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.
On May 26, 2026, the AABANY Government Service and Public Interest Committee (GSPI) attended the “Make It 10 Cents!” Community Panel in Chinatown at the ISS Storefront for Ideas, located at 127 Walker Street. The panel followed a one-day, pop-up redemption event at the Columbus Park Pavilion, hosted by Sure We Can in collaboration with artist and advocate Siyan (Joane) Wong and local organizations NYC Connect, Welcome to Chinatown, Immigrant Social Services, and Canal Street Research Association. There, all bottles and cans were redeemed at a 10-cent rate to simulate the passage of the Bigger Better Bottle Bill, which updates the 1982 New York State Container Law. This pending environmental legislation would double the current redemption rate from 5 to 10 cents and expand the categories of containers eligible for return, providing critical support to canners, who are predominantly elderly and immigrant workers across New York City.
The panel, which featured Ryan Castalia (Executive Director of Sure We Can), Harry Trinh (Head of Creatives at Welcome To Chinatown), Siyan (Joane) Wong (artist and workers’ rights lawyer) and Ah Xim Chan (Chinatown canner) and Josefa Marin (canner and President of the Alliance of Independent Recyclers of New York City), examined the history of bottle and can redemption in New York, the stories and experiences of canners, and the significance of the proposed reform in the Bigger Better Bottle Bill. The panelists noted that the redemption rate in New York has remained unchanged at 5 cents since 1982, even as other states have moved to 10 cents and broadened the categories of redeemable containers. Meanwhile, the cost of nearly everything else, including rent, utilities, subway fares, and groceries, has risen substantially over those four decades. Wong explained that canners are not protected by any labor and employment laws, because they are not employees of any employer, making them particularly vulnerable workers.
The panel estimated that there are between 10,000 and 20,000 canners working across New York City. The canners are diverse and speak different languages, including Spanish, French, and various Chinese dialects. Despite the demanding nature of the work, which often requires early morning rushes to particular buildings, canners frequently help one another, sharing tips and knowledge, and demonstrate a strong sense of community and mutual support.
Siyan Wong shared a personal reflection on her work with the canner community. She described how getting to know canners has made her world richer and how she has been moved by the way they thrive despite considerable hardship. She observed that many canners are motivated by a desire to contribute to their families and to avoid becoming a burden on others. Siyan recounted a story in which she realized she had forgotten her wallet when she was at the parking garage and in need to pay so she could promptly pick up her children from their after school program. A stranger gave her twenty dollars, asking only that she pays it forward. That experience gave her the idea to dedicate half of all proceeds from her canner paintings to support canners. She had put cash in red envelopes to give to canners and donated to Sure We Can to support the “Make It 10 Cents” Pop-up Redemption at Columbus Park. Passing the Bigger Better Bottle Bill, she explained, is one concrete way to ensure that this community is seen and valued, and an act of responsibility toward the future and a way of paying it forward.
The panel also highlighted the environmental impact of the bill. Expanding the categories of beverages and containers eligible for redemption would help reduce contamination, keep the city cleaner, and prevent waste. The panelists urged collaboration across communities to advance the bill and offered a simple, practical reminder for everyone: keep recycling separate from garbage to support the canners and the broader recycling ecosystem.
Following the panel, GSPI members walked together to Jing Fong at 202 Centre Street, where the Committee held its first Committee meeting and dinner of the new fiscal year. The dinner provided an opportunity for old and new members to connect, discuss upcoming GSPI events, and reflect on the issues raised at the panel. GSPI was joined by Siyan, who spoke about her journey from being a workers’ rights lawyer for 25 years at the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) to painting and teaching. She also spoke about the broader “Make It 10 Cents!” initiative, how her painting exhibition raised awareness and the funds to support the one-day, pop-up redemption event, and her work which depicts historically marginalized workers who collect cans to survive remained on view in the Welcome to Chinatown Hub on 115 Bowery until Friday, May 29, 2026. Siyan said she will continue to advocate for them to update the bottling law to ensure a more economically just system for canners and an environmentally sound system for our future generations.
