Tag: committees

Posted on

AABANY in 2025: Thanks for Another Great Year

As 2025 draws to a close, AABANY reflects on a successful year centered around the theme, “Together We Thrive: The Power of Us!” We deeply appreciate the involvement and commitment of our members. 

Below are some key highlights from the year. Our sincere thanks also go to all our generous sponsors, whose support remains vital to AABANY’s mission of promoting and enhancing equity and inclusion in the legal profession. We are grateful for the continuous collaboration with our community partners in the ongoing effort to uplift and advocate for the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community across New York.

Winter Soiree

In its 15th year, the AABANY Winter Soiree continued to be one of the year’s premier networking opportunities, specifically designed for executive and senior in-house and law firm attorneys. Hosted by the In-House Counsel Committee and the Corporate Law Committee, the invite-only event has evolved from its previous incarnations as the Summer Soiree and the Wine Tasting and Networking Reception. The 2025 iteration took place on Thursday, January 23, at Le Chalet. Located within the iconic Saks Fifth Avenue, the cozy, ski-lodge-inspired lounge offered an elegant and intimate setting, fostering an evening of meaningful connections and professional camaraderie.

Annual Meeting of Members

AABANY’s Annual Meeting of Members was held at King & Spalding on Tuesday, February 11, 2025. The primary focus of the meeting was the election of the new Board of Directors and Officers for the FY2026 term, which officially commenced on April 1, 2025.

During the event, then-President Joseph Eng delivered the Annual Report of the Board, providing a summary of the past fiscal year’s major achievements. Executive Director Yang Chen presented the Annual Report of the Committees. The following awards were presented to recognize exceptional dedication to AABANY during FY2025:

  • Committee of the Year: Professional Development Committee
  • Program of the Year: Pre-Holiday Multi-Association Gathering
  • Member of the Year: Gary Yeung

Congratulations are extended to all the award recipients and to the newly elected Officers and Directors.
The evening concluded on a poignant note with a farewell to Deputy Executive Director Alice Biagini, whose last day was February 11th. In her eight months with AABANY, Alice significantly enhanced our operations and activities, providing invaluable support to our Board members, Committee Chairs, and the general membership. She will be greatly missed by all those she worked with.

Annual Judges’ Reception

AABANY’s Judiciary Committee hosted its Annual Judges’ Reception on Tuesday, April 8, 2025, at Fordham Law School. The event, which drew about 70 attendees, was a yearly opportunity to honor newly elected, appointed, elevated, and retired Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) judges throughout New York. It was an evening characterized by reflection, gratitude, and a forward-looking hope for greater AAPI representation within the judiciary.

Chinatown Manpower Project (CMP) 2025 Law & Justice Gala Honoree

AABANY was an honoree at the Chinatown Manpower Project (CMP)’s Law & Justice Gala on April 24, 2025. The event, which drew over 400 guests, was a lively evening of celebration, networking, and philanthropy. AABANY was recognized for our essential work in advocating for rights, advancing the interests of immigrants, amplifying Asian American voices, and ensuring justice for all.

Other distinguished honorees included the Asian American Law Fund of New York (AALFNY), AABANY’s 501(c)(3) affiliate; Edward J. Cuccia, Esq.; and the Honorable Karen Lin, AABANY member. The Spirit of Immigrants Award was jointly presented to Nikki Kwok and Hailey Kwok.

AAPI Heritage Month

2025’s AAPI Heritage Month was again filled with nonstop events that were organized or co-sponsored by AABANY and its various Committees.  It kicked off with a Karaoke Showdown on May 1, 2025 that was co-sponsored with KALAGNY and FALA New York.  Then AABANY sponsored a “Sunday Run Day” series where members met up at 8:30am on Sundays near the 86th Street A station to run and prepare for the May 24th AAPI 5k run at Hudson River Greenway.  AABANY also co-sponsored the South Brooklyn AAPI Heritage Month Celebration on May 10th.  On May 14th, AABANY co-sponsored the Third Annual Hon. Randall T. Eng Award Program at the Appellate Division, Second Department, in Brooklyn.  Before a room full of distinguished judges, elected officials, and community leaders, we celebrated three trailblazing public servants whose work embodies integrity, leadership, and a deep commitment to justice: Senator Stephen Chan, Justice Anar R. Patel, and Lieutenant Mido Mary Wu.

On the night of May 14, AABANY members and supporters gathered at CitiField / Mets Stadium in Flushing for the Mets v. Pirates Baseball Game in celebration of AAPI Heritage Month (top photo in this section).  The same night, AABANY co-sponsored a “Talking with Trailblazers” event at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom, which featured the Honorable Denny Chin  and Kathy Hirata Chin.  Later in the month, on May 18, AABANY co-sponsored an event called “Asian Americans in Public Service” with various public service professionals in celebration of AANHPI Heritage Month.  AABANY’s Government Service and Public Interest Committee together with AABANY’s Judiciary Committee also co-sponsored “A Legacy of Leadership & Resilience: Then and Now, In the Context of Korematsu and Thind” at the Queens Supreme Court on May 20, 2025.

The month wouldn’t be complete, of course, without AABANY’s Pro Bono Clinics, which were held on May 21 in Manhattan and on May 31 in Brooklyn.  A screening of the documentary “Voices Against Anti-Asian Hate” followed by a discussion with two esteemed panelists (Judge Marilyn D. Go and Rachel Lee) on hate crimes happened on May 28, 2025 in partnership with Richmond County District Attorney’s Office.  

The month also included the Community Memorial Service for Justice Dorothy Chin-Brandt on May 24, 2025 at the Glow Cultural Center in Flushing, an event that commemorated her profound contributions to the judicial system and the Asian American community.

