Chang, General Counsel and Senior Vice President of the New York Yankees. The afternoon paired a guided walk-through of one of baseball’s most storied venues along with a conversation with one of its most senior executives. The tour was donated by Chang and the New York Yankees, with all proceeds supporting AABANY’s mission of advancing the interests of the Asian American legal community.

The group gathered at the Office Lobby next to Gate 2 of the stadium, where Gus the tour guide led the way through the Yankees Museum, Monument Park, the visitors’ dugout, and beyond. Gus’s unparalleled passion for baseball helped make decades of history feel immediate and personal. A highlight was the story behind one of baseball’s rarest feats: the perfect game – a game in which all the batters from one team are retired in order, with no one reaching base. Thus far, there have been only 24 perfect games in Major League Baseball history, and the Yankees have thrown more than any other franchise, with four. Gus shared that every Yankees pitcher to throw one shares the same first initial: Don Larsen (1956), David Wells (1998), David Cone (1999), and Domingo Germán (2023). Larsen remains the most famous with the only perfect game in World Series history, sealed on his 97th pitch when he struck out pinch-hitter Dale Mitchell, and catcher Yogi Berra leapt into his arms in one of the sport’s most enduring images.

Bettmann / Getty Images

The most unexpected moment came at the very end of the tour. After a walk through Yankee Stadium, Gus handed each guest a pair of gloves. At first we were confused, but then Gus explained that we will be given the opportunity to hold some artifacts from Yankees history as part of this special tour. Among them were Aaron Judge’s bat, CC Sabathia’s size-15 cleats, Derek Jeter’s jersey from July 9, 2011 (the day he collected his 3,000th career hit, fittingly with a home run), and perhaps most iconic of all: a game-used bat swung by Babe Ruth himself. For a group that had spent the afternoon learning what made these objects significant, holding them in our hands was a once-in-a-lifetime honor.

The afternoon closed with a sit-down discussion with Alan Chang, who spoke candidly about the path that took him from serving as the Assistant Counsel at ESPN to General Counsel and Senior Vice President of the New York Yankees. He offered the group a look at the legal side of running a major ball club from players’ contracts, intellectual property, labor and player matters, stadium operations, regulatory work, and the range of issues that cross his desk on any given day. Speaking to a room of Asian American attorneys and students hoping to become attorneys one day, Chang reflected on what it has meant to reach that level in an industry where AAPI leadership remains rare, and shared advice for those drawn to sports law. The conversation gave members a window into a career few get to see up close.

The afternoon blended baseball history with a look at the legal career of one of the game’s most prominent executives. AABANY extends its sincere thanks to Alan Chang and the New York Yankees for their generosity in making this unique and memorable event possible. Thanks also to the Membership Committee for helping to put it together.

Office of the Special Narcotics Prosecutor for the City of New York Screens “Voices Against Anti-Asian Hate” Documentary for Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month

Photo by Alexandra Bergin

On Thursday, May 21, 2026, during AANHPI Heritage Month, the NYC Office of Special Narcotics brought together staff and community members for a screening of Voices Against Anti-Asian Hate, a documentary co-produced by the Asian American Bar Association of New York (AABANY) and the Asian American Law Fund of New York (AALFNY). The film centers on the deeply personal experiences of individuals and families impacted by anti-Asian violence. The event presented  a moment to sit with America’s history of anti-Asian violence and its haunting legacy: from the exclusion laws of the 19th century, to the internment camps of World War II, to the waves of attacks that surged during the COVID-19 pandemic and continues today.

Throughout the documentary, the phrase, “This was not charged as a hate crime” was repeated again and again in multiple stories. One of the most striking stories was an interview with Patricia, who spoke candidly about her own experience navigating the system after being assaulted. Patricia did everything she could, seeking every available avenue, and still found no justice. After months without any response, she discovered AABANY’s Pro Bono Clinic, which provided actionable steps and legal advice to address her situation. For survivors who arrive vulnerable and unsure where to turn, that kind of grounded, practical guidance is as necessary as it is rare. Patricia pointed to what she identified as one of the most pressing and underappreciated challenges facing the AANHPI community: not a lack of willingness to report, but a lack of response from law enforcement.