GSPI members learned that dinner attendees Siyan Wong, Nelson Mar, and Kevin Hsi, went to the same college and law school, and that they had a shared history of fighting for economic justice for all and especially in the Chinatown community. They shared their experience fighting to end slave labor conditions at the Jing Fong Restaurant when it was previously located at 20 Elizabeth Street and was the largest Chinese restaurant on the East Coast. They recounted how in the early 1990s, restaurant workers at Jing Fong were being paid less than $1 per hour with no overtime pay. Siyan, Nelson and Kevin helped lead a student hunger strike in 1995 that helped bring national and international awareness to the existence of modern sweatshops in the US economy. With the support of the community, the workers at Jing Fong won a $1.1 million settlement through the NYS Attorney General’s office. The national attention also forced the US Department of Labor and the NYS Department of Labor to form a joint task force to investigate labor conditions in the restaurant and apparel industries. The stirring victory at Jing Fong also had an immediate impact by pushing many restaurant employers in Chinatown to stop their illegal labor practices of nonpayment of minimum wage and overtime.
GSPI is grateful to Siyan Wong, Nelson Mar, and the members who came to the meeting and dinner to learn and share their perspectives on the local events and ongoing issues affecting Chinatown, and network and build community across different government service and public interest sectors.
To learn more about AABANY’s Government Service & Public Interest Committee, click here. To see upcoming events on the AABANY calendar, click here.
–Written by Johnny Thach, Co-Chair, AABANY’s Government Service & Public Interest Committee
On May 31, 2026, AABANY’s Membership Committee hosted members and friends at the Gotham FC vs Houston Dash match as we celebrated the end of Asian American Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month. It was exhilarating to watch the reigning NWSL champions, Gotham FC, secure a 1-0 victory in a match where the energy across the stadium was truly incredible.
Gotham FC controlled the flow of the entire match, providing our group with close-up views of several sophisticated offensive maneuvers and tactical plays. Beyond the action on the pitch, the event served as a wonderful opportunity to gather fellow members outside of a formal business setting to enjoy a beautiful Sunday at a professional sports game.
The afternoon also featured a meaningful pre-game celebration where many AAPI talents were highlighted, including a special performance by Filipina actress and singer Natalie Bourgeois, which underscored the community spirit of the occasion.
To learn more about AABANY’s Membership Committee, click here.
To see upcoming AABANY events, check out AABANY’s calendar.
-Written by Gloria Tsui-Yip, Co-Chair, AABANY’s Membership Committee
On May 23, 2026, the 2026 AAPI 5K took place on the Lower East Side, with around 400 participants running or walking in chilly morning weather in support of good causes. Teams from various companies and non-profit organizations, such as the United Federation of Teachers (UFT), the New York City Fire Department, and Microsoft, ran to raise money for institutions such as the Asian American / Asian Research Institute (AAARI), other non-profit organizations, and Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) small businesses.
The Asian American Bar Association of New York’s (AABANY) Issues Committee and Young Lawyers Committee led the effort in organizing AABANY’s participation in this race. Runners and supporters celebrated AANHPI Heritage Month while raising awareness for the work of various AANHPI nonprofits and small businesses. Team AABANY sought to raise funds for the Asian American Law Fund of New York (AALFNY), which funds Public Interest Scholarships for law students interning with public interest organizations that benefit the AANHPI community as well as helping to fund AABANY’s Pro Bono Clinics and Anti-Asian Violence Task Force.
In the lead-up to the event, AABANY hosted six Sunday Run Days throughout April and May. The weekly runs followed the race course, crossing over the Williamsburg Bridge between Chinatown and Brooklyn.
Though the race took place on a cold and wet morning, Team AABANY persevered. We are proud to share that AABANY member Tiancheng Lyu, an Associate at Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP, took second place overall with a time of 20:36, a 6:38 pace.
Congratulations to all 17 runners in Team AABANY, and thank you for your participation!
Vishal Chander
Victoria Cheng
Melissa Chi
Sherry Huang
Miles Kim
Alexandra Lao
Evelyn Lee
Justin Lee
Rachel Lee
Tiancheng Lyu
May Wong
Robert Wong
Jameson Xu
Kelly Yao
Jaehee Yoo
Jenny Zheng
Meilin Zheng
We are grateful as well to Kevin Hsi and Jack Hsia, Vice Chairs of the Issues Committee, who cheered on Team AABANY throughout the race.
