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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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)
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.
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.
The University of Austin School of Nursing is sharing information about their NIH-funded study with our community. Under the guidance of Dr. Eun-Ok Im and Dr. Wonshik Chee, their team is conducting an NIH-funded study focused on providing culturally tailored online support for Asian American breast cancer survivors (IRB-approved, Study ID: STUDY00004807).
They are hoping to reach more survivors who might benefit from this free program, which includes bilingual nurse sessions (Mandarin, Korean, Japanese, or English), culturally adapted health resources, a complimentary Fitbit, and up to $150 in compensation.
Please see the study flyers (in various languages below), and share with your networks. Even one share could make a meaningful difference for someone in need.
This year’s AABANY Annual Holiday Party took place on Friday, December 5, 2025, at Upon The Palace, a premier Asian Fusion restaurant in Tribeca, New York. It was a fun night for everyone who attended and a perfect way to connect during the holiday season.
Tucked away in the downstairs party room of the restaurant, the space was well-liked by AABANY members as a private setting to connect and enjoy the evening. This location, which some members recalled visiting after the Fall Conference in September, is likely to become a favored spot for future AABANY gatherings.
The event quickly reached capacity, with registration filling up in under two weeks and a continuous waitlist right up to the day of the party, demonstrating the high level of enthusiasm among AABANY members for this annual gathering. More than 90 attendees enjoyed the festivities, with many arriving before the 6:00 pm start and staying late into the evening.
Guests enjoyed an open bar alongside a spectacular Chinese buffet that was continually refreshed. The delicious food offerings included Shanghai vegetable spring rolls, spicy garlic cucumber salad, pan-fried pork dumplings, crispy chicken wings, “magic” chili chicken, stir fried noodles with vegetable, sauteed mixed vegetables, sweet & sour pork, stir fried beef & broccoli, and egg & scallion fried rice, rounded out with plates of seasonal fruit. The variety and quality of the dishes were a hit, as evidenced by the long line of attendees going back for second and third servings. Some attendees piled their plates high, indicating either large appetites or reluctance to get back on line for seconds.
Beyond the food, members had the opportunity to network, reconnecting with old friends while developing new connections. The evening was lively with conversations about professional backgrounds, careers, and shared experiences. Karaoke was a highlight, with many members enthusiastically taking the stage to sing in various languages.
We are grateful to everyone who attended and made the event so vibrant and memorable. This annual tradition remains free to members, as a way for AABANY to thank our members for their dedication and involvement in the wide variety of social, educational, pro bono and advocacy programs, initiatives and activities throughout the year.
To see all the photos from the evening, please click here.
We wish you all a very happy holiday season and look forward to seeing you at our upcoming events in the New Year!
