Thank you to the Asian American Law Fund of New York (AALFNY), CPC Brooklyn, our community partners, and Rachna Agarwal (SABANY Pro Bono Chair). A special thank-you goes to all the volunteer attorneys and law students who stayed late to ensure every client was seen.
Our volunteers assisted 27 clients with matters including identity theft, wills and trusts, employment, family, matrimonial, housing, and real estate.
In addition to providing vital legal guidance, Pro Bono Clinics serve as a training ground for law students and young attorneys to practice communicating complex legal concepts in layman’s terms. We appreciate our volunteers for taking the time to listen to clients’ stories and giving them a space to be heard. The dedication of our volunteers continues to bridge the justice gap in our community.
Finally, at the Pro Bono Clinic, we celebrated the birthday of AABANY member and long-standing Pro Bono Clinic volunteer, May Wong! May was also the AABANY 2022 Member of the Year. Happy Birthday, May!
Volunteer attorneys:
Vishal Chander
Natalie Moulton-Levy
Rachna Agarwal
Wendy Zeng
Kwok Kei Ng
May Wong
Sanketh Bhaskar
Olivia Mao
Francis Chin
Helen Ding
Arthur Lin
Minyao Wang
Beatrice Leong
Law students:
Sam Chen
Eva Zhou
Yining Pan
– Written by Kwok Kei Ng, AABANY PBCS Committee Co-Chair
At the clinic, our volunteers met with 16 clients and provided guidance on a range of legal issues, including housing, immigration, employment and sexual discrimination, and civil litigation matters. Your collective efforts ensured that each client received personalized support and answers to their pressing legal questions.
A big thank you to our guest speaker, Vishal Chander, for successfully presenting the second and final part of the two-part series training, “Immigration Basics for Pro Bono Clinic Lawyers.” This training was extremely valuable, giving attendees the key practice information they need, such as what to expect in an immigration proceeding and the different types of relief available in Immigration Court. Vishal’s presentation was insightful and useful, and we especially appreciate that he stuck around to answer the more complex questions, offering extra help to our community members and clients.
AABANY’s Fall 2025 Legal Intern, Jessie Zhou, volunteered at this Clinic and offered this reflection: “At the Queens Pro Bono Clinic, I witnessed two housing cases that revealed both the urgency of our work and the deep structural barriers that so many community members face. One involved an elderly couple who had fallen behind on rent but were terrified of the prospect of entering shelters or leaving Flushing, the only neighborhood where they felt linguistically and culturally safe. The other was a woman hoping to sue her former landlord for chronic noise disturbances that had caused significant distress and health issues, even though the events had taken place over a year ago. Both clients spoke little to no English, and despite the genuine hardship underlying each situation, the legal options available to them were severely limited. The attorneys walked them through their choices carefully and compassionately, yet the clients remained frustrated, continuing to voice anger and disappointment. It was hard not to feel the weight of their helplessness.”
“Moments like these remind me that many people come to Pro Bono Clinics not only for legal remedies, but for acknowledgment,” Jessie added. “Many people just want to feel heard, someone to listen, to affirm that what they endured matters. Their frustration is understandable; they are navigating a system that is complex, unforgiving, and shaped by structural inequities. In a society built on capitalist priorities, where the most vulnerable often fall through the cracks, our mission seems ever more important, and the Pro Bono Clinics become one of the few accessible spaces where marginalized individuals can be heard. Even when the law offers little recourse, showing up with patience, empathy, and respect remains an indispensable form of advocacy. The AABANY volunteers at the Queens Pro Bono Clinic strive to make others feel heard even when they can be misunderstood by their clients.”
We are deeply grateful for everyone’s presence and contributions, and look forward to continuing this important work together!