To learn more about the Issues Committee, go here. To learn more about the Young Lawyers Committee, go here.
The National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) hosted its annual Lobby Day on May 19-20, 2026, bringing together many affiliate members, including those from the Asian American Bar Association of New York (AABANY) who traveled to Washington, D.C. to participate in this year’s NAPABA Lobby Day. AABANY members joined attorneys, judges, law students, and community leaders from across the country in advocating for policies that advance civil rights, protect due process, and strengthen the rule of law.
Representing AABANY were members of the our Issues Committee, including Co-Chairs Vishal Chander and Rachel Lee, along with other members of the New York delegation: Anushree Bagrodia, Charles Drucker, Linny Ng, Tiffany Ngeo, and Alex Pan. We also thank Glenn Magpantay, Northeast Alternate Regional Governor for NAPABA and AABANY Board Director, and Sapna Palla, NAPABA Board Member and former AABANY President, who joined the New York delegation.
Lobby Day began with a policy training session at Jones Day, where participants received briefings on NAPABA’s legislative priorities and advocacy strategies before meeting with congressional offices on Capitol Hill. The event also included the annual AANHPI Heritage Month Congressional Reception, which brought together NAPABA members, members of Congress, congressional staff, and community leaders from across the nation.
NAPABA’s 2026 Lobby Day focused on three core legislative priorities:
Advancing civil rights through language access protections
Promoting a fair immigration system through access to counsel
Defending the rule of law by supporting judicial security measures
Advancing Civil Rights Through Language Access
The New York delegation urged congressional offices to support passage of theLanguage Access for All Act of 2026 (H.R. 7223), a bill designed to ensure that individuals with limited English proficiency have meaningful access to federally funded services through translation and interpretation assistance. NAPABA emphasized that language access is particularly important for the AANHPI community. Nearly one-third of Asian Americans are considered limited English proficient, making language access a critical civil rights issue.
This legislation would codify protections that were previously provided through Executive Order 13166—“Improving Access to Services for Persons With Limited English Proficiency”—and establish comprehensive language access requirements for federal agencies.
Promoting a Fair Immigration System
The New York delegation also educated Congress on the proposed Access to Counsel Act (H.R. 944/S. 391), which seeks to ensure that individuals with lawful status who are detained for prolonged inspections at ports of entry have meaningful access to legal counsel and family members.
NAPABA highlighted the importance of due process protections, particularly as immigration enforcement actions continue to affect immigrant communities across the country. The delegation stressed that individuals navigating the immigration system should be able to understand the process and access legal representation when their rights are at stake.
The delegation also discussed AABANY’s ongoing efforts to support immigrant communities through legal clinics, educational programming, and pro bono initiatives. (For more information about that, read the blog post about AABANY’s participation in the 2026 AAPI Summit hosted by Senator Gillibrand at the end of April by clicking here.)
Defending the Rule of Law and Judicial Independence
The New York delegation also advocated for passage of the Countering Threats and Attacks on Our Judges Act (H.R. 4602/S. 2379), bipartisan legislation aimed at addressing the increasing threats and acts of violence directed toward members of the judiciary. The bill would establish a State Judicial Threat Intelligence and Resource Center and provide resources to improve judicial security nationwide.
As attorneys, AABANY members emphasized that an independent judiciary is essential to maintaining public confidence in the legal system and preserving the rule of law. NAPABA noted that threats against judges undermine judicial impartiality and threaten the integrity of the courts.
Meetings with Congressional Offices
The New York delegation met with staff from several congressional offices, including New York Representatives Jerry Nadler (NY-12), Nydia Velázquez (NY-07), and Dan Goldman (NY-10). Discussions focused on NAPABA’s legislative priorities, including language access, immigration due process, and judicial security.
The delegation also highlighted the work of AABANY and NAPABA in supporting immigrant communities, educating lawful permanent residents about their rights, and providing pro bono legal services and training opportunities for attorneys. Follow-up conversations included discussions regarding immigration policy developments, legal aid initiatives, and opportunities for future collaboration between congressional offices and the AANHPI legal community.
