AABANY Intellectual Property Committee and YSIAC Host: Dinner at Dim Sum Palace

On October 1, 2024, AABANY’s Intellectual Property Committee and the Young Singapore International Arbitration Centre (YSIAC) teamed up to host a fantastic Dim Sum dinner at Dim Sum Palace. The event drew a great crowd of IP litigation professionals, with everyone enjoying dishes like Peking Duck, Shu-Mai, and E-Fu Noodles. Jeffrey Mok, co-chair of AABANY’s IP Committee, and Adriana Uson, director of the SIAC, served as hosts for the evening.

As the night progressed, the event fostered a sense of community among the attendees, encouraging new collaborations and deepening professional relationships. This Dim Sum dinner was a meaningful gathering that provided a perfect balance of intellectual exchange and culinary enjoyment.

Among the attendees was Charlene Valdez Warner, a Senior U.S. Associate at Linklaters. We discussed her fascinating work in international arbitration and litigation, as well as what it is like being a Filipino-American in the legal field. She emphasized how important it is for Asian professionals, especially in underrepresented areas like ours, to have these kinds of gatherings. It’s not just about business; it’s about building community, sharing experiences, and lifting each other up.

Throughout the evening, the conversations were just as varied as the menu, with topics ranging from IP trends to the challenges of working in global markets. Charlene and I both agreed that dinners like these are essential, providing a space where Asian American attorneys can connect on a personal level and strengthen their professional networks.

As the night wrapped up, it was clear that the event was more than just a meal – it was a reminder of the power of community. AABANY continues to bring together legal professionals who support and inspire one another. Check the AABANY calendar for announcements of upcoming IP Committee dinner and events

To learn more about the IP Committee and how you can get involved, go here.

Intellectual Property Committee Hosts Dinner at Chili Restaurant on April 24

On April 24, a vibrant Wednesday evening in the heart of New York City, the Asian American Bar Association of New York’s Intellectual Property Committee convened again for the beloved recurring dinner, this time at Chili, nestled on 13 E 37th St. The event brought together members and friends of the IP Committee for an evening of Szechuan food, networking, and good conversation.

Attendees mingled, fostering connections and exchanging insights on the latest developments in intellectual property law. As guests exchanged stories and shared experiences, the room buzzed with excitement and energy. Seasoned practitioners offered guidance and wisdom to aspiring legal minds, while newcomers brought fresh perspectives and innovative ideas to the table. It was a true testament to the diversity and richness of talent within the Asian American legal community.

To all who joined us for this unforgettable evening, we extend our heartfelt thanks for your presence and participation. To learn more about the IP Committee and how you can get involved, go here.

The In-House Counsel Committee Hosts a Dinner at Sagaponack

On April 23, 2024, the AABANY In-House Counsel Committee held its first dinner of the fiscal year at Sagaponack in Manhattan’s Flatiron neighborhood. Committee members gathered to enjoy a family-style seafood dinner while getting to know new and old faces in their field. 

As the appetizers rolled in, Committee Co-Chair Kazuko Wachter began the dinner with introductions, which was followed by a table full of conversations about individual experiences working in-house and their lives outside the office. Aimed at senior in-house counsel attorneys, this dinner featured members with long-term experience in their respective companies, many of whom work in the Fintech industry. With ten people in attendance, the dinner encouraged close and personal discussions among the attendees. From talking about their busy work days to sharing their favorite K-Dramas, the event was a chance for the members to get to know each other and hopefully stay connected. 

The Committee hopes its members will use these dinners to create relationships and expand their network with attorneys who share similar interests and experiences working in-house. For more information about the In-House Counsel Committee, visit their page here.

AABANY Tax Committee Hosts a Dinner at Blue Willow in Midtown, Manhattan

On March 12, the Tax Committee hosted a dinner at Blue Willow, a Chinese restaurant in midtown Manhattan.  The Committee had an open discussion on various tax questions from attendees and future plans for the Tax Committee. 

Attendees ranged from newcomer students to partners who were part of the original creation of the Tax Committee that provided a historic perspective on how and why the Committee was created. Future networking and outreach activities were discussed as well as the sharing of career advice, some current thorny substantive questions encountered at work and various ways to substantively enhance one’s practice. 

To learn more about the Committee, go here: https://www.aabany.org/page/453.

Intellectual Property Committee Hosts Dinner at Barn Joo Nomad

On Wednesday, March 6th, the AABANY IP Committee gathered once again to enjoy a delightful evening of Korean cuisine at Barn Joo Nomad near Koreatown. The spacious table, accommodating 20 attendees, sparked meaningful conversation accompanied by an array of family-style Korean dishes. Dinner commenced, accompanied by yuzu and sesame-infused drinks, beers, and more. As conversation flowed, a variety of dishes filled the table, featuring spicy fried chicken, dumplings, squid ink pasta, kimbap, and salads.

The dinner sparked connections beyond intellectual property law, as law students, recent graduates, and attorneys specializing in various disciplines engaged in discussions ranging from building their law firms to pursuing careers in government-related IP roles. Beyond the topic of law, committee members took the opportunity to share personal endeavors and shared insights with the younger generation on navigating their careers.

The IP Committee continues to welcome new faces and nurture connections with existing members through casual dinners and other activities. If you are interested in IP law or wish to bond over Asian delicacies and shared professional experiences, please be on the lookout for future events from this committee!

To learn more about the IP Committee and how you can get involved, go here.

