On May 19, the AABANY Corporate Law Committee kicked off the new fiscal year with a virtual Meet & Greet, bringing together members and prospective members to share ideas on programming for the year. Attendees ranged from recent law school graduates just beginning their careers to seasoned attorneys returning to corporate practice. Corporate Law Committee leadership, which includes Co-Chairs Keli Huang (Partner at Kirkland & Ellis LLP) and Ashley Wong (Associate Corporate Counsel at Amazon), along with Vice Chairs Kyle Zhu (Associate at Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP) and Judy Lin (Associate at Kirkland & Ellis LLP), introduced themselves and opened the floor to attendees. The conversation was centered on understanding the types of events that would be most beneficial to the members, and the leadership team came away with a clear direction: social events and CLE-eligible programming that support both professional development and genuine community-building.
The Committee leadership also shared about two upcoming AABANY marquee events. First, the AABANY Annual Dinner, taking place next Thursday May 28th, is expected to draw hundreds of attendees and offers one of the year’s premier networking opportunities across the broader AABANY community. Then September 26th, the Fall Conference, hosted at the Fordham Law School, promises another outstanding occasion to connect with colleagues, exchange ideas, and build the cross-practice relationships that make this community so valuable. Both events reflect the Committee’s commitment to creating spaces where members can forge lasting professional connections and strengthen the synergy within the AABANY network.
Beyond these signature events, the Corporate Law Committee is actively exploring programming ideas that speak directly to where the legal profession is heading. Keli shared that the Committee is already planning its popular summer social event, and this time it is in a karaoke location not yet open to the public that AABANY members will get to experience before its opening. Another exciting program under consideration is an event on artificial intelligence focusing on the responsible use of AI in legal practice, managing client expectations around emerging tools, and leveraging technology to make legal work more efficient. Given how rapidly AI is reshaping the industry, this is exactly the kind of timely, practical programming that members expressed enthusiasm for. Stay tuned and keep an eye on the AABANY Calendar for announcements. We hope to see you at upcoming events! To learn more about the Corporate Law Committee and how you can get involved, click here.
These clinics not only answer legal questions but also focus on training law students and young attorneys to identify legal issues and explain legal concepts in everyday language. We value your willingness to listen to our clients’ stories and provide them with a safe space to be heard.
We would like to extend our gratitude to the following volunteers who dedicated their time and expertise to make this Clinic a success:
Alexandra Ly
Haotian Chen
Andrew Sun
Helen Ding
Angie Liao
Karen Yau
Anna Bao
Keli Huang
Arthur Lin
May Wong
Elaine Ouyang
Nandar Kerr
Gary Yeung
Wendy Zeng
If you are interested in continuing to support our community, we invite you to join us at our upcoming Pro Bono Clinics:
May 20th in Manhattan from 6:30-8:30pm at AAFE 111 Norfolk St.
June 3rd in Queens from 6:30 – 8:30pm at AAFE One Flushing Community Center.
July 11th in Brooklyn, from 12:30pm-2:30pm at CPC Brooklyn Community Services, 4101 8th Ave.
To learn more about the Pro Bono & Community Service Committee, please visit probono.aabany.org.
At the Clinic, our volunteers met with 14 clients and provided guidance on a range of legal issues, including housing, immigration, and civil litigation. Your collective efforts ensured that each client received personalized support and answers to their pressing legal questions.
We are deeply grateful for everyone’s presence and contributions, and look forward to continuing this important work together!
Special thanks to Megan Rha and D. Jenny Kim, partners from the Rha Kim Grossman & McIlwain, LLP, who came to support our Clinic and to provide valuable time and advice to the community. Also, special shoutout to Betty (Xinyue) Zhu who lives in New Jersey and came all the way out to Queens to help us out!
At this Clinic, we had so many intakes that we ran out of spaces and had to use the community playroom’s space. We are grateful for AAFE allowing us to expand to this area to do our work. At this playspace, some of our volunteers enjoyed a game of mahjong in between meetings with clients. While we would love to play more mahjong, we love helping out the community even more!
