On July 31, 2026, AABANY’s Student Outreach Committee and Government Service & Public Interest Committee partnered to host Crafting Connections, a friendship bracelet-creating event. This event celebrated International Friendship Day and took place at On Lab in New York’s Lower East Side. While making bracelets, AABANY members conversed, connected, and crafted over a variety of food and drink. This event drew numerous attendees, with registration filling up very quickly after the event was announced.
The Crafting Connections event featured a beautiful selection of beads, string, and crafting templates spread across multiple tables in the cafe. Upon arrival, attendees were able to choose from a large selection of beads and charms, as well as their desired string type. They then chose their seat and began an evening of crafting, laughter, and connections. Law students had the opportunity to connect with a variety of legal professionals, including practicing attorneys and a law professor.
The environment fostered a relaxed atmosphere that encouraged a range of conversations between new people and long-time AABANY members alike. Topics of conversation included attendees sharing their own legal paths and laid-back discussions on upcoming vacations or bonding over connections made by pet owners. Attendees helped others choose charms and beads, and even made bracelets for each other, truly embracing the spirit of International Friendship Day.
The event concluded with new bracelets, full stomachs, and most importantly, new connections.
The photos from this event capture the joyful nature of the evening. To see the full photo album, click here.
PBCS volunteers, comprising volunteer attorneys and law students, met with 19 clients and provided guidance on a range of legal issues, including housing, family and matrimonial law, immigration, real property, trusts and estates, torts and other civil litigation.
Here are some of the clients’ feedback:
“May Wong is very professional and answered all my questions. She also gave me helpful advice and referrals. Thank you!”
“Thank you, Shirley, for listening to our concerns. She is very knowledgeable about different routes going forward.“
“Very grateful this service is available for the Asian community as it always seem there is always a lack of community service for us.”
We thank the following volunteers for attending the Queens Pro Bono Clinic and for their dedicated services:
Attorneys:
Wendy Cheng
Marcus Cheung
Kevin Hsi
Richard In
Shirley Luong
Sinbay Tan
Johnny Thach
Anthony Wong
May Wong
Gary Yeung
Evelyn Yu
Interpreters/shadowers:
Nathan Cao
Michelle Chen
Kaitlyn Cheng
Helen Ding
Nandar Win Kerr
Momo Sano
Jingjing Wang
Suzie (Sue) Yu
Wendy Zeng
We invite you to continue supporting our community by joining us at our upcoming Pro Bono Clinics:
– August 19th [Manhattan link here] from 6:30-8:30pm, AAFE Community Center, 111 Norfolk Street, NY, NY 10002
– September 12 [Brooklyn link here], from 12:30 – 3:30pm, CPC Brooklyn Community Services, 4101 8th Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11232
– October 7 [Queens link here], from 6:30 – 8:30pm, AAFE One Flushing Community Center, 133-29 41st Ave, 2nd Floor, Flushing, NY 11355
To learn more about the Pro Bono & Community Service Committee, visit probono.aabany.org.
We look forward to your participation in our future clinics!
On May 28, 2026, the Asian American Bar Association of New York (AABANY) hosted its Annual Dinner under the theme: “Rising up to Meet the Future: Cultivating Tomorrow’s Leaders Today.” Held once again during Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month and at Cipriani Wall Street, the event welcomed more than 800 guests, including attorneys, judges, prosecutors, in-house counsel, government officials, and community leaders.
The evening began with an invitation-only General Counsel Reception in the Mezzanine. Shattering the records of prior years, around 70 General Counsels accepted AABANY’s invitation this year, along with many distinguished guests. We extend our deepest thanks to the General Counsel Reception sponsor, Groombridge, Wu, Baughman & Stone LLP, for helping us launch the evening on a high note. We also thank Michael Wu, former General Counsel of Bath & Body Works, for helping us with reaching out to General Counsels to join the event.
