Tag: asia practice committee

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AABANY Asia Practice Committee and Mentorship Committee Celebrate Lantern Festival and Lunar New Year with Dinner at Jiang Nan in Manhattan

On February 24th, 2024, the Asia Practice Committee and Mentorship Committee hosted a Lantern Festival and Lunar New Year dinner at the Jiang Nan restaurant in Manhattan.  Nineteen people gathered to celebrate the Lantern Festival and embrace the promising start of the Year of the Dragon.

The event drew a diverse array of attendees, reflecting the richness of our legal community. From law students eager to learn to seasoned lawyers, judges, arbitrators, in-house counsels, and law school professors, the dinner saw a delightful mix of talents and experiences. Conversations flowed freely, with attendees sharing insights from their professional journeys and exchanging captivating life stories that underscored the depth of camaraderie among us.

After dinner, some attendees decided to extend the evening with after-party drinks, further strengthening the connections formed during the celebration.

We extend our gratitude to all the participants who joined this event.  The Asia Practice Committee and Mentorship Committee are dedicated to fostering connections and providing enriching experiences for our community. We look forward to organizing more events that continue to bring us together and inspire us in the future.

To learn more about the Asia Practice Committee go here. To learn more about the Mentorship Committee go here.

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AABANY Asia Practice Committee Presents: An Autumn Adventure to Remember – Cold Spring Foliage Hiking Trip

On October 28, 2023, AABANY’s Asia Practice Committee hosted a foliage hiking trip in Cold Spring, New York.  The Membership Committee was a co-sponsor of the hiking trip. This event was a perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of city life, offering all participants a refreshing break and the opportunity to connect with fellow nature enthusiasts.

Our chosen path for the day was the Bull Hill Trail, a delightful 3- to 4-hour hike that was accessible to both seasoned hikers and newcomers. The trail was well-marked and easy to follow, and its scenic views of the Hudson River and the surrounding area were nothing short of breathtaking. As we meandered through the woods, we found ourselves immersed in a stunning display of fall foliage, with trees cloaked in vibrant shades of red, orange, and gold.  

One of the highlights of our journey was the discovery of ruins from a burned-down mansion, adding a touch of history and intrigue to the hike. It prompted us to ponder the stories and events that had once unfolded in this now-abandoned place. After the hike, a group of 10 participants gathered for dinner at the Riverview restaurant.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to all the participants who made this journey memorable.  The Asia Practice Committee looks forward to organizing more enriching events that promote the beauty of nature, the spirit of adventure, and the bonds of community. To learn more about the Asia Practice Committee and how you can get more involved, click here.

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AABANY Asia Practice Committee Presents: Unlocking the Path to Partnership – In-Depth Insights from Ms. Portia Ku, Partner at O’Melveny & Myers’ New York Office

On July 15, 2023, AABANY’s Asia Practice Committee hosted via Zoom an inspiring guest speaker session with Ms. Portia Ku, a partner at O’Melveny Myers’ New York office, who shared her personal journey and provided invaluable insights to empower aspiring lawyers. This event was designed for young lawyers with an Asian background seeking successful legal careers in international law firms. Hardy Zhou, Co-Chair of Asia Practice Committee, and Chenyi Wang, from Carter Ledyard & Milburn LLP, served as moderators. For those who missed the event, please listen to the recording by clicking on the image above.

Ms. Ku addressed various topics crucial to the participants’ professional advancement, including her extensive legal career in Taiwan, Hong Kong, the U.S. and mainland China, her career path to partnership in an international law firm, building a successful legal career as an Asian lawyer, challenges and tips for LL.M. graduates in the United States, achieving success as a female lawyer, navigating recessionary periods, and considerations between working in the United States and Greater China. The event concluded with an engaging Q&A session, allowing the audience to actively participate by posing questions to Ms. Ku. She graciously provided valuable responses, further enriching the attendees’ understanding of successful legal careers. The event proved to be a tremendous success, offering participants practical strategies, inspiration, and knowledge to excel in their legal careers.

AABANY expresses gratitude to Ms. Ku for sharing her expertise. We also thank CLECSS (China Legal Education and Career Seminar Series) for co-sponsoring this event.  Thanks to all the attendees for taking time out of their day to learn and support. To learn more about the Asia Practice Committee and how you can get involved, click here.

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AABANY Celebrates Lunar New Year at MSG with the Knicks

On Tuesday, January 24, forty AABANY members, family and friends celebrated Lunar New Year at Madison Square Garden as the Knicks took on the Cleveland Cavaliers. The night was filled with memorable moments: The New Asia Chamber Music Society performed the national anthem and there was a special lion dance performance during halftime. Two of our members caught t-shirts that were fired into the crowd by cannons and during the third quarter AABANY even got a shoutout on the Garden Vision big screen. And to cap it all off, the Knicks won a nail biter by a score of 105-103.

Thanks to the Membership Committee for organizing another successful event and shoutout to the Asia Practice, Bankruptcy, Career Placement, Mentorship, Military & Veterans Affairs, Women’s, and Young Lawyers Committees for co-sponsoring.

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AABANY Asia Practice Committee Co-hosts: Together for Christmas Dinner

On December 25, 2022, the Asia Practice Committee, along with the Membership, Student Outreach, Women’s, and Young Lawyers Committees, partnered to host a Christmas dinner and gift exchange event at 99 Flavor Taste in Manhattan Chinatown. Fourteen attendees filled the upper level of this Chinese restaurant to enjoy hotpot and BBQ.

After all guests arrived, each attendee gave a one-minute self-introduction, which gave the guests a good opportunity to learn more about each other. While enjoying the delicious fare, attendees played Two Truths and a Lie, a fun icebreaker.