Volunteer attorneys:
Hung Yi Chien
Ting-Yu Chien
Helen Ding
Richard In
D. Jenny Kim
Emeline Kong
Grace Ouyang
Megan Rha
Sinbay Tan
Wendell Y. Tong
Anthony Wong
May Wong
Interpreters/shadowers:
Yining Pan
Ellie Wang
Jingjing Wang
Wendy Zeng
Betty (Xinyue) Zhu
We invite you to continue supporting our community by joining us at our upcoming Pro Bono Clinics:
– May 20 [Manhattan link here] from 6:30-8:30pm, AAFE Community Center, 111 Norfolk Street, NY, NY 10002
– June 3rd [Queens link here], from 6:30 – 8:30pm, AAFE One Flushing Community Center, 133-29 41st Ave, 2nd Floor, Flushing, NY 11355
– July 11th [Brooklyn link here], from 12:30 – 3:30pm, CPC Brooklyn Community Services, 4101 8th Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11232
Thanks again to all our volunteers for attending the Pro Bono Clinic.
We look forward to your participation in our future clinics! To learn more about the Pro Bono & Community Service Committee, visit probono.aabany.org.
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 at www.ca2.uscourts.gov, 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 6, 2026.
Please check the Court’s website (www.ca2.uscourts.gov) periodically for CJA developments.
The recent fireside chat featuring SEC Commissioner Mark Uyeda, moderated by AABANY member and Bath & Body Works Chief Legal Officer Michael Wu, was reported on by Alyssa Aquino in a December 5, 2025 article in the New York Law Journal titled “SEC Commissioner Mark Uyeda Reflects on Career in Fireside Chat.”
The event, which was organized by AABANY’s In-House Counsel Committee, took place on the evening of December 4th at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom’s New York City office. Commissioner Uyeda, the first Asian-Pacific American to serve as an SEC Commissioner, shared insights into his career and offered valuable advice to the young professionals in attendance.
The article highlighted key takeaways from the conversation, including Commissioner Uyeda’s counsel on the necessity of gaining managerial experience throughout one’s career and the importance for capital markets attorneys to understand accounting. Uyeda, who began his tenure at the agency in 2006 as counsel to then-Commissioner Paul Atkins, humorously noted that even after 20 years since they first met, they are “still doing the same thing.”
To read the full article on Law.com, please click here. (Subscription required)
Lead and Inspire: Become a NAPABA Committee or Network Co-Chair
Deadline: September 12, 2025
NAPABA’s committees and networks are vibrant, peer-led communities that connect members through shared practice areas, professional interests, and lived experiences. Committees focus on substantive legal topics and advocacy priorities such as labor & employment law, civil rights, and emerging technologies. Networks bring together members with common career paths or life experiences—such as in-house counsel, military service, or solo practice. These groups foster knowledge-sharing, collaboration, and leadership development.
Serving as a co-chair is a meaningful opportunity to:
Lead within a respected national bar association
Develop and showcase your leadership and subject-matter expertise
Build lasting relationships with colleagues across the country
Shape impactful programs, events, and initiatives that align with NAPABA’s strategic goals
On August 14, 2025, AABANY’s LGBTQ, Solo and Small Firm Practice, and Student Outreach Committees hosted a Popcorn Chicken and Bubble Tea Social event at Anderson & Associates in Lower Manhattan. AABANY members, attorneys, law students, interns, and all participants were able to enjoy a variety of snacks from popcorn chicken, takoyaki, and buns to tea and traditional boba. Everyone enjoyed the opportunity to meet both new and familiar faces, and all attendees made good use of the time to network and chat.
The Chairs and Co-Chairs of each co-sponsoring Committee, Gregory Hom, Yen-Yi Anderson, and Albert Tong shared their upcoming events and encouraged everyone to continue attending similar events in the future by checking AABANY’s calendar. Thanks to everyone who came out. To learn more about the LGBTQ Committee, click here. To learn more about the Solo and Small Firm Practice Committee, click here. To learn more about the Student Outreach Committee, click here.
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 main@aabany.org 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 probono@aabany.org or click here.