Following the screening, a panel discussion brought the film’s themes into direct conversation with legal experience and community advocacy. Moderated by Kay Nguyen, Deputy Chief of the Alternatives to Incarceration Unit for the Office of the Special Narcotics Prosecutor for the City of New York, the panel featured James Lin, a career prosecutor recently retired from the Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office, and Yang Chen, Executive Director of the Asian American Bar Association of New York.

Photo by Alexandra Bergin

During the discussion, in response to a question, James Lin explained the intended effect of repeating, “This was not charged as a hate crime.” James Lin drew on his decades of experience in Brooklyn to speak to the ways that bias-motivated violence can be invisible within the bureaucratic logic of charging decisions. While it’s relatively straightforward to prove a crime occurred, proving the intent behind it is far harder. Yang Chen discussed the long history of anti-Asian violence, going back to the 19th century, and how to this day, charging such attacks criminally as hate crimes remains elusive, leading to a heightened sense of frustration and futility in the face of what seems to the AANHPI community to be obvious racially-motivated hate. 

What emerged from the event was not despair but a sense of shared responsibility. The law has tools. Hate crime statutes exist. The question the film poses and the question the panel returns to again and again is whether those tools are being used, and how we can all develop a better understanding of the forces at work, and what changes are needed to prevent future recurrence of hate and violence against vulnerable and marginalized communities.

Special thanks to Bridget G. Brennan and the Office of the Special Narcotics Prosecutor for the City of New York for hosting this important event during AANHPI Heritage Month.

Photo by Alexandra Bergin

Congratulations to AABANY Members Named to the City & State’s 2026 Asian Trailblazers List

On May 4, City & State published their 2026 Asian Trailblazers List. As stated in the article:

City & State’s annual Asian Trailblazers highlights many of the high-ranking Asian Americans who are on the rise in New York. The list, researched and written in partnership with journalist Natasha Ishak, features trusted advisers to politicians such as Gov. Kathy Hochul, Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie and U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer. It includes behind-the-scenes political consultants and policy strategists shaping the direction of New York. And it spotlights advocates and activists who are improving daily life in Asian American communities – and for all New Yorkers.

City & State New York

AABANY is proud to congratulate five of its members who were named to this year’s list.

Margaret Ling

Margaret Ling / JC Penny Photo Studio

Kim L. Yu

Kim Yu / Alissa Randall, All About Headshots

Anna Mercado Clark

Anna Mercado Clark / KC Kratt Photography

Lawrence Han

Lawrence Han / Rivkin Radler

Becky Baek

Becky Baek / Farrell Fritz

Please join us in congratulating Margaret Ling, Kim Yu, Lawrence Han, Ana Mercado Clark, and Becky Baek on this well-deserved recognition.

To see the full list, click here.

In the News: Kwok Kei Ng, Co-Chair of AABANY’s Pro Bono and Community Service Committee, Honored at the Hon. Randall T. Eng Award Program at Appellate Division, Second Department

On May 27, 2026, the Appellate Division, Second Judicial Department of the New York State Supreme Court held its fourth annual Hon. Randall T. Eng Award Program in celebration of AANHPI Heritage Month at 45 Monroe Place in Brooklyn Heights. This event was covered by the Brooklyn Daily Eagle and by the World Journal. This year, the Hon. Randall T. Eng Award was presented to Assembly Member Steven Raga (Assembly District 30), Associate Court Attorney Kwok Kei Ng of the New York County Criminal Courts, and Jo-Ann Yoo, Deputy Executive Director of Asian Americans for Equality. Of note, honoree Kwok Kei Ng serves as the Co-Chair of AABANY’s Pro Bono and Community Service Committee and runs AABANY’s Brooklyn Pro Bono Clinics.

The World Journal traced Ng’s path through the court system, beginning his career as a court interpreter, translating for Cantonese and Mandarin speakers in Brooklyn Family Court. Ng then served in the borough’s Supreme and Civil Courts and, today, as a court attorney in New York County Criminal Court. He received the award in recognition of his efforts in partnering with the New York State Unified Court System and the Brooklyn Bar Association to develop CLE programming that enhances language access in the courts.

