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Thank You to the Volunteers at the Manhattan Pro Bono Clinic in December

We extend a heartfelt thank you to the Asian American Law Fund of New York (AALFNY), Asian Americans for Equality (AAFE), the Pro Bono & Community Service Committee (PBCS) and all the dedicated volunteers who contributed their time and expertise at the December 17th Pro Bono Clinic in Manhattan. We truly appreciate your commitment, especially given the extreme cold weather.

At the Clinic, our volunteers met with 9 clients, providing guidance on various legal issues including housing, immigration, public benefits, and civil litigation. Their collective efforts ensured that each client received personalized support and essential legal assistance.
We are deeply grateful for everyone’s contributions and look forward to continuing this important work together! 

Volunteer attorneys:

Jingjuan (Max) Guo
Anthony Hom
Justin Lee
Meng (Stella) Li
Jie Shi
Yilan Wang
Carrey Wong
Gary Yeung

Interpreters/shadowers:

Nandar Win Kerr
Nian Ting Han
Carmen Huang
Carrie Nie
Wendy Zeng
Shang Zhai

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

  • January 10th [Brooklyn link here], from 12:30 – 3:30pm, CPC Brooklyn Community Services, 4101 8th Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11232
  • January 21st [Manhattan link here] from 6:30-8:30pm, AAFE Community Center, 111 Norfolk Street, NY, NY 10002
  • February 4th [Queens link here], from 6:30 – 8:30pm, AAFE One Flushing Community Center, 133-29 41st Ave, 2nd Floor, Flushing, NY 11355

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

Thank you for making a significant difference in our community.  We wish you a wonderful holidays season! See you next year!

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AABANY and NYIPLA Young Lawyers Committee Host December Board Games Night

On Thursday, December 18, 2025, AABANY’s IP Committee teamed up with the New York Intellectual Property Law Association (NYIPLA) Young Lawyers Committee for a fun and festive Board Games Night.  The event brought together attorneys, law students, and friends for an evening of networking, laughter, and friendly competition over classic and modern board games.

Attendees enjoyed a variety of games, including Flip 7, Taboo, and Hues and Cues, which sparked plenty of creativity, quick thinking, and colorful conversations. Whether strategizing to win or just playing for fun, participants had a great time connecting in a relaxed, social setting over dinner and drinks.

Additionally, attendees celebrated the birthday of AABANY member (and past Litigation Committee Co-Chair) Aakruti Vakharia. The cake shared by all who was there was a special treat for the fun night.

Special thanks to NYIPLA Young Lawyers Committee for co-sponsoring this event and to all who attended and made the evening a success.  Thanks also to Fish & Richardson for hosting.  We look forward to hosting more collaborative events in the coming year!

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AABANY and SAICBA-Q Celebrate First-Ever Diwali Dinner

AABANY celebrated its first-ever Diwali Celebration on October 28, 2025, at Bengal Tiger in Manhattan, a sold-out success co-sponsored by the South Asian and Indo-Caribbean Bar Association of Queens (SAICBA-Q).

The event brought together dozens of members from both organizations to celebrate the Festival of Lights—a holiday often observed by Hindus, Jains, and Sikhs. Diwali symbolizes the triumph of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance, and is celebrated with traditions like lighting oil lamps, decorating homes, setting off fireworks, and exchanging gifts and sweets.

Attendees of all backgrounds—from students to associates, partners, judges, and non-lawyer allies—enjoyed the festive occasion. Many wore celebratory attire, adding to the atmosphere. The gathering featured a variety of appetizers, chaats, entrees, desserts, and mango lassis.

Looking ahead, AABANY plans to make this an annual event with increased capacity to meet member interest. Both AABANY and SAICBA-Q are also excited to co-host future events, including a potential Holi celebration in the spring of 2026.

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2025 NAPABA Convention | Relive #NAPABA2025 with NAPABA’s Photo Gallery

The 2025 NAPABA Convention was an unforgettable three days of inspiration, connection, and community, and now you can relive it all. We’re thrilled to share the official 2025 NAPABA Convention Photo Gallery, capturing the energy, excitement, and impact of our time together in Denver.

