Commercial Division Advisory Council Organizes Lecture Series

During June 2023, the Commercial Division of the New York State Supreme Court hosted a lunchtime lecture series, which was organized by the Commercial Division Advisory Council for summer associates at law firms, interns working with Commercial Division Justices, as well as bar association members. The goal of the series was to educate future lawyers about the Commercial Division and commercial practice, showcase the wide variety of cases that come before the Commercial Division, and highlight the value of clerking, interning, and litigating in the Commercial Division. The series comprised four programs, each featuring a Commercial Division Justice and some of the best-known and most-respected commercial litigators in the United States as speakers. The programs were well attended, and the audience reactions were positive.

If you missed the lectures or are interested in learning more, we invite you to visit the recordings of the four programs which are available through the links below:

June 8th – Motion Practice: Hon. Jennifer G. Schecter and Robert J. Giuffra Jr.
https://kelleydrye.zoom.us/rec/share/nr109KTDQWgEvfNi9hUoULvlzjgr3mYbAWAPh5GJcTFBdj3H3ipfI__x79R-vHzh.1sG-guD3_Ach6xf0

June 13th – Depositions: Hon. Andrea Masley, Sandra C. Goldstein, Stefan Atkinson, and Robert Gretch
https://kelleydrye.zoom.us/rec/share/az7UsGec_0pTENTnxCctSLg-Fda2AP0x49SSLRF4b4KPEm2-B1JHYyrSupDjKi2Z.oo4Y7628eh7uWcnu

June 20th – Written and Electronic Discovery: Hon. Joel M. Cohen, Lynn K. Neuner, Linton Mann III, and Rachel Sparks Bradley
https://kelleydrye.zoom.us/rec/share/K5f2AzkBc75rdelDhcI5arvwVckU0wOXlTA03LIJlQpMPdbtxJ0trAwpo3-ZVq-T.7plVWw-jd44cu3cp

June 27th – Trials: Hon. Robert R. Reed, Loretta E. Lynch, and Daniel J. Toal
https://kelleydrye.zoom.us/rec/share/wHa-KewhYwqf9EXvQwMjbG43XYyZY63LTtFo46KKpfR67Yj3esHfjvk-fJwFwjjp.apjK-44xIr0ZtgrB

To learn more about the Commercial Division of the New York State Supreme Court, please click here.

NAPABA Prospective Partners Program (PPP) | Application Now OPEN!

Now Accepting Applications!

Application Deadline: Friday, August 18 at 8:00 pm ET

The NAPABA Prospective Partners Program (PPP) application is now open! If you are a senior associate or of counsel at a major law firm who is approaching consideration for partnership, the PPP is designed for you. The PPP aims to increase the number of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander partners at major law firms through introduction, mentorship, and relationship building. Sessions will take place at the 2023 NAPABA Convention in Indianapolis, Indiana, November 9-12.

Prospective partners will receive mentorship and guidance on their career development and connect with senior in-house counsel where they will have an opportunity to introduce themselves and the services of their firms.

Additionally, prospective partners will be paired with a partner mentor from a different law firm who will provide feedback and guidance on the prospective partner’s introduction presentation and career development.

The deadline to apply for this program is 8:00 pm ET on Friday, August 18.

AABANY IP Committee Hosts Talk with Kelly Koyama-Garcia as Part of “Dumplings & Discussion” Series

On June 20, 2023, the IP Committee hosted the next of its “Dumplings & Discussion” series at Fish & Richardson (“Fish”) with Kelly Koyama-Garcia as the guest speaker. She is the SVP, Corporate Secretary & General Counsel at Louis Vuitton America. Participants enjoyed pork and chive dumplings, Buddha’s Delight, chicken dumplings, and many other Chinese dishes. Jeffrey Mok, IP Committee Co-Chair and Principal at Fish, moderated the discussion and kicked it off by asking Kelly her favorite type of dumpling.

Over the course of the evening, Kelly openly shared her unique experiences that have led her to her current position at Louis Vuitton Americas. Outside of her work, Kelly is an active member of AABANY and other organizations. Kelly shared her personal experiences that have paved the way for her choosing the legal profession and navigating challenging moments in her industry. 

