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Thank You to the Volunteers at the Manhattan Pro Bono Clinic in April

Thank you to the Asian American Law Fund of New York (AALFNY), Asian Americans for Equality (AAFE), the Pro Bono & Community Service Committee (PBCS), and all the dedicated volunteers who contributed their time and expertise at the April 15th Pro Bono Clinic in Manhattan. 

At the Clinic, our volunteers met with 12 clients, providing guidance on various legal issues, including housing, immigration, public benefits, and civil litigation. Their collective efforts ensured that each client received personalized support and essential legal assistance.

In addition to providing vital legal guidance to community members, our Pro Bono Clinics serve as a training ground for law students and young attorneys to practice communicating complex legal concepts in layman’s terms. We appreciate our volunteers for taking the time to listen to clients’ stories and giving them a space to be heard. The dedication of our volunteers continues to bridge the justice gap in our community.

Volunteer attorneys:

  • Beatrice Leong 
  • Francis Chin
  • Jieman Tan
  • Helen Ding
  • Meng Ru
  • Anna Chuen
  • Carmen Huang
  • Anthony Wong
  • Xiaodan Song
  • Arthur Lin
  • Cecilia Yang
  • Alexandra Ly

Interpreters/Shadowers:

  • Rachel Kim
  • Eva Lee
  • Elaine Pan
  • Shang Zhai

We invite you to continue supporting our community by joining us at our upcoming Pro Bono Clinics next month:

  • May 9th [Brooklyn link here], from 12:30 – 2:30pm, CPC Brooklyn Community Services, 4101 8th Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11232
  • May 20th [Manhattan link here], from 6:30 – 8:30pm, AAFE Community Center, 111 Norfolk Street, NY, NY 10002

Thank you for making a significant difference in our community. We are deeply grateful for everyone’s contributions and look forward to continuing this important work together! We hope to see you at our May clinics!

—Written by Eva Lee and Rachel Kim, AABANY Interns

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In the News: AABANY Litigation Committee Co-Chair Genny Ngai Named to City & State’s 2026 “Above & Beyond: Women” List

On March 23, 2026, City & State New York published its 2026 “Above & Beyond: Women” list, celebrating incredible visionaries, policymakers, and leaders who are dedicated to propelling New York forward by tackling new challenges and enhancing services across the state. Genny Ngai, Co-Chair of the AABANY Litigation Committee and Partner at Morrison Cohen, has been recognized on this distinguished list.

Genny is the advocate people and companies seek out “in their worst moments,” according to City & State. Before joining Morrison Cohen’s white collar defense practice, Genny was a prosecutor in the Eastern District of New York.  Her move to private practice was driven by a desire to get ahead of crises before they happen: “I wanted to focus more on how to advise clients proactively to avoid getting into trouble …. There’s ways to help them proactively mitigate risk. I’m all for that.”

Please join AABANY in congratulating Genny on this well-deserved honor. AABANY congratulates all the honorees recognized by City & State. To read the full article, click here.

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Public Notice: Applications Now Open for New Magistrate Judge, United States District Court, Southern District of New York

The United States District Court for the Southern District of New York is accepting applications for a full-time Magistrate Judge position at New York, NY. The duties of the position are demanding and wide ranging and will include: (1) conduct of preliminary proceedings in criminal cases; (2) trial and disposition of misdemeanor cases; (3) conduct of various pretrial matters, including settlement proceedings, and evidentiary proceedings on delegation from the judges of the district court; (4) trial and disposition of civil cases upon consent of the litigants; (5) inquests and reports and recommendations on dispositive motions and evidentiary matters on reference from the judges of the district court; and (6) assignment of additional duties not inconsistent with the Constitution and laws of the United States.

The basic jurisdiction of the United States Magistrate Judge is specified in 28 U.S.C., Section 636. To be qualified for appointment, an applicant must: (a) be a member in good standing of the bar of the highest court of a State, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or the U.S. Virgin Islands for at least five years; (b) have been engaged in the active practice of law for a period of at least five years (with some substitutions authorized); (c) be competent to perform all the duties of the office, of good moral character, emotionally stable and mature, committed to equal justice under the law, in good health, patient and courteous, and capable of deliberation and decisiveness; (d) be less than 70 years old; and (e) not be related to a judge of the district court.

A Merit Selection Panel composed of attorneys and other members of the community will review all applications and recommend in confidence to the judges of the district court five persons whom it considers best qualified. The Court will make the appointment(s) following an FBI and IRS investigation of the appointee(s). Each individual selected must comply with the financial disclosure requirements of the Ethics in Government Act of 1978 and the Courthouse Ethics Act (CETA) of 2021. The Court seeks a wide range of highly qualified candidates. The current salary of the position is $229,908 per annum (effective 1/1/2026).

