On Saturday, November 22, 2025, AABANY members attended the 2025 Immigration Justice Conference, a full-day convening dedicated to strengthening legal and community responses to immigration enforcement. The conference was held at the Alianza Dominicana Cultural Center in Washington Heights and organized by a coalition of immigrant justice organizations alongside the Dominican Bar Association.
This year’s conference offered two parallel tracks:
(1) an Attorney Training Track focused on federal habeas corpus litigation, and
(2) a Community & Advocacy Track designed for nonprofits, CBOs, unions, and service providers preparing for rapid-response coordination.
AABANY members participated in the attorney track, which provided in-depth instruction on filing and litigating federal habeas petitions on behalf of non-citizens in immigration custody. Trainers included former Department of Justice officials, offering practitioners firsthand insight into federal court practice, litigation strategy, and recent developments in habeas jurisprudence.
From left to right: Conference organizers Yesenia Mata (Executive Director, La Colmena) and David Satnarine with Vishal Chander (AABANY Board Member and Issues Committee Co-Chair).From left to right: AABANY members Jack Hsia (Staff Attorney, Chinese-American Planning Council, Inc.) and Vishal Chander (The Chander Law Firm, PC).
Strengthening Immigrant Defense Through Collaboration
The Immigration Justice Conference emphasized collaborative preparedness across legal and community sectors during a time of evolving federal immigration enforcement. AABANY extends its thanks to the organizers—including La Colmena, Afrikana, Mixteca, and partner organizations—for hosting this vital training and for their continued leadership in expanding access to justice for immigrant communities.
For more information about future trainings, the organizing committee can be reached at immjusticeconf2025@gmail.com.
—Written by Vishal Chander, AABANY Board Member and Issues Committee Co-Chair
The Asian American Bar Association of New York (AABANY) was a prominent presence 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 boasted the second-largest convening in NAPABA history, with nearly 2,900 AANHPI attorneys, judges, law professionals and law students in attendance, including over 800 first-time attendees.
AABANY members presented and led various Continuing Legal Education (CLE) programs and were recognized during luncheons and social events throughout the three-day convention. Over 175 people connected with each other on the AABANY@NAPABA WhatsApp group before, during and after the conference.
AABANY Get-Together at Maggiano’s
AABANY’s well-attended gathering at Maggiano’s Little Italy on Thursday evening was a big hit on one of the first nights of the Convention. The location was conveniently steps away from the Sheraton, drawing over 120 attendees, including friends old and new, many from outside of New York. Guests enjoyed a buffet of heavy hors d’oeuvres, such as domestic and imported cheeses, crostini, ravioli, wagyu meatballs, fried calamari, fried zucchini, and crab cakes, along with drink tickets good for one drink. It proved to be a festive start to the Convention’s social calendar, filled with the spirit of camaraderie that defined the Convention.
Awardees and Recognition for AABANY Members
NAPABA Awards presented across various events, including the NAPABA Best Under 40 Awards Reception (Thursday), Welcome Reception (Thursday), President’s and Trailblazer Award Reception (Friday), and luncheon plenaries (Friday and Saturday).
AABANY members and AABANY past annual dinner honorees were honored this year at the Convention: (click the link to read more about each award and the 2025 awardees):
The 17th Annual Trial Reenactment: “Born American: United States v. Wong Kim Ark”
The AABANY Trial Reenactment Team presented its 17th production on Friday afternoon, November 7, to a capacity audience. The program, titled “Born American: United States v. Wong Kim Ark,” examined the landmark Supreme Court case. The case focused on Wong Kim Ark, born in San Francisco in 1873 to Chinese immigrants, who was denied reentry to the U.S. in 1895 under the Chinese Exclusion Act. Wong successfully argued that the Fourteenth Amendment’s guarantee of birthright citizenship applied to him. The program’s exploration of birthright citizenship was especially relevant, coming shortly after President Trump signed an Executive Order on January 20, 2025, seeking to restrict this established constitutional precedent.
Some of the photos taken from the Trial Reenactments by AABANY can be seen at this link here.
