In a recent Queens Daily Eagle feature, reporter Noah Powelson profiles Johnny Thach, principal law clerk to Civil Term Supreme Court Justice Karen Lin. The article traces Thach’s inspiring journey from growing up in a working-class immigrant family in Elmhurst to becoming a first-generation college and law school graduate. As a child of Vietnamese immigrants, Thach spent much of his youth helping his mother run their family laundromat. That experience shaped his understanding of the challenges immigrant communities face and fueled his drive to pursue a legal career.
“When you are growing up in an immigrant family, it’s often very difficult because that road really isn’t paved for you,” Thach told the Eagle. Now serving in the courts, he supports Judge Lin in assisting litigants and mediating legal disputes, while staying deeply connected to the community through pro bono work and his involvement with the Asian American Bar Association of New York, where he serves as one of the Government Service and Public Interest Committee Co-Chairs. “I’m just trying to be as involved in the community as much as possible and give back,” he said.
Congratulations to AABANY member Johnny Thach on this well-deserved recognition!
Thank you AABANY, AALFNY, PBCS, AAFE, and our volunteers who assisted with the April 16th pro bono legal clinic in Manhattan!
Our volunteers met with 15 clients and discussed a variety of issues involving housing, divorce, immigration and civil litigations. Volunteer attorneys and interpreters patiently addressed client concerns, answered questions and connected them to lawyers or programs through AABANY’s Legal Referral and Information Service (LRIS).
We offer services in both Mandarin and Cantonese and aim to continue to provide support for those who may struggle to obtain quality legal care due to linguistic or cultural barriers when seeking advice regarding substantive laws and procedural issues.
Thank you to all of our volunteers for dedicating your precious time to our Pro Bono Clinics and events. You all make our community a better place!
Volunteer Attorneys Anthony Wong Beatrice Leong Francis Chin Gary Yeung Jenny Dai John Hui Justin Lee Lily Li Mengxi Xiong Rachel Yoo (Remote) Tammy Tran Vishal Chander Yen Yi Anderson
Interpreters/Shadowers Grace Ouyang Chia-Jung (Colette) Chang Juliet Romero Jack HsiaRuo Yang
Behind the Scenes Volunteers
Yang Chen Kevin Hsi Kwok Ng Nandar Win Kerr
Please join our upcoming pro bono clinics on – May 21, Manhattan, from 6:30 – 8:30pm, AAFE Community Center, 111 Norfolk Street, NY, NY 10002
May 31, Brooklyn, from 12:30 – 3:30pm, CPC Brooklyn Community Services, 4101 8th Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11232
June 4, Queens, from 6:30 – 8:30pm, One Flushing Community Center, 133-29 41st Ave, 2nd Floor, Flushing, NY 11355
Looking forward to seeing everyone at the next clinic!
On April 22, 2025, at The Harvard Club in New York City, the Network of Bar Leaders, a coalition representing over 50 bar associations in the greater New York Metropolitan area, honored Vincent Chang, Esq., Counsel at Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP, with the President’s Award. The distinction is reserved for those who have advanced the legal profession through the values of leadership, collaboration, and community within and across bar associations.
With a legal career focused on complex commercial litigation, including securities, investment banking, hedge funds, bankruptcy, insurance, real estate, antitrust, and bondholder disputes, Vince brings a deep sense of responsibility to the profession. His resume includes serving as Immediate Past President of the New York County Lawyers Association (NYCLA), past President of the Asian American Bar Association of New York (AABANY), and a member of the Executive Council of the Network of Bar Leaders. He currently holds positions within the American Bar Association and the New York State Bar Association, including serving as a Special Advisor to the ABA’s Standing Committee on the Federal Judiciary. Vince is one of those rare leaders who has left a lasting mark on the legal community not only through his work in the courtroom but also through the time, energy, and care he has poured into the bar associations that shape the future of law.
Vince’s journey in bar association leadership began with AABANY, a formative role that contributed to his collaborative approach to leadership. “My goal was to bring people together,” he recalled. His efforts not only unified the group but also doubled AABANY’s membership during his term. His ability to lead with transparency and unity laid the groundwork for a generation of new leaders, including James Chou and Yang Chen, both past presidents of AABANY. Yang now serves as its Executive Director. Vince credits AABANY as the launchpad for much of his bar association work. “It was the leadership opportunity that started everything. Without AABANY, I wouldn’t have joined other bar associations, wouldn’t have become part of the American Bar Association, wouldn’t have been president of the Network.” His leadership at AABANY set a standard that continues to influence the future of the legal community.
From there, his bar service expanded across the legal landscape. At NYCLA, he guided the association through the difficulties of COVID-19, restructured its physical offices to ensure financial stability, and upheld its legacy as a pioneer in legal diversity. “It was the first bar association to admit people of color, women, and non-Protestants,” he shared. “Serving as President was a high point in my career.” His leadership not only preserved NYCLA’s legacy but positioned it to thrive in a new era of law and inclusion.