Candidates should submit hard copies of the applications to the physical address below and email a copy to: Magistrateapplications@nysd.uscourts.gov.

Edward A. Friedland
District Court Executive
United States Courthouse
500 Pearl Street, Room 820
New York, NY 10007-1312
Tel: 212-805-0500

An original plus fifteen (15) copies of a cover letter, resume and application must be received by May 1, 2026. Application forms are available on the Court’s web site: www.nysd.uscourts.gov.

If you are interested in this opportunity, please note that the AABANY Judiciary Committee is hosting the “Pathway to the Bench: Federal Magistrate Judges” event on Wednesday, April 22, 2026, from 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm, virtually on ZOOM. This program will provide valuable insight into the process of becoming a Federal Magistrate Judge, including practical guidance, application tips, and firsthand perspectives from the bench. Please register by April 21, 2026.

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AABANY and SABANY Co‑Sponsor JAMS CLE Program on “The Mediation Process: What Works, What Fails, and Why?”

On April 16, JAMS hosted a CLE program titled “The Mediation Process: What Works, What Fails, and Why?,” co‑sponsored by AABANY and SABANY. The program drew a highly engaged audience and generated thoughtful, practical discussion among the panelists. Attendees remained actively involved throughout, contributing questions and insights that enriched the session.

AABANY’s ADR Committee Co‑Chairs, Chris M. Kwok (JAMS) and Rachel Ji-Young Yoo (Yoo Law Group), attended the program in their official capacity. During his opening remarks, Chris — who also serves as a JAMS Neutral — emphasized the importance of increasing visibility and opportunities for Asian mediators and neutrals within the dispute resolution field. His message resonated strongly with participants and set a meaningful tone for the program.

The distinguished panel of ADR professionals included former jurists and seasoned practitioners focused on how to maximize settlement opportunities and avoid impasse in mediation. In addition to Chris Kwok and Rachel Ji-Young Yoo, the panel featured Erica Barrow (BakerHostetler), Rachel A. Gupta (JAMS), Hon. Jeffrey K. Oing (Ret.), and Hon. Anil C. Singh (Ret.). The interactive panel discussion, designed for professionals at all stages of their ADR careers, offered tangible best practices and approaches designed to help navigate the mediation landscape. We are grateful for the presenters who shared best practices and effective solutions for preparing a case, designing client-centered processes, and navigating challenges and professionalism in the most challenging mediation matters.

We extend our appreciation to JAMS for hosting this timely and informative CLE program, and to SABANY for joining AABANY in co‑sponsoring the event. We appreciated the opportunity to participate alongside distinguished colleagues committed to advancing excellence, inclusion, and diversity in mediation practice.

– Written by Rachel Ji-Young Yoo, Co-Chair, AABANY’s ADR Committee

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AABANY’s Mentorship Committee Hosts Mentorship Program Kickoff Mixer

On April 9th, 2026, AABANY’s Mentorship Committee held its Mentorship Program Kickoff Mixer at the offices of McDermott Will & Schulte at One Vanderbilt. Mentors and mentees mingled in person and made new connections across the Mentorship Program over a delicious spread of hors d’oeuvres and drinks, while enjoying a panoramic view of the city.

Mentorship Program Co-Chairs Emily Chen and Gary Yeung gave opening remarks and thanked the attendees and sponsor, McDermott, emphasizing the importance of being proactive in seeking out mentorship during the course of one’s career.

AABANY’s Mentorship Program provides support, advice, and networking opportunities to aid both mentors and mentees in their professional and personal development. Each mentee is matched to a mentor who will serve as a teacher, role model, and resource to the mentee. By way of the one-to-one relationships and Mentorship Program events, held throughout the year, the program provides the structure to advance professional growth and networking skills of both mentors and mentees.

We would like to again give special thanks to McDermott Will & Schulte for generously sponsoring this Mentorship Mixer, which will undoubtedly help this year’s class of mentors and mentees to build enduring bonds in the coming months and years.

– Written by Gary Yeung, Co-Chair, AABANY Mentorship Committee

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Law & Letters: AABANY Holds Inaugural Book Club Meeting

On March 19, 2026, AABANY hosted its inaugural book club meeting where a dedicated group of members gathered at Anderson & Associates‘ new office at 347 W 36th St., Suite 1003, to share their favorite reads and literary interests. The meeting was hosted by Yen-Yi Anderson, Co-Chair of the Solo & Small Firm Practice Committee, and S. Yan Sin, now AABANY’s Board Secretary for the 2027 fiscal year which started on April 1. Attendees included Jaehee Yoo, Hannah Lee, Wendy Zeng, Eva Lee, and Regina Chiem. The group enjoyed delicious Korean corndogs and boba teas while they talked about their favorite books. 