AAPI Heritage Month concluded with AABANY members and friends marching in the Fourth Annual AAPI Cultural and Heritage Parade in Midtown Manhattan on June 1, 2025.  As we did in prior years, AABANY wore matching red and blue t-shirts and were joined by AABANY Immediate Past President Joseph Eng Jr. and his son Max who brought a Chinese lion head and drum to perform a traditional Chinese Lion Dance along the parade route up Sixth Avenue. 

36th Anniversary Annual Dinner

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 AAPI Heritage Month, the event welcomed approximately 750 guests, including attorneys, judges, prosecutors, in-house counsel, government officials, and community leaders.  AABANY also hosted nearly 50 General Counsels in the GC Reception held before the dinner, thanks to the General Counsel Reception Sponsor Groombridge, Wu, Baughman & Stone.

The honorees for AABANY’s Annual Dinner included:  

  • Women’s Leadership Award: Professor Elaine Chiu, St. John’s University School of Law 
  • Corporate Leadership Award: Henry Hadad, Senior Vice President, Deputy Counsel, Bristol Myers Squibb
  • Law Firm Leadership Award: Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, LLP

AABANY also congratulated Don H. Liu Scholars Program’s 2025 Scholars:
– Cindy Guo, Harvard Law School
– Teja Kim, UCLA School of Law
– Mikka Vapor, University of Pennsylvania Law School

Thanks to everyone who attended and helped to make our Annual Dinner a success!  To read AABANY’s blog post of the event, including the photo albums linked on the bottom of the blog post, please click here.

Summer Receptions

The warmer weather of Summer 2025 provided the perfect backdrop for AABANY to host a variety of successful receptions and mixers. One highlight was the Summer Associates Mixer on July 22, co-hosted with the Korean American Lawyers Association of Greater New York (KALAGNY) at Tap Haus 33. This event provided a relaxed atmosphere for fostered networking, conversation, and community building by connecting summer associates and law students with practicing attorneys.

Another well-attended gathering was the Summer Reception held on July 17 with the Asian American Law Fund of New York (AALFNY). This annual reception served to recognize the AALFNY Public Interest Scholarship recipients and featured a distinguished guest speaker: Judge Denny Chin, Co-Director of the Center on Asian American and the Law at Fordham Law School.

Wellness Events

AABANY maintained a strong focus on attorney wellness throughout 2025 with several key events.

The year kicked off on March 22, 2025, with the 2nd Annual Mindfulness Wellness Retreat held exclusively for AABANY members at Blue Cliff Monastery in upstate New York. This retreat offered a much-needed sanctuary for participants to relax, reflect, and connect, prioritizing their mental and emotional well-being.

Mid-year, AABANY successfully hosted its Third Annual Wellness Day on June 21, 2025, at Brooklyn Law School. Made possible by the dedicated support of AABANY’s speakers and sponsors, the event upheld the wellness initiatives championed by former AABANY President Karen Kim. Attendees engaged with crucial topics impacting physical and mental health, including strategies for managing daily stressors, the impact of unhealthy drinking culture in the legal profession, recognizing signs of depression, and identifying support groups and resources.

We are thrilled that AABANY received the Bar Leaders Innovation Award from the New York State Bar Association for our Annual Wellness Day program. The award was presented on October 29, during the Bar Leaders Fall Meeting Reception held at the New York City Bar Association. What started as a thoughtful initiative has grown into a beloved annual event that brings our community together to focus on mental, physical, and emotional well-being. It’s become a highlight of the year for many of our members.

Finally, on Tuesday, November 11, 2025, the 3rd Annual Pre-Holiday Multi-Association Gathering brought together AABANY and 20 other associations at the New York City Bar Association. The evening featured a potluck dinner and a CLE Program on Wellness Resources. Because the event fell on Veterans Day, the CLE program included a Fireside Chat focusing on veterans in the legal profession, moderated by President Ben Hsing.

Fall Conference

AABANY successfully hosted its 16th Annual Fall Conference, “Together We Thrive: The Power of Us!,” on Saturday, September 27, 2025, at New York Law School. The day commenced with a buffet breakfast, allowing attendees to network over coffee, pastries, bagels, and light bites.

Program Highlights:

  • Morning and Afternoon CLEs: Twelve different panel presentations throughout the day focusing on a wide range of topics, from disability rights, to intellectual property, to community empowerment.
  • Plenary Lunch Session and Trial Reenactment: This session featured a reenactment of the landmark U.S. Supreme Court cases Ozawa v. United States (1922) and United States v. Bhagat Singh Thind (1923). The dramatization explored these two pivotal early 20th-century decisions that denied naturalization to Asian immigrants: Takao Ozawa, who argued his light skin and assimilation qualified him as “white,” and Bhagat Singh Thind, an Indian Sikh man who claimed Caucasian status based on Aryan ancestry to meet the “free white person” requirement for citizenship.
  • Diversity Career Fair (DCF): Hosted by the Career Advancement Committee, the DCF ran from 10:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Recruiters and legal professionals from public, corporate, nonprofit, and legal services sectors hosted informational tables, with some conducting first-round on-site interviews. Attendees were able to network, exchange resumes, and meet with potential employers.
  • Trial Advocacy Program (TAP): Returning this year, TAP offered junior attorneys structured, mentored training in essential trial advocacy skills. The program included lectures, demonstrations, and hands-on exercises focused on opening and closing statements, as well as direct and cross-examinations. Participants prepared based on a mock trial problem and presented opening statements as well as conducted direct and cross-examinations before a faculty of experienced trial lawyers in breakout rooms, receiving individual feedback and coaching.
  • Link-Up Reception: A key networking event of the day, the Link-Up Reception was designed to facilitate engagement between law firm attorneys and senior in-house counsel seeking external legal services. This exclusive benefit was open only to invited in-house counsel, Gold-level sponsors and above, and representatives from the 2025 Annual Dinner and Winter Soiree sponsors, providing higher-tier sponsors with increased exposure and direct access to in-house decision-makers.