The Brooklyn Daily Eagle story recounted Ng’s acceptance speech, in which he spoke of standing on the shoulders of giants. “And many of these giants are here in this room,” he said. “Some of you paved the way for me before I arrived; some of you invited me in; and some of you encouraged me, and for that I am grateful.” His family joined him on stage to accept the award. The Brooklyn Daily Eagle also reported on AABANY President Varuna Bhattacharyya making closing remarks at the Award Program. She described the honorees as “exceptional individuals who exemplify all that the Randall T. Eng Award is intended to recognize and represent.” She added that they “have helped redefine what leadership looks like,” and closed with a call to action: “As we leave here tonight, let us continue building a legal community that reflects not just the diversity of our society, but its full promise.”

To read the World Journal article (written in Chinese), click here.

To read the Brooklyn Daily Eagle article, click here.

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

Thanks to the Asian American Law Fund of New York (AALFNY), Asian Americans for Equality (AAFE), Pro Bono & Community Service (PBCS) Committee and our dedicated volunteers for your collaboration and contribution to the success of our pro bono legal clinic on June 3, 2026.

At the clinic, our volunteers met with 12 clients and provided guidance on a range of legal issues, including housing, immigration, medical fraud, real estate, and labor and employment matters. The collective efforts of our volunteers ensured that each client received personalized support and answers to their pressing legal questions. We are deeply grateful for everyone’s presence and contributions, and look forward to continuing this important work together!

Volunteer attorneys:
Wendy (Wen-Hsien) Cheng
Helen Ding
Richard In
Grace Ouyang
Shirley Luong
Johnny Thach
May Wong
Gary Yeung

Interpreters/shadowers:
Nathan Cao
Haotian (Victor) Chen
Tiffany Jin
Nandar Win Kerr
Victoria Elise Sogueco
Wendy Zeng

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

  • June 17 [Manhattan link here] from 6:30-8:30pm, AAFE Community Center, 111 Norfolk Street, NY, NY 10002
  • July 11 [Brooklyn link here], from 12:30 – 3:30pm, CPC Brooklyn Community Services, 4101 8th Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11232
  • August 5 [Queens link here], from 6:30 – 8:30pm, AAFE One Flushing Community Center, 133-29 41st Ave, 2nd Floor, Flushing, NY 11355

Thanks to all our volunteers for attending the Pro Bono Clinic.

We look forward to your participation in our future clinics!

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

NAPABA, SABA-SD, PALSD, FALSD, and KABA-SD Statement in Response to Shooting at the Islamic Center of San Diego

For Immediate Release May 29, 2026 Contact: press@napaba.org
For Immediate Release:
May 29, 2026
Contact:
press@napaba.org

WASHINGTON – On May 18, 2026, two armed individuals attacked the Islamic Center of San Diego, the largest mosque in San Diego County, California. They killed three people (Amin Abdullah, 51, Nader Awad, 57, and Mansour Kaziha, 78), and the perpetrators were later found dead nearby. Local and federal law enforcement described the shooting as a hate crime.

The National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA), the South Asian Bar Association of San Diego (SABA-SD), the Pan Asian Lawyers of San Diego (PALSD), the Filipino American Lawyers of San Diego (FALSD), and the Korean American Bar Association of San Diego (KABA-SD) mourn the loss of life and unequivocally condemn this act of hate. We stand with the Muslim community and with the families of the victims.

Who we are, and how and where we choose to worship, are part of the tapestry of American life. A refuge for peace and prayer must never be transformed into a place of violence by perpetrators of hate. As we celebrate Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month, we not only acknowledge the richness and diversity of our AANHPI communities, but we also emphasize that hate—whether in the form of Islamophobia, anti-Asian hate, or any other form of bigotry—has no place in our society. We remain committed to eradicating hate in all its forms, including by urging governments at every level to fully support and strengthen hate prevention efforts.