What motivates someone to give so much time and energy to bar associations while maintaining a demanding legal career? For Vince, the answer is simple: the people. “There’s a lot of fellowship in bar associations,” he explained. “You learn from great people. You get to do fulfilling work. And you really don’t need a huge time commitment to get started. If you put more into it, you get more out of it. But even a small investment of time can open doors—meet judges, build networks, find mentors.” His message to younger attorneys is clear: “Carve out the time, no matter how difficult it seems. Bar associations are a fulfilling activity, and one that young lawyers ought to get involved in immediately if they can.” By prioritizing bar association involvement, young attorneys can unlock opportunities that extend from just their legal practice.
Across every organization he’s served, Vince has consistently advocated for the judiciary, particularly in securing fair pay and resources. “There was a time when judges went more than a dozen years without a raise. That’s unacceptable.” Through reports, testimonies, and public education, Chang helped lead the fight for change. “Supporting the judiciary is some of the most rewarding work I’ve done,” he said. His dedication to judicial advocacy has helped redefine how legal professionals understand the vital role of court support.
Beyond his work in bar associations, Vince’s legal career includes moments that many attorneys only dream of. One of the most memorable was a case that took him all the way to the United States Supreme Court. “It was a landmark case for Morgan Stanley, involving separation of powers. I’ll never forget seeing the justices in person,” he shared. The case was decided 4–4, which meant the previous court’s decision stayed in place. While Vince’s team did not win at the time, their argument was proven right when a later case confirmed the same legal principle. It was an experience that left a lasting impression both professionally and personally.
For the next generation of lawyers, Vince advises: “Putting your head down and working at your desk 12 hours a day won’t be enough. You have to meet people. You have to network. You have to learn from the broader profession.” He’s honest about what he would’ve done differently. “I didn’t really get involved in bar associations until I was 40. If you start in your 20s, you’ll get so much more out of it.” His advice serves as a reminder that success is built on connections, experience, and a willingness to step out of one’s comfort zone.
However, Vince also sees real challenges ahead. As social media and changing lifestyles pull younger professionals away from traditional membership organizations, bar associations must adapt. “Many groups are struggling with membership. AABANY has done well because it has a young demographic to draw from and knows how to reach them. But we can’t take that for granted.” He points to studies like The Portrait Project to show how diversity efforts must continue beyond entry-level roles. “There’s a glass ceiling. Asian American attorneys are getting into the profession, but they’re not advancing at the highest levels—whether that’s partner, elected DA, or leadership in government. We need to figure out why.” The future of bar associations depends on their ability to evolve and break down barriers for underrepresented groups within the profession.
Vince’s contributions to the legal community go beyond his accolades and titles. They are a reflection to a life dedicated to service, leadership, and progress. Through his commitment to bar associations and mentorship of young attorneys, he has made a strong impact for generations to come. Vince’s legacy is not just in the offices he’s held or the cases he’s won, but in the lives he’s touched and the doors he’s opened for others. His leadership continues to shape the future of our legal system: one that is more inclusive, more equitable, and more united than ever before.
Vince reflected on the celebration with heartfelt gratitude: “I am deeply grateful to my friends from the Asian American Bar Association of New York for sponsoring and attending this event. Including myself, there were five AABANY Presidents present. AABANY has always been close to my heart, and I am thrilled to see its continued growth and success under the leadership of Yang Chen and Ben Hsing.”
Congratulations, Vince Chang, 2025 Recipient of The Network of Bar Leaders’ President’s Award!
On April 9th, AABANY’s IP Committee, in collaboration with the New York Intellectual Property Law Association (NYIPLA), hosted an exciting and lively Board Games Night at Fish & Richardson. Everyone from IP lawyers and beyond was invited to unwind and connect for a night of friendly competition.
Around 30 players of all skill levels were able to engage in a variety of games that were offered, from familiar games, such as Monopoly, Codenames, and Anomia, as well as new ones like Herd Mentality. Participants enjoyed the lighthearted, relaxed, and enjoyable atmosphere of each game, regardless of skill level, making for a laughter-filled night of fun.
The attendees enjoyed a variety of delicious food and drinks, including dumplings and noodles.
Thank you to everyone who attended, making this event a huge success through your participation.
Thank you as well to IP Committee Co-Chair Jeffery Mok for helping to organize this event and his firm, Fish & Richardson, for hosting. To learn more about the IP Committee and how you can get involved, visit their page here.