The discussion began with a deep dive into what truly defines a “great book” in the eyes of a reader. Some attendees suggested that a great book is one that fundamentally changes your outlook on life or features a blurb on the cover so captivating that it demands to be read. Others argued that beautiful prose is essential to the experience, while some noted that a book is worthwhile if it is a classic, even if the reading process is difficult rather than traditionally enjoyable. The group agreed that the best books are those you return to over the years to measure how you have personally evolved since your last reading.

The book club attendees shared an extensive and diverse list of recommendations of books spanning many genres and styles. Among the suggested titles are classics like The Brothers Karamazov, contemporary fiction hits like Severance, The Daughters of Afong Moy, and Disorientation, nonfiction reads like Breaking Rank, and even memoirs like the touching Tuesdays with Morrie. 

To conclude the evening, the book club attendees selected No. 10 Doyer Street as the first official book for the club to read during the month of April. 

This successful first gathering set a thoughtful and engaging tone for many meetings to come. Whether you’re a speed reader or someone who lingers on every sentence, we’d love to have you join the conversation. To register for the next meeting, see this link here. A huge thank you to everyone who made our first meeting so memorable. See you in April!

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AABANY’S PBCS Committee Takes on Chinatown with Community Outreach for Upcoming Pro Bono Clinics

On Saturday, April 11,  armed with stacks of flyers and information, volunteers fanned out across Chinatown in pairs to distribute flyers for AABANY’s upcoming Pro Bono Clinics in Manhattan. The Clinics provide brief in-person legal consultations in Mandarin and Cantonese, ensuring that language barriers or lack of internet access don’t stand in the way of justice.

Legal issues can be daunting, but a friendly face and a flyer in your native language can make all the difference. By walking the blocks of the “heart of Chinatown,” volunteers were able to engage directly with small business owners and residents, answer immediate questions about clinic schedules, and bridge the gap between the legal profession and the communities AABANY serves.

After volunteers distributed the flyers, they enjoyed delicious dim sum at the world famous Golden Unicorn.

Thank you to our volunteers:

Philip Han
Arthur Lin
Alexandra Ly
Zhibiao Patrick Peng
Mark Garner
Wendy Zeng
Helen Ding
Xinyue Zhu
Carmen Huang

and PBCS Co Chairs
Gary Yeung
Beatrice Leong

To learn more about the Pro Bono and Community Service (PBCS) Committee click here.

Below are some of the upcoming Pro Bono Clinics expected to take place across the Manhattan, Queens, and Brooklyn boroughs. We encourage volunteer attorneys and students to attend, support and help expand access to justice in our communities.

– Written by Beatrice Leong

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In the News: Brooklyn Bar Association’s Inaugural Lunar New Year Celebration

On April 2, 2026, the Brooklyn Daily Eagle published an article covering the Brooklyn Bar Association (BBA)’s inaugural Lunar New Year Celebration, which the Asian American Bar Association of New York (AABANY) participated in as a co-sponsor. 

The event, which drew more than 200 members of Brooklyn’s legal community, honored two distinguished AAPI legal professionals: Hon. Peggy Kuo, U.S. Magistrate Judge for the Eastern District of New York, and Kin Ng, Esq., Bureau Chief of Trial Bureau II at the Kings County District Attorney’s Office. Both honorees are also AABANY members. Kin co-founded AABANY’s Prosecutors Committee. The honorees were recognized for their decades of exemplary service and their contributions to the Asian American community.

The article highlights remarks from both honorees. Judge Kuo reflected on the personal significance of being honored in Brooklyn, alluding to A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, a book she loved to read as a child. The article also touches on Judge Kuo’s candid reflection on the challenges she faced in forging her own path in public service. Judge Kuo noted that she had to “find her own way” without a “playbook or a script.” 

Kin Ng spoke to the transformative growth of AAPI representation in the Kings County DA’s office over the past three decades. He recalled that in 1991 there were only six Asian ADAs with no seniors or managers out of a staff of 600. Today, there are more than 50. He emphasized that “diversity matters” and is a “source of strength.”

For the complete coverage on the evening and extraordinary careers of the honorees, read the full article in the Brooklyn Daily Eagle here.