Continuing the Work
Lobby Day provided an important opportunity for AABANY to bring the perspectives of New York’s AANHPI legal community directly to policymakers. Through these conversations, AABANY reinforced the role of attorneys not only as advocates in the courtroom but also as advocates for policies that promote justice, equity, and opportunity.
AABANY thanks NAPABA for organizing another successful Lobby Day and looks forward to continuing its partnership in advancing the interests of the AANHPI community and the legal profession nationwide.
For more information about NAPABA’s legislative priorities, click here.
To learn more about AABANY’s Issues Committee and how you can get involved, go here.
– Written by Vishal Chander, Board Member and Co-Chair of AABANY’s Issues Committee
The presentation discussed the importance of habeas corpus as the federal government expands immigration detention. The program provided an overview of the statutory framework governing civil immigration detention and discussed the constitutional limits on civil detention, underscoring that immigration detention remains subject to procedural and substantive due process.
The program also reviewed common habeas claims in both pre-order and post-order detention contexts. These included statutory misclassification, unlawful revocation of release, due process challenges to prolonged mandatory detention, claims arising from statutory protections such as the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), and post-order detention challenges where removal is not reasonably foreseeable. Attendees received practical guidance on drafting a habeas petition.
Attendees had opportunities to participate in case studies throughout the program and ask questions, showing their passion, curiosity, and dedication.
The program concluded with an invitation for attorneys and volunteers to provide pro bono habeas representation by volunteering for I-ARC and the NYU Law Immigrant Rights Clinic’s NY Habeas Project and LSNJ’s Detention and Deportation Defense Initiative. AABANY thanks the speakers and organizers for providing this important training.
To learn more about the Issues Committee, go here. To learn more about the Immigration Law Committee, go here.
– Written by Vishal Chander, Board Member and Co-Chair of AABANY’s Issues Committee
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.
Members and guests gathered for an evening of networking, conversation, and collaboration. In an intimate setting, attendees had the opportunity to connect with fellow solo and small firm practitioners, share professional experiences, exchange recommendations for favorite restaurants and local spots, and discuss ideas for future Committee programming and events. The casual gathering fostered meaningful conversations and helped strengthen relationships within the AABANY community.
Attendees enjoyed wine, soda, and light bites while learning more about the Committee’s plans for the year ahead.
AABANY extends its sincere thanks to Blue Panda Office Spaces for sponsoring and hosting the event. Located in Williamsburg, Blue Panda offers thoughtfully designed private offices, flexible workspace options, and meeting rooms, providing a welcoming environment for attorneys and other professionals serving Brooklyn and Manhattan.
We thank everyone who attended and look forward to seeing you at future SSFP Committee events throughout the year.
– Written by Tiffany Miao, Co-Chair of AABANY’s Solo & Small Firms Practice Committee
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 is thrilled to announce that applications are now open for two of their premier professional development programs: the ADR Institute and the Prospective Partners Program (PPP). These programs offer unmatched opportunities to advance your career, develop meaningful relationships, and cultivate leadership.
ADR Institute
The ADR Institute is a two-day career and skills development program designed to provide participants with both a broad overview of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) and substantive, hands-on training for careers in mediation and arbitration. Led by experts in the mediation and arbitration field, the program seeks to diversify the pool of mediators and arbitrators in the United States and expand the use of ADR among program participants.
Dates: November 11–12, 2026, in Los Angeles, CA
Cohort Size: Limited to 20–25 participants
Program Fee: $500 for NAPABA members | $750 for non-members
The Prospective Partners Program provides strategic mentorship and leadership development for senior associates and of counsel who are on track for partnership consideration within the next 12–18 months. Join a powerful network of senior in-house counsel and law firm partners who are committed to helping you navigate this important career transition with confidence.
Dates: November 12–13, 2026, during NAPABA’s Convention in Los Angeles, CA
Cohort: Highly selective, limited to 10 participants
Program Fee: $400 for NAPABA members | $650 for non-members
