We are thrilled to share that AABANY member and former AABANY Board member, Pauline Yeung-Ha, Partner at Grimaldi Yeung Law Group LLP, is beginning her term as the President of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, New York Chapter (NY NAELA), effective July 1, 2025. Having served as President-Elect, Pauline is now leading the New York Chapter.
According to the National Academy of Elder Law Attorney (NAELA) Website, NAELA, founded in 1987, is a national association of attorneys devoted to addressing legal issues affecting older adults and individuals with special needs. To enhance the quality of legal services unique to the needs of aging individuals and those with disabilities, NAELA emphasizes the importance of continuing legal education, advocacy, and examining public policy issues. Membership in NAELA reflects a dedication to the highest professional and ethical standards, which includes adherence to the NAELA Aspirational Standards for the Practice of Elder and Special Needs Law.
In assuming her role, Pauline stated, “During my tenure, NY NAELA and its members will continue to strongly advocate for the legal and care needs of our growing elder population throughout New York State and support the elder law attorneys who do this important work.”
Grimaldi Yeung Law Group LLP, in announcing Pauline’s new role, stated that Pauline’s “integrity, dedication, and compassion” will continue to drive NAELA’s mission of serving older adults and people with disabilities through education, advocacy, and community.
Please join AABANY in congratulating Pauline on her new role as President of NY NAELA. We wish her all the best in this impactful endeavor.
On May 29, 2025, the Asian American Bar Association of New York (AABANY) hosted its 36th Anniversary Annual Dinner at the elegant Cipriani Wall Street, under the theme: “Together We Thrive: The Power of Us!” Held once again during Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month, the event welcomed approximately 750 guests, including attorneys, judges, prosecutors, in-house counsel, government officials, and community leaders.
The evening began with an invitation-only General Counsel Reception, attended by nearly 50 General Counsels and many invited guests. We extend our deepest thanks to the General Counsel Reception sponsor, Groombridge, Wu, Baughman & Stone, for helping us launch the evening on a high note.
Simultaneously, guests gathered in the West Ballroom for the Cocktail Reception, where attendees reconnected, made new connections, and posed for photos at the step-and-repeat.
The program kicked off with a warm welcome by CeFaan Kim, returning as our Master of Ceremonies for the second year. He then invited Immediate Past President Joseph D. Eng Jr. to the stage. In his thoughtful remarks, Joseph reaffirmed AABANY’s commitment to empowering AAPI voices and encouraged the audience to uplift one another, noting, “The brightness of our futures depends not only on how we respond to challenges, but how we lift each other up in the process.”
Honoring Leadership and Service
AABANY proudly presented the 2025 Women’s Leadership Award to Professor Elaine Chiu of St. John’s University School of Law, recognizing her unwavering commitment to advancing inclusion and supporting students from marginalized communities. A moving tribute video chronicled her career and community service, including her leadership of AABANY’s Anti-Asian Violence Task Force and her role in publishing the landmark report, Endless Tide: The Continuous Struggle to Overcome Anti-Asian Hate in New York. In her speech, Elaine acknowledged how nearly everyone in the room shared a respect for the law since “the law feeds and nourishes our families, but it also feeds and nourishes our beliefs about humanity, our country, and our identity as Americans.” She spoke about how, throughout her formative years and career, she always had wanted to help people and had faith and hope in the rule of law. She urged the audience to hold faith in the legal system and to “show up, stand up, and speak up.”
Next, Executive Director Yang Chen introduced the updated prologue to the documentary Voices Against Anti-Asian Hate, produced by AABANY’s Anti-Asian Violence Task Force. The documentary features interviews with survivors of anti-Asian hate crimes and community supporters. Yang announced that the documentary has been submitted to the Asian American International Film Festival and spoke of the film’s impact in sharing survivor stories and elevating awareness. With that, dinner was served.
Celebration and Recognition
As guests enjoyed a delicious dinner, they took the opportunity to network and connect with fellow attendees. Yang Chen returned to the stage to recognize the many judges and dignitaries in attendance.
The Law Firm Leadership Award was then presented to Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, LLP, in recognition of the firm’s outstanding commitment to cultivating legal talent and building a pipeline of future leaders. Partner Eric Huang accepted the award on behalf of the firm.
The evening’s final honoree, Henry Hadad, received the 2025 AABANY Corporate Leadership Award. A video tribute highlighted his impactful career in intellectual property law and his dedication to promoting diversity and inclusion in the legal profession. In his remarks, Henry honored role models like Sandra Leung and emphasized the role of IP law in the American Dream: “The ability to protect your inventions, brands, and artistic creations is part of the American Dream.” He closed with a powerful reminder: “Whatever your politics, the erosion of the law threatens us all… . We must protect the integrity of our legal system, our government, our courts, our judges, and our colleagues.”