Fall 2026 Internship Applications Opened for Hon. Dora L. Irizarry of Eastern District of New York

Are you a rising 2L or 3L looking to see how federal litigation works from inside a courtroom? Do you want to sharpen your legal research and writing under the guidance of a sitting federal judge? If so, here is an opportunity worth circling on your calendar. The Honorable Dora L. Irizarry, a U.S. District Judge for the Eastern District of New York, is now accepting applications for Fall 2026 internships in her chambers. Whether you are pursuing a career in litigation, public service, or simply want to understand the federal system from the inside, time in chambers is hard to beat.

Who Judge Irizarry Is Looking For:

  • Must be a rising second or third year law student.
  • Must have good grades.
  • Must have good research, writing, and analytical skills, although
    participation in Law Review or a Journal is not a prerequisite.
  • Military and/or other life/career experience is a plus

What to Include in Your Application

  • One-page cover letter briefly describing why you are interested in a legal career and why you are interested in an internship with Judge Irizarry specifically.
  • Resume.
  • Official law school transcript.
  • One recent writing sample no longer than 10 pages, double spaced. Journal or research articles will not be accepted.
  • Two to three letters of recommendation.

How to apply?

Email your complete package as a single PDF to irizarry_chambers@nyed.uscourts.gov.

Have questions before you send?

You can reach chambers directly at 718-613-2150.

Please note that, while these are not paid internships, the Judge will participate in any appropriate sponsored program that provides academic credit or stipends for interns.

The deadline for receipt of materials is June 30, 2026.
To learn more, click here.

NAPABA Annual Lobby Day and Congressional Reception on May 19-20 in Washington, D.C.

NAPABA hosted its annual Lobby Day on May 19-20, 2026, bringing together members of their community from across the country to Washington, DC in a celebration and demonstration of the power of their bar during AANHPI Heritage Month. In meetings with congressional representatives and their staffers, attorneys, law students, and leaders from the NAPABA community advocated for advancing the civil rights of the AANHPI community, a fair immigration system, and defending the rule of law.

Highlights of Lobby Day Include:

Robust Representation

With participants hailing from over 20 states, and the District of Columbia, taking part in over 70 meetings with congressional offices on both sides of the aisle, NAPABA demonstrated its strength and its commitment to amplifying AANHPI voices in the halls of power.

Advocacy Training
Prior to the meetings, NAPABA held a training session featuring congressional staffers from both sides of the aisle who spoke with both expertise and passion about the bills their members have introduced or sponsored.  Attendees also heard from advocacy veterans on strategies and techniques to more effectively communicate NAPABA’s priorities and the needs of AANHPI communities and the legal profession.

Policy Priorities
Throughout multiple meetings, participants advocated for issues of importance to AANHPI communities and the legal profession. They focused on codifying longstanding language access protections for the millions of limited English proficient persons in the United States, including the significant portions of the Asian American immigrant populations, as documented by the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights. NAPABA stood up for access to counsel at various stages of the immigration and entry processes to the United States, and for judicial security in order to better support the rule of law.

Meaningful Engagements
Attendees met with numerous lawmakers and their staff, fostering meaningful dialogues, and building relationships that will be instrumental in advancing policy objectives. NAPABA Lobby Day participants skillfully articulated their positions, presented compelling arguments, and shared personal stories to humanize the issues that they face. On the evening before their training at their Congressional Reception on Capitol Hill, participants heard from leaders in their community directly, including NAPABA Trailblazers Sen. Mazie Hirono (HI) and S.E.C. Commissioner Mark T. Uyeda.

In a time of great uncertainty and a rapidly shifting policy landscape, NAPABA demonstrated the power of its members during a Lobby Day built around a unifying agenda of language access, a sensible and fair immigration system and support for the rule of law. Member-constituents braved the heat to visit engage with key Congressional offices across the Capitol complex and called on their elected representatives to support policies that advance their communities.  Lobby Day is another great reminder that NAPABA is the national voice of the AANHPI legal community, and that we can stand together for the betterment of our communities, for the rule of law we have dedicated our livelihoods to, and for the nation we cherish.

Visit NAPABA’s Advocacy Page here.

View NAPABA’s Organizational Statements here.