The cast included: Hon. Denny Chin, Kathy Hirata Chin, Jacob Chen, Francis Chin, Anna Mercado Clark, Hon. Peggy Kuo, Clara Ohr, Yasuhiro Saito, Professor Rose Cuison-Villazor, Andy Hahn, Yang Chen, Linda Lin, and Vince Chang. To learn more about AABANY’s Trial Reenactments, go to reenactments.aabany.org. AABANY encourages anyone interested in performing one of our reenactments to make a request through that website. The current script will be made available in 2026.
AABANY Members as Panel Experts
AABANY members showcased their expertise by serving as presenters and panelists across a variety of CLE programs throughout the Convention. Some of the programs featuring current and former AABANY members included, but were not limited to:
Thursday’s Programming:
Agentic AI: Legal and Policy Frontiers in the U.S. and China (Benjamin Hsing, AABANY President; Christopher Chan)
International Law Committee & Women’s Leadership Network Joint Luncheon (Jennifer Choe-Groves)
Navigating First Decade of Legal Career (Dan Brody)
Navigating Uncertainty with Confidence (Blossom Kan)
Friday’s Programming:
Shark Tank Part III: Live Pitch Coaching (Steve Chung; Hannah Kim; Austin So; Susan Shin, former AABANY President)
Navigating AI Integration in Legal Practice (Eric Lin)
Trump & Tariffs: Protectionism and Economic Impact (Rudy Figueroa)
Sexual Violence Against Women: From the Code of Ur-Nammu to WWII ‘Comfort Women’ and Beyond (Linny Ng)
Practicing with Bots: Training Lawyers in the AI Age (John Lee)
Advising Startups on Patent Strategy (Charles Chen)
United States v. Wen Ho Lee – 25 Years Later (Stephen Chahn Lee)
AI, Ethics & Minority Rights (Shruti Chopra)
High-Stakes Investigations & Trials (Joon Kim)
General Counsel Roundtable (Linda Lin, former AABANY President)
What We’ve Got Here Is a Failure to Communicate: Pitfalls and Best Practices for Handling Asian Language Witnesses and Evidence (Elizabeth L. Mo)
Representing Clients in the Highest Stakes Investigations and Trials (Jennifer Wu, AABANY Board Member)
Disagreeing Better: What ADR Principles Can Teach Us on How to Bridge Divides in Polarized Times (Chris M. Kwok, AABANY ADR Committee Co-Chair)
Ask an Associate: Navigating Starting Your Career at a Law Firm (Brittany Clark)
Workplace Discrimination and Arbitration (Rachel Lee, AABANY Issues Committee Co-Chair)
Birthright Citizenship Under Siege: The Fight for Asian American and Pacific Islander Belonging (Professor Rose Cuison-Villazor)
The Places You’ll Go! Careers in Specialized Fields (Ada Wang, AABANY Intellectual Property Co-Chair; Stacy Wu)
Birthright and Belonging: Who gets to be American in the 21st Century and Beyond? (Bethany Li)
Case Study: Creating a National Legal Organization (NAPABA) (Sandra Yamate)
Legal Career Paths: Partnership, In-House & Public Service (Christopher Arcitio)
There at the Beginning: Case Study on Creating a National Organization (Diane Yu, retired Chief of Staff and Deputy to the President of NYU, 2011 AABANY Annual Dinner Honoree)
Plenary Session Focus on the Portrait Project
During the Friday Plenary Lunch, discussion centered on the Portrait Project, NAPABA’s groundbreaking study of Asian Americans in the Law, supported by the American Bar Foundation and NAPABA. This research provides critical statistics demonstrating the persistent barriers to advancement and underrepresentation of the Asian American legal community in the profession’s top ranks, especially as diversity and inclusion programs face increasing national pressure. AABANY has been a financial donor to the Portrait Project.