Spotlight on the Don H. Liu Scholars
This year’s Don H. Liu Scholars—Chloe Guo, Mikka Vapor, and Teja Kim—were recognized for their achievements and potential. A short film highlighted the legacy of the program, followed by inspiring remarks from past Scholars Jin Kim and Manleen Singh, who shared the program’s lasting impact on their professional journeys.
Presidential Remarks and Closing
AABANY President Benjamin C. Hsing delivered his remarks with warmth and humor, acknowledging those who made the evening possible and recognizing the resilience of the legal profession in these challenging times. He spoke about the importance of providing “first chances”—opportunities that can launch careers and create lasting impact. He declared, “Together, through the power of us, we can do that!”
Ben then welcomed President-Elect Varuna Bhattacharyya to close the evening. She encouraged attendees to become members, congratulated the honorees and Don Liu Scholars, and expressed her appreciation to the many sponsors, officers, Board members, and Committee Chairs who made the night possible.
Afterparty and Acknowledgments
The celebration continued at the Mezzanine afterparty, where guests mingled into the night until 11:00 PM.
We thank the 2025 Annual Dinner Planning Committee, all our volunteers, and President Benjamin C. Hsing for their tireless work in making the evening a success.
We are especially grateful to our generous sponsors, whose support enables AABANY to continue its vital work on behalf of the AANHPI legal community and the broader community we serve. Special thank-yous and acknowledgement to our Diamond, GC Reception, Platinum, and Gold Sponsors:
Lastly, we thank everyone who attended the 2025 Annual Dinner for making our 36th anniversary so special and memorable. You can view the photo albums from the 2025 Annual Dinner at the links below.
Get ready—NAPABA is heading to the Mile High City! Registration is now open for the 2025 NAPABA Convention, our signature event and one of the largest annual gatherings of attorneys, judges, law professors, and students. NAPABA is committed to fostering a welcoming, inclusive community open to all—where everyone is empowered to engage, contribute, and lead. We hope you and your colleagues join us.
This year’s Convention in Denver promises thought-provoking programs, dynamic networking, and countless opportunities to connect with peers and leaders who are shaping the future of the legal profession. Whether you’re looking to advance your career, grow your community, or simply be inspired—there’s something here for you.
Early Bird pricing only lasts for a limited time. As a current NAPABA member, you’ll get the best deal for the Convention if you register now!
When you register early, you’ll be first in line for our special hotel rates, a la carte plenaries, and gala tickets! This year, a room block has been secured at the Sheraton Denver Downtown Hotel, the Convention host hotel. We’ve also secured overflow hotels at the Hilton Denver City Center and the Sonesta Denver Downtown, both within walking distance to the Sheraton Denver Downtown Hotel. The unique booking link will be provided AFTER you register for the 2025 NAPABA Convention.
To enhance your Convention experience and put you in control of your schedule, the Friday and Saturday Plenary Luncheons and the 37th Anniversary Gala will be available for purchase a la carte. To attend these ticketed events, you must add them to your registration for an additional fee.
SCHOLARSHIPS
NAPABA strives to keep the Convention affordable for our members and offers one of the best values among legal education conferences. Scholarships may be used towards Convention registration, airfare, lodging, and/or ground transportation.
General Convention Scholarship Application | Deadline: August 5 at 8 pm ET
Law Student Scholarship Program Application | Deadline: September 16 at 8 pm ET
Applications are now open for NAPABA’s Leadership Advancement Program. This experiential program provides Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) attorneys a unique opportunity to develop and harness their leadership style and foster deep and lasting connections with their peers, including both in-house counsel and law firm attorneys.
This exclusive, year-long experience is designed to transform rising AANHPI attorneys into bold, confident leaders.
This isn’t just another leadership program—it’s your chance to:
Discover your leadership style, sharpen your strengths, and understand your weaknesses
Master the art of communication, listening, and influence
Overcome challenges with confidence and strategic thinking
Connect with 24 peers who will become your advisors, champions, and lifelong community
This is YOUR time. If you’re ready to lead with purpose and power, don’t wait! Spots are limited so take the first step into becoming the leader you’re meant to be by submitting your application.
The program is designed for developing mid-career AANHPI attorney leadership skills. Enrollment in the program is limited to 24 participants, with an even balance between IHC and law firm attorneys. All NAPABA members are encouraged to apply, although the selection committee will focus on the following criteria this year:
Law firm candidates: preference for candidates with between six and 10 years of experience.