Kelly also talked about her day-to-day responsibilities at Louis Vuitton and the biggest legal concerns she faces.

Kelly’s journey elicited many thought-provoking questions from all the attorneys attending.

After the in-depth discussion and lively Q&A that followed, attendees continued to enjoy drinks and food during the networking reception that capped the event. 

Thanks to Jeff Mok, Co-Chair of the IP Committee for organizing a well-attended and insightful program. To learn more about the IP Committee and how you can get involved, go here.

AABANY Files Comments in Response to the March 24, 2023 Public Briefing on the Federal Response to Anti-Asian Racism in the United States

The Asian American Bar Association of New York (AABANY) submitted a letter on April 24, 2023 to the United States Commission on Civil Rights (USCCR) expressing concern about the ongoing issue of anti-Asian hate and violence in the United States, particularly in New York. In the letter, we highlighted the increase in incidents during the COVID-19 pandemic and outlined the efforts of AABANY’s Anti-Asian Violence Task Force (AAVTF) in addressing these issues, including hosting webinars, publishing reports, advocating for legislative changes, and providing resources to support victims. While we appreciate the USCCR for drawing attention to anti-Asian crimes, we believe that there is much more work to be done. AABANY presented three recommendations to combat anti-Asian hate crimes: improved hate crime data reporting, recognition of the community as a victim and investigative partner, and appropriate training for prosecutors and law enforcement. We emphasized the importance of collaboration between the government, law enforcement, and community organizations to ensure the safety of the Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) community.

To read AABANY’s public comment in its entirety, please click here. AABANY gratefully acknowledges the efforts of Chris Kwok, Issues Committee Chair, and AABANY Student Leaders Jinny Lim, J.D. candidate, Seton Hall Law School ‘24, and Catherine Tran, J.D. Candidate, Columbia Law School ‘25, in preparing this submission.

AABANY Asia Practice Committee Presents: Unlocking the Path to Partnership – In-Depth Insights from Ms. Portia Ku, Partner at O’Melveny & Myers’ New York Office

On July 15, 2023, AABANY’s Asia Practice Committee hosted via Zoom an inspiring guest speaker session with Ms. Portia Ku, a partner at O’Melveny Myers’ New York office, who shared her personal journey and provided invaluable insights to empower aspiring lawyers. This event was designed for young lawyers with an Asian background seeking successful legal careers in international law firms. Hardy Zhou, Co-Chair of Asia Practice Committee, and Chenyi Wang, from Carter Ledyard & Milburn LLP, served as moderators. For those who missed the event, please listen to the recording by clicking on the image above.

Ms. Ku addressed various topics crucial to the participants’ professional advancement, including her extensive legal career in Taiwan, Hong Kong, the U.S. and mainland China, her career path to partnership in an international law firm, building a successful legal career as an Asian lawyer, challenges and tips for LL.M. graduates in the United States, achieving success as a female lawyer, navigating recessionary periods, and considerations between working in the United States and Greater China. The event concluded with an engaging Q&A session, allowing the audience to actively participate by posing questions to Ms. Ku. She graciously provided valuable responses, further enriching the attendees’ understanding of successful legal careers. The event proved to be a tremendous success, offering participants practical strategies, inspiration, and knowledge to excel in their legal careers.

AABANY expresses gratitude to Ms. Ku for sharing her expertise. We also thank CLECSS (China Legal Education and Career Seminar Series) for co-sponsoring this event.  Thanks to all the attendees for taking time out of their day to learn and support. To learn more about the Asia Practice Committee and how you can get involved, click here.

AABANY and Asia Society Co-Host Special Screening of “Dear Corky” on May 31, 2023

On May 31, in honor of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islanders month (AANHPI), AABANY and the Asia Society came together to co-host a special screening of Dear Corky, a short documentary film that captures the late New York photographer Corky Lee’s documentation of New York City’s Chinatown, in his hometown, and Asian American communities across the nation. 

The film tells the inspiring story of Corky, the man behind the camera, who spent over fifty years capturing over a hundred thousand photographs. His life’s mission was dedicated to achieving photographic justice. Starting from his college days, Lee began photographing Chinatowns, and driven by his deep sense of social justice, he captured images of activists, everyday heroes, and celebrities with equal passion. After the passing of his wife in 2001, Corky found comfort in his photographs, as they became his safe haven. He shared that he felt less lonely because he felt connected to the people in his photographs. Corky passed in early 2021 after being hospitalized for COVID-19. He had been out in the community documenting anti-Asian hate and violence during the onset of the pandemic.

