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AABANY in 2025: Thanks for Another Great Year

As 2025 draws to a close, AABANY reflects on a successful year centered around the theme, “Together We Thrive: The Power of Us!” We deeply appreciate the involvement and commitment of our members. 

Below are some key highlights from the year. Our sincere thanks also go to all our generous sponsors, whose support remains vital to AABANY’s mission of promoting and enhancing equity and inclusion in the legal profession. We are grateful for the continuous collaboration with our community partners in the ongoing effort to uplift and advocate for the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community across New York.

Winter Soiree

In its 15th year, the AABANY Winter Soiree continued to be one of the year’s premier networking opportunities, specifically designed for executive and senior in-house and law firm attorneys. Hosted by the In-House Counsel Committee and the Corporate Law Committee, the invite-only event has evolved from its previous incarnations as the Summer Soiree and the Wine Tasting and Networking Reception. The 2025 iteration took place on Thursday, January 23, at Le Chalet. Located within the iconic Saks Fifth Avenue, the cozy, ski-lodge-inspired lounge offered an elegant and intimate setting, fostering an evening of meaningful connections and professional camaraderie.

Annual Meeting of Members

AABANY’s Annual Meeting of Members was held at King & Spalding on Tuesday, February 11, 2025. The primary focus of the meeting was the election of the new Board of Directors and Officers for the FY2026 term, which officially commenced on April 1, 2025.

During the event, then-President Joseph Eng delivered the Annual Report of the Board, providing a summary of the past fiscal year’s major achievements. Executive Director Yang Chen presented the Annual Report of the Committees. The following awards were presented to recognize exceptional dedication to AABANY during FY2025:

  • Committee of the Year: Professional Development Committee
  • Program of the Year: Pre-Holiday Multi-Association Gathering
  • Member of the Year: Gary Yeung

Congratulations are extended to all the award recipients and to the newly elected Officers and Directors.
The evening concluded on a poignant note with a farewell to Deputy Executive Director Alice Biagini, whose last day was February 11th. In her eight months with AABANY, Alice significantly enhanced our operations and activities, providing invaluable support to our Board members, Committee Chairs, and the general membership. She will be greