On Friday Aug. 9th, 2024, a group including both AABANY members and non-members interested in meeting other Asian attorney parents, met at Dons Bogam BBQ & Wine Bar. Our goal was to gauge interest in possibly creating AABANYs 29th committee, a Parents Committee. The group included a diverse mix of attorneys, including those in public and private practice, with children ranging from babies to late teenagers, and active AABANY participants as well as new attorneys who were looking to get involved.
Every attendee held a similar passion for their careers and parenting, as well as a deep appreciation for the fact that this meeting took place during a weekday lunch rather than an evening or weekend because otherwise who would look after the kids? As we shared a meal of Korean soul food, we shared many ideas on events and resources for the proposed Parents Committee. This group plans to take the next steps to form a Committee and will continue to meet regularly for weekday lunches. This new committee looks forward to continuing to explore new cuisines around the city, building and strengthening our social and professional networks, while reducing stress and improving mental health.
Please be on the lookout for announcements about this group and reach out to [email protected] if you are interested in joining!
Please click here to fill out the Parents Committee Google Form to answer a few survey questions to help us chart a direction for this emerging committee. Thanks in advance for your input and ideas.
NAPABA committees and networks enable our members to gain access to a robust knowledge-sharing network of seasoned AANHPI professionals. NAPABA’s committees focus on substantive practice specialties or specific service areas, such as civic engagement. NAPABA’s networks encompass individuals with similar experiences, such as solo practice or military service. These peer-led groups serve as a networking community and enable members to learn best practices and stay on top of the latest legal trends.
NAPABA is seeking committee/network co-chair recommendations from the membership to fill vacancies, and we urge you to consider contributing your expertise and experiences in a meaningful way. Serving as a co-chair presents a unique chance to take up a leadership role within NAPABA, connect with AANHPI attorneys in your practice area or who share similar experiences, and enhance your professional profile. Many of our committee and network co-chairs have later served on NAPABA’s Board of Directors.
Who can become a co-chair?
An appointee must:
Have demonstrated proven leadership skills;
Have demonstrated the highest standards of personal integrity and trust professionally and personally;
Have personal and professional experience relevant to the goals/objectives of the Committee;
Have demonstrated a commitment to the furtherance of the Committee’s goals, including leadership and pipeline development;
Be a member in good standing of NAPABA or a NAPABA affiliate; and
Be willing to serve for a six-year term.
What information do I need to provide?
We request applicants submit the following materials in a SINGLE PDF:
A Resume or similar material that demonstrates personal or professional experience relevant to the goal(s) and objective(s) of the committee or network.
A Statement of Interest demonstrating the following:
Proven leadership skills in NAPABA, local NAPABA affiliates, or other professional activities
The highest standards of personal integrity and trust in all professional and personal activities
Additional details outlining your personal or professional experience relevant to the goal(s) and objective(s) of the committee or network not outlined in your resume.
A Professional Biography (a biography from your law firm/company website will suffice)
Where do I apply?
Ready to apply? Click on the button below to start your application! The deadline to apply is 5 PM ET on Monday, September 16, 2024
On Wednesday July 24th, 2024 AABANYs Pro Bono & Community Service (PBCS) Committee hosted their inaugural rooftop fundraiser, holding a silent auction and collecting donations to contribute towards the committee’s Pro Bono Clinics. AABANY’s Pro Bono Clinic provides free legal services and information for low- to middle-income members of the community, including New York’s Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community. Skilled legal practitioners as well as non-legal volunteers all contribute their time and effort in support of the clinics.
The event was hosted at the Lookup, a rooftop bar atop the Kixby Hotel with a spectacular view of the Empire State Building. Complimentary food and beverages were served featuring exotic cocktails and mocktails, as well as elevated American Classics like grilled cheese and lobster rolls.
The guests in attendance ranged from AABANY Co-Founder Rocky Chin, law school students, practicing attorneys, AABANY Executive Director Yang Chen, current and former Co-Chairs of the PBCS Committee, numerous AABANY members, as well as high school and college students. Everyone mixed and mingled, exchanging colorful anecdotes and reuniting with old friends, while bidding on the silent auction items.
The following bidding items, were all donated by prominent members of the legal and AABANY community for the silent auction to raise funds for the Pro Bono Clinic:
Pre-nuptial or postnuptial agreement, from consultation, negotiations, to execution was generously donated by Beatrice Leong
Two admission tickets to Summit Vanderbilt were generously donated by Dianna Lam
One day golf experience for 2 people, including admission to golf course, cart and equipment rentals, and dinner, was donated by Hardy Zhou
One hour virtual private chess training was donated by Hassan Minhas
Two hour private kung fu/defense class was donated by Joseph Eng, President of AABANY
Thirty minute resume review by professional headhunter/legal recruiter was donated by Katherine Loanzon
$100 Skyfoods Supermarket Giftcard was donated by Kevin Yam
One handcrafted and customized artwork was donated by May Wong
A private yoga class was donated by Tsui Yee
A bottle of Ron Barcelo Blanco Rum was donated by Yan Sin
In total the event, through ticket sales, donations, and bids, raised $8,800 in contributions to the clinic. The winning bidders will be contacted separately by the PBCS Committee on how to claim their auction prizes.
Throughout the night members of the PBCS Committee leadership gave speeches. Co-Chair Lina Lee began by applauding every volunteer, thanking them for their time and effort but especially their drive to go above and beyond for each client. Every lawyer that volunteered their time and expertise expressed a desire to do good for the community. Lina continued discussing the life-changing services the clinic provided, sharing anecdotes of young mothers, asylum seekers, new Americans, and recent immigrants who had desperately needed the legal services provided.
Next to speak was Co-Chair May Wong, who regaled the crowd with anecdotes on the portrait of Yang at the event and encouraged everyone present to bid on the auction item she had donated, which was a handcrafted and customizable piece of artwork created by her.
After May, Executive Director Yang Chen spoke on how the Pro Bono Clinic had grown from humble beginnings into an award- and grant-winning community project that helped hundreds upon hundreds of people yearly, growing from one clinic in Manhattan to three, covering Manhattan, Queens, and Brooklyn. He mentioned that while free legal services were provided, it cost money to provide these services, and the generous donations of the many in-person and online attendees would help cover the costs of providing free legal services that the community sorely needs.
Co-Chair Gary Yeung spoke next, discussing his personal experience with the clinic, how he grew as a legal professional as the legal clinic grew in prominence. Co-Chair Kwok Kei Ng closed for his fellow Co-Chairs by reiterating the praise for the volunteers and thanking all the guests for their support and attendance.
The event continued into the onset of evening as the sun dipped below the rooftop’s view of the Manhattan skyline, bathing the sky in neon purples and oranges. Drinks, stories, and laughs continued to flow as the night slowly came to an end.
AABANY gives a big thanks to AALFNY and Schulte. Roth & Zabel for co-sponsoring this event, everyone who donated items for the silent auction, those who attended the event and everyone who donated in person or online.
Please join the PBCS Committee at the following upcoming events:
Queens Pro Bono Clinic on August 7th, 2024 at AAFE One Flushing Community Center, 133-29 41st Ave, 2nd Floor, Flushing, NY 11355. Sign up here – https://forms.gle/5PjG8A73EE1XENyV9
Manhattan Pro Bono Clinic on August 21st, 2024 at AAFE Community Center, 111 Norfolk St, New York, NY 10002. Sign up here – https://forms.gle/SD2VMY8X6yE4vsxW9 To learn more about AABANY Pro Bono & Community Service Committee contact [email protected] or click here.
On Tuesday, June 25, 2024, AABANY’s Labor & Employment Law Committee hosted their Summer Sichuan Night at the restaurant CHILI in Midtown Manhattan.
The dinner at CHILI proved to be a cozy and inviting experience and brought new and old members together to mingle over a spicy family-style Sichuan meal. Attendees networked and mingled throughout the evening, learning about each other’s backgrounds, careers, and professional experiences. The Labor & Employment Law Committee collected a group of individuals from far and wide, a reflection of AABANY’s diverse membership, with attendees hailing from as close as Brooklyn, to as far as Shenzhen, China.
Thank you to the Labor & Employment Law Committee for planning and hosting Sichuan Night as well as everyone who attended and enjoyed conversing over delicious Sichuan cuisine on a hot summer day. The Labor and Employment Law Committee continues to welcome new members and hopes to see many old and new faces at future events!
To find out more about the Labor & Employment Law Committee, please click here.
On April 23, 2024, the AABANY In-House Counsel Committee held its first dinner of the fiscal year at Sagaponack in Manhattan’s Flatiron neighborhood. Committee members gathered to enjoy a family-style seafood dinner while getting to know new and old faces in their field.
As the appetizers rolled in, Committee Co-Chair Kazuko Wachter began the dinner with introductions, which was followed by a table full of conversations about individual experiences working in-house and their lives outside the office. Aimed at senior in-house counsel attorneys, this dinner featured members with long-term experience in their respective companies, many of whom work in the Fintech industry. With ten people in attendance, the dinner encouraged close and personal discussions among the attendees. From talking about their busy work days to sharing their favorite K-Dramas, the event was a chance for the members to get to know each other and hopefully stay connected.