AABANY 2010 Annual Dinner Honoree Sandra Leung, former General Counsel of Bristol Myers Squibb Company, was among the speakers, offering an in-house perspective on the representation of AANHPI attorneys. She spoke about the importance of AANHPI attorneys to be in leadership roles, stating “if you aren’t at the table, you’re on the menu.” That resonated with many attorneys who have felt not involved in the decision-making at one point or another in their careers.
Key findings highlighted by the Portrait Project indicated that while there has been progress in federal judicial appointments and General Counsel roles, underrepresentation at the highest levels persists. The research suggests Asian American attorneys would benefit from greater institutional support to counteract stereotypes, facilitate soft skills development and relationship-building, and increase leadership opportunities. Justice Goodwin Liu reinforced this theme, quoting a participant who stated, “Instead of another cooking class, talk to me about retention.”
AABANY Members Sworn into NAPABA Board
During the Premier Event, the 37th Anniversary Gala on Saturday evening, AABANY members Anushree Bagrodia (Vice President & Senior Managing Counsel, Mastercard), Sapna Palla (Past President; Trial Lawyer and Partner, White & Case LLP), and Vishal Chander (Board Member and Issues Committee Co-Chair; Managing Attorney, The Chander Law Firm, P.C.) were all officially sworn in as At-Large Members of the NAPABA Board.
AABANY congratulates and thanks Anushree, Sapna and Vishal for their service on the NAPABA Board, along with Glenn D. Magpantay (AABANY Board Member; Commissioner at the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights) for being appointed as a Northeast Alternate Regional Governor for NAPABA.
Gala Keynote
The Gala featured a fireside chat with keynote speakers Katie Phang and Rich Ting. Their conversation spanned Rich Ting’s career transition from attorney to acclaimed actor, and explored the evolving landscape of Asian American representation in Hollywood during polarizing times. Fun fact: Rich Ting has a law degree and was about to start his legal career at a prominent law firm until Hollywood called … and now he no longer has to worry about keeping up his CLE credits.
Social Activities
Beyond the formal events, AABANY members gathered for a variety of social activities, including morning yoga sessions, board game night (organized by our own Jeffrey Mok, Board Director, Issues Committee Co-Chair, and Principal at Fish & Richardson), and karaoke (separate events sponsored by Groombridge Wu and Littler, both long-time sponsors of AABANY), as well as exploring the areas around Denver!
Thomas Tang Moot Court Competition
The national finals for the Thomas Tang Moot Court Competition took place during the NAPABA Convention. Law students from the New York area participated, alongside volunteer judges from AABANY. We congratulate all participants and the winning team: Audrey La and Josh Shimabukuro from Loyola University Chicago School of Law, who had previously won the regional competition round in New York in October.
A Community and a Family
Despite flight cancellations and delays experienced by many AABANY members on their return home, the spirit of mutual support endured, with members reaching out, sharing resources, and ensuring everyone arrived home safely. This supportive behavior exemplified the core takeaway from the convention: AABANY is more than just a community—it is a family that comes together to uplift and assist one another.
We look forward to the next NAPABA Convention in Los Angeles, scheduled for November 12-15, 2026 at the JW Marriott L.A. Live.
More photos, shared by various AABANY members, can be found at this album here.
On November 1, 2025, The Asian American Bar Association of New York (AABANY) and the Asian American Law Fund of New York (AALFNY) participated as exhibitors at Asian Americans for Equity’s (AAFE) inaugural Financial Access Resource Fair. This event was organized in response to the growing economic pressures affecting local families, businesses, and older adults. Held at the Glow Cultural Center in Flushing, Queens, the fair took place from 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM.
The Financial Access Resource Fair aimed to provide immediate assistance to residents and small business owners facing challenges such as paying rent, affording healthcare, securing food for their families, and sustaining small enterprises. Additionally, the event served as a dynamic platform for local nonprofit organizations to engage with community members, form connections with community partners and elected officials, share valuable resources, and promote collaboration. AABANY and AALFNY’s presence was marked by meaningful engagement and a strong commitment to community empowerment.
