AABANY’s Annual Picnic Brings a Taste of Chinatown to Central Park

There’s no better way to celebrate summer than with great food, great company, and the beauty of Central Park — and the Young Lawyers Committee’s Annual Picnic delivered all three. This year, we once again partnered with Saigon Vietnamese Sandwich Deli, a beloved Chinatown staple owned by Billy You and Eric Lee, to bring their signature banh mi sandwiches straight to the Great Lawn.

On picnic day, about 50 attendees gathered to savor these flavorful sandwiches, relax on the lush green lawns, mingle with fellow members, and enjoy lively outdoor activities. Among the many attendees were Yang Chen, AABANY Executive Director, Carrey Wong, AABANY Deputy Executive Director, Benjamin Hsing, AABANY President, Development Director Beatrice Leong, and various other Committee Chairs and members. YLC’s Co-Chairs Justin Lee and Jameson Xu organized the event and were in attendance as well. Membership Director Alysha Naik brought a few board games for people to play and enjoy.

The afternoon was filled with laughter, conversation, and a strong sense of community — a reminder of what makes the AABANY network so special. From families spreading picnic blankets to friends catching up under shady trees, the picnic offered a chance to reconnect with old friends, meet new ones, and enjoy a taste of Chinatown without leaving the park. 

To see the album of photos, go here.

Thanks to everyone who came out, and for bringing friends, families, and pets! If you missed this year’s gathering, we hope to see you next summer! To learn more about the Young Lawyers Committee, please visit aabany.org/page/123

AABANY Co-Sponsors Trivia Night at Goldie’s Tavern in Koreatown

On May 15, 2024, AABANY enjoyed participating in trivia night at Goldie’s Tavern with LGBT Bar NY and New York State Academy of Trial Lawyers (NYSTLA). Members bonded over shared history including attending the same law schools or growing up or working in the same geographic locations outside of NYC. The teams weren’t the most successful at trivia, but many lawyers were able to discuss possible client referrals. We look forward to more networking together soon. 

This event was led by Alysha Naik, AABANY Membership Director for FY25. To learn more about the Membership Committee, go here. Thanks to Alysha for helping to put the event together and the LGBT Bar NY and NYSTLA for joining us in this fun event.

AABANY Members Participate in Multi-Bar Association Trivia Night at Jack Rabbit in Buffalo on May 14

On May 14, 2024, as part of AABANY’s efforts to expand its presence across the state, over a dozen current and prospective AABANY members participated in a trivia night against other bar associations in Western New York.

Although the three AABANY teams were not the most successful at trivia, they enjoyed networking and meeting new lawyers in the area at an event with approximately 50 new colleagues. Other participating organizations included NYS Academy of Trial Lawyers, WBASNY, Desmond Inn of Court, Mura Law, M&T Bank, and Hamberger & Weiss.

The event was so successful that AABANY is planning another one to take place later this year that will be open to more organizations. This event was led by Alysha Naik, AABANY Membership Director for FY25. To learn more about the Membership Committee, go here. Thanks to Alysha for helping to put the event together and for all the organizations that participated in this fun event.