Attendees who were not attending the General Counsel Reception gathered in the West Ballroom for the Cocktail Reception, where they reconnected and made new connections over hors d’oeuvres and drinks, including Cipriani’s signature bellini.
Our Master of Ceremonies Richard Lui, anchor at MS NOW and filmmaker, kicked off the program by highlighting AABANY’s myriad initiatives in the past year. Richard then invited Immediate Past President Benjamin C. Hsing, Senior Counsel at Bayes PLLC, to the stage for the Immediate Past President’s remarks. Ben welcomed everyone to the dinner and officially opened the dinner on a high note, reflecting on the prior fiscal year’s successes and achievements.
Industry Leadership Award
Following Ben’s remarks, AABANY proudly presented the 2026 Industry Leadership Award to Alvina Lo, Head of Advice, Planning, and Fiduciary Services at BNY Wealth. A tribute video introduced her as a thoughtful, pragmatic, and enthusiastic mentor and community builder. One colleague highlighted her innate “ability to connect with people” as vital to her many contributions in the trusts and estates legal field.
In her speech, Alvina began with a historical fact about Alexander Hamilton: he founded Bank of New York (BNY) in 1784, entrusting it with his family’s future assets and also making it the oldest continuously operating bank in America. As the leader of BNY Wealth’s strategic direction, Alvina continues that legacy by upholding the importance of trusts and estates law to the American Dream. She spoke of inheriting both “opportunity” and “responsibility” and the importance of building wealth in communities, because “[n]o one builds their wealth on their own.” Fittingly, she closed her remarks with another quote from the musical Hamilton: “What is a legacy? It’s planting seeds in a garden you never get to see.”
The Law Firm Leadership Award
Then, the AABANY Law Firm Leadership Award was presented to Morrison Foerster (MoFo), honoring their intentional and sustained efforts to mentor and sponsor attorneys, create meaningful leadership pathways, and support a culture of equal opportunity and professional development. MoFo is a global firm known for its work across litigation, transactions, and regulatory matters, with a longstanding commitment to diversity and inclusion. The firm’s holistic approach to talent development begins with its Keith Wetmore Fellowship for Excellence, Diversity, and Inclusion, and continues through the Wetmore Bridge Program, a two-year apprenticeship-style initiative.
Haima Marlier, a partner in MoFo’s Investigations + White Collar Defense Group, accepted the award alongside a group of MoFo attorneys. Haima described her pride in working at a “firm where everyone can belong.”
Celebration and Recognition
As guests enjoyed a delicious dinner of lamb, salmon, or vegetable peperonata, they took the opportunity to network and connect with fellow attendees. Yang Chen, Executive Director of AABANY, returned to the stage to recognize the many judges and dignitaries in attendance.
The event then took a moment to publicize the AABANY Leadership Development Program, a 6-month long interactive training course designed for AABANY members who are senior attorneys navigating the promotion process within their law firms and companies. A video presentation introduced the program and highlighted it as a candid, confidential, and community-building environment.
Public Service Award
Next, AABANY proudly presented the 2026 Public Service Award to Hon. L. Austin D’Souza, recognizing his role as a lifelong public servant. Justice D’Souza is Supervising Judge of New York County Civil Court and an Acting Justice of the New York Supreme Court, Civil Term. A moving tribute video emphasized his devotion to his work, community, and family, and highlighted his ability to expand people’s views.
In his speech, Justice D’Souza honored his mother as his first mentor, who told him at a young age to “Never stop helping.” Another role model told him early in his career that “You must be a judge,” a milestone he has achieved in the New York County Civil Court and as an appointee to multiple statewide judicial commissions addressing racial equity and anti-Asian hate. He emphasized the importance of mentorship, and how “interconnectedness is reflected in our personal lives,” because, importantly, “[w]e rise together.”
Corporate Leadership Award
The evening’s final honoree, Grace Fu, received the 2026 AABANY Corporate Leadership Award. Grace is currently a Chief Legal & Administrative Officer at Nanit, an AI-powered technology company based in New York City. The video tribute highlighted Grace as extremely capable, curious, kind, thoughtful, and as someone who “projects calmness and confidence” with a “genuine warmth.”
