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AABANY Descends on Seattle for the NAPABA Convention

From Nov. 7 through 9, NAPABA held its National Convention in Seattle at the Hyatt Regency, for three days of programming, meetings, plenary sessions and the 36th Anniversary Gala capping things off on Saturday night.

AABANY members and friends once again came out in large numbers, with nearly 150 people signed up for AABANY’s WhatsApp group. The group’s members updated each other on programs they planned to attend, made lunch and dinner plans, and connected with each other about various receptions, parties and events around Seattle.

The AABANY Trial Reenactment Team presented its latest production, “AAPIs and Education: Tape v. Hurley and Gong Lum v. Rice” on Friday afternoon, Nov. 8, to a capacity audience. The program told the stories of Mamie Tape and Martha Lum and their efforts to fight discrimination in public education, through narration, reenactment of court proceedings and historic photographs. This was the sixteenth in a series of historic reenactments presented by the Asian American Bar Association of New York. For more information about AABANY’s trial reenactments, visit reenactments.aabany.org. 

We congratulate all the awardees and honorees recognized at the Convention, with special shout-outs to the following AABANY member honorees:

We also congratulate Sapna Palla, past AABANY President, and Anushree Bagrodia, current Co-Chair of AABANY’s In-House Counsel Committee, for joining the NAPABA Board as At-Large Members!

Thanks to all the outgoing NAPABA Board members for their service, and congratulations to AABANY member and past Board officer, Anna Mercado Clark, on her highly successful year as President.

We congratulate Muhammad Faridi, AABANY Member and President of the New York City Bar Association, on receiving the Pro Bono Service Award.

Thanks and congratulations to the many AABANY members who organized a panel or spoke at one. We know that it is not easy to get a program selected for the NAPABA Convention and that much hard work goes into putting on a quality program for the many attendees who come from across the continent to learn from you all. Please send us your photos and, if possible, a short recap about your program. You can send it to [email protected].

Many bonds were made and strengthened among AABANY attendees over the course of the Convention, and many new connections were made with the approximately 3400 registered attendees from across North America. Judging by many social media posts from those who attended, a great time was had by all. We hope everyone got back to New York City safe and sound, and we are looking forward to another inspiring NAPABA Convention when it moves to Denver, Colorado, Nov. 6-9, 2025.

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AABANY Military & Veterans Affairs Committee Chair Amos Kim Honors Veterans on Veterans Day

The following is a message from Amos Kim, Chair of AABANY’s Military & Veterans Affairs Committee:

I wanted to take a moment to wish every Veteran a Happy Veterans Day. Thank you to all those that served this great nation and its people.

My family came to this country in the early 80’s, making me the first American-born person in my family. I was also the first to attend college, and of course, law school. We weren’t financially secure by any means, but, through the GI Bill, I was able to attend law school. Although my finances were taken care of in law school, it was through AABANY and KALAGNY that I was able to navigate my way to the firm I work for today. I share my background to emphasize that I didn’t initially join the U.S. Navy and serve for 8 years on submarines simply as a service to this country. Instead, I enlisted to better myself and serve my family. Through my experiences, however, I grew to understand that I served a larger purpose, one that not only served my family, but all those who came to this country with hopes and a vision for a brighter future.

Because of my initial reason for joining the military, I have often felt awkward or uncomfortable hearing someone thank me for my service to this nation. I now can say that this is no longer the case; I’ve learned that although my primary reasons for joining the Navy may have been personal and self-serving, the act of serving is only carried out by a small percentage of this country’s population. Moreover, although I didn’t see any combat because of my position as a nuclear power plant supervisor on submarines, my experiences while there (both the good and the ugly) have stayed with me to this day. Now, my family and, to a certain extent, my firm, have supported me as I cope with my military experiences today. I’m sure it is more likely than not that the military experience of each veteran has also stayed with them in one way or another.

Therefore again, I would like to thank each veteran for their service, regardless of their reason for joining in the first place, because the act of serving one’s country is honorable in and of itself. I hope everyone takes the time to care for one another and hear each other’s stories, so that we and this country do not forget the sacrifices that veterans have made.