Brooklyn Law School APALSA Honors Alumni at Annual Alumni Dinner

Francis Chin, Susan Leung, Hon. Karen Lin, Hon. Christopher Chin, Karen Kim

Brooklyn Law School’s APALSA honored 3 alumni at their annual Alumni Dinner held on March 22, 2023 at the school’s Forchelli Conference Center.

Hon. Karen Lin, Queens Civil Court Judge, received the AAPI Community Service Award. She emphasized studying unsung but pivotal Asian Pacific American cases in legal history, such as U.S. v. Wong Kim Ark, and Yick Wo vs. Hopkins. Judge Lin is an AABANY member and past Co-Chair of the Pro Bono and Community Service Committee.

Hon. David K.S. Kim, U.S. Immigration Judge, received the Public Service Award. He remarked that you should think about what kind of person you want to be before thinking about what kind of career you want, and that there is always something new that you can learn every day.

Ona Lu, Product Lead Counsel at Meta, received the Achievement Award. She talked about the support she received from friends and family during the pandemic in making a career change, and in giving yourself the grace to believe in yourself. Ona is a former AABANY Legal Intern, and we congratulate her on her career achievements.

AABANY board members and Brooklyn Law alums Karen Kim, incoming President, and Francis Chin, Technology Director, joined in the celebration, which featured food from Nom Wah Tea Parlor.

AABANY Committees and KALAGNY Host Second Annual Ski Trip to the Poconos

AABANY’s 2023 ski trip, co-sponsored with the Korean American Lawyers Association of Greater New York (KALAGNY), took place on Saturday, February 11 at Shawnee Mountain. The event was co-sponsored by the Corporate Law, Women’s, Young Lawyers, and Membership Committees.

A private charter bus left New York City Saturday morning for the hour-and-a-half drive to the Pocono Mountains. Over 30 AABANY and KALAGNY members, friends, family and children enjoyed favorable ski conditions at Shawnee on a sunny winter day under bright blue skies.

First timers and beginners participated in group and private ski and snowboard lessons. Skiers and snowboarders met for lunch by the hearth in the Hope Lodge at the base of the mountain. The ski day concluded with an après-ski dinner in the Kirkwood Room of the historic Shawnee Inn accompanied by candlelight and live piano music.

Thanks to all the co-sponsoring Committees and KALAGNY for organizing the event, and thanks to everyone who attended.

AABANY IP Committee and Labor & Employment Law Committee Host Dinner at Nonono

On November 30, 2022, the Labor & Employment Law Committee and the IP Committee partnered up to host a dinner event at Nonono.  Twenty-five attendees filled the upper level of this Japanese restaurant to enjoy dinner family-style, starting with Nonono’s signature skewer pieces like short rib and chicken oyster, and moving on to a variety of scrumptious rice and noodle dishes.

Registration for this dinner event reached maximum capacity in just a few days, due to high interest. The two Committees welcomed a wide range of attendees, including members, non-members and first-time comers who gathered to make connections with and learn about the various experiences of the attendees representing practitioners in both IP and Labor & Employment Law.

To learn more about the two host Committees and to sign up for their listservs, go to:

IP Committee

Labor & Employment Law Committee

Thanks to the Co-Chairs and Vice Chairs of both Committees for organizing this enjoyable event and to everyone who came. We look forward to future events from these Committees and hope you can join them!

AABANY IP Committee Hosts Dinner at Barn Joo Nomad

On July 19, 2022, the IP Committee gathered at Barn Joo Nomad near Koreatown in a cozy, private second-floor dining area. Dishes were ordered family-style, and a seemingly endless stream of food accompanied lively conversations throughout the night. Featured delicacies included Braised Pork Belly, Seafood Krispy Paella, Nomad Bite, and many more. New connections were formed among the diverse group of attendees, which included law firm attorneys, in-house counsel, and students. Over dishes of Silky Tofu and Chili Shrimp, the lively conversations ranged from Post-Grant Reviews (PGR) and International Trade Commission (ITC) Patent Litigation to important considerations when choosing a law school and firm. Thanks to everyone who attended.

Please sign up for the IP Committee mailing list, and look out for the committee’s next event! To learn more about the IP Committee, please visit https://www.aabany.org/page/145.

AABANY’s IP Committee Hosts Dinner at Sabai Thai

On June 8, 2022, the IP Committee convened at Sabai Thai in Midtown under a beautiful canopy of flowers and fairy lights. Congee artisan, lifelong Toronto Blue Jays fan and Co-Chair of the IP Committee Jeffrey Mok graciously ordered family-style dishes for everyone to share, featuring delicacies such as Thai-Style Sea Bass, Crying Tiger Beef, and many more. New connections were formed among the diverse group of attendees, which included law firm attorneys, in-house counsel, and students. Over dishes of Pad Thai Gai Yang and Yum Mamaung, the lively conversations ranged from Broadway show recommendations (Co-Chair Benjamin Hsing – a Broadway and opera aficionado – recommends “Hamilton” and “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child”) and new Return to Office (RTO) policies to stories about career paths and side hustles. For example, did you know that Co-Chair Greg Pan designs and sells toys?

Thanks to everyone who attended the first IP Committee dinner of the fiscal year. There will surely be many more to come. Please sign up for the IP Committee mailing list and look out for the committee’s next event! To learn more about the IP Committee, please visit https://www.aabany.org/page/145.