In-house candidates: preference for a minimum of three to four years of IHC experience, with six to 10 years of overall practice experience.
On Saturday, January 11th, AABANY members had the opportunity to volunteer at AABANY’s Brooklyn Pro Bono Legal Clinic, hosted by the Chinese-American Planning Council. The Clinic was organized by AABANY’s Pro Bono and Community Service (PBCS) Committee, staffed by a dedicated team of attorney and non-attorney volunteers, offering free thirty-minute legal consultations for community members facing serious legal challenges. This was the first Clinic of the year, and volunteers met with 14 clients, who asked questions about divorce, immigration, and housing.
The Clinic facilitated a supportive and inclusive space for all in attendance. Attorneys were paired one-on-one with clients to carefully address their legal concerns, while interpreters ensured smooth communication for non-English speakers. Shadowers had the opportunity to sit in on attorney-client conversations, taking notes and learning from these real-world interactions. Through this collaborative effort, the Clinic demonstrated its ongoing commitment to fostering community involvement and empowering individuals.
With the current change of presidential administration, many immigrants are uncertain what will come next. As concerned public interest organizations, we want to protect and prepare our vulnerable clients the best we can. We greatly appreciate that immigration attorneys and legal services are taking their time to keep us updated with the law and providing accessible resources for our clients to know their rights. Please check out the Immigration Coalition’s website at https://www.nyic.org/ and Asian American Legal Defense Education Fund’s website at https://www.aaldef.org/ to learn more!
Thank you to our volunteer attorneys at the January 11 Brooklyn Pro Bono Clinic:
Volunteer Attorneys
Beatrice Leong
Gary Yeung
Kwok Kei Ng
May Wong
Victoria Cheng
Interpreters & Shadowers
Junjie Wang
Nandar Win Kerr
Xiaocen Zhang
Shuyao (Sherry) Wang
If you’re interested in volunteering at future AABANY Pro Bono Clinics, please consider joining us at the following upcoming events:
February 5, 2024 [register here], from 6:00 – 8:30pm, One Flushing Community Center,133-29 41st Ave, 2nd Floor, Flushing, NY 11355
February 19, 2025 [register here], from 6:00 – 8:30pm, AAFE Community Center,111 Norfolk Street, NY, NY 10002
We hope to see you there and wish you a happy Lunar New Year!
To learn more about the Pro Bono & Community Service Committee, visit probono.aabany.org.
On Saturday, November 9th, AABANY members had the opportunity to volunteer at AABANY’s Brooklyn Pro Bono Legal Clinic, hosted by the Chinese-American Planning Council. The Clinic was organized by AABANY’s Pro Bono and Community Service (PBCS) Committee, staffed by a dedicated team of attorney and non-attorney volunteers, offering free thirty-minute legal consultations for community members facing pressing legal challenges. The volunteers met with 17 clients, who had questions about torts, family, matrimonial, and immigration issues.
As usual, the Clinic facilitated a positive and supportive environment; each client was paired with an attorney, who thoughtfully listened to and addressed their legal concerns. Shadowers observed the attorneys in action, taking notes and learning from these real-world interactions. Language interpreters were also available, ensuring that there were no language barriers between clients and attorneys. This collaboration reflected the Clinic’s commitment to community engagement and empowerment.
Thank you again to our volunteer attorneys:
Volunteer Attorneys
Anna Chen
Jieman Tan
Gary Yeung
May Wong
Interpreters & Shadowers
Jaymark Hawlader
Junjie Wang
Nandar Win Kerr
Wendy Zeng
If you’re interested in making a difference in the community through future Pro Bono Clinics, we invite you to join us at the following upcoming events:
Wednesday, December 4, 2024 [register here], from 6:00 – 8:30pm, One Flushing Community Center, 133-29 41st Ave, 2nd Floor, Flushing, NY 11355
Saturday, January 11, 2025 [register here], from 12:00 – 2:30pm, Tentative Location – CPC Brooklyn Community Services, 4101 8th Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11232
We hope to see you there!
To learn more about the Pro Bono & Community Service Committee, visit probono.aabany.org.
On Wednesday, October 2nd, AABANY members had the opportunity to volunteer at the AABANY Queens Pro Bono Clinic hosted by the Asian Americans for Equality (AAFE) Community Center in Flushing. The clinic brought together AABANY’s Pro Bono & Community Service (PBCS) Committee along with a team of dedicated volunteers to offer free legal consultations to community members facing pressing legal challenges. The volunteers met with 19 clients addressing a variety of issues including housing, divorce, and immigration law. These are the kinds of problems that weigh heavily on people’s lives, both financially and emotionally.
