WE Blog @ AABANY

January 14, 2019January 14, 2019

Manhattan Community Board Applications Are Open Now!

Interested in what gets built in your community and how government works to deliver services in your neighborhood? Apply to join one of Manhattan’s 12 Community Boards.

Every Community Board has 50 seats which are filled for two-year terms by volunteers, who are selected by the Borough President and local City Council members. Half the seats are up for appointment or reappointment every year.

Community Boards get a seat at the table in high-stakes land use, real estate, and zoning negotiations, and they work directly with city agencies to influence how government services are delivered at the neighborhood level.

If you’d like to serve as a member of your Community Board, apply online here! You can also print the application and drop it off by mail or in-person. The deadline is February 8, 2019.

January 14, 2019

Thank you to our January Pro Bono Clinic Volunteers!

January’s Monthly Pro Bono Clinic, held on Wednesday, January 9 at 3 Bowery Street in Confucius Plaza, brought out 16 lawyers and 6 interpreters who volunteered their time to help 34 clients.

We are asking every member to actively support AABANY’s Monthly Pro Bono Clinic by making donations that are vital to its continuing operation. In a few short years, with the tireless and generous assistance of our volunteers, we have helped hundreds of low-income clients with free legal advice and referrals to high-quality, culturally sensitive, and linguistically competent legal services. Together we have helped expand access to justice for underserved Asian American New Yorkers.

If you know family members, friends, or businesses, such as your firm, who would like to support the Clinic, please help us connect with them by contacting Karen Yau at [email protected].

Or please urge them to make a donation directly. They can visit the website of Asian American Law Fund of New York (AALFNY), AABANY’s 501(c)(3) affiliate: https://www.asianamericanlawfund.org/donate/ AALFNY is accepting charitable donations on the Clinic’s behalf and can issue any donor a tax receipt. Any contribution, large or small, would help. Please be sure to indicate in the memo field that the donation is intended for the Pro Bono Clinic.

Thank you to all of the January Pro Bono Clinic Volunteers!

Lawyers:

Gaye L. Chun
Jennie Kim
Eun Hye (Grace) Lee
Kwok Kei Ng
Thomas Hou
Francis Chin
Alexandra Lee
Poonam Gupta
Amanda Bernardo
Susan Thorn
Zhixian Liu
Suehyan Cho-O’Leary
David Lu
Pauline Yeung-Ha
Karen Kithan Yau
Judy (Ming Chu) Lee

Interpreters:

Alva Lin
Weiling Huang
Derek Ting-Che Tai
Teresa Wai Yee Yeung
Satoshi Kurita
Wenxin Natalie Lu

Special thanks to Johnny Thach for coordinating the clinic, and the Pro Bono and Community Service Committee Co-Chairs Karen Kithan Yau, Ming Chu Lee, and Asako Aiba for their leadership.

If you are interested in volunteering at next month’s Pro Bono Clinic on February 13, please contact Asako Aiba at [email protected]. AABANY’s Monthly Pro Bono Clinic occurs every second Wednesday from 6:30 to 8:30 PM.

January 7, 2019

Young Lawyers Committee Volunteers at Xavier Soup Kitchen

On January 6, 2019, members of the Young Lawyers Committee (YLC) spent the afternoon volunteering at Xavier Mission. Over 1450 hot meals were served to less fortunate New Yorkers. Following the event, a few of the volunteers reflected on their experience over tacos and chips at Tortaria.

The YLC thanks all of the volunteers for their hard work and looks forward to planning another rewarding community service event soon!

To learn more about the YLC go to https://www.aabany.org/page/123

January 7, 2019

Registrations Now Open for the Brooklyn Legal Pipeline Initiative

The Brooklyn Legal Pipeline Initiative (BLPI) was started in 2017 and is designed to provide students from diverse backgrounds, who live or attend college in Brooklyn, direct instruction on how to successfully apply to and fund a law school education. Participants attend a mock networking event and mock interviews. They are additionally offered mentorship opportunities.

Students who attend all sessions will be offered an opportunity to obtain a summer internship. Stipends may be available to defray certain transportation and ancillary costs associated with the internships. This program is co-sponsored by the Brooklyn Women’s Bar Association (BWBA), The Defense Association of New York (DANY) and the Brooklyn Bar Association (BBA).

Selected students will attend five (5) two-hour classroom sessions, starting in January 2019 that will be moderated by volunteer judges, attorneys and law school administrators. Classes will be held at the Brooklyn Bar Association’s landmark building located at 123 Remsen Street in downtown Brooklyn. These classes will be held from 5:30- 7:30 PM on dates to be announced and will address the following topics:

January 15, 2019 – The Legal Profession – What is a lawyer? What do they do? – Panel discussion with judges and attorneys describing the areas in which they practice.