Meaningful participation in community was a recurring theme in Grace’s speech, in which she described joining AABANY 10 years ago. Drawing upon experiencing anti-Asian hate as a child, she emphasized the importance of “meaningful participation” at every level of work and community, including AABANY’s Pro Bono Clinics and the AABANY Leadership Program. As a former member of AABANY’s Board of Directors, concluding her term at the end of fiscal year 2026, and Co-Chair of AABANY’s In-House Counsel Committee between 2016 and 2023, she closed with an impactful comment about her “renewed commitment to keep leading with integrity.”
Don H. Liu Scholars
After Grace was honored, the 2026-27 Don H. Liu Scholars—Junao Lin, Lucy Chen, and Joyce Park—were recognized for their academic excellence and leadership potential. Don Liu introduced each scholar and described their personal stories and journey into the legal field. The audience was moved by the resilience and determination woven through each of their paths, which included navigating first-generation experiences, finding belonging across two worlds, and transforming the challenges of the AANHPI immigrant life into purpose. In choosing law, each scholar spoke to something larger than a career—a commitment to advocacy, representation, and opening doors for the communities that shaped them.
President’s Remarks
To bring the program to a close, AABANY President Varuna Bhattacharyya, Partner at Seyfarth Shaw LLP, delivered her speech, reflecting on a memorable evening, thanking the sponsors, presenters, and honorees who made the night possible, and celebrating the collective strength of the AABANY community. She explained that the theme for AABANY’s upcoming year, “Rising Up to Meet the Future: Cultivating Tomorrow’s Leaders Today,” originated from Oscar-winning animated movie K-Pop Demon Hunters. The movie’s viral song, “Golden,” has the lyrics “We’re going up, up, up,” which inspired AABANY’s theme this year. Looking to the coming year, Varuna spoke of embracing what’s to come: the “future is not abstract. It is here.” She noted that, “living in a time when the American Dream is being tested,” it becomes more important to “lift as we climb.”
Performance by Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company
At the end of the evening, the Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company took the stage, mesmerizing the audience with their blend of traditional and innovative contemporary dance. A leading AAPI professional dance company, they are known for bridging the grace of Asian elegance and American dynamism, fusing contemporary dance with martial arts, folk rhythms, Tai Chi, and Qigong.
Closing Remarks and Acknowledgements
Following the performance, AABANY President-elect John Hwang, Partner at Linklaters, took the stage to thank the many sponsors, officers, Board members, and Committee Chairs who made the night possible, expressing his excitement for the year to come.
The celebration continued with an afterparty in the Mezzanine, where guests mingled into the night.
We thank the 2026 Annual Dinner Planning Committee, chaired by AABANY President Varuna Bhattacharyya, as well as our staff and volunteers 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 2026 Annual Dinner for making it so special and memorable. Please find the event program here. Photo albums from the 2026 Annual Dinner can be found here (on stage) and here (off stage). Thanks to J. McClinton Photography for the wonderful photos. Watch the videos from the Annual Dinner here. Thank you to Peter Chin for the wonderful videography.
Two Important Membership Deadlines Are Approaching
You’ve been an important part of the NAPABA community, and we’d love to welcome you back as a member for 2026.
With Convention registration opening soon and voting eligibility deadlines approaching, now is the perfect time to renew your membership and continue enjoying the connections, opportunities, and benefits available exclusively to NAPABA members.
Why Renew Your NAPABA Membership?
Connect. Save. Grow.
Build meaningful relationships with attorneys, legal professionals, and law students across the country.
Save on Convention registration, leadership programs, networking events, and more.
Access exclusive opportunities, resources, and programs that support your professional success.
Convention Registration Opens June 16
NAPABA members receive exclusive access to Convention registration and housing beginning June 16, along with up to $600 in registration savings.