The Committee hopes its members will use these dinners to create relationships and expand their network with attorneys who share similar interests and experiences working in-house. For more information about the In-House Counsel Committee, visit their page here.
On Tuesday, February 13, 2024, AABANY held its Annual Meeting of Members at King & Spalding. President Karen Kim called the meeting to order and established quorum. The main order of business was conducting the election for the 2025 Board of Directors and Officers and voting on a proposed revision to the bylaws to set term limits for certain Committee Chairs.
Treasurer Jasmine Ball gave the Treasurer’s Report, sharing information about AABANY’s financial performance through September 30, 2023. Membership Committee Co-Chair Ashley Shan presented the Membership Director’s Report in place of Membership Director Christopher Bae, who was not able to attend.
President Karen Kim presented the Annual Report of the Board, summarizing the major activities of AABANY during the past year, and thanked the Board members for their service during the past year.
Executive Director Yang Chen presented highlights of Committee activities. Following the reports, awards were presented to honor AABANY leaders and committees for their dedication to AABANY during the 2024 fiscal year.
The following awards were presented:
Committee of the Year: Student Outreach Committee
The Committee of the Year Award was given to the Student Outreach Committee for their dedication and commitment to advancing the mission of AABANY and providing enriching programming and activities that benefits not only law students but AABANY’s membership and community as a whole.
Program of the Year: Winter Soiree 2024
The Program of the Year Award was given to the Winter Soiree. Held on January 25th, 2024, the In-House and Corporate Law Committees led the biggest and best Soiree to date for AABANY, successfully bringing together in-house counsel, law firm attorneys, AABANY Board members, Committee Chairs, and a record number of sponsors for this marquee event.
Member of the Year: William Lee
The Member of the Year Award was presented to William Lee for his commitment to serving the AABANY Student Outreach Committee, his steadfast leadership and mentorship, and his contribution to the advancement of AABANY’s mission, programs, and activities over the years.
Student of the Year: Joon Choe
The Student of the Year Award is new and was presented for the first time to Joon Choe, Fordham Law School, class of 2024, for giving his time to advancing AABANY’s mission, programs, and activities through his constant and trustworthy volunteer service.
Honorable Mentions: Pro Bono & Community Service Committee and Solo and Small Firm PracticeCommittee
An honorable mention was presented to the Pro Bono & Community Service Committee for their pro bono clinics in Manhattan, Queens, and Brooklyn that continue to serve an under-represented and under-resourced population, and for providing AABANY’s members with the opportunity to volunteer and support New York’s AAPI and immigrant communities.
An honorable mention was also presented to the Solo and Small Firm Committee for their unique and innovative programs and events that have benefited and enhanced the lives and experiences of AABANY members in solo and small firm practice.
Congratulations to all the honorees for the recognition of their achievements and hard work during the 2024 fiscal year.
After the presentation of awards, Karen announced the election results. The following officers were elected to serve a one-year term for the fiscal year beginning April 1, 2024 and ending March 31, 2025 (the “2025 Fiscal Year”):
Benjamin Hsing
President-Elect
Jeffrey Mok
Vice President, Programs and Operations
Ashley Shan
Vice President, Programs and Operations
Jasmine Ball
Treasurer
David Mou
Secretary
Alysha Naik
Membership Director
Varuna Bhattacharyya
Development Director
The following candidates were elected as Directors to serve two-year terms beginning on the first day of the 2025 Fiscal Year:
Christopher Bae Vishal Chander Grace Fu William Hao Gigio Ninan Lawrence Wee Jennifer Wu Kevin Yam Dwight Yoo
At the meeting, the following proposal was voted on: To amend AABANY’s by-laws to establish term limits for certain Committee Chairs by setting a four (4) year term limit for Committee Chairs, excluding Chairs of any Standing Committees, taking effect on the first day of the 2025 Fiscal Year.
This amendment was passed.
We thank everyone who attended the Annual Meeting and everyone who voted, whether by proxy or in person. Congratulations to all the newly-elected Officers and Directors.
Special thank you goes out to AABANY President-Elect Joseph Eng and the wonderful staff at King & Spalding for hosting AABANY’s 2024 Annual Meeting.
On June 27th, 2023, AABANY’s Solo and Small Firm Practice Committee held its second Solo Small Firm Support Group, covering the topic of “Technology and Your Practice.” Kicking off this event, eight attorneys gathered to recount both positive and negative stories about technology in their practices. They proceeded to share helpful tips on cost-friendly legal databases, social media marketing strategies, and the progression of AI in the legal field.