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KCMB-TV Video Tribute: Community Leaders Reflect on Michelle Go’s Impact and the Path Forward

The Korean Community Media Broadcasting TV, INC. (KCMB-TV) recently posted a video memorializing the January 15, 2026 Prayer Walk that honored the memory of Michelle Go and reflected on the four years since her tragic passing. Featured speakers in the video included Justin Go (father of Michelle Go and advocate), Rachel Lee (President and General Counsel, Stand with Asian Americans), Yang Chen (Executive Director, Asian American Bar Association of New York), and Richard In (Executive Director, Korean American Empowerment for Community). 

This gathering served as a solemn reminder of the outpouring of love and support for her family while highlighting the failure of a system that neglected both mental health and public safety. Justin Go described Michelle as a “cheerleader” and an “adventurer” who sought the best in everyone she met. He shared a moving tribute, noting that his family grieves for her every day while thinking about what “should have been, could have been, would have been.” Rachel Lee spoke on the importance of mental health support and public safety priorities. Richard In urged the community toward a path of healing and systemic reform. The video concluded with a collective call for New York City government to prioritize the safety of all New Yorkers and to speak out against all forms of hate.

Several distinguished members of AABANY were participants in this remembrance and movement for justice. Retired Federal Judge Marilyn Go, who was a founder of AABANY, joined the walk to celebrate the life Michelle lived. Grace Vee, the Senior Appellate Counsel in the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office, and Law Professor Elaine Chiu were also present to lend their support. Rachel Lee and Richard In, who spoke on the video, are also AABANY members.  You can find the full video at this link.

The ongoing efforts of the Go family and their supporters will be recognized at the Asian American Federation (AAF) Gala, to take place on April 22 at Tribeca 360. Justin Go and his Pro Bono Legal Team, which includes AABANY members the Honorable Marilyn Go (retired), Lawrence G. Wee (Partner at Milbank LLP), and Jennifer H. Wu (Founding Partner at Groombridge, Wu, Baughman & Stone, LLP), will be honored as Courage Awardees for their advocacy and dedication to Michelle’s legacy.

Information regarding the AAF Gala and its mission to support the community can be found at https://www.aafederation.org/gala/.

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Inside the Bench: AABANY Panel Explores Pathways to Careers in the State Judiciary

On Thursday, April 2, 2026, AABANY’s Student Outreach Committee and Judiciary Committee co-hosted a panel titled: Careers in the State Judiciary at King & Spalding. At the panel discussion, attendees heard from the following experienced and accomplished panelists within the state judiciary:

● Honorable Lillian Wan – Associate Justice, New York State Appellate Division, Second Department
● Honorable Frances Wang – Justice, New York State Supreme Court, Queens County, Criminal Term
● Honorable Zainab A. Chaudhry – Judge, New York State Court of Claims
● Honorable L. Austin D’Souza – Supervising Judge, New York City Civil Court, New York County
● Louise M. Lingat – Court Attorney to the Hon. Adetokunbo O. Fasanya, Judge of the Family Court, Queens County

The discussion was moderated by Lisa Lin, Principal Law Clerk to Acting Justice Joanne Watters (Queens Supreme Court, Civil Term). Approximately 20 attendees gathered in King & Spalding’s conference space to engage with the panel.

The discussion opened with each panelist sharing their journey to the judiciary. Several panelists reflected on how the mentorship of judges they once served under as law clerks helped guide them toward this path. Panelists also spoke candidly about the limited Asian American representation in the judiciary earlier in their careers, noting that becoming a judge had not initially felt attainable without the support and encouragement of their mentors.

As trailblazers, these panelists help pave the way for future Asian Americans to pursue careers in the state judiciary. Their presence in the judiciary reflects the diversity of the communities they serve and helps expand what future generations of Asian American attorneys see as possible. Panelists shared that even the simple act of appearing before a judge who shares one’s background can be meaningful for community members. 

The discussion also included practical guidance for aspiring attorneys. Panelists stressed to the audience the importance of building strong professional relationships, maintaining a solid reputation, and mastering court rules and procedures. They also emphasized attention to detail, particularly careful proofreading, and cautioned against taking shortcuts in legal practice.

The program concluded with an engaging Q&A session, during which attendees asked thoughtful questions about pathways into the judiciary and opportunities for involvement in the legal community. Following the panel, attendees and speakers continued conversations over refreshments.

AABANY’s Student Outreach Committee and Judiciary Committee thanks our panelists for sharing their time, insights, and experiences. We also would like to thank King & Spalding for the refreshments and gorgeous space.

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