This year’s Convention was nothing short of extraordinary. Nearly 2,900 attorneys, judges, law professors, and law students helped make it the second-largest gathering in NAPABA history. We welcomed more than 800 first-timers, reached our highest sponsorship record ever, and filled every room with the unmistakable spirit of our community.

From forward-looking conversations on the Portrait Project to a dynamic Gala Keynote featuring Rich Ting and Katie Phang, the Convention showcased the trailblazers, innovators, and rising leaders shaping the future of our profession. But the moments that mattered most were the ones powered by you—your expertise, your engagement, and your commitment to lifting our bar to new heights.

Now you can revisit those moments, and if you haven’t had a chance yet, be sure to read and share our full 2025 Convention recap, a look back at the people, programs, and conversations that made this year’s gathering exceptional.

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NAPABA Announces: Register or Apply Now for ABA’s 2026 BLI & CBLA Leadership Programs

Application Deadline: Friday, February 27, 2026

Two premier ABA leadership development opportunities are now open for registration and applications! NAPABA members are encouraged to take advantage of these programs, consistently recognized for cultivating dynamic and effective bar leaders. Early-bird registration is available for both initiatives.

Bar Leadership Institute (BLI)

Chicago, IL | March 11–13, 2026

Designed for incoming bar leaders and presidents-elect, BLI offers training on governance, strategic planning, and bar leadership fundamentals.

TO REGISTER, CLICK HERE.

NAPABA Affiliate Discount Code: NAPABA40

Collaborative Bar Leadership Academy (CBLA)

Cleveland, OH | June 7–9, 2026

A joint initiative of NAPABA and national affinity bar partners, CBLA is an immersive leadership academy for attorneys dedicated to bar service and community impact.

TO APPLY, CLICK HERE.

These programs provide unmatched professional development, peer networking, and pathways to strengthen leadership within the legal profession. NAPABA encourages interested members to review eligibility details and submit applications early.

For questions about BLI or CBLA, contact us membership@napaba.org.

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Apply for the 2026 A. Leon Higginbotham, Jr. Fellows Program of the American Arbitration Association

The American Arbitration Association® (AAA®) is now accepting applications for the 2026 A. Leon Higginbotham, Jr. Fellows Program.

The Higginbotham Fellows Program is a one-year professional development experience designed to support emerging leaders from diverse backgrounds and perspectives in the field of alternative dispute resolution (ADR). Fellows engage in training, mentorship, and connection with experienced ADR practitioners, including a five-day in-person program in New York during the week of May 4, 2026.

The Program is open to lawyers, arbitrators, mediators, and other ADR practitioners who demonstrate interest in the field.

Application Deadline: January 26, 2026

For more information, click here.

To apply, click here.

Click here to download program application information and factsheet.

Questions may be sent to AAAHigginbothamFellows@adr.org.

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Dumplings & Discussion Wraps Up 2025 with Alan Chang, NY Yankees GC

On December 9, AABANY hosted the final Dumplings & Discussion fireside chat of the year, featuring Alan Chang, Senior Vice President & General Counsel of the New York Yankees.  Over a wide selection of dumplings and other bites, Alan generously shared his career journey, offered candid insights into the sports industry, and gave practical advice for junior lawyers navigating their own paths.  Thank you to the audience for their thoughtful questions and lively engagement, which made the discussion dynamic and meaningful.  Attendees continued networking and exchanging ideas well into the night during the post-chat reception. 

We are grateful to all of the incredible speakers of 2025 who helped the Dumplings & Discussion series continue to be a welcoming forum for sharing stories and candid dialogue:

  • Alan Chang, New York Yankees
  • Michelle Lee, MediaCo
  • Christopher Chan, JLL Technologies
  • Sonia Low, Javits Center
  • Liz Nie, Acorns
  • Stephen Mar, Odeko
  • Osamu Watanabe, Moelis

Thank you to each of these leaders for inspiring our community and contributing to meaningful conversations throughout the year.

We’re excited to keep the momentum going in 2026 with more opportunities to connect, learn, and—of course—enjoy dumplings together.  Stay tuned for announcements on future Dumplings & Discussion fireside chats. 