Lastly, I’d like to announce a fun event in honor of Veterans Day. We are holding a Paintball event in Brooklyn on November 23 at 11AM. To register, visit the KALAGNY website by clicking here: https://kalagny.org/event-5932955. Attending events like these supports us immensely, so please consider coming out and having a fun time.

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Chinatown Manpower Project Invites AABANY to Discuss Business Entity Formation and Partnership Agreements

We would like to thank the Chinatown Manpower Project (CMP) for the opportunity to present again at their business workshop on October 26, 2024, which focused on forming business entities and partnership agreements. We extend our significant gratitude to May Wong, Co-Chair of the Professional Development Committee and former Co-Chair of the Pro Bono & Community Service Committee, for her insightful and engaging discussion on these topics and for providing valuable referrals for entrepreneurs aspiring to establish a business in New York City.

Many immigrants arrive in the United States seeking better economic prospects and face barriers to traditional employment, such as language differences and lack of local networks. CMP (https://www.cmpny.org/) offers employment support to people from all walks of life, including immigrants and second-generation immigrants. CMP also hosts comprehensive entrepreneurial workshops and seminars, provides one-on-one consulting services to small business clients, and refers clients to partnering resource organizations for government assistance, legal consultation, financial literacy, and micro-lending. 

AABANY collaborates with CMP  to create this legal workshop to help small business owners and the next entrepreneurs. AABANY also helps advise small business owners and young entrepreneurs at our upcoming legal clinics. We invite you to join AABANY’s upcoming Pro Bono Clinics taking place on: 

November 20th, 2024 at 6:00pm – Manhattan Pro Bono Clinic at AAFE Community Center, 111 Norfolk St, New York, NY 10002. Sign up here to volunteer – https://forms.gle/SD2VMY8X6yE4vsxW9

December 4th, 2024 at 6:00pm – Queens Pro Bono Clinic at AAFE, One Flushing Community Center,  133-29 41st Ave, 2nd Floor, Flushing, NY 11355. Sign up here to volunteer- https://forms.gle/3LeM9KtqMn8CcNUc6

To learn more about AABANY’s Pro Bono & Community Service Committee and their activities, go to probono.aabany.org.

Photo credit to Nandar Win Kerr

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Columbia Law School’s Paralegal Pathways Initiative: Applications Now Open for Spring 2025

The Paralegal Pathways Initiative (PPI) at Columbia Law School is a 12-week training program designed to support formerly incarcerated individuals as they transition into meaningful careers within the legal field. Through skills-based legal training and professional mentorship, PPI empowers participants to develop valuable career and interview skills. Applications are now open for the upcoming Spring 2025 class, and PPI wants to extend this opportunity to as many potential applicants as possible.

Application Requirements: Interested individuals should submit an application online through this link. The application package includes:

  • Resume 
  • Personal statement (500 words)
  • Response to a writing prompt (350-450 words) 
  • Two references 
  • [Optional] Additional materials/information

PPI encourages applications from individuals from marginalized communities, including those based on race, sexual orientation, religion, age, gender, or disability.

Eligibility Criteria:

  • 18 years old or older
  • Ability to commute to New York City
  • Have been formerly incarcerated and at least one year post-release
  • Demonstrate a genuine interest in the legal field
  • Commit to attending an in-person two-hour class one night a week for 12 weeks, and additional programming and workshops
  • Commit to contributing to a collaborative learning environment
  • Complete an interview

Application Deadline: Friday, November 15, 2024 

Contact Information: For more information, contact the PPI team at [email protected] or follow @paralegalpathways_cls on Instagram. Please share this information with anyone who may be interested in applying.

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NAPABA Congratulates President-Elect Trump and Vice President-Elect Vance

WASHINGTON – As reported by the Associated Press, Donald J. Trump and his running mate, J.D. Vance, have earned a sufficient number of electoral votes to be the next President and Vice President of the United States. NAPABA congratulates them and is committed to working with the new administration and Congress to advance the interests of the Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) community.

The National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization representing the interests of well over 80,000 AANHPI legal professionals. Our community is diverse, spanning across cultures, language, and political ideologies. NAPABA has worked diligently with presidents, administrations, and congressional members of both parties to advance the interests of our community.