To ensure your membership is active when registration opens, we encourage you to join by June 15.
Voting Eligibility Ends July 1
Members who join by July 1, 2026, and meet NAPABA’s voting eligibility requirements will be eligible to vote in the 2026 Board of Governors election and help shape NAPABA’s future.
In order to vote, you must be licensed to practice law in the U.S. or Canada (or have previously been licensed and now retired), and you must have be a current NAPABA member in good standing on or before July 1, 2026, at 11:59 pm ET. Non-lawyer members (Law Student and Non-Attorney membership categories) are not eligible to vote.
If you are joining through a NAPABA affiliate or national associate, please contact membership@napaba.org to verify current dues and receive your membership discount code.
Members and guests gathered for an evening of networking, conversation, and collaboration. In an intimate setting, attendees had the opportunity to connect with fellow solo and small firm practitioners, share professional experiences, exchange recommendations for favorite restaurants and local spots, and discuss ideas for future Committee programming and events. The casual gathering fostered meaningful conversations and helped strengthen relationships within the AABANY community.
Attendees enjoyed wine, soda, and light bites while learning more about the Committee’s plans for the year ahead.
AABANY extends its sincere thanks to Blue Panda Office Spaces for sponsoring and hosting the event. Located in Williamsburg, Blue Panda offers thoughtfully designed private offices, flexible workspace options, and meeting rooms, providing a welcoming environment for attorneys and other professionals serving Brooklyn and Manhattan.
We thank everyone who attended and look forward to seeing you at future SSFP Committee events throughout the year.
– Written by Tiffany Miao, Co-Chair of AABANY’s Solo & Small Firms Practice Committee
On Tuesday, May 19, 2026, the Judiciary Committee of the Asian American Bar Association of New York (“AABANY”) welcomed over 90 guests to its Annual Judges’ Reception at The Nexus Club located at 100 Church Street, New York, NY 10007.
The event brought together members of the judiciary, attorneys, government officials, law students, and community leaders to celebrate judges who were appointed, elected, or elevated within the past year.
Organized by AABANY’s Judiciary Committee, co-chaired by Mark Son and David Mou, the evening highlighted AABANY’s continued commitment to diversity, mentorship, and advancement within the legal profession and in the judiciary.
The program began with opening remarks from Judiciary Committee Co-Chair Mark Son, followed by remarks from distinguished leaders representing the bench, government, and the bar.
Featured speakers included AABANY President Varuna Bhattacharyya and Hon. Frances Wang, Justice of the New York State Supreme Court. Justice Wang, who is also Vice President of the Asian American Judges Association of New York, spoke about the importance of building a judiciary that reflects the diversity of the communities it serves and emphasized the impact of representation on public confidence in the legal system.
Additional remarks were delivered by Ali Najmi, Chair of New York City’s Mayor’s Advisory Committee on the Judiciary, and Kenan Kurt, Assistant Counsel for Judiciary and Ethics for the New York State Governor’s Office. Mr. Najmi underscored the Mayor’s commitment to create a more a diverse judiciary and stated that he is ready to work hard. Mr. Kurt compared the pioneer judges to the first athlete who broke the four-minute mile, shattering barriers and inspiring others to follow. Just as that achievement opened the door for future runners to accomplish the same feat, we celebrate the judges whose leadership and perseverance are making “four-minute miles” possible for those who come after them.
Hon. Karen Lin, Associate Justice of the Appellate Term for the Second, Eleventh, and Thirteenth Judicial Districts, reflected on the progress Asian Americans have made within the legal community while encouraging continued mentorship and support for future generations seeking judicial office.