See here to read about past Dumplings & Discussion chats.

— Written by Jeffrey Mok, AABANY Board Director and Co-Chair of AABANY’s Intellectual Property Committee

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In the News: AABANY’s In-House Counsel Committee’s Fireside Chat with SEC Commissioner Mark Uyeda

Photo Credit: Benjamin Hsing

The recent fireside chat featuring SEC Commissioner Mark Uyeda, moderated by AABANY member and Bath & Body Works Chief Legal Officer Michael Wu, was reported on by Alyssa Aquino in a December 5, 2025 article in the New York Law Journal titled “SEC Commissioner Mark Uyeda Reflects on Career in Fireside Chat.”

The event, which was organized by AABANY’s In-House Counsel Committee, took place on the evening of December 4th at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom’s New York City office.  Commissioner Uyeda, the first Asian-Pacific American to serve as an SEC Commissioner, shared insights into his career and offered valuable advice to the young professionals in attendance.

The article highlighted key takeaways from the conversation, including Commissioner Uyeda’s counsel on the necessity of gaining managerial experience throughout one’s career and the importance for capital markets attorneys to understand accounting. Uyeda, who began his tenure at the agency in 2006 as counsel to then-Commissioner Paul Atkins, humorously noted that even after 20 years since they first met, they are “still doing the same thing.”

To read the full article on Law.com, please click here.  (Subscription required)

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In The News: Student Outreach Committee Chair Albert Tong Shares His Experience as Regional Co-Director of NAPALSA

AABANY Student Outreach Committee Chair Albert Tong, who is also the Co-Director for the Northeast Region of the National Asian Pacific American Law Student Association (NAPALSA), was featured in a December 9, 2025, Brooklyn Law School News article. The article, titled “Albert Tong ’27 Finds Networking, Community as Regional Co-Director of NAPALSA,” discusses his attendance at the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) Convention in November and his role with NAPALSA.

The piece highlights Albert’s positive experiences with NAPABA, the AABANY Trial Reenactments, and his own involvement in NAPABA’s Bankruptcy and Restructuring Committee.

To read the full article, click here.

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Now Accepting Applications: 2026 SAIL Scholarship & Judicial Council Internships

Two Opportunities to Support Your Journey to a Legal Career

2026 SAIL Scholarship
Deadline to Apply: June 30, 2026

The NAPABA Law Foundation is now accepting applications for the distinguished SAIL Scholarship Program—a rare, career-shaping opportunity created to uplift and empower the next generation of leaders in the legal profession.

The SAIL Scholarship offers far more than financial support. Selected scholars receive:
– $7,500 in funding (distributed evenly across their 2L and 3L years)
– One-on-one mentorship from seasoned legal professionals
– Exclusive access to executive-level networking and leadership opportunities

Who Should Apply?

  • Current 1L students (rising 2Ls in Fall 2026) who demonstrate:
  • Strong academic achievement (undergraduate and 1L performance)
  • Leadership potential and a commitment to “paying it forward”
  • Volunteer or public service experience
  • Knowledge of or dedication to advancing AAPI communities

This program provides sustained support throughout law school — financially, professionally, and personally — helping recipients build a foundation for a career rooted in leadership, service, and impact.

If you know an exceptional first-year law student, please encourage them to apply.

Students: Be sure to review the SAIL Scholarship FAQ to confirm eligibility and expectations before submitting your materials.

Let the SAIL Scholarship help launch your path toward meaningful change in the legal field. To apply, click this link.

2026 NAPABA Judicial Council Summer Internships
Deadline to Apply: January 15, 2026

We are pleased to announce that the NAPABA Judicial Council is offering three prestigious summer internship opportunities with distinguished federal judges for Summer 2026. Each selected intern will also receive a $1,500 scholarship stipend to support their experience.

These internships provide invaluable exposure to federal judicial work, insights into the court system, and the opportunity to learn directly from leaders in the judiciary. Each full-time internship will last approximately 4-10 weeks, with dates and times to be arranged between each intern and judge.

To view application requirements, click here.

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