After everyone ate, the Christmas gift exchange took place, with order determined by lottery. To receive the gift, the recipient had to repeat the self-introduction of the gift giver.

After Christmas dinner, some attendees went on to enjoy an after-dinner karaoke party.

The event welcomed a wide range of attendees, including law students, corporate and tax law practitioners, retired professors and their significant others, who gathered to celebrate Christmas even though they do not have family around in New York, finding home and family among their AABANY friends.

Thanks to the Co-Chairs and Vice Chairs of all the co-sponsoring Committees for helping to organize and promote this enjoyable event and to everyone who came. We look forward to more fun events from these Committees in 2023 and hope you can join them!

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Asia Practice Committee Hosts First Event of the Year

On July 15, 2020 the Asia Practice Committee (APC) hosted their first event of the year, with around 20 participants attending the virtual happy hour. Attendees dialed in from across the country, with co-chair Jian Wu calling in from Beijing. Together with co-chair Conlyn Chan and Vice Chair Wen Zhang, they posed the icebreaker question: “What is your favorite activity to do during COVID?” Answers included biking, dancing, playing guitar, bread baking, and horseback riding. 

Participants were also polled about their motivations to attend APC events and what future content they would like to see. Guided by feedback, APC will look into hosting talks with Fortune 500 executives, general counsels, and law firm partners. Additionally, over the course of the next year, there are plans for events related to China-US business relations, COVID-19 impacts and solutions, and those that expand social networking opportunities for New York-based Asian Americans. 

The Asia Practice Committee was established in 2015 and provides a forum to network, learn, and attend events related to cross-border, international, and Asia-based law practice. For those who missed the event but would like to participate, please visit the committee’s webpage here. Feel free to reach out to the co-chairs to be added to the listserv and find out how to get more involved with the committee. 

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AABANY Co-Sponsors: Career Development in Greater China for Law Students and Young Lawyers

On January 17, 2020, the Asia Practice Committee and Student Outreach Committee successfully co-hosted an event regarding career development in Greater China for law students and young lawyers, at Fordham Law School, 150 W 62nd Street.  The panel speakers included Han Deng from Reed Smith, James Hang Jiang from Mayer Brown, Karen R. King from Paul Weiss, and Jian Wu, Co-Chair of the AABANY Asia Practice Committee.  The panel shared their insights into legal career development in Greater China and the U.S. from a comparative perspective.

We thank Jian Wu for moderating and all the speakers for presenting this informative program. We thank all attendees for coming out for this program. We thank AABANY’s Asia Practice Committee and Student Outreach Committee for co-sponsoring this event. For more information about AABANY’s Asia Practice Committee, go to https://www.aabany.org/page/582. For more information about the Student Outreach Committee, go to https://www.aabany.org/page/121

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AABANY Goes to the Opera: “La Bohème” at the Met

On Nov. 14, the Membership Committee together with the Asia Practice, Intellectual Property, and Real Estate Committees hosted a Night at the Opera, gathering about 30 AABANY members with friends and family to see a performance of “La Bohème” at the Met in Lincoln Center.

Before the performance a group of attendees mingled and enjoyed drinks and quick bites at the bar outside the Family Circle. Then, at 7:30, everyone went inside to take their seats. The AABANY contingent took up nearly three rows of seats.

For some it was a first-time experience that was greatly enhanced upon the discovery of subtitles that appeared on a thin bar that stretched across the row. Each person could see the subtitles displayed directly in front of them.

The sets were breathtaking and the score by Puccini was classic and timeless. The performances were excellent, and the main cast included two Asian Americans, with Hei-Kyung Hong playing the tragic character Mimi.

By all accounts, this event was a hit among those who attended. Talk is already brewing about another Night at the Opera. Stay tuned!

Thanks to everyone who came, and thanks especially to Membership Director Beatrice Leong for organizing the event.

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AABANY Presents Corporate Law Program at NYU Stern Business & Law Association

On Thursday, Oct. 10, AABANY collaborated with the NYU Stern Business and Law Association (SBLA) to present a program on corporate law. The lunchtime program took place in Tisch Hall at the NYU Stern School of Business. The panelists included Michael Ye, an associate at Wachtell Lipton Rosen & Katz, and Vincent Jian Wu, international lawyer at Kobre & Kim. Michael spoke about the practice of corporate law from a transactional perspective, while Jian described it from the litigation and dispute resolution perspective. Both are AABANY members and Jian is co-chair of AABANY’s Asia Practice Committee. In attendance were undergraduates from NYU who are interested in learning more about the legal world and possibly pursuing law school or the legal profession as a career path. Those in attendance found the discussion engaging and the speakers impressive.

Thanks to former AABANY intern Jason Cheung for spearheading the outreach to NYU Stern, and thanks to Alex Chiang, Director of External Events, SBLA, and SBLA Co-Presidents, Gloria Zheng and Maurice Elbaz, for inviting us. We hope this event is the first of many as AABANY extends its outreach to students beyond law schools. (Thanks to Jason for the photos.)

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Asia Practice Committee Hosts Dinner at Fogo de Chao

On August 6, some two dozen members of the Asia Practice Committee enjoyed various high quality cuts of steak, lamb, and pork as well as a market table salad bar filled with a colorful palate of fresh and flavorful ingredients at the legendary Fogo de Chão Brazilian Steakhouse in Midtown West. Taking advantage of the great deals being offered during New York City Restaurant Week, the Committee gathered to dine and chat about its mission and upcoming events, including a joint event with Supchina on December 4, 2019. We connected with old and new friends and enjoyed an amazing and very filling dinner.

Thank you to everyone who attended this event. Thanks also to our Committee Chairs for their leadership: Conlyn Chan, Alex Yong Hao, Chris Kwok, and Jian Wu . To learn more about the Asia Practice Committee and to contact the Co-Chairs, click here.