February 19, 2019 – Applying to Law School – Course selection- Time management – Writing skills – IRAC – The LSAT’s – Paying for law school – Guided questions and answer session with a career counselor and a law school admissions officer.

March 19, 2019- Networking and Mentoring – Each participant will be paired with an Attorney Mentor – Developing a resume and cover letter.

April 16, 2019 – Internships –Interview Skills – Professionalism.

May 21, 2019 – Mock Interviews – Each participant will participate in simulated interviews and will receive immediate constructive feedback.

July -August 2019 – Summer Internship Program

The 2017 and 2018 Brooklyn Pipeline Programs were resounding successes. We have now had over 40 students complete our direct instruction program and have been able to place each of the students who requested internship opportunities in stipend supported summer positions. The feedback from our summer internship providers was highly positive.

We are presently working with an LSAT prep course to offer this year’s students a greatly discounted rate to prepare for the July 2019 LSAT test.

The Application deadline is January 11. Click here for the brochure containing additional information.

January 7, 2019

Chinese Exclusion Act Repeal Commemoration on Dec. 16

On December 16, 2018, a commemoration of the 75th anniversary repeal of the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 was held at the First Chinese Baptist Church in NYC Chinatown. It was sponsored by the Chinese American Citizens Alliance of Greater NY and AABANY. The entire text of the Chinese Exclusion Act was read, followed by a reading of the writings of Wong Chin Foo, a 19th-century activist who has been called “the first Chinese American,” protesting the Chinese Exclusion Act.

Thanks to the following organizers and speakers: Corky Lee, Ben Chan, Barbara Chin, Shirley L. Ng, Shirley Kwan, Henry Chang, Chris M. Kwok, and Bayer Lee.
https://www.facebook.com/180459698665758/posts/2297777466933960/

January 4, 2019

Chinese American Veterans of World War II Honored with Congressional Gold Medal

On December 20, 2018, President Donald Trump signed the Chinese-American World War II Veteran Congressional Gold Medal Act into law. The Act finally recognizes the achievements and contributions of Chinese Americans who served in the U.S. Armed Forces during the Second World War.

The bill passed due to the efforts of everyone involved in the Chinese American WWII Veterans Recognition Project. The mission of the project was to recognize, honor and celebrate the military service of approximately 20,000 Chinese Americans who fought in the Second World War.

Chris Kwok, AABANY Board Director, Issues Committee Chair and Asia Practice Committee Co-Chair, participated in the effort to get the legislation passed. Chris served on the Steering Committee of the Chinese American WWII Veterans Recognition Project and acted as Legal Counsel to the Committee.

Brian Song, AABANY President-Elect, and Chris Kwok, as AABANY Issues Committee Chair, also advocated for passage of the bill at NAPABA Lobby Day in Washington, DC, during APA Heritage Month in 2018.

AABANY commends Chris Kwok and Brian Song for their efforts and advocacy in support of getting this very important legislation passed.

To learn more, see: https://www.nbcnews.com/news/asian-america/chinese-american-wwii-vets-receive-congressional-gold-medal-n950986

December 27, 2018January 14, 2019

AABANY’s 11th Annual Holiday Party

On December 13, 2018, AABANY held its annual holiday party, this time at rent24, a co-working space near Bryant Park. We believe this might well have been the 11th annual holiday party. The party started at 7 pm, after the space was converted from office space to a party space that we had all to ourselves for the duration of the event. We enjoyed cheese and crudite from Murray’s and Korean food from Woojirip. A professional bartender served and mixed a variety of beverages, including soft drinks, beer, wine, and whiskey. For dessert, we munched on an assortment of cupcakes, brownies and cookies from Whole Foods

The party was at full capacity, with over 140 people registered. We received a special visit from Andrew Yang, candidate for US President, who shared with the crowd why he was running. Also at the party was Pro Bono Committee Co-Chair Karen Yau, who appealed to the attendees to support the Pro Bono Clinic with a donation.

The party was scheduled to end at 9 pm but many stayed until 9:30 pm. Thanks to all who came. Check out some photos from the party at https://photos.app.goo.gl/AKxJP4jZ2Grh7oo5A

Special thanks to Charles Chen, VP of Programs and Operations, for finding the space, David Sohn, Membership Director, for handling food and beverages, and Margaret Langston, interns Katie Lee and Emma Li, and our volunteers for helping to staff the event

We wish everyone a happy and safe holiday season!