The clinic had a vibrant atmosphere of support and collaboration. Each client was paired with an attorney who took the time to provide thoughtful advice on their specific legal concerns. Shadowers observed the attorneys, eagerly taking notes and learning from real-world interactions. Interpreters fluent in Cantonese or Mandarin were also on hand, ensuring that language barriers didn’t hinder effective communication between clients and their attorneys. This collaborative effort made the clinic a true reflection of community engagement and empowerment.
These interactions went far beyond simple legal advice. Each conversation was a reminder that this clinic isn’t just about solving legal matters—it’s about giving people the power to reclaim control over situations that often feel overwhelming. For many clients, it was the first time they realized they weren’t alone, and that there were resources and options available. A consultation could shift the entire course of someone’s life, offering not just answers, but hope.
Clients expressed their gratitude with comments like, “Thank you very much to the clinic and lawyer Gary Yeung for their help,” and “I appreciate your effort.” These heartfelt messages show the impact of the clinic and the commitment of everyone involved in making it a success.
Thank you again to the following volunteers:
Volunteer attorneys
Beatrice Leong
Gary Yeung
Lina Lee
May Wong
Richard In
Shirley Luong
Interpreters & Shadowers
Jaymark Hawlader
Xuxia Zhao
Eugene Seong
If you’re interested in making a difference in the community through future Pro Bono clinics, we invite you to join us at the following upcoming events:
November 9, 2024 [Brooklyn link here], from 12:00 – 3:30pm, CPC Brooklyn Community Services, 4101 8th Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11232
December 4, 2024, from 6:00 – 8:30pm, One Flushing Community Center, 133-29 41st Ave, 2nd Floor, Flushing, NY 11355
Thank you to AABANY volunteers, attorneys, interpreters, and law students who came to help AABANY’s Pro Bono Clinic in Manhattan. Our volunteers spent the night meeting with 14 clients on issues ranging from housing, divorce, immigration, and criminal law.
The clinic saw some returning clients as well as new ones. Each client was assigned to an attorney who diligently advised them on their legal issues. Law students who had the opportunity to shadow the attorneys took notes, while interpreters that spoke Cantonese and Mandarin helped overcome any language barriers between the client and attorney. Many clients left feeling satisfied and confident on what to do next with their cases. Clients also took away additional AABANY information and resources they could use if needed.
Thank you again to everyone, including volunteer attorneys:
Beatrice Leong
Chenyi Wang
Collin Li
Jieman Tan
Justin Lee
Kwok Kei Ng
Meghan Liu
Nicholas Loh
Thank you also to our non-attorney volunteers:
Alexandra Lao
Alice Biagini
Chia-Jung (Colette) Chang
Emily Kam
Junjie Wang
Willis Huynh
Xing Yang
Yi Liu
If you would like to participate in future Pro Bono clinics to help serve the community, please join us at these upcoming events:
Queens Pro Bono Clinic on October 2, 2024 at AAFE One Flushing Community Center, 133-29 41st Ave, 2nd Floor, Flushing, NY 11355. Sign up here – https://forms.gle/5PjG8A73EE1XENyV9
Thank you to the Pro Bono & Community Service Committee for organizing the Pro Bono Clinics. To learn more about the Committee and to find out how you can get involved, visit probono.aabany.org.
On Wednesday, May 22, 2024, AABANY hosted its 2024 Annual Dinner with the theme “Building a Strong Foundation for a Brighter Future” at Cipriani Wall Street. Celebrating the 35th Anniversary of AABANY, the event was hosted again during Asian American Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Month with over 700 attorneys, judges, prosecutors, in-house counsel, government officials, and dignitaries who came out to celebrate with us at the Annual Dinner.
The event began with an invite-only General Counsel Reception which was attended by 40 General Counsels and numerous sponsor guests. We thank our General Counsel Reception sponsor, Groombridge, Wu, Baughman & Stone for helping us start off the night strong! To see the full list of General Counsels who accepted AABANY’s invitation, please click here.
The General Counsel Reception occurred simultaneously with a Cocktail Reception in the West Ballroom where numerous guests mingled, caught up with each other, made new connections, and took photos at the step-and-repeat.
After the Cocktail Reception, the dinner and program began with CeFaan Kim as the night’s excellent host and charismatic Master of Ceremonies. First course was already plated as CeFaan kicked off the program. He invited to the stage Karen Kim, Immediate Past President, to deliver her remarks as the outgoing President. She was followed by our first honoree, Iris Lan, Esq., recipient of AABANY’s Public Service Award.