Throughout the three-hour event, AABANY and AALFNY welcomed approximately 73 attendees to its table. Gary Yeung, a Co-Chair of AABANY’s Pro Bono & Community Service Committee (PBCS), and Nandar Win Kerr, Treasurer and Consultant to the PBCS, represented the organizations and interacted directly with guests, taking time to understand their needs in providing information and answering questions. The PBCS team ensured that every visitor left with valuable information and a sense of support.
Gary and Nandar, on behalf of AABANY and AALFNY, provided personalized information sessions. Attendees could stop by for one-on-one conversations with the PBCS team to learn about the organizations’ joint free legal clinics in Brooklyn, Manhattan and Queens, and Legal Referral and Information Service (“LRIS”). These clinics and LRIS offer vital legal assistance to individuals who might otherwise face cultural or language barriers to accessing justice. By detailing the clinics’ services and answering specific questions, Gary and Nandar empowered attendees to make informed decisions about their legal needs.
To further enhance the fair experience, PBCS distributed practical items to attendees. Each visitor received a drawstring bag filled with pens and notebooks—useful tools for everyday life and especially beneficial for those seeking to organize legal documents or take notes during the information session and clinic visits. These giveaways served as both a thoughtful gesture and a tangible reminder of the resources available through AABANY’s free legal clinics.
AABANY and AALFNY’s involvement in AAFE’s Financial Access Resource Fair exemplified the spirit of collaboration and service that defines the nonprofit sector. By engaging personally with 73 attendees, providing informative one-on-one sessions about free legal clinics, and offering practical gifts, AABANY and AALFNY strengthened their relationship with the community and reaffirmed its commitment to making legal support accessible to those who need it most.
We invite you to join AABANY’s upcoming Pro Bono Clinics taking place on:
November 19th [Manhattan link here] from 6:30-8:30pm, AAFE Community Center, 111 Norfolk Street, NY, NY 10002
December 3rd [Queens link here], from 6:30 – 8:30pm, One Flushing Community Center, 133-29 41st Ave, 2nd Floor, Flushing, NY 11355
January 10th [Brooklyn link here], from 12:30 – 3:30pm, CPC Brooklyn Community Services, 4101 8th Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11232
Big congratulations to AAFE for successfully organizing their inaugural Financial Access Resource Fair!
— Written by Nandar Win Kerr, AABANY Pro Bono & Community Service Committee
On September 30, 2025, AABANY hosted a special evening of wine tasting and live music at Saltwater NYC, a cozy coffee shop and wine bar co-owned by Sumeet Chugani, General Counsel at Cloaked. The packed event brought together senior in-house counsel and AABANY members for an intimate and engaging night of conversation and connection.
With curated wine selections and a relaxed ambiance, Saltwater provided the perfect backdrop for an evening of relaxed conversation, shared stories, and new connections among AAPI legal professionals and allies.
Thanks to the co-sponsoring AABANY committees; click to learn more about each one:
Thank you to Sumeet and the Saltwater staff for hosting a memorable and fun night. We look forward to more events that foster connection within our vibrant community.
To stay informed about all upcoming events hosted by these committees, as well as other exciting AABANY events, we encourage you to visit the calendar on AABANY’s website for the latest information.
– written by Jeffrey Mok, AABANY Intellectual Property Committee Co-Chair and Board Director
On Friday, September 19th, 2025, the New York State Supreme Court hosted the 18th Annual Caren Aronowitz Unity in Diversity Event, co-sponsored by more than 25 bar associations, court committees, and professional organizations. Among the co-sponsors was the Asian American Bar Association of New York, represented by Yang Chen (Executive Director), Carrey Wong (Deputy Executive Director), and Jessie Zhou (Legal Intern).
The event opened with a majestic performance by the New York State Courts Pipes and Drums, dressed in full Scottish attire. Their music, solemn yet celebratory, created an atmosphere of reverence and set the stage for a program honoring both tradition and community.
Hon. Suzanne J. Adams (Administrative Judge of the New York County Supreme Court Civil Term) offered welcome remarks, affirming the court’s commitment to diversity and inclusion. Then, she introduced Ukrainian singer Valeriia Kuzmuk, who moved the audience with her renditions of traditional and contemporary Ukrainian songs.