Closing and Award Presentation:
A highlight that closed the conference was the presentation of the Norman Lau Kee Trailblazer Award during the general Cocktail Reception. The award, which recognizes leadership, innovation, mentorship, and sustained community impact, was presented to Hon. Judy H. Kim, Acting Justice of the Supreme Court, New York County.

In her acceptance speech, Justice Kim emphasized the profound importance of mentorship and community. She shared a moving anecdote from an intern who wrote to her, “You have shown me into a world that I thought I would never be able to be part of, and the gift that you have given me is priceless.” This reflection left a deep impression on all attendees, reinforcing the value of guidance and support in the legal profession.

To read more about the Fall Conference, click here.

First-ever Diwali Dinner

On October 28, 2025, AABANY held its first-ever Diwali Celebration at Bengal Tiger on 56th St in Manhattan.  Co-sponsored by the South Asian and Indo-Caribbean Bar Association of Queens (SAICBA-Q), the sold-out event brought together dozens of members of both AABANY and SAICBA-Q to celebrate the Festival of Lights — a holiday oftentimes celebrated by Hindus, Jains, and Sikhs that symbolizes the triumph of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance.  People celebrate by lighting oil lamps, decorating their homes, setting off fireworks, and exchanging gifts and sweets.  The event was well attended by members of all backgrounds ranging from students to associates to partners to judges to non-lawyer allies.  It was great to see many attendees wear festive attire for the occasion.  Attendees were able to order from a variety of appetizers, chaats, entrees, and desserts, and enjoyed mango lassis as well.  We look forward to making this an annual event going forward with increased capacity to accommodate members’ interest in attending.  AABANY and SAICBA-Q also look forward to co-hosting other events in the future, including a potential Holi celebration in the spring of 2026.

Pro Bono Clinics

We thank the Pro Bono and Community Service (PBCS) Committee for another year of Pro Bono Clinics and their continued efforts to aid the AAPI community in Manhattan, Queens, and Brooklyn. The PBCS Committee held monthly clinics in Manhattan with our community partner AAFE (Asian Americans for Equality) at their Norfolk Street site on the Lower East Side. Together with AAFE, the Committee held bi-monthly clinics in downtown Flushing at AAFE’s offices there. The Committee held bi-monthly clinics in Brooklyn with our community partners, including the Chinese-American Planning Council (CPC).  To read the blog posts summarizing each Clinic, please see this link.  Our Pro Bono Clinics need you! Please consider volunteering. Click on the flyer for more information.

Events and Programs from Our Committees

We would also like to thank AABANY’s Committees for organizing and hosting various events and programs throughout this fiscal year. To learn more about AABANY’s 27 Committees go here. To date, after three quarters so far of this fiscal year, our Committees have put on some 120 programs, which averages out to 3 or 4 events per week. Below are a few highlights:

Intellectual Property Committee – Board Game Nights

AABANY’s IP Committee held four board game nights in 2025 – on March 7, April 9, July 23 and December 18.  Hosted by the law firm of Fish & Richardson in Time Square, the evenings invited attendees to unwind and connect over friendly competition.  To read more about board game nights, see here.

Real Estate Committee – “What’s Happening in Queens”

On June 26th, 2025, at JP Morgan Chase Bank in Bayside, AABANY’s Real Estate Committee hosted their “What’s Happening in Queens” networking event, which brought together a variety of people interested in making meaningful connections in the Queens real estate scene. 

In 2025, the Real Estate Committee also put on a number of programs, many of which provided New York CLE credits.  A sampling of the programs includes: 

  • Cybersecurity, Artificial Intelligence and Real Estate Fraud (May 21)
  • Transfer on Death Deeds Law Under NY Real Property Law (May 28 – co-sponsored with the Trusts & Estates Committee, and June 17)
  • Clearance and Closing a Residential Real Estate Transaction (August 19)
  • 1031 Exchange Basics and Foreign Real Estate Regulations (November 19)
  • The Basics of Title Insurance Underwriting (December 4)

Corporate Law Committee Golf & Game Night at Five Iron Golf

AABANY’s Corporate Law Committee, under the leadership of Vice Chairs Ashley Wong and Kyle Zhu, hosted the exciting Golf & Game Night on Friday, July 11. This high-energy event, generously sponsored by PNC Bank and held at Five Iron Golf in Midtown Manhattan, offered attendees virtual golf, ping pong, drinks, and a chance for community connection. It drew a diverse group of attorneys, in-house counsel, and professionals—spanning fields from international tax law to capital market transactions—for a night that successfully blended fun with a corporate-law focus.

GCs Uncorked

AABANY concluded September with an intimate and engaging wine tasting and live music event called “GCs Uncorked” at Saltwater NYC, the cozy coffee shop and wine bar co-owned by Sumeet Chugani, General Counsel at Cloaked. The special, packed evening on September 30 brought together AABANY members and senior in-house counsel for conversation and connection.

LGBTQ Committee – Fall LGBTQ Reception

AABANY’s LGBTQ Committee and the South Asian Bar Association of New York (SABANY) successfully co-hosted the 2025 Fall LGBTQ Reception on Thursday, November 13, 2025. Held at A&O Shearman’s Manhattan office, the event was a memorable gathering that fostered connections among attorneys, law students, and professionals within the Asian American, South Asian, and LGBTQ communities.