Following the screening, Chris Kwok, Chair of AABANY’s Issues Committee, moderated a conversation with the film director Curtis Chin, Virgo Lee, advisor to the Estate of Corky Lee, and Mae Ngai, Asian American Studies Lung Family professor and history professor at Columbia University. 

The panelists shared their fond memories of Corky Lee. They highlighted not only the joy brought to their lives but also the recognition of how impactful he was to the Asian American community. Corky Lee’s photography served as a spotlight and voice of the experiences, struggles, and accomplishments of various communities and movements across the country. His selflessness and passion in his work served as an inspiration to many.

Prof. Ngai also shared a special report on the forthcoming book, Corky Lee’s Asian America, from Penguin Random House. The book will provide a deeper dive into decades of Corky’s activism expressed through his photojournalism. It is now available for pre-order and set to release on February 20, 2024.

AABANY thanks everyone for attending this event as a fitting conclusion of AANHPI Heritage Month. It was truly heartwarming to witness how supported and beloved Corky Lee was.

To view post-screening discussion, please click here for the full video. 

NAPABA Applauds the Confirmation of Justice Myong J. Joun to the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts


For Immediate Release:
 
Date: July 13, 2023
ContactRahat N. Babar, Deputy Executive Director for Policy 

WASHINGTON – Yesterday, the United States Senate confirmed Judge Myong J. Joun to the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts. Judge Joun is the first Asian American male in Massachusetts to serve as an Article III judge.

“NAPABA congratulates Judge Myong Joun on his confirmation to the U.S. District Court,” said Sandra Leung, President of NAPABA. “An exceptional attorney and judge, Judge Joun is a leader in the community. A U.S. Army and Massachusetts National Guard veteran, he is the second former Asian American Lawyers Association of Massachusetts president to be confirmed to an Article III judgeship.”

Before Judge Joun’s confirmation, Governor Deval Patrick appointed him to the Boston Municipal Court. He worked in private practice, specializing in criminal defense and plaintiff’s civil rights litigation in state and federal courts.

Active in the community, Judge Joun is a former president of the Asian American Lawyers Association of Massachusetts, an affiliate of NAPABA. He has served on the boards of directors for the Harry J. Elam Judicial Conference, the National Lawyers Guild, the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law of the Boston Bar Association, and the Executive Management Board of the Massachusetts Bar Association. Judge Joun received his J.D. from Suffolk Law School and his B.A. from the University of Massachusetts.

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The National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA), represents the interests of over 60,000 Asian Pacific American (APA) legal professionals and nearly 90 national, state, and local APA bar associations. NAPABA is a leader in addressing civil rights issues confronting Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities. Through its national network, NAPABA provides a strong voice for increased diversity of the federal and state judiciaries, advocates for equal opportunity in the workplace, works to eliminate hate crimes and anti-immigrant sentiment, and promotes the professional development of people of all backgrounds in the legal profession.

Asian American Law Journal – Call for Submissions

The Asian American Law Journal at Berkeley Law is now accepting submissions for its 2023-2024 volume!

The Asian American Law Journal at Berkeley Law invites AABANY members to submit an article, essay, book review, transcript of a previous lecture, or other contribution on civil rights, immigrant rights, or any other area of their interest relating to Asian Americans and the law.

What is the Asian American Law Journal (AALJ)? AALJ is one of only two law journals in the United States focused on Asian American communities. Since 1993, we have provided a scholarly forum for the exploration of unique legal concerns of Asian Americans, including but not limited to the East Asian, South Asian, Southeast Asian, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities. Each annual volume typically contains articles, book reviews, essays, and other contributions from scholars, practitioners, and students.

What topics and issues does AALJ feature? We welcome commentary, analysis, and research on the diverse experiences of Asian Americans, particularly at the intersections of gender, class, sexual orientation, religion, and race. For example, our recent publications have explored the effects of racial stereotypes on Asian American women, reparations for Asian Americans in California, and the impact of Supreme Court decisions on citizenship. We especially welcome scholarship on timely issues such as critical race theory, recent judicial opinions impacting Asian American communities, and Asian Americans’ roles in advocating for racial justice and BIPOC solidarity.