Volunteer attorneys:
Vishal Chander
Ivy (Ting-Yu) Chien
Richard In
Beatrice Leong
Jie Shi
Lord Chester So
Anthony Wong
May Wong
Gary Yeung
Meng Zhang
Interpreters/shadowers:
Nandar Win Kerr
Nikita Kohli
Grace Ouyang
Wendy Zeng
Jessie Zhou
We invite you to continue supporting our community by joining us at our upcoming Pro Bono Clinics:
December 17th [Manhattan linkhere] from 6:30-8:30pm, AAFE Community Center, 111 Norfolk Street, NY, NY 10002
January 10th [Brooklyn linkhere], from 12:30 – 3:30pm, CPC Brooklyn Community Services, 4101 8th Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11232
February 4th [Queens linkhere], from 6:30 – 8:30pm, AAFE One Flushing Community Center, 133-29 41st Ave, 2nd Floor, Flushing, NY 11355
Thanks 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.
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.
We extend our sincere gratitude to AABANY, AALFNY, PBCS, AAFE, and all the dedicated volunteers who contributed to the success of our pro bono legal clinic in Manhattan on August 20, 2025.
During the clinic, our volunteers provided invaluable assistance to 13 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.
Thanks again to all the volunteers at the August 20th Manhattan Pro Bono Clinic for their time, professionalism, and contribution:
Volunteer attorneys:
Vishal Chander
Marcus Cheung
Francis Chin
Justin Lee
Beatrice Leong
Lily Li
Andrew Sun
Peter Wei
Cecilia Yang
Gary Yeung
Interpreters/shadowers:
Sam Hou
Emily Kam
Xiaofei (Lucy) Liu
Dazhen Lu
Albert Tong
Shang Zhai
We invite you to continue supporting our community by joining us at our upcoming Pro Bono Clinics:
September 17th [Manhattan link here] from 6:30-8:30pm, AAFE Community Center, 111 Norfolk Street, NY, NY 10002
September 20th [Brooklyn link here], from 12:30 – 3:30pm, CPC Brooklyn Community Services, 4101 8th Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11232
October 1st [Queens link here], from 6:30 – 8:30pm, One Flushing Community Center, 133-29 41st Ave, 2nd Floor, Flushing, NY 11355
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.
We’re excited to share new opportunities for law students and future leaders this fall. From scholarships and fellowships to the annual Thomas Tang Moot Court Competition, there are many ways to advance your legal journey and deepen your connection to the AANHPI community. Explore the details below and be sure to mark your calendars for key deadlines.
Scholarships
This fall, you can apply for four scholarships through one application, ranging from $2,500–$7,500.
NLF Scholarship – $5,000; based on academic achievement, financial need, leadership, and service to the AANHPI community
NLF Presidential Scholarship – Two awards of $7,500; selected by the NAPABA President for outstanding leadership
The Low Family Scholarship – $2,500; for demonstrated leadership and/or community service
LimNexus Scholarship – $2,500 awarded to one student
This two-year fellowship (September 2026–August 2028) offers:
$60,000 annual salary + $10,000 completion bonus
Employment, health, and fringe benefits through the Host Organization
Substantive legal experience at a nonprofit, national, or community-based organization
Want feedback on your project before the application is due? Submit a one-page Prospectus by Monday, December 1, by 5 pm ET, for feedback from the selection committee.
In-Person: October 17, U.S. Court of International Trade, NYC (12 teams max, first come)
Virtual: October 18 (assigned once in-person fills)
Nationals: November 7–8, 2025, at the NAPABA Convention in Denver, CO
NLF awards the top winners in brief writing and oral advocacy at the Regional Competitions. Up to $10,000 in scholarships are given to the top winners at the National Competition.
The registration fee is $500 per unsponsored team (self-funded by students) and $850 per sponsored team (funded by law school or affiliates). Local NAPABA Affiliates and National Associates are encouraged to sponsor teams.
On Wednesday, April 10th, AABANY Pro Bono & Community Service (PBCS) Committee hosted their Queens Pro Bono Clinic at the Asian Americans for Equality (AAFE) Community Center in Flushing. With the help of AABANY, PBCS, and AAFE staff and volunteers, 22 clients were assisted with housing, immigration, and employment issues.
One of the clients paid $300 to an attorney to help her write a letter to management regarding a bed bug infestation matter. For someone with young children and a large family, the legal expense of $300 is financially burdensome. A housing attorney volunteer referred her to free legal services and advised her to document the situation and mobilize neighboring tenants to seek relief from the landlord. She was extremely grateful that the PBCS Committee, through the Pro Bono Clinic, offers free legal consultation and referral services.