Intellectual Property Committee – Dumplings and Discussion Series

AABANY’s IP Committee continued the ever popular “Dumplings and Discussion” Series with various industry leaders, sharing their journey in the legal profession and offering insights over plates of dumplings.  Some of the featured guests include:

  • Alan Chang, General Counsel/Senior Vice President, New York Yankees (December 7)
  • Michelle Lee, General Counsel, Media Co (November 12)
  • Christopher Y. Chan, General Counsel, JLL Technologies (August 26)
  • Sonia Low, Vice President, General Counsel, and Corporate Secretary, Jacob K. Javits Convention Center (July 30)
  • Liz Nie, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary, Acorns (June 16)
  • Stephen Mar, Chief Legal and Administrative Officer, Odeko (April 23)
  • Osamu Watanabe, General Counsel, Moelis (March 18)

The above sampling of events represents just a fraction of the numerous programs put on by AABANY’s Committees over the first three quarters of this fiscal year. In addition, AABANY co-hosted with other bar associations and community groups more than 30 programs. It has been a busy 2025!

AABANY at the NAPABA Convention in Denver

AABANY showed up in force at the 37th National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) Convention. Held at the Sheraton in downtown Denver, CO, from November 6 to 8, 2025, this year’s Convention was notable for being the second-largest convening in NAPABA history.

The event attracted nearly 2,900 attendees, including AANHPI attorneys, judges, law professionals, and law students, with more than 800 people attending for the first time.

For further details on AABANY’s involvement and the many AABANY Awardees recognized at the NAPABA Convention, please check out this blog post.

Annual Holiday Party

AABANY celebrated the end of the year with our Annual Holiday Party on Friday, December 5, 2025, held at Upon The Palace, a premier Asian Fusion restaurant located in Tribeca, New York. The event presented a wonderful opportunity for everyone to connect and enjoy the holiday season.

The intimate atmosphere of the restaurant’s downstairs party room was a popular choice among AABANY members, providing a private setting for mingling and enjoyment. Having previously hosted attendees after the Fall Conference in September, this location might end up becoming a favorite venue for future AABANY gatherings.

Speaking Up, Speaking Out

Throughout 2025, AABANY actively upheld our mission to foster the meaningful participation of Asian American Pacific Islanders (AAPI) in the legal field, issuing important statements and celebrating significant community accolades.

AABANY proudly highlighted the achievements of AAPI judges and lawyers, including:

  • January 9, 2025: AABANY congratulated Hon. Jeffrey K. Oing (Ret.) on joining JAMS, the world’s largest private provider of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) services.
  • June 18, 2025: AABANY applauded the appointment of Jay Y. Kim to the New York State Court of Claims by Governor Kathy Hochul, which was announced on June 10, 2025.
  • July 9, 2025: AABANY congratulated Pei Pei Cheng de Castro on her appointment by Governor Kathy Hochul, announced on June 27, 2025, to serve as Chair and Trustee of the New York State Interest on Lawyer Account (IOLA) Fund.
  • July 10, 2025: Following the June 2025 primary elections, AABANY congratulated Sheridan Chu and Eve Cho Guillergan on securing the Democratic nominations for Judge of the New York City Civil Court in Queens County.
  • July 25, 2025: AABANY celebrated the historic designation of AABANY member, the Honorable Margaret Chan, by Governor Kathy Hochul to the Appellate Division, First Department of the New York State Supreme Court.
  • September 8, 2025: AABANY proudly congratulated four exceptional AAPI judges—Honorable Judy Kim, Honorable Kris Singh, Honorable Soma Syed, and Honorable Frances Wang—on their nominations to the New York State Supreme Court.
  • October 29, 2025: AABANY was proud to celebrate longstanding member Alice Young, who received the Lifetime Achievement Award from Womankind at their 2025 Communities Rising Gala.

AABANY advocated for our community’s interests throughout 2025 by taking key positions on important initiatives:

  • May 2, 2025: AABANY joined 23 other bar associations in filing an amicus brief in Susman Godfrey LLP v. Executive Office of the President, Civil Action No. 1:25-cv-01107-LLA, in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia.
  • September 24, 2025: AABANY expressed deep concern over the Presidential Proclamation issued on September 19, 2025, which imposed a $100,000 fee on the entry of H-1B workers, effective for petitions filed on or after September 21, 2025. We voiced our view that this measure would disproportionately harm the Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) community, negatively impact the New York and national economies, and raise serious legal and policy issues.

Finally, on November 13, 2025: AABANY recognized the historic election of Zohran Mamdani as Mayor of New York City, noting that he is the first New York City Mayor of Asian American and South Asian ancestry.To read all the press releases from AABANY in 2025, click here.

Upcoming events

Our current fiscal year runs through March 31, 2026, and our Committees will be putting on many great events over the coming months that we hope you will join. 

For example:

  • January 9: Trusts & Estates Committee Monthly Meeting.  Click here for more information and to register by January 7th.
  • January 10: AABANY Bi-Monthly Brooklyn Pro Bono Legal Clinic.  Click here for more information and to register by January 8th.
  • January 15: Join AABANY’s Anti-Asian Violence Task Force for a Prayer Walk for Michelle Go. Click here for more information and to register by January 13th.
  • January 15: AABANY Issues Committee Monthly Meeting.  Click here for more information and to register by January 13th.
  • January 20: AABANY Board Meeting.  Click here for more information and to register by January 15.  
  • January 21: AABANY Monthly Manhattan Pro Bono Legal Clinic.  Click here for more information and to register by January 19th.
  • January 21: AABANY Presents: Solo & Small Law Firm Litigators – Strategies for Success and Why Clients Should Care.  Click here for more information and to register by January 19th.
  • January 22: AABANY Presents: Pathways to Court-Connected ADR.  Click here for more information and to register by January 15th.
  • February 4: AABANY Bi-Monthly Queens Pro Bono Legal Clinic.  Click here for more information and to register by February 2nd. 
  • February 11: Save the Date – Annual Meeting of Members. Stay tuned for details. 