The program then continued with a dedication by Hon. Deborah A. Kaplan (Justice of the New York County Supreme Court), who reflected on the legacy of the late Caren Aronowitz. Known for her tireless dedication to cultural programming at the courthouse, Aronowitz was remembered as a beloved colleague whose vision continues to inspire annual celebrations of unity. Special recognition was given to Simone Abrams and Yesenia Herrera (members of the New York County Clerk’s Office) for their efforts in planning the program.
The event concluded with closing remarks by Hon. Adam Silvera (Deputy Chief Administrative Judge of the New York City Courts). Justice Silvera highlighted the importance of building unity through diversity, reminding all attendees that the legal profession is strengthened when it embraces every community it serves.
Following the program, attendees were invited to enjoy a reception featuring a wide variety of dishes contributed by all co-sponsoring associations and committees. From savory entreés to sweet desserts, the tables offered a vibrant display of cuisines that showcased the rich cultural traditions across many diverse communities. AABANY’s spread was a true highlight—an array of of pork, shrimp, chicken, and edamame dumplings; pillowy pork and duck buns; egg fried rice; savory noodles; and Chinese greens. The aromas filled the room, drawing attendees to the tables again and again.
As the event drew to a close, the Unity in Diversity program once again achieved its purpose — to celebrate the richness of difference, to honor those who paved the way, and to strengthen the bonds of communities.
We thank the Gender Fairness Committee, Supreme Court, Civil Term, New York County, the New York County Supreme Court, Civil Term Equal Justice in the Courts Committee and the Cultural Diversity Sub Committee, and the New York County Clerk’s Office for their organization and continued commitment to inclusion and diversity. We thank all co-sponsoring associations, committees, and societies for their dedication and generosity in tabling, and we honor the memory of Caren Aronowitz, whose vision continues to unite the court and community year after year.
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.
We extend our sincere gratitude to AABANY, AALFNY, PBCS, CPC, RaisingHealth and all the dedicated volunteers who contributed to the success of our pro bono legal clinic and our community outreach activity at RaisingHealth’s Health Empowerment Celebration in Brooklyn on September 20th, 2025.
Kwok Kei Ng (Co-Chair), May Wong (former Co-Chair) and Nandar Win Kerr (Treasurer and Impact Consultant) of the Pro Bono and Community Service (PBCS) Committee hosted a community outreach table at the RaisingHealth’s Health Empowerment Celebration event. We effectively referred guests with legal questions to the pro bono legal clinic in real-time and distributed “Know-Your-Rights” brochures on immigration law in Chinese and Spanish, upcoming pro bono clinic flyers, and information about AABANY’s legal referral and information service. Our participation highlights our commitment to community lawyering and addressing current immigration rights issues, including constitutional rights and fraudulent schemes targeting 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.
During the clinic, our small but mighty team of volunteers provided invaluable assistance to 28 clients, addressing a range of legal matters including housing, immigration, civil litigation, personal injury and employment. Our volunteer attorneys and interpreters thoughtfully addressed client concerns, offered clarity through their answers, and facilitated connections to appropriate legal resources via AABANY’s Legal Referral and Information Service (LRIS).
We are committed to offering services in both Mandarin and Cantonese to ensure continued support for individuals facing linguistic or cultural barriers when seeking guidance on substantive and procedural legal matters.
We especially want to thank all the volunteers at the September 20th Brooklyn Pro Bono Clinic for their time, professionalism, and invaluable contributions. Your dedication, including staying later than necessary to ensure no guest was turned away, is truly admirable.
Volunteer attorneys:
Ben Choi
Arthur Lin
Kwok Kei Ng
May Wong
Jameson Xu
Karen Yau
Interpreters/shadowers: Elaine Ou Yang
Qi (Ellie) Wang
Francisco Yau-Smith
Wendy Zeng
We invite you to continue supporting our community by joining us at our upcoming Pro Bono Clinics:
October 1st [Queens link here], from 6:30 – 8:30pm, One Flushing Community Center, 133-29 41st Ave, 2nd Floor, Flushing, NY 11355 (We have guest speakers from NYC MOIA regarding immigration resources. Please join us!)