AABANY Book Club Honors AAPI Month with Han Kang’s We Do Not Part

On May 19, 2026, AABANY hosted its monthly book club meeting, where a dedicated group of members gathered at Anderson & Associates‘ new office at 347 W 36th St., Suite 1003, to share their thoughts on this month’s book. In honor of Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage (AAPI) month, the group decided to read Nobel Prize-winning South Korean author Han Kang’s We Do Not Part. The meeting was hosted by Yen-Yi Anderson, Co-Chair of the Solo & Small Firm Practice Committee, and S. Yan Sin, AABANY’s Board Secretary for the 2027 fiscal year. While they shared their insights, the attendees enjoyed a delicious dinner of dumplings, green beans, and fried rice.

The conversation centered on a moving story of friendship set against the tragic backdrop of the 1948 Jeju massacre in South Korea. Throughout the evening, the participants explored complex themes of memory, trauma, and human connection. Kang’s novel is widely celebrated, having earned a place as a New York Times bestseller and winning the National Book Critics Circle Award.

The group also discussed recent news regarding the dismissal of the CEO of Starbucks in South Korea following a controversial marketing campaign that touched on historical state-sponsored suppression. As The Guardian reported, the chief executive was dismissed after the company ran a promotional event using slogans that evoked a massacre of pro-democracy protesters during the country’s dictatorship era, which subsequently sparked public outrage and boycott calls. The coffee chain had launched a “Tank Day” campaign on May 18 for its “Tank” tumbler series. The date coincided with one of the most politically sensitive days in the South Korean calendar, when citizens commemorate the 1980 democratization movement in Gwangju. By pairing the date “5/18” with the slogan “Tank Day,” the online campaign inadvertently evoked the armored vehicles used by the military regime to crush the uprising.

This successful gathering set a thoughtful and engaging tone for many meetings to come. Whether you’re a speed reader or someone who lingers on every sentence, we’d love to have you join the conversation. See you in June!

Written by Eva Lee, Intern at Anderson & Associates

AABANY Corporate Law Committee Hosts First Meet & Greet of FY27 to Connect with Committee Members

On May 19, the AABANY Corporate Law Committee kicked off the new fiscal year with a virtual Meet & Greet, bringing together members and prospective members to share ideas on programming for the year.  Attendees ranged from recent law school graduates just beginning their careers to seasoned attorneys returning to corporate practice. Corporate Law Committee leadership, which includes Co-Chairs Keli Huang (Partner at Kirkland & Ellis LLP) and Ashley Wong (Associate Corporate Counsel at Amazon), along with Vice Chairs Kyle Zhu (Associate at Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP) and Judy Lin (Associate at Kirkland & Ellis LLP), introduced themselves and opened the floor to attendees. The conversation was centered on understanding the types of events that would be most beneficial to the members, and the leadership team came away with a clear direction: social events and CLE-eligible programming that support both professional development and genuine community-building.

The Committee leadership also shared about two upcoming AABANY marquee events. First, the AABANY Annual Dinner, taking place next Thursday May 28th, is expected to draw hundreds of attendees and offers one of the year’s premier networking opportunities across the broader AABANY community. Then September 26th, the Fall Conference, hosted at the Fordham Law School, promises another outstanding occasion to connect with colleagues, exchange ideas, and build the cross-practice relationships that make this community so valuable. Both events reflect the Committee’s commitment to creating spaces where members can forge lasting professional connections and strengthen the synergy within the AABANY network.

Beyond these signature events, the Corporate Law Committee is actively exploring programming ideas that speak directly to where the legal profession is heading. Keli shared that the Committee is already planning its popular summer social event, and this time it is in a karaoke location not yet open to the public that AABANY members will get to experience before its opening. Another exciting program under consideration is an event on artificial intelligence focusing on the responsible use of AI in legal practice, managing client expectations around emerging tools, and leveraging technology to make legal work more efficient. Given how rapidly AI is reshaping the industry, this is exactly the kind of timely, practical programming that members expressed enthusiasm for. Stay tuned and keep an eye on the AABANY Calendar for announcements. We hope to see you at upcoming events! To learn more about the Corporate Law Committee and how you can get involved, click here.