On March 23, 2025, the Asia Practice Committee of the Asian American Bar Association of New York (AABANY) hosted a successful Annual Dinner Party at Evergreen in Midtown East in Manhattan. The event brought together a diverse group of legal professionals and entrepreneurs with an interest in Asia Practice for an evening of meaningful networking and engaging conversations.
The night began with welcoming remarks from Hardy Zhou, Co-Chair of AABANY’s Asia Practice Committee, who emphasized the importance of fostering strong relationships within the AABANY community. Hardy also highlighted how the Asia Practice Committee continues to bridge connections between professionals in law and business related to Asia, creating a space for sharing experiences and exploring opportunities for collaboration.
Attendees enjoyed lively discussions and had the opportunity to build new relationships with legal professionals from various practices. The evening proved to be an excellent opportunity to exchange ideas, strengthen connections, and explore potential collaborations.
A special thank you to all those who attended and contributed to the event’s success. We look forward to more events that bring our community together and support the growth of legal professionals. To learn more about the Asia Practice Committee, visit their page on the AABANY website. We look forward to more great events from this Committee in the new fiscal year that started on April 1st.
On Sunday, March 9, 2025, the AABANY Membership and Women’s Committee with KALAGNY co-hosted a comedy show, Kiki Yeung’s “The Cantonese Mom and Friends” featuring Asian comedians at Rodney’s Comedy Club in Manhattan.
Attendees were able to Celebrate Women’s History Month with laughter as headliner Kiki Yeung performed, alongside a line-up featuring comics Kaneez Surka, Macy Kwok, Vickie Wang, and Miss Lissa performed.
Members were treated to discounted tickets and were seated together to ensure that our group could enjoy the show all together for a fun-filled night.
As the performances concluded, AABANY and their sister bar KALAGNY were invited to make remarks about the organizations on the stage. Beatrice Leong spoke on AABANY’s behalf, encouraging people to join AABANY for great community service opportunities and fun events.
Thank you to everyone who attended the event and to KALAGNY for celebrating Women’s History Month with us. Thank you especially to the Membership and Women’s Committees for organizing the event. To learn more about the Membership and Women’s Committees, visit their community pages.
On February 15, 2025, members of AABANY volunteered to station a booth at RaisingHealth’s Pop-Up Health Fair Event in Sunset Park! Many community organizations attended to provide free health exams, serve hot meals, and distribute groceries to participants. RaisingHealth, formerly known as the Academy of Medical & Public Health Services, is a not-for-profit health service organization founded in 2010 that supports the well-being of underserved communities through culturally competent health, education, and community-building programs.
We want to thank AABANY, RaisingHealth, our volunteers for serving the Brooklyn community, and Joseph Eng, President of AABANY, and Counsel at King & Spalding. At the Health Fair, AABANY volunteers (Kwok Ng, Co-Chair of the Pro Bono and Community Service (PBCS) Committee; Gary Yeung, Co-Chair of PBCS Committee; May Wong (Co-chair of the Professional Development Committee); and Francis Chin (member of AABANY) passed out Know-Your-Rights brochures about immigration law in Chinese and Spanish, upcoming pro bono clinic flyers, and AABANY’s legal referral and information service. Our participation serves as a commitment to community lawyering and to address current immigration rights issues, such as constitutional rights, ICE raids, and fraudulent schemes that target innocent and vulnerable immigrants. By utilizing our legal knowledge, language skills, and resources, we aim to build relationships with local communities and advocate for policy and social changes in the law.
In addition, please consider volunteering at the following pro bono clinics:
Queens clinic – April 2, 2025 [Queens link here], from 6:00 – 8:30pm, One Flushing Community Center, 133-29 41st Ave, 2nd Floor, Flushing, NY 11355
Manhattan clinic – April 16, 2025, from 6:00 – 8:30pm, AAFE Community Center, 111 Norfolk Street, NY, NY 10002
Brooklyn clinic – May 10, 2025, from 12:00 – 3:00pm, location tbd
Moving forward, registrations for these clinics will be posted on AABANY’s calendar. Please be patient with us during this transition. Thank you!
On March 7, the IP Committee of AABANY hosted a fun and relaxing Board Game Night, inviting members and friends from a variety of backgrounds to unwind, connect, and engage in some friendly competition.
Whether you were a seasoned board game enthusiast or a casual player, there was something for everyone. The night featured a variety of games, including classics such as Taboo and Monopoly, as well as some fresh games that were new to attendees. The casual, fun atmosphere made it easy for everyone to jump right in, regardless of their level of experience with board games. Attendees also enjoyed a spread of dumplings, noodles, and other food and drinks.
A big thank you to everyone who attended for some good fun and conversation, and for making this event such a success!
If you missed out this time, don’t worry—keep an eye on our upcoming events as we continue our goal of building a strong and supportive community. We hope to see you next time!