Save The Dates

Our next marquee event is the Winter Soiree, on Jan. 22. This invitation only event is open to executive and senior-level in-house counsel and corporate law firm sponsors. For more information or for sponsorship information, contact winter.soiree@aabany.org. The deadline to sponsor is January 9.

Be sure to save the date for the 2026 Annual Dinner on May 28,2026 at Cipriani Wall Street. We will be celebrating remarkable individuals and achievements in the legal profession and community in New York.

Save the Date also for AABANY’s Fall Conference, which will take place at Fordham Law School on September 26, 2026.  Please make plans to join us! 

Thank you!

We would not have had such an active year if it were not for the support from everyone involved in AABANY. We thank our Board Officers and Directors, as well as our Committee Co-Chairs and Vice Chairs, and we are grateful for the dedication of our staff, and the hard work of our volunteers and interns. 

We also extend our appreciation to the members of AABANY– without you we would not be what we are today. As we close out 2025, our membership now exceeds 1400 paid members. We look forward to your continued support and participation in the coming year.

We wish everyone a happy, healthy, and safe New Year!

Posted on

Intellectual Property Committee and Student Outreach Committee Present “Careers in Intellectual Property” Panel

On the evening of October 17, the AABANY Student Outreach and Intellectual Property Committees presented the Careers in Intellectual Property Panel, held at Wilson Sonini Goodrich & Rosati. The program featured Gregory Pan (Nolan Heimann; Co-Chair of the Intellectual Property Committee) specializing in consumer products and entertainment, Joseph Eng (King & Spalding; Immediate Past President of AABANY) specializing in patent litigation, Jing Wang (Wilson Sonsini) specializing in patent prosecution, and Gina Kim (Zoetis) who shared her in-house patent experience.

All panelists spoke about their career paths into intellectual property and the work they handle day to day. Joseph and Jing, who both have PhDs in Chemistry, talked about their transition into pursuing law. Gregory and Gina shared their experiences working both in-house and in firms. In addition, Gregory and Jing shared their thoughts on the impact of emerging technologies such as AI on intellectual property.

Students not only learned about the wide spectrum of intellectual property work but also gained valuable and practical advice that included important skills worth building as junior level associates and qualities that help candidates stand out in the job process. At the end of the program, all of the panelists shared what they found most rewarding from their work and networked with attendees.

AABANY’s Student Outreach and Intellectual Property Committees extend their gratitude to Wilson Sonsini for the venue, everyone who made this event possible, and to the panelists for sharing their time and experience.

To learn more about AABANY’s Student Outreach Committee, click here. To learn more about AABANY’s Intellectual Property Committee, click here. To find out about upcoming events like this, please visit the calendar on AABANY’s website.

– written by Ariel Zhang, AABANY Student Outreach Committee Vice-Chair

Posted on

Students Learn about Careers in Restructuring at a Panel on October 10

On October 10, 2025, AABANY’s Commercial Bankruptcy & Restructuring and Student Outreach Committees held a Careers in Restructuring panel, generously hosted by Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP.

The program featured three restructuring attorneys: Helen Zhang (Davis Polk), Ismail Buffins (Weil), and Livy Mezei (Greenberg Traurig). The discussion was moderated by Albert Tong, Chair of the Student Outreach Committee. 

The panelists shared how they became interested in restructuring and explained the differences between Chapter 11 and Chapter 15 cases, in-court versus out-of-court restructurings, and liability management exercises. They also discussed how representing debtors and creditors requires distinct strategies and priorities. Students gained practical insight into what a “day in the life” looks like for restructuring associates, the evolving skills needed to succeed, and advice for preparing to enter the field. The conversation also touched on current trends, including cross-border matters and liability-management transactions. 


The event concluded with a networking reception where attendees were able to network and connect with both the panelists and other law students and attorneys in attendance. AABANY’s Commercial Bankruptcy & Restructuring and Student Outreach Committees extend their gratitude to Weil and everyone who made this event possible, and to the panelists for sharing their time and experience.

To learn more about AABANY’s Student Outreach Committee, click here. To learn more about AABANY’s Commercial Bankruptcy & Restructuring Committee, click here. To find out about upcoming events like this, please visit the calendar on AABANY’s website.

 written by Albert Tong, AABANY Student Outreach Committee Chair

Posted on

Young Lawyers and Solo & Small Firm Practice Committees Host Mini-Golf Social at Puttery

The Asian American Bar Association of New York (AABANY) brought together attorneys for a night of fun and networking on October 3, 2025, as the Young Lawyers Committee teamed up with the Solo & Small Firm Practice Committee to host a lively social at Puttery. Guests enjoyed imaginative mini-golf courses while connecting with colleagues in a relaxed, playful setting.

The event offered young practitioners and solo attorneys alike a chance to build meaningful relationships outside the courtroom, blending professional networking with a creative twist. It was a perfect way to kick off the fall season with camaraderie and community.

For more information about the Young Lawyers Committee and the Solo & Small Firm Practice Committee, visit the Committee pages on AABANY’s website. To find upcoming events, check out AABANY’s Calendar.

Posted on

NAPABA Advocacy Update

NAPABA Advocacy Update

July 2, 2025

Just over a month ago, NAPABA held its annual Lobby Day in Washington, DC. We convened our members in the Nation’s capital to support the Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) community, advance a fair and humane immigration system, defend the rule of law and the legal profession, and advance democracy and civil rights. With over 60 congressional meetings and over 20 states represented, NAPABA demonstrated its commitment to change the status quo for our community.