The evening also featured a Presentation of Awards by event co-chairs Lisa Lin and Kwok Ng, along with citations presented by Mr. Kurt on behalf of the Governor’s Office. Honorees recognized during the reception included:
Hon. Margaret Chan
Hon. Janice Chen
Hon. Eve Cho Guillergan
Hon. Sheridan Chu
Hon. Indira Khan
Hon. Jay Kim
Hon. Judy Kim
Hon. Karen Lin
Hon. Nabeela McLeod
Hon. Juliette-Noor Haji
Hon. Oma Phillips Deonarine
Hon. Soma Syed
Hon. Kris Singh
Hon. Frances Wang
Following the formal program, guests gathered for a dinner reception that provided an opportunity for judges, attorneys, students, and community leaders to connect and celebrate the honorees.
The Annual Judges’ Reception remains one of AABANY’s signature events and reflects the organization’s longstanding dedication to judicial diversity, professional mentorship, public service, and the advancement of Asian American attorneys and judges throughout New York.
A special acknowledgement to the organizers of this year’s program: Mark Son, David Mou, Douglas Tang, Kwok Ng, Pei Pei Cheng De Castro, Yang Chen, Carrey Wong, Apollo Baltazar, and Lisa Lin.
On March 26, 2026, the Pro Bono & Community Service Committee and the Government Service & Public Interest Committee continued their tradition of hosting a Volunteer Appreciation Dinner to recognize the volunteer attorneys, law students, AABANY staff, AALFNY board members, and community partners who make our Pro Bono Clinics possible. Together, we celebrated our shared mission of serving the public and promoting access to justice for those who cannot afford legal services.
The backbone of AABANY’s public service initiatives is its dedicated volunteers. We extend our deepest gratitude to the attorneys who generously devote their time and expertise to assisting members of the community. These Pro Bono Clinics also serve as valuable learning opportunities for law students, providing hands-on experience across various areas of law while allowing them to give back through direct service.
We also express our sincere appreciation to the Asian American Law Fund of New York (AALFNY) for its continued support, as well as to the AABANY staff, whose administrative efforts are essential to making this work possible.
Thank you to the Asian American Law Fund of New York (AALFNY), CPC Brooklyn, our community partners, and Rachna Agarwal (SABANY Pro Bono Chair). A special thank-you goes to all the volunteer attorneys and law students who stayed late to ensure every client was seen.
Our volunteers assisted 27 clients with matters including identity theft, wills and trusts, employment, family, matrimonial, housing, and real estate.
In addition to providing vital legal guidance, 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.
Finally, at the Pro Bono Clinic, we celebrated the birthday of AABANY member and long-standing Pro Bono Clinic volunteer, May Wong! May was also the AABANY 2022 Member of the Year. Happy Birthday, May!
Volunteer attorneys:
Vishal Chander
Natalie Moulton-Levy
Rachna Agarwal
Wendy Zeng
Kwok Kei Ng
May Wong
Sanketh Bhaskar
Olivia Mao
Francis Chin
Helen Ding
Arthur Lin
Minyao Wang
Beatrice Leong
Law students:
Sam Chen
Eva Zhou
Yining Pan
– Written by Kwok Kei Ng, AABANY PBCS Committee Co-Chair
The United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit and the American Inns of Court announce the solicitation of nominations for the Twenty-Fifth Annual American Inns of Court Professionalism Award in the Second Circuit. Chief Judge Debra Ann Livingston of the Second Circuit hopes to be able to present the Award in New York at the Thurgood Marshall Courthouse, Courtroom 1703, 40 Foley Square, in Fall 2026.
The person chosen for this honor is a quintessential mentor who embodies the fundamental values of the profession to which the American Inns of Court is dedicated. The honoree is a senior lawyer who for a generation or more has guided younger practitioners in government, private practice, or public service, by word and by example. He or she is a “lawyer’s lawyer”— a master of the craft—whose life and work reflect civility, competence, and ethical behavior.
In short, they are seeking nominations of first-rate attorneys who have taught, supervised, and nurtured developing lawyers; and who, in doing so, have assured that the finest traditions of the Bar will be sustained.
Nominees should:
have engaged in the practice of law for at least twenty years,
be serving now as a lawyer in Connecticut, New York, or Vermont, and
occupy a senior position in the office of a prosecutor, defender, government agency, private law firm, or other private entity.