Thanks to IP Committee Co-Chair Jeff Mok for organizing the event, and his firm Fish & Richardson for hosting. To learn more about the IP Committee and how you can get involved, go here.
Jennifer Wu, Founding Partner at Groombridge, Wu, Baughman & Stone LLP, stands as a trailblazing figure in the legal profession. Her leadership style of empathy, advocacy, and innovation has redefined what it means to be a transformative leader in law. Throughout her career, Jennifer has achieved remarkable milestones while staying determined in her commitment to justice.
Her expanding list of accolades reflects a relentless pursuit of equality and excellence. From her work fighting for the rights of marginalized communities to her pioneering efforts in intellectual property litigation, Jennifer’s influence goes far beyond her legal achievements. She has become a beacon of hope and a source of inspiration for colleagues, mentees, and the communities she serves, proving that true leadership is about lifting others as you rise.
Jennifer’s dedication to her craft and her community is reflected in the diverse and prestigious awards she has received over the past year:
Jennifer’s growing list of awards is more than a reflection of her professional excellence; it is a testament to her dedication to justice and her ability to bridge communities through understanding and action.
Jennifer Wu’s journey as an advocate stems from her childhood experiences as the daughter of Taiwanese immigrants. From a young age, she took on the responsibility of helping her family navigate cultural and language barriers. “As an immigrant kid, you always have that,” she reflected. “Your mom needs you to ask for directions to a grocery store… or get on the phone to explain health insurance because their English was not as good.” These formative experiences shaped her lifelong dedication to helping others. This foundation of service became the cornerstone of her legal career and advocacy efforts.
This commitment to helping others informs Jennifer’s approach to her advocacy and legal career. Whether assisting families affected by anti-Asian violence or guiding immigrant clients through challenges, she treats each case as personally as if it involved her own family, “That is fundamentally just helping people as if they’re your own family.” For Jennifer, true success is measured by the lives she improves, not by the accolades she receives. Her dedication to treating clients with care and respect truly highlights her belief that advocacy is rooted in genuine human connection.
Jennifer’s leadership style is collaborative and empowering. She emphasizes creating an environment where others can grow and excel. “I don’t like to micromanage,” she said. “I want people to think for themselves and learn from their mistakes. That’s how you create leaders who can step up and take charge.” As a founding partner of her firm, Jennifer takes this mindset into every aspect of her work. “I walk into every room with the mindset of an owner,” she said. Her leadership philosophy demonstrates how empowering others and taking ownership can inspire teams.
One of the most touching examples of Jennifer’s advocacy is her work with Eva Zhao, the widow of Zhiwen Yan, a Queens delivery worker who was tragically murdered while on the job. After her husband’s death, Eva faced immense fear of deportation and struggled to support herself and her young children. Jennifer stepped in to offer both legal and practical assistance. Jennifer shared,“We’ve been helping her try to get her U visa.” A U Visa helps victims of serious crimes who have been hurt and are helping the police or authorities with their investigations. For Eva Zhao, whose husband Zhiwen Yan was tragically killed, this visa could protect her from deportation and provide her family with safety and stability. “The act of actually helping is the reward,” Jennifer emphasized. “The awards are just tokens; the relationships are what truly matter.”
Jennifer’s leadership attitude and authenticity were also evident at a recent event hosted by AABANY’s Women’s Committee on Monday, December 16, 2024, titled “Building Your Own House: Balthazar Breakfast with Jennifer Wu.” Held at Groombridge, Wu, Baughman & Stone LLP, the breakfast was an intimate gathering that allowed participants to hear Jennifer reflect on her journey. Moderated by Aileen Huang and Ananya Pillutla, associates at Groombridge, Wu, Baughman & Stone LLP, Jennifer discussed her career path, including her decision to create her own firm: a “house” where equity and inclusion thrive, with a partnership that is 50% women. To learn more about Jennifer’s recent breakfast event, click here.
Jennifer continues to redefine what it means to serve with integrity and exemplifies the power of using one’s platform for good. Her journey serves as an inspiration, proving that change begins when we lead with purpose and compassion.
On January 16, 2025, AABANY’s Commercial Bankruptcy and Restructuring Committee (CBRC) and Young Lawyers Committee (YLC) hosted an ice-skating social at Bryant Park to start off the New Year. The Committees welcomed members of all skating abilities, from first timers to experienced skaters who helped the first timers hone their skating skills as they circled the ice. The event featured some light snow, which enhanced the experience for our attendees.
After skating, attendees networked over après-skating drinks and food at the Vanderbilt Bar & Grill and discussed different areas of law, including bankruptcy and restructuring, intellectual property, commercial real estate and the judiciary.
A big thank you to everyone who attended! The Commercial Bankruptcy and Restructuring Committee as well as the Young Lawyers Committee always welcome new members to join our growing and dynamic community.