Since then, and since NAPABA’s last update to you, we have been tracking developments that impact our organization, our mission, our legal community, and the broader AANHPI community. Please find some of these updates below

I. NAPABA-Led Coalition Continues to Defend Birthright Citizenship

After our filing in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit in April 2025, NAPABA continued to lead a coalition of nearly 50 of its affiliates and national associates from across the country to defend birthright citizenship. Besides our amicus brief in the Ninth Circuit, which is available here, NAPABA filed substantially similar amicus briefs defending birthright citizenship in matters pending in the First Circuit and the Fourth Circuit. Those briefs can be viewed here and here.

Our brief explains the critical historical context behind United States v. Wong Kim Ark, 169 U.S. 649 (1898). The case was decided during an era of intense anti-Chinese sentiment, immigration restrictions, widespread violence, and mass expulsions. In Wong Kim Ark, the U.S. Supreme Court declared that birthright citizenship is automatically conferred to children born on American soil, even to those whose parents were from the most disfavored migrant group in the country at the time. NAPABA’s amicus brief underscores the importance of understanding Asian American legal history as a critical part of American history. Wong Kim Ark and other cases involving Asian American litigants in the late 19th century are foundational precedents for today’s immigration and civil rights law.  

Media outlets such as Law360 and the National Law Journal have covered NAPABA’s legal arguments.

On Friday, June 27, 2025, the U.S. Supreme Court narrowed the scope of the preliminary injunctions that can be available to pause the executive order limiting birthright citizenship. The Court did not address the constitutionality of the executive order. Thus, litigation will continue as does NAPABA’s advocacy. The question of a child’s citizenship in the United States ought not to be dependent on the stature or circumstances of their parents. Nor should it turn on whether a child is born in one state versus another. For the guarantees of the Fourteenth Amendment to be vindicated, birthright citizenship must apply to all children across the United States.  

II. NAPABA Condemns Political Violence and Hate

In recent weeks, we have witnessed incidents of hate and political violence that are antithetical to the values of our community and our country. In the early morning hours of June 14, 2025, an armed perpetrator shot two Minnesota state legislators and their respective spouses in the suburbs outside of Minneapolis in an “act of targeted political violence,” according to the Governor of Minnesota. State Representative Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, died. State Senator John A. Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, survived and sustained injuries from the attack.

Weeks earlier, on May 21, 2025, a deadly shooting in Washington, DC, targeted Israeli Embassy diplomats.  And on June 1, 2025, eight people in Boulder, Colorado, were injured when a perpetrator threw incendiary devices into a crowd during a demonstration intended to remember hostages in the Middle East. One of those injured died from her wounds.

On top of these horrific acts, some elected leaders have sought divisiveness rather than inclusion. In a social media post, a member of Congress expressed that it was “deeply troubling” that a Sikh faith leader, Giani Surinder Singh, led a prayer on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives. The member, who had misidentified Giani Surinder Singh as Muslim, declared that Singh “should never have been allowed” to lead a prayer in Congress.

In the race for New York City’s mayor, some members of Congress have lodged Islamophobic comments against Zohran Mamdani, the winner of the primary election. One member of Congress posted an offensive cartoon of Mamdani, referred to Mamdani with a slur, and called on the Attorney General to institute denaturalization proceedings and remove him from the United States. Another member of Congress posted a photo on social media of Mamdani wearing a kurta and greeting others for an Eid service with the caption, “After 9/11, we said, ‘Never Forget.’ I think we sadly have forgotten.”  

Further, the U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Statistics, revised the National Crime Victimization Survey and removed questions about gender identity and about hate crimes against transgender people. Previously, the questions on sexual orientation and gender identity allowed researchers, policymakers, and advocates to quantify the disproportionate victimization of the LGBTQ+ community. Comprehensive data collection surrounding hate crimes and hate incidents is critical in order to better combat such conduct and to take legislative action. NAPABA joined 90+ organizations opposing the decision. Following our advocacy, the Bureau of Justice Statistics reinstated the question pertaining to hate crimes involving gender identity.  

The Justice Department’s action preceded a recent decision of the U.S. Supreme Court to uphold a Tennessee law that banned hormone therapies for transgender minors.

Hate, regardless of the form, political violence, and the marginalization of vulnerable communities must be rejected. NAPABA will continue to oppose hate, support the diverse AANHPI community, and work to strengthen the rule of law and democracy.

III. NAPABA Calls for a Fair and Humane Immigration System

Fundamental to a fair and humane immigration system is one that is subject to constitutional limits, non-discriminatory, and ensures meaningful due process. Recent developments, however, brush against these values.

On May 28, 2025, the federal government announced that it would work to “aggressively revoke visas for Chinese students.”  This policy declaration has not only caused needless anxiety throughout our community, but it is also wholly misguided. While policymakers have the prerogative to address the legitimate national security concerns confronting the United States, they may not enact discriminatory policies like blanket visa revocations based only on national origin and alien land laws. Instead of measures that are tailored to an evidence-based, national security nexus, these recent policies foster an atmosphere of distrust that targets Asian Americans generally, not just the Chinese American community.

NAPABA is also concerned about the federal government’s invocation of the Alien Enemies Act. On June 2, 2025, NAPABA joined 60 other AANHPI organizations, led by the Japanese American Citizens League (JACL), in filing an amicus brief that urged the court to fulfill its role in preserving the right to due process and ensuring meaningful judicial review of executive orders. The last invocation of the Alien Enemies Act justified the incarceration of over 120,000 Japanese Americans during World War II. The amicus brief shared the stories of these Americans and their families. We urged the court to uphold the right of meaningful due process and judicial review of executive actions.

