On December 22, 2025, members of AABANY’s Intellectual Property (IP) Committee gathered for a festive close to 2025 at Muna restaurant.
The evening kicked off with a warm welcome as attendees enjoyed a relaxed sit-down dinner where old friends and new faces got to meet and mingle. This gathering has become a favorite way for IP practitioners within the AABANY community to reflect on the year’s accomplishments, share highlights from 2025, and look ahead to what’s to come in 2026.
Adding to the festive spirit, the Optional Secret Snowflake—a light-hearted holiday gift exchange—brought laughs and surprises. Participants drew numbers and exchanged small tokens of appreciation, making the evening feel even more personal and connected.
A heartfelt thank you to everyone who joined us for this special evening. We look forward to many more meals, meaningful conversations, and moments of connection in 2026.
If you’re interested in future dinners, keep an eye on the AABANY calendar for upcoming events. To learn more about the IP Committee, visit their subpage on the AABANY website.
On December 9, AABANY hosted the final Dumplings & Discussion fireside chat of the year, featuring Alan Chang, Senior Vice President & General Counsel of the New York Yankees. Over a wide selection of dumplings and other bites, Alan generously shared his career journey, offered candid insights into the sports industry, and gave practical advice for junior lawyers navigating their own paths. Thank you to the audience for their thoughtful questions and lively engagement, which made the discussion dynamic and meaningful. Attendees continued networking and exchanging ideas well into the night during the post-chat reception.
We are grateful to all of the incredible speakers of 2025 who helped the Dumplings & Discussion series continue to be a welcoming forum for sharing stories and candid dialogue:
Alan Chang, New York Yankees
Michelle Lee, MediaCo
Christopher Chan, JLL Technologies
Sonia Low, Javits Center
Liz Nie, Acorns
Stephen Mar, Odeko
Osamu Watanabe, Moelis
Thank you to each of these leaders for inspiring our community and contributing to meaningful conversations throughout the year.
We’re excited to keep the momentum going in 2026 with more opportunities to connect, learn, and—of course—enjoy dumplings together. Stay tuned for announcements on future Dumplings & Discussion fireside chats.
See here to read about past Dumplings & Discussion chats.
— Written by Jeffrey Mok, AABANY Board Director and Co-Chair of AABANY’s Intellectual Property Committee
This year’s AABANY Annual Holiday Party took place on Friday, December 5, 2025, at Upon The Palace, a premier Asian Fusion restaurant in Tribeca, New York. It was a fun night for everyone who attended and a perfect way to connect during the holiday season.
Tucked away in the downstairs party room of the restaurant, the space was well-liked by AABANY members as a private setting to connect and enjoy the evening. This location, which some members recalled visiting after the Fall Conference in September, is likely to become a favored spot for future AABANY gatherings.
The event quickly reached capacity, with registration filling up in under two weeks and a continuous waitlist right up to the day of the party, demonstrating the high level of enthusiasm among AABANY members for this annual gathering. More than 90 attendees enjoyed the festivities, with many arriving before the 6:00 pm start and staying late into the evening.
Guests enjoyed an open bar alongside a spectacular Chinese buffet that was continually refreshed. The delicious food offerings included Shanghai vegetable spring rolls, spicy garlic cucumber salad, pan-fried pork dumplings, crispy chicken wings, “magic” chili chicken, stir fried noodles with vegetable, sauteed mixed vegetables, sweet & sour pork, stir fried beef & broccoli, and egg & scallion fried rice, rounded out with plates of seasonal fruit. The variety and quality of the dishes were a hit, as evidenced by the long line of attendees going back for second and third servings. Some attendees piled their plates high, indicating either large appetites or reluctance to get back on line for seconds.
Beyond the food, members had the opportunity to network, reconnecting with old friends while developing new connections. The evening was lively with conversations about professional backgrounds, careers, and shared experiences. Karaoke was a highlight, with many members enthusiastically taking the stage to sing in various languages.
We are grateful to everyone who attended and made the event so vibrant and memorable. This annual tradition remains free to members, as a way for AABANY to thank our members for their dedication and involvement in the wide variety of social, educational, pro bono and advocacy programs, initiatives and activities throughout the year.
To see all the photos from the evening, please click here.
We wish you all a very happy holiday season and look forward to seeing you at our upcoming events in the New Year!
On October 16, 2025, tax and trusts & estate professionals convened for a highly anticipated joint committee dinner. The event welcomed a diverse group of AABANY members and non-members, including ambitious students and experienced professionals contemplating a career transition into these specialized legal fields. The evening served as a dynamic platform for invaluable knowledge exchange, with discussions spanning a broad spectrum of critical topics such as strategic career advancement, recent legislative updates, and effective practice management strategies.
The group met at Tang Pavilion, which provided a cozy and inviting atmosphere perfectly conducive to engaging conversations and reconnecting with peers. Attendees delighted in a culinary journey featuring an array of delectable dishes, thoughtfully selected by those present. The group savored perennial favorites like the crispy sesame chicken, the flavorful mapo tofu, and perfectly prepared string beans. Complementing the exquisite meal, guests enjoyed a selection of fine wines and refreshing Sapporo beer, creating a perfect ambiance to unwind and socialize after a busy workday. The camaraderie and shared enjoyment truly enhanced the collaborative spirit of the evening.
The Trusts and Estates Committee holds regular virtual meetings, dedicated to discussing topics of interest to its members, with the next meeting scheduled for November 7, 2025. For more details and to register for this upcoming meeting, please click here. To delve deeper into the activities and mission of the Trusts & Estates committee, further information is available here. Similarly, to learn more about the Tax Committee and its initiatives, please click here. To stay informed about all upcoming events hosted by these two committees, as well as other exciting AABANY events, we encourage you to visit the calendar on AABANY’s website for the latest information.