October 15th [Manhattan link here] from 6:30-8:30pm, AAFE Community Center, 111 Norfolk Street, NY, NY 10002
November 8th [Brooklyn link here], from 12:30 – 3:30pm, CPC Brooklyn Community Services, 4101 8th Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11232
Thanks once 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.
There’s no better way to celebrate summer than with great food, great company, and the beauty of Central Park — and the Young Lawyers Committee’s Annual Picnic delivered all three. This year, we once again partnered with Saigon Vietnamese Sandwich Deli, a beloved Chinatown staple owned by Billy You and Eric Lee, to bring their signature banh mi sandwiches straight to the Great Lawn.
On picnic day, about 50 attendees gathered to savor these flavorful sandwiches, relax on the lush green lawns, mingle with fellow members, and enjoy lively outdoor activities. Among the many attendees were Yang Chen, AABANY Executive Director, Carrey Wong, AABANY Deputy Executive Director, Benjamin Hsing, AABANY President, Development Director Beatrice Leong, and various other Committee Chairs and members. YLC’s Co-Chairs Justin Lee and Jameson Xu organized the event and were in attendance as well. Membership Director Alysha Naik brought a few board games for people to play and enjoy.
The afternoon was filled with laughter, conversation, and a strong sense of community — a reminder of what makes the AABANY network so special. From families spreading picnic blankets to friends catching up under shady trees, the picnic offered a chance to reconnect with old friends, meet new ones, and enjoy a taste of Chinatown without leaving the park.
Thanks to everyone who came out, and for bringing friends, families, and pets! If you missed this year’s gathering, we hope to see you next summer! To learn more about the Young Lawyers Committee, please visit aabany.org/page/123
On Monday, July 28, AABANY’s Intellectual Property Committee gathered for its monthly dinner, this time over a flavorful Korean meal at Ziggle Tofu & Grill. Located in the heart of Manhattan, the restaurant offered a cozy space for members to unwind, connect, and enjoy a variety of Korean comfort dishes.
The table quickly filled with bubbling tofu stews, sizzling BBQ platters, and side dishes passed around family-style. With food at the center, conversations flowed easily—from recent developments in AI and IP law to summer travel plans.
These monthly dinners have become a highlight for the Committee, offering a relaxed setting to build community outside of the typical networking events and panel discussions. For newer members and first-time attendees, it was a great way to get involved and meet others with shared interests.
If you’re interested in future dinners, keep an eye on the AABANY calendar for upcoming events. To learn more about this committee, visit the IP Committee subpage on the AABANY website.
On Wednesday, July 23, 2025, AABANY’s Intellectual Property Committee hosted a Board Games Night at Fish & Richardson’s office in Times Square. The event was open to all, no matter skill level or profession, and encouraged guests to bring a friend.
Around 20 players, including IP lawyers, legal interns, law students, in-house counsel, and patent professionals, gathered for an evening of friendly competition. Guests had the opportunity to enjoy a range of activities, including table tennis, Taboo, Codenames, and many exciting new games.
A spread of dumplings, noodles, and refreshments was available throughout the night. Professionals and students were able to converse about their various fields and advice for future career paths while also learning how to play new games.
After mingling and playing at various tables, everyone came together for a spirited group session of Hues and Cues. A player took turns providing one or two-word hints, prompting others in five teams of three to four to quickly identify a specific color square and place their pieces on the board before other teams beat them to it.
The AABANY and Fish interns took some time to figure out the rules of the game. Once they did, they showed everyone at the event how to play. Almost everyone participated, and they formed teams in this friendly competition. The game continued into the night, contributing to an atmosphere inspiring friendly banter, allowing participants to unwind and connect.
Thank you to all the attendees for coming to this event. Thank you to Jeffrey Mok for organizing 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. Consider joining the IP Committee for dinner at Ziggle Tofu & Grill on July 28 here.