Lastly, starting on June 6, 2025, protests erupted in Los Angeles in response to federal immigration enforcement actions in the city. On June 7, 2025, for the first time in 33 years, the President deployed National Guard and military service members in Los Angeles to protect federal law enforcement and federal property. The protests continued until around June 15.

NAPABA recognizes the widespread anxiety throughout the AANHPI community and the broader immigrant community.  Whether involving the changes in immigration enforcement policy or the announcement of new immigration policies generally, the shifting landscape of immigration law has created much uncertainty. This includes a recent policy change from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement pertaining to the removability of certain Vietnamese immigrants who arrived in the United States prior to 1995. Please visit the Asian Law Caucus’s website for more information.  

In the coming days, NAPABA will promote educational programming to cover many of these changes and more.  Please stay tuned.

We have a lot of work ahead of us, and the NAPABA Policy Team will do its part. But we need your partnership, too. Engage in our committees and networks and register for the NAPABA Convention in Denver, which will be held on November 6-8, 2025. We look forward to seeing you.

Posted on

AABANY Committees Host a Panel on Pursuing a Specialization in Bankruptcy

What is bankruptcy law? How does it differ from general litigation and transactional practices? Why do people call it “restructuring?” And how do I get a job in this amazing field? 

On July 11, 2024, AABANY’s Commercial Bankruptcy and Restructuring, Student Outreach, and Young Lawyers Committees held a panel at the offices of Kelley Drye & Warren LLP to answer these questions—hopefully enticing students and junior attorneys to join the next generation of corporate bankruptcy lawyers and providing added perspectives for the benefit of current legal and non-legal practitioners in the audience. 

Our all-female, all-AAPI panel of attorneys from leading law firms—Cleary Gottlieb, Kelley Drye, Mayer Brown, Sidley, and Skadden Arps—went deep. They talked about the nuances of the corporate bankruptcy and restructuring practice and why it is such an appealing field. It’s a great mix of litigation and transactional work, the panelists emphasized, the work is dynamic and varies based on the nature of one’s representation, and bankruptcy’s faster pace makes it rather exciting and provides hands-on experience earlier on in an attorney’s career. The panel also fielded various questions from the strongly turned-out audience such as what qualities make for an effective bankruptcy lawyer and why the practice tends to concentrate in New York.

What further came out of the panel and the rest of the evening was just how closely knit the bankruptcy world is. During the reception, attendees caught up with old colleagues at other firms, and new and old friends stayed long after they finished their last glasses of wine. 

Thank you to our panelists Connie Choe, Dabin Chung, Weiru Fang, Hoori Kim, and Shan Lu for their insights, to Patrick Chen and Justin Lee for moderating, and especially to Kelley Drye for hosting our event. 

To find out more about the Commercial Bankruptcy and Restructuring Committee, please click here.

To find out more about the Student Outreach Committee, please click here.

To find out more about the Young Lawyers Committee, please click here.

Posted on

AABANY’s Paint & Sip Night: An Evening of Creativity, Connection, and Fun!

On January 16, a chilly winter evening in the heart of midtown Manhattan, AABANY’s Student Outreach, Career Placement, and Mentorship Committees came together to host a memorable event that combined artistry, camaraderie, and a dash of culture. It was the much-anticipated “Paint & Sip Night” held at the Painting Lounge. The event brought together a vibrant mix of practicing attorneys and enthusiastic law students, all eager to unwind and tap into their creative sides. The focal point of the evening: capturing the iconic New York City skyline on canvas while indulging in fine wine and delectable Korean cuisine.

As the attendees gathered, the Painting Lounge provided the perfect ambiance for the creative journey that lay ahead. Easels, canvases, and an array of vibrant paints awaited the eager participants. Under the guidance of an expert instructor, everyone had the opportunity to channel their inner artists and bring their visions of the NYC skyline to life. Sipping on wine and enjoying the company of fellow legal professionals and aspiring lawyers, the atmosphere was filled with laughter, shared stories, and a palpable sense of community. Korean cuisine enhanced the evening’s festivities. Attendees savored a variety of mouthwatering dishes that reflected the rich flavors of Korean culture. From savory bulgogi to spicy cucumber kimchi, the culinary journey was a treat for the taste buds, providing a culinary complement to the artistic expressions taking shape on canvas.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to the Student Outreach, Career Placement, and Mentorship Committees for organizing this fantastic event, and to all the attendees who made it an evening to remember.

Posted on

Get Involved with AABANY’s New Trusts & Estates Committee

AABANY is pleased to announce the launch of the Trusts & Estates Committee. This new committee serves as a professional and community network for AABANY members and non-members interested in the practice of Trusts & Estates law, which spans trusts, estates, and tax planning to Surrogate’s Court practice and litigation. The Committee is dedicated to providing a platform for networking, mentoring, and professional development, as well as opportunities for public service.

Pang-Mei Natasha Chang, Co-Chair of the Committee, is a member of Dunnington Bartholow & Miller LLP’s estates, trusts and private clients practice group, as well as its international France desk, and charitable, not-for-profit and religious institutions practice groups. She counsels both domestic and international individuals, businesses and charitable organizations in estate and trusts planning, and wealth transfer planning. She represents clients of all ages, and advises in insurance planning, IRA/retirement benefit planning and the use of trusts for not only estate planning but asset protection. She also serves on the Trusts, Estates and Surrogate’s Court Committee of the New York City Bar Association, where she has participated as a writer and presenter. 