In another case, a client came to discuss student loans and consumer debt and thought that her only option was bankruptcy. After discussing the NYS Exempt Income Protection Act, the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, and specific student loan forgiveness options, she felt relieved that she had more choices and greatly appreciated the information she received.
Here are some clients’ responses:
“Perfect management. Impressive lawyers.”
“Excellent! Thumbs up for Ms. May Wong.”
Please join us at the Manhattan Pro Bono Clinic on May 15, 2024, at AAFE Community Center, 111 Norfolk St, New York, NY 10002. Sign up here by May 10 to volunteer: https://forms.gle/SD2VMY8X6yE4vsxW9.
If you are interested in speaking at an upcoming Bring-Your-Own-Lunch (BYOL) Sidebar Meeting to discuss updates on the law, common issues asked at the Pro Bono Clinics, and other miscellaneous topics, please contact [email protected].
Thank you to the volunteers and community partners for supporting the Queens Pro Bono Clinics!
On April 20, Immigration Law Committee Co-Chairs Annie Wang, Poonam Gupta, and Zhixian (Jessie) Liu held a webinar titled “Immigration Changes Under the Biden Administration: A Look Back and Overview.” The co-chairs provided updates to the immigration policies under the Biden administration and compared it to the plans President Biden had outlined when he first took office.
In the webinar, the Immigration Law Committee provided updates to the status of the U.S. Citizenship Act of 2021 and the American Dream and Promise Act of 2021 in the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate, and discussed how passage of the bills could affect the pathway to citizenship. The co-chairs also covered employment-based immigration changes including the withdrawal of the H-4 EAD (Employment Authorization Document) rule, the repeal of the BAHA (Buy American and Hire American) Executive Order, and the changes to the H-1B Visa Program for fiscal year 2022. Co-Chair Annie Wang discussed the national dialogue surrounding asylum and refugee resettlement, and gave an update on the status of current DACA litigation. The co-chairs concluded the webinar by providing a quick overview of the rescission of the Public Charge Rule.
The Immigration Law Committee plans to continue hosting quarterly webinars to provide the AABANY community with immigration updates under the Biden administration. To learn more about the Immigration Law Committee’s upcoming events, please contact the committee co-chairs at https://www.aabany.org/page/129.
Nine federal agencies will share information concerning their missions and available programs and resources. This information-packed event offers a roadmap to access federal services, to build stronger relationships, and to explore ways that we can work together to better serve Black, Latino, and other communities of color.
No registration is required. The resource fair will take place over the course of two days — Wednesday, August 5th from 10:00AM to 4:00PM CT and Thursday, August 6th from 10:00AM to 4:00PM CT. Additional information, including an agenda and speaker biographies, is available from the Federal Trade Commission at this link.
The year 2014 marks the 50th anniversary of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, landmark legislation prohibiting employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, and national origin. By its enactment, notions of equality were more deeply embedded in United States public law.
The Law Schools of St. John’s University and New York University are very proud to present the collaborative effort assessing the past, present and future of Title VII.
This two-day symposium will include the following topics:
The historical origins of Title VII and its current effectiveness
Reforms or amendments of Title VII in terms of its scope, implementation or interpretation
Important cultural, sociological, and societal changes wrought by Title VII
Registration for Continuing Legal Education (CLE) The two-day Symposium qualifies for 9 non-transitional practice area CLE credit hours; 4 credits on Friday, 5 credits on Saturday. The CLE fee for each day is $150 or $225 for both days.
Payment Complete and return the Continuing Legal Education form by April 1, 2014.
For credit card payment, e-mail the completed form to [email protected] or fax it to 718-990-5998. To pay by mail, send checks payable to St. John’s School of Law with the completed CLE form to:
Office of Continuing Legal Education St. John’s University School of Law 8000 Utopia Parkway Queens, NY 11439
Hardship Guidelines Hardship tuition reduction is available in special circumstances. Please refer to the form.