As an organization of legal professionals, we bear a special responsibility to uphold the rule of law. NAPABA will continue to advance justice, with the AANHPI community at the forefront along with all communities of color, our values, and our policy positions. We must partner together, despite our political differences, for our country to achieve progress.

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AABANY Member Kin Ng Honored as a Community Leader at Chinese-American Planning Council’s Harvest Moon Benefit

On Wednesday, October 23, 2024, AABANY members attended the Chinese-American Planning Council’s (CPC) Harvest Moon Benefit in Brooklyn to celebrate longtime active AABANY member and co-founding member of AABANY’s Prosecutors Committee, Kin Ng, who was one of the Honorees this year. 

Kin has been a prosecutor at the Kings County District Attorney’s Office for over thirty years. In 2021, he was appointed to serve as the Bureau Chief of Trial Bureau II, Blue Zone. From 2017 to 2020, he was promoted to Bureau Chief of Trial Bureau I – Red Zone, and became the first AAPI bureau chief of a major trial bureau in the history of the office. Prior to that, Kin served in various management capacities in different trial bureaus and the Immigration Fraud Unit. He also served as the Chief of Legal Training, conducting office-wide trainings for all Brooklyn ADAs and staff. Kin continues to mentor prosecutors of all offices and experiences through AABANY as well as National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA). In addition, he is a founding member and co-chair of the National Asian Pacific Islander Prosecutors Association (NAPIPA) and a member of its National Executive Board and the President of its New York Chapter. Notably, Kin received the Norman Lau Kee Trailblazer Award at the 2018 AABANY Fall Conference, in recognition of his leadership in the Asian American legal community.

In his acceptance speech, Kin mentioned and thanked Homecrest and CPC for providing many programs to the community, such as senior services, multi-social services and a wide range of youth and workforce activities. These programs, especially summer and after-school educational activities, provide working families with child care services and a safe environment for their children to learn and grow. 

On behalf of the Pro Bono & Community Service Committee, we also want to thank CPC for hosting our Pro Bono Clinics at their Brooklyn location and our community partners for supporting our efforts in providing free legal consultations to low- to middle- income individuals and families. 

The next Pro Bono Clinic in Brooklyn is on November 9, 2024, from 12:30pm to 3:00pm, at CPC Brooklyn Community Services, 4101 8th Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11232. Pre-registration can be made by phone (tel: (718) 492-0409). Walk-ins are welcome!

If you would like to volunteer, please sign up – https://www.aabany.org/events/event_details.asp?legacy=1&id=1858131. 

Last but not least, thank you AABANY, AALFNY, the Prosecutors Committee, and Pro Bono & Community Service Committee, and our pro bono clinic volunteers for supporting AAPI not-for-profit organizations and their great causes!!!


For more information about the Prosecutors Committee, go here. For more information about the Pro Bono & Community Service Committee go here. Join the Prosecutors Committee for their 16th Anniversary Reception on Nov. 13. More details here.

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AABANY Dumplings & Discussion Series Features David S. Sohn

On October 15, AABANY held the 5th installment of its Dumpling & Discussion Series.  The series brings notable AAPI leaders in the legal industry, with a fireside chat in a casual, intimate setting.  

We were honored to have David S. Sohn as our featured guest.  David is Vice President and Assistant General Counsel at JPMorgan Chase & Co.  David is also a current co-chair of AABANY’s In-House Committee, and formerly an AABANY Director and Vice-President of Programs & Operations, among other leadership positions at AABANY. 

Jeffrey Mok, current co-Vice-President of Programs & Operations, hosted the discussion.  David shared candid thoughts about his career journey, including his path to law school and his transition between different industries.  David also shared his insights on leadership and offered tips for lawyers who are early in their careers.

Attendees enjoyed a wide selection of delicious dumplings and other Chinese food. 

A lively reception followed the discussion with David, and attendees made new connections with each other over food and drinks.

Check the AABANY calendar for future editions of the Dumplings & Discussion Series.

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ANNOUNCEMENT: Spring 2025 Federal Judicial Internships Available with Honorable Dora L. Irizarry, U.S. District Judge for the Eastern District of New York

The Honorable Dora L. Irizarry, U.S. District Judge for the Eastern District of New York, is accepting applications for Spring 2025 internships.