Yi W. Stewart, the other Co-Chair of the Committee, works at the firm Farrell Fritz as a trusts and estates litigation associate. She performs pretrial discovery, conducts legal research, and prepares motions and memoranda of law for litigated Surrogate’s Court proceedings. Prior to joining Farrell Fritz, Yi served as associate law clerk to the Hon. Rita Mella for three years in New York County Surrogate’s Court, where she assisted the Surrogate with decisions on typical contested probate and accounting matters, complex issues of will construction and reformation, as well as novel issues such as a fiduciary’s authority to administer digital assets stored in Google and Apple accounts.

To contact the Committee Chairs for this Committee, click “Contact Us” at the top of the AABANY website and fill out the form, and tell us in the Comment field what in particular you would like to know about the Committee and its activities.

Posted on

AABANY Holds its 2023 Annual Meeting of Members at Paul, Weiss on February 15

On Wednesday, February 15, 2023, AABANY held its Annual Meeting of Members at Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison.  President William Ng called the meeting to order and established quorum. The main order of business was conducting the election for the 2024 Board of Directors and Officers.

President William Ng presented the Annual Report of the Board and thanked the Board members for their service during the past year. Treasurer Evelyn Gong and Membership Director Christopher Bae presented the reports for their respective offices.

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 over the past year. While these presentations were occurring, Immediate Past President Terrence Shen and President-Elect Karen Kim tallied the votes.

The following awards were presented:

Committee of the Year: Intellectual Property Committee

The Intellectual Property Committee received the Committee of the Year Award for its outstanding contributions in promoting AABANY’s membership engagement and creating a vibrant community for IP law practitioners. The Committee successfully hosted several committee dinners and social events including their first concert event to see the ARKAI Duo.  At the start of 2023, the IP Committee started a new program called “Dumplings & Discussion,” the inaugural event featuring Andy Yoo, SVP & General Counsel of Savvas Learning Company.  The discussion covered topics including Andy’s role as general counsel, diversity, equity and inclusion, and his career path and trajectory.

Program of the Year: Inter-Bar Association Summer Family Day 

The Program of the Year Award was given to Christopher Bae, AABANY’s Membership Director.  On June 4, 2022, AABANY’s Membership Committee hosted an Inter-Bar Association Summer Family Day with the Korean American Lawyers Association of Greater New York (KALAGNY) and the South Asian Bar Association of New York (SABANY). Over fifty members and their friends and families gathered at the Major R. Owens Health & Wellness Community Center in Brooklyn to participate in spirited sports games and enjoy snacks and refreshments.

Member of the Year: Jennifer H. Wu

The Member of the Year Award was presented to Jennifer H. Wu, for her outstanding leadership inside and outside of AABANY. Within AABANY, she co-chaired the Women’s Committee and helped to put on some excellent events. She was also active in AABANY’s Anti-Asian Violence Task Force, in addition to the pro bono work she had been doing to advise and assist survivors and victims of anti-Asian violence in New York over the past couple of years. On top of all that, she co-founded her own patent litigation law firm Groombridge Wu Baughman & Stone

Congratulations to all the honorees for the recognition of their achievements and hard work during the 2023 fiscal year.

After the presentation of awards, William announced the election results. The following officers were elected and will begin their term one-year terms on April 1, 2023:

Joseph Eng, Jr.

President-Elect

Beatrice Leong

Vice President, Programs and Operations

Jeffrey Mok

Vice President, Programs and Operations

Jasmine Ball

Treasurer

Shirley Bi

Secretary

Christopher Bae

Membership Director

Varuna Bhattacharyya

Development Director

The following candidates were elected as Directors to serve two-year terms starting on April 1, 2023:

Katherine Loanzon
P. Bartlett Wu

After the election results were announced, attendees stayed to network at Paul, Weiss.  We thank everyone who came and participated in the Annual Meeting and the election. Congratulations to all the Officers and Directors who were elected to the Board to serve in the 2024 fiscal year that begins on April 1, 2023. 

Special thank you to AABANY Director Larry Wee and the Paul, Weiss team for hosting AABANY’s 2023 Annual Meeting.

Posted on

AABANY Prosecutors, ADR and Women’s Committees Host Self-Defense Class

On November 19, 2022, the Prosecutors, ADR & and Women’s Committees teamed up to learn self defense at the NY Wutang Chinese Martial Arts Institute (“NY Wutang”) in downtown Flushing.

During these times of anti-Asian violence, AABANY members wanted to be prepared. Prosecutors Committee Co-Chair Joe Gim first taught members about the New York laws on the justification defense, particularly in connection with the use of physical force in defense of a person.

Next, the Master of NY Wutang and Prosecutors Committee Co-Chair Dave Chiang trained the attendees. Here, Dave wore his ADA hat as well as his Master Chiang hat.

Master Chiang taught the group that the first step is to be aware of one’s surroundings: “Don’t keep your head down looking at your phone.”  The group also learned how to quickly turn their camera on to try to capture photos or video of the perpetrator. 

Next, Master Chiang warmed everyone up with stretching exercises and the group practiced shouting, “Stay away! Leave me alone!” so that witnesses will know that you are not the initial aggressor.

The group then learned that the three weakest parts of an attacker are their eyes, throat and groin. Master Chiang taught attendees how to strike and target those body parts during an attack. The group practiced with each other and took away valuable information we will not soon forget. 

If you want to take lessons at NY Wutang see:  http://wutang.org/

To donate to NY Wutang: http://Paypal.me/nywutang

Thanks to all the co-sponsoring Committees for putting together an informative and useful program on self-defense during these challenging times, and thanks to Prosecutors Committee Co-Chair Joe Gim for teaching us the law on self-defense and Prosecutors Committee Co-Chair (and Kung Fu Master) David Chiang for teaching those who attended how to protect themselves while following the law.


To learn more about the Prosecutors Committee, click here. To learn more about the ADR Committee, click here. To learn more about the Women’s Committee, click here.

Proudly powered by WordPress