Is there a specific format or word limit? We recognize that the format of traditional law review articles may limit the ability to capture the ways in which the law intersects with lived experience beyond legal doctrine and formal analysis. Therefore, in addition to academic articles, we also welcome essays and other written formats that explore the unique legal concerns of Asian American communities. Consider our archives for references. (Recently, we have enjoyed Professor Carlos Hiraldo’s Arroz Frito with Salsa: Asian Latinos and the Future of the United States, Professor Mari Matsuda’s Planet Asian America, and Professor Robert Chang’s article, AALJ’s inaugural piece, Toward an Asian American Legal Scholarship.)

Is there a deadline? Yes, all submissions are due on Monday, August 21th, 2023, though we make publication offers on a rolling basis. Please send your submissions via email to [email protected] or through Scholastica.

What does the publication process look like? Over the course of the 2023-2024 academic year, our journal team will work with you to provide substantive feedback, in addition to cite-checking and formatting your article.

What if I have more questions? Please send us an email! We would love to connect.

I don’t have anything to submit, but I know someone who might. What can I do? For those in the position to do so, we would appreciate you forwarding this note to your departments, teams, and friends or colleagues who may be interested in publishing with AALJ.

Thank you for your time, and we look forward to working with you!

Natasha Suterwala and Eva Gu
Submissions Editors
Asian American Law Journal
University of California, Berkeley, School of Law

AABANY Real Estate Committee Holds CLE Program on Matrimonial and Domestic Relations in Real Estate

On June 22, 2023, AABANY’s Real Estate Committee organized a highly informative CLE program over Zoom, entitled “Matrimonial & Domestic Relations in Real Estate,” featuring speakers Margaret T. Ling from Amtrust Title Insurance Company and Jackie Harounian from Wissleman, Harounian, & Associates. The program sought to shed light on the complex dynamics surrounding real estate disputes in cases of matrimonial and domestic relations. Wendy Yu from Yu Law, P.C. served as moderator.

Magaret T. Ling commenced the session by sharing various scenarios and real-life cases of divorced couples who found themselves entangled in real estate disputes. Following Margaret’s remarks, Jackie Harounian offered insights into the key considerations individuals should keep in mind when navigating the intersection of divorce and real estate. She emphasized the critical role of prenuptial agreements in establishing clear guidelines and protecting both parties’ rights. The presentation served as a valuable opportunity for attendees to gain a better understanding and foundation regarding proactive measures required in matrimonial and domestic relations when real estate is involved.

AABANY thanks Flushing Bank, Wissleman, Harounian, & Associates, Amtrust Title Insurance Company, and Korean American Lawyers Association of Greater New York for co-sponsoring this event. We also thank Margaret T. Ling and Jackie Harounian for sharing their expertise. Thanks to all the attendees for taking time out of their day to learn and support.

To learn more about the Real Estate Committee and how you can get involved, click here.

2023 NAPABA Convention | Scholarship Opportunities—Unleash Your Potential

Apply for a Convention Scholarship Today

The NAPABA Convention offers one of the best values among legal education conferences. It is an opportunity to discover meaningful insights, grow your network, bolster your knowledge, and unleash your potential alongside diverse thought leaders. NAPABA recognizes, however, that attending the Convention can pose financial challenges to many of our members. As in prior years, we have established a Convention scholarship and a law student scholarship this year to offer financial assistance and access to the transformative NAPABA Convention.

Further, we know that members have concerns with the Convention being located in the State of Indiana. Thus, NAPABA has a limited number of discounted rooms (i.e., a hotel room rate that is lower than NAPABA’s already reduced hotel block rate available to Convention attendees generally) available to those who are economically impacted by the Convention’s location. NAPABA will consider the totality of an applicant’s circumstances in allocating the limited number of discounted rooms to members.

Learn more about our scholarships and eligibility requirements here

Register for the Convention
Haven’t registered for the Convention yet? Now’s your chance! Join NAPABA in Indianapolis as we celebrate 35 years of leading and uniting the AANHPI legal community.