The Solo and Small Firm Practice, Litigation, Judiciary, and Membership Committees Host “Solo & Small Law Firm Litigators: Strategies for Success and Why Clients Should Care” 

On January 21, 2026, AABANY’s Solo and Small Firm Practice, Litigation, Judiciary, and Membership Committees hosted “Solo & Small Law Firm Litigators: Strategies for Success and Why Clients Should Care” at the Welcome to Chinatown Hub, at 115 Bowery, bringing together attorneys and non-attorneys for a dynamic and engaging discussion. 

Panelists Tristan Loanzon, David Mou, Tiffany Miao, and Alysha Naik shared valuable insights and perspectives on building and sustaining successful solo and small-firm litigation practices, highlighting both career paths and the real value these firms offer clients.

The conversation was expertly guided by moderator Bianca Lin, Co-Chair of the Solo and Small Firm Committee, whose thoughtful questions and discussion topics prompted a lively and meaningful exchange. Audience members were highly engaged, asking insightful questions that added depth to the conversation and demonstrated strong interest in the panelists’ practical takeaways.

The program also included dedicated networking time before and after the panel, which gave  attendees a meaningful opportunity to connect, meet new faces, and continue the discussion. The evening was complemented by delicious food catered by Nom Wah, generously made possible by our corporate sponsors, DocketBird, AmeriJudge, and Legal Consultants for Everyone.

AABANY extends its deepest thanks to our panelists, moderator, sponsors, and attendees for making this event such a memorable and rewarding experience.

AABANY’s Solo and Small Firm Practice, Litigation, Judiciary, and Membership Committees encourage interested individuals to attend future events and visit the Committees’ subpages on the AABANY website for more information.

– Written by: Tiffany Miao, Vice Chair of AABANY’s Solo and Small Firm Practice Committee

AABANY Committees Present Pickleball Night, Co-Sponsored by Citizens Bank

On October 16, 2025, AABANY’s Corporate Law Committee, In-House Counsel Committee, Mentorship Committee, and Government Service and Public Interest Committee, in collaboration with Citizens Private Bank, held Pickleball Night at Gotham Pickle (5-25 46th Ave., Long Island City, New York 11101). The event brought together professionals and AABANY members for an evening of networking, community building, and fun competition and conversation.

The event welcomed both seasoned players and first-time pickleball enthusiasts, creating an inclusive atmosphere where attendees learned together and competed in friendly matches. The event provided a unique opportunity for members to connect outside the traditional professional setting, while enjoying one of the fastest-growing sports in the country.

Brandon Martinez from Gotham Pickle coached our group and taught us about the no-volley zone or the “kitchen,” serving in doubles, the two-bounce rule, keeping score, and best practices and strategy to win a rally.

Throughout the evening, the players rotated between courts and teams to allow for a mix of playing experience and so that people were able to meet new people, helping to foster meaningful connections among peers from diverse practice areas and career stages. Each game went to 11, and the players with the most wins reached the finals.

Huge congratulations to Alysha Naik and Don Liu for reaching the finals and winning the prizes!

Special thanks to Citizens Private Bank for their support! Citizens Private Banking offers a personal, relationship-driven approach to managing wealth. Every client is paired with a dedicated relationship manager who takes the time to understand their goals, priorities, and financial vision.

Private Banking clients benefit from:

  • Dedicated Relationship Managers who provide proactive, one-on-one guidance.
  • Custom Lending Solutions for real estate, investments, and liquidity needs.
  • Comprehensive Wealth Strategies, in partnership with our investment and planning specialists.
  • Priority Service and Access to exclusive products and premium benefits.

With Citizens, private banking isn’t just about managing assets – it’s about building a trusted partnership that grows with each client over time.

To learn more, connect with Steve Shin, Private Banker ([email protected]).

Additional thanks to Rokstar Chicken for catering from their location at 42-02 Northern Blvd., Long Island City, NY 11101 (in front of Food Bazaar Supermarket).

To learn more about the Corporate Law Committee, click here. To learn more about the In-House Counsel Committee, click here. To learn more about the Mentorship Committee, click here. To learn more about the Government Service and Public Interest Committee, click here. To stay informed about all upcoming events hosted by these committees, as well as other exciting AABANY events, we encourage you to visit the calendar on AABANY’s website for the latest information.

If you aren’t an AABANY member yet – consider joining!  AABANY membership allows you access to many more events like this one, and also free or discounted admission. Please see this page to learn more about member benefits, and sign up on AABANY’s website.

Thank you to everyone for joining us at the Pickleball Night. We hope to see you again at a future event soon.

Written by Johnny Thach, Co-Chair, Government Service and Public Interest Committee.

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.