Judges and full-time professors are not eligible.
Nominations should be in letter form and include sufficient information about the nominee to allow the committee to make a reasoned judgment. Additional letters of recommendation should be included in the package, such as by younger lawyers describing their associations with the nominee and the benefits conferred by the nominee’s teaching, mentorship, and example.
Nominations must be submitted no later than April 10, 2026, through the American Inns of Court Foundation online portal at www.innsofcourt.org/ProfessionalismAwards; copies of the nominations must also be e-mailed as a single PDF to Michael D. Jordan, Circuit Executive, at AIC_Award@ca2.uscourts.gov. Nominations should be addressed to the attention of Hon. Carl E. Stewart, Chair of the American Inns of Court Awards Committee.
On Thursday, January 22, AABANY welcomed nearly 40 attorneys, mediators, and law students to 60 Centre Street for “Pathways to Court‐Connected ADR,” a 90‐minute CLE program designed to expand understanding of New York’s court‐sponsored mediation programs. Co‐sponsored by KALAGNY, NYSCDM, and the New York County Supreme Court Civil Branch ADR Team, the program offered both in‐person and virtual attendance, drawing a diverse and engaged audience eager to learn more about the growing landscape of court‐connected dispute resolution.
The session featured a robust lineup of panelists — Stephanie Pearl, Kamella English, Lawrence Han, Michael Henry, and Rachel Yoo — with Dejana Perrone moderating the discussion. Together, they delivered a candid, practical, and often inspiring look at how ADR functions inside the courts and how practitioners can meaningfully participate.
A Deep Dive into Court-Sponsored ADR
The program opened with an overview of court‐sponsored ADR, including the purpose of Part 160, the types of cases eligible for mediation, and the benefits of early intervention. Speakers provided helpful context on how ADR has evolved across districts and why mediation continues to play a critical role in improving access to justice.
From there, attendees heard directly from ADR Coordinators Kamella English and Stephanie Pearl, who walked through the day‐to‐day responsibilities of their roles and offered guidance on how practitioners can connect with coordinators when seeking case information or exploring volunteer opportunities.
Practical Guidance for Advocates and Mediators
The conversation then shifted to the role of advocates and mediators in the mediation process. Panelists Lawrence Han, Rachel Yoo, and Michael Henry shared insights on how mediation compares to litigation, how to prepare clients for the process, and how to navigate the court’s roster of neutrals. Their reflections highlighted the importance of preparation, empathy, and clear communication — qualities that shape both client experience and case outcomes.
The panel also addressed when a case is “ready” for mediation, including timing considerations under Part 160 and practical perspectives from mediators handling professional liability and other complex matters.
Pathways to Joining a Roster
In the second half of the CLE, panelists outlined the steps to join a court roster, the qualities that define an effective neutral, and the ongoing efforts to expand and diversify ADR panels across New York. Speakers emphasized the need for mediators who bring cultural competence, multilingual abilities, and varied professional backgrounds — all essential to serving New York’s diverse communities.
The panel closed with success stories from ADR programs, illustrating how early mediation, skilled neutrals, and thoughtful program design can lead to meaningful resolutions for litigants. These stories underscored the human impact of ADR and the value of continued investment in court‐connected mediation.
Thank You from AABANY
AABANY extends its sincere thanks to all panelists and to the New York County Supreme Court Civil Branch ADR Team for their partnership and generosity. We are grateful to KALAGNY and NYSCDM for co‐sponsoring the program, and to every attendee who joined us for an afternoon of learning, connection, and community building.
The enthusiasm in the room — and online — reflected a shared commitment to expanding access to justice through thoughtful, culturally responsive ADR practices. It was a vibrant and memorable event, and we look forward to continuing the conversation in future programs.
To learn more about the ADR Committee, click here.
– Written by: Rachel Ji-Young Yoo, Co-Chair of AABANY’s ADR Committee