December 27, 2018December 28, 2018

AABANY Prosecutors Committee Celebrates 10th Anniversary

On December 18, 2018, AABANY’s Prosecutors Committee held its 10th Annual Reception by honoring Bridget G. Brennan, Special Narcotics Prosecutor for the City of New York, and Jesse J. Sligh, Executive Assistant District Attorney, Queens County District Attorney’s Office, for their exemplary and established record of public service and their commitment to diversity and inclusion in the profession and the community.

Approximately 200 Prosecutors Committee members and guests filled the New York County Lawyers Association at 14 Vesey Street to capacity to celebrate this special anniversary event. The evening featured numerous distinguished guests and speakers who provided congratulatory remarks to the Committee and the honorees.

Notable guests and speakers included:

Darcel Clark, Bronx County DA
Michael McMahon, Richmond County DA
Madeline Singas, Nassau County DA
Cyrus Vance, New York County DA
Neil Corwin, Executive AUSA, US Attorney’ s Office, SDNY
Nancy Hoppock, Chief ADA, Kings County DA’s Office
Bridget Rohde, Chief AUSA, US Attorney’s Office, EDNY
John Ryan, Chief ADA, Queens County DA’s Office
Joe Alexis, Chief of Trials, Kings County DA’s Office
Catherine Christian, Special Assistant to the NY County DA for External Affairs
Diane Gujarati, Deputy Chief of Criminal Division, US Attorney’s Office, SDNY
Melinda Katz, Queens Borough President
Yang Chen, Executive Director, AABANY
Pamela Chen [Judge, US District Court, EDNY]
Dorothy Chin-Brandt [Retired Judge, Queens County Supreme Court]
Phyllis Chu [Judge, NY County Criminal Court]
Danny Chun [Judge, Kings County Supreme Court]
Ronald Hollie [Judge, Queens County Supreme Court]
Gilbert Hong [Judge, NY County Criminal Court]
Judy Kim [Judge, NY County Criminal Court]
Peggy Kuo [Judge, US District Court, EDNY]
Don Leo [Judge, Kings County Criminal Court]
Daniel Lewis [Judge, Queens County Supreme Court]
Kevin McGrath [Judge, NY County Criminal Court]

The Prosecutors Committee presented a 10-year retrospective slideshow reflecting on the birth and growth of this vibrant committee over the past decade.

This year’s reception also included a touching tribute in memory of Committee Co-Chair Helen Ahn, who passed unexpectedly in November. Helen’s parents and family were present to hear and receive the tributes from all the speakers and honorees.

AABANY thanks Prosecutors Committee co-chairs James Lin and Myongjae M. Yi for organizing the event, as well as Kin Ng, Catherine Christian, Francis Chin, Laura Badger, and the planning members for their assistance. AABANY also thanks the New York County Lawyers Association for providing the beautiful venue for this special celebration.

AABANY congratulates the Prosecutors Committee on reaching its 10-year milestone and wishes it much success and growth in the coming years. The Committee is comprised of current and former state and federal prosecutors. To learn more about the Committee go to https://www.aabany.org/page/73

December 27, 2018

Congratulations to Ushir Pandit-Durant on Her Historic Induction as Queens Supreme Court Justice

On December 21, the Hon. Ushir Pandit-Durant made history as the first South Asian judge elected to New York State Supreme Court in Queens and the first South Asian woman judge elected in New York State. Justice Pandit-Duran was sworn in by the Hon. Randall T. Eng (ret.), former Presiding Justice of the Second Department, New York State Appellate Division. Justice Eng was the first Asian American elected judge in New York State so it was especially fitting for one trailblazer in the Asian American community to swear in another trailblazer. Hon. Joseph Zayas, Administrative Judge of the Queens Supreme Court, Criminal Term, presided.

Justice Pandit-Duran began her career as a Prosecutor in the Queens County District Attorney’s Office, serving there with distinction for 25 years before being elected to New York City Civil Court in 2015, becoming the first South Asian to hold that elected office.

The induction took place at the Queens Supreme Court in Kew Gardens. Numerous speakers, including elected officials and community leaders, extolled Justice Pandit-Duran’s exemplification of the American Dream, coming here at age 10 not speaking a word of English and rising up to become a top prosecutor and now judge. As a South Asian, Justice Pandit-Durant reflects the diversity of Queens, one of the most diverse boroughs of New York City, with a large Asian population. Justice Pandit-Durant is herself a bar leader, having served as the first President of the South Asian Indo-Caribbean Bar Association of Queens.

AABANY congratulates Justice Pandit-Durant on her historic election and wishes her continued success and achievement as a Justice of the Supreme Court.