The group discussed various legal database alternatives to Westlaw, sharing knowledge on which platforms are the most cost-effective, user-friendly, and provide useful promotional incentives. While the transition can be initially intimidating, members agreed that other platforms can be just as effective after the initial learning curve. Next, the group exchanged views on outsourcing legal research and accounting outline, and exchanged recommendations for case-management platforms.
Furthermore, the support group shared valuable recommendations regarding social media marketing. Considering the recent surge in the popularity of TikTok and video content, the members discussed their concerns regarding information privacy and the ethical concerns related to cultivating a social media presence, and distinguishing the personal from the professional online.
Lastly, members discussed the practicality of incorporating AI into their law practices, but also the threat that it may pose to job opportunities available to small firms. The group debated the threats and limitations of AI technology, sharing useful readings on the topic as well as potential avenues for usage within their own firms.
Overall, the meeting was productive, and the friendly and inclusive environment left members with smiles on their faces as they concluded the session, eagerly looking forward to next month’s discussion. For upcoming events, please check AABANY’s calendar and update your email preference in your account to receive the Committee’s emails. To learn more about the committee, please click here.
The Labor & Employment Law (“L&E”) Committee of AABANY held its kick-off meeting on the evening of June 8, 2023 in person at Littler Mendelson, P.C.’s New York City office. 20 people attended the kick-off meeting: practicing attorneys (including the L&E Committee chairs), law students, and recent law school graduates. At this kick-off meeting, the L&E Committee chairs and all attendees introduced themselves to the rest of the group; firm attorneys, in-house counsel, a mediator/arbitrator, and other legal professionals shared their respective experiences in the profession to provide some advice to the law students, recent graduates, and junior attorneys in the room. Following this initial portion of the kick-off event, all attendees networked and conversed over light refreshments for the rest of the evening.
The L&E Committee will be creating more networking opportunities by hosting more meetings, informational panels or sessions, and social events throughout the rest of the year. The next event is currently being planned. Once the details for the next L&E Committee event are finalized, we will update the AABANY calendar and send email updates. If you are interested in attending our future L&E Committee events (which are sometimes also co-hosted by other AABANY committees), please check AABANY’s calendar and update your email preference in your account to receive the L&E Committee’s emails.
For more information on the L&E Committee, click here. Additionally, if you have any ideas or suggestions for an event through the L&E Committee, please fill out AABANY’s “Contact Us” form.
On May 31, 2023 at noon, AABANY’s Solo and Small Firm Practice Committee held its first Support Group meeting over Zoom, where 9 committee members joined and got to know each other and their practice areas. The group also discussed how they would like to hear or learn from the Committee and exchanged ideas for upcoming events. Members shared topics such as cybersecurity concerns, new technologies like ChatGPT, Alternative Dispute Resolution, mental health issues, and best practices to run a solo or small law firm. This provides a great chance for Committee Members to connect with each other and form a virtual support system that lawyers practicing in solo or small law firms might find hard to get within their own practice.
The Support Group will meet monthly and the next meeting will be on June 27 to discuss how to reap the benefits of technology implementations for your practice. On June 28, the Committee will be hosting “Using Benefits Provided by NYC Department of Small Business Services as a Solo or Small Law Firm” at 5:30 PM to help practices get the most out of services provided by the NYC Department of Small Business Services. To register by June 26 and learn more, click here. For upcoming events, please check AABANY’s calendar and update your email preference in your account to receive the Committee’s emails.
The Criminal Justice Act Committee of the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit is accepting applications for service on the Court’s Criminal Justice Act Panel. CJA Panel Members represent indigent criminal defendants and petitioners for habeas corpus.
Admission to practice before this Court is a necessary qualification for membership on the Panel. The Court seeks attorneys of superior experience and proven competence in federal appellate criminal defense work. The qualifications of attorneys applying for service on the Panel will be examined by the CJA Committee’s Attorney Advisory Group, which will make recommendations for membership on the Panel. Membership on the Panel will be for a term of one to three years, at the discretion of the Court. Attorneys currently serving on the panel need not reapply until the expiration of their present term.
Application forms for membership on the Criminal Justice Act Panel are available at the Court’s website, or by calling 212-857-8702.
A signed original application, one copy of each of your appellate briefs, and three paper copies of the completed application and your resumé, along with a CD containing both your completed applications and resumé, must be received by the Clerk of Court by 5:00 p.m. on Monday, April 3, 2023.
Please check the Court’s website periodically for CJA developments.