Qualifications: 

• 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. 

• Must be vaccinated fully against COVID-19 (including a booster shot). 

Interested law students should forward their application package in PDF format as a single document via email to [email protected].

Application package must include:

• 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. 

The deadline for receipt of materials is November 25, 2024. 

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.  

Questions? Feel free to reach out to Judge Irizarry’s chambers at 718-613-2150.

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AABANY Co-Sponsors 17th Annual Caren Aronowitz Unity in Diversity Program

On September 27, 2024, AABANY co-sponsored the 17th Annual Caren Aronowitz Unity in Diversity Program, held in the Rotunda of the New York County Courthouse, celebrating the importance of diversity within the legal profession. Bar associations from all across New York were in attendance, including AABANY, the Brehon Law Society, the Filipino American Lawyers Association of New York, the Iranian American Bar Association, and the Macon B. Allen Black Bar Association. In total, 25 bar associations were represented, with each bringing their own unique food selections for the public to enjoy, ranging from pizza and pasta to empanadas and sushi.

The program began with a loud and lively musical performance by the New York State Courts’ Pipes and Drums Band. Attendees responded with enthusiastic cheers and applause.

Afterwards, Hon. Adam Silvera, Deputy Chief Judge for the New York City Courts, spoke, sharing a brief background of the event and its purpose. He explained that this was the first time the event had been held since the COVID pandemic, making it especially important. Hon Deborah A. Kaplan, Deputy Chief Administrative Judge for the New York City Courts, also spoke, describing the event’s dedication to the late Caren Aronowitz, a beloved court employee who was instrumental in organizing many of the courthouse’s events.

The main part of the event then began. Hundreds of members of the public walked around the Rotunda, visiting each bar association’s respective table, enjoying the prepared foods. AABANY brought over a hundred banh mi sandwiches, with five different variations: beef lemongrass, curry chicken, a house special, lemongrass tofu, and pate supreme. By the end, all of the sandwiches were gone!

Thanks to the following groups for organizing this event: the Gender Fairness Committee, Supreme Court, Civil Branch, New York County; the Equal Justice Diversity Equity, and Inclusion Committee; the Cultural Diversity Sub Committee; and the New York County Clerk’s Office. Thanks to everyone who attended to make this event such a great success.

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A Final Call to Action: Amplify Your Voice in This Critical Election Season

With only a week remaining in this high-stakes election season, now is the time to ensure our communities are heard and empowered. The NAPABA Policy Team is sharing the following source to support you in making a lasting impact in these final days.

Join the APIAVote multilingual hotline initiative as a volunteer! NAPABA has partnered with Asian and Pacific Islander American Vote (APIAVote) to offer our AANHPI communities a hotline providing vital voter information in multiple languages. This is a non-partisan, multilingual informational hotline designed to help members of our community find polling places, understand how to register to vote, and ensure they have timely and factual information needed to get to the polls.

APIAVote needs persons fluent in Bengali/Bangla, Cantonese, Hindi, Punjabi, Tagalog, Urdu and has a specific urgent need for persons fluent in Korean, Mandarin, and Vietnamese!

Here is what you can expect as a volunteer:

  • Provide live, remote assistance from Monday, October 7th leading up to Election Day on Tuesday, November 5th! 
  • Return calls to voters who left voicemails asking for voter assistance  
  • Be supported every step of the way by the co-captains of APIA Vote’s Hotline: Jean Ger, Zaria Guignard, Mike Messina, Hannah Locop, and Yu Jing Chen  
  • Hotline captains will be online and available to assist every day 
  • No prior experience is required – all training will be provided via Zoom throughout the election cycle. 

This election season is one of the most significant in recent history, and your involvement is crucial. Sign up to volunteer here! After registering, you’ll have access to on-demand training and a community of dedicated leaders ready to assist every step of the way.

For additional resources, including volunteer opportunities and voting information, visit NAPABA’s 2024 Voting Hub.

Thank you for your commitment to empowering the AANHPI community. Your voice and leadership help shape a more inclusive, informed future. Let’s make this final week count.

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