Iris began her speech by praising AABANY for its work in preventing AAPI Hate, as well as its support for the AAPI legal community. To close out, Iris told a story attributed to United States Supreme Court Justice Robert Jackson. The story was centered around three stone basins: “Each stone basin represents a judge or a lawyer,” Iris stated. “Some see their work as merely a way to earn a living. Others perhaps view their work as applying legal precedent molding their decision.” Iris then described the third stone basin as one that builds a “cathedral,” representing the building of a path for others to walk through. She thanked AABANY, as an embodiment of this third basin, for “building the cathedral of the future.”
After Iris received her reward, a short video was shown, celebrating 35 years of AABANY. It discussed the birth of AABANY as an organization established to support the community of AAPI legal professionals and the wider AAPI community. It then chronicled AABANY’s growth from a small group that would host social events to an organization with a wide-reaching mission and membership. It also delved into how AABANY contended with the COVID-19 pandemic and the uptick in anti-Asian hate, and the birth of the anti-Asian Violence Task Force.
Following the 35th anniversary video, White & Case LLP was presented with the Law Firm Diversity Award for its dedication to improving diversity, equity, and inclusion in the legal field. Sylvia Chin accepted the award on behalf of the firm. Congratulations to White & Case on this well-deserved honor. To read more about the award, read the press release here.
After a brief time for guests to continue networking, AABANY was proud to honor the Honorable Denny Chin, United States Circuit Judge, United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, with AABANY’s Impact Leadership Award
Judge Chin delivered a powerful speech on the importance of resilience and highlighted some of his most memorable career moments, such as sentencing Bernie Madoff in 2009.
In addition, we presented the 2024 class of Don H. Liu Scholars: Felicia Hou, Grace Koh and Yangji Sherpa. Read more about the program here. Before this year’s class of DHL Scholars was presented, a short film celebrated the tenth anniversary of this program and its many accomplished and worthy recipients.
The dinner ended with a short trailer for the documentary, Voices Against Anti-Asian Hate, produced by the AABANY Anti-Asian Violence Task Force. The film featured numerous victims and survivors of anti-Asian hate, including Justin Go, father of Michelle Go, who spoke eloquently about her murder in January 2022. After the trailer played, CeFaan Kim stated, “Do not be afraid, and make sure you are heard.”
Next, AABANY President Joseph Eng made closing remarks, celebrating community leaders, former presidents of AABANY, and founders in attendance, as well as discussing the “next 35 years” of AABANY, expressing the hope that the paths those leaders and founders had forged would become familiar ones for success. He envisioned a future where “exceptional is the norm,” where AAPI voices are strong and heard throughout the legal community and beyond, and where young AAPIs are encouraged and inspired to enter the profession. He finished by again congratulating the night’s award winners, thanking the sponsors, and finally thanking his wife, Alejandra.
After the dinner, attendees who wished to extend the celebration went up to the Mezzanine for the afterparty, which continued until midnight.
We thank the AABANY 2024 Annual Dinner Planning Committee and volunteers for their hours of hard work to organize this annual dinner and making it a celebration to remember. Thank you to AABANY 2024 President Joseph Eng for his leadership of the 2024 Annual Dinner Planning Committee.
We gratefully acknowledge all our sponsors whose generous contributions allow us to continue our work of supporting the AANHPI legal community and the AANHPI community as a whole. Thank you to our top sponsors:
Lastly, we thank everyone who attended the 2024 Annual Dinner for making our 35th anniversary so special and memorable. You can view the photo albums and videos from the 2024 Annual Dinner here.
Please save the date for the 2025 Annual Dinner taking place on May 29, 2025.
On August 14, 2024, the AABANY Litigation Committee came together for their second quarterly dinner, this time held at Hwa Yuan Szechuan in Chinatown. AABANY’s Litigation Committee is “dedicated to attorneys and law students who are interested in litigation [and] provides a forum and resources for networking and learning, and sponsors events that are of interest to its members.”
At the dinner, lively chatter filled the air, as attendees enjoyed banquet-style dining where dishes were served one at a time, with vegetarian and vegan options available. Vegetable dumplings, Peking duck, sweet eggplant, tofu, and fish were among the dishes served.
Attendees talked about their litigation experiences, strengthened relationships in their network, and met new litigators to add to their roster of contacts. Discussions ranged from providing legal career advice to law students and aspiring litigators to banter over how spicy the food was.
Thank you to the Litigation Committee for organizing this event and to all of those who attended.
The Litigation Committee is open to hearing suggestions for future events. To learn more about the Committee, how to get more involved, and how to contact the Committee Co-Chairs to share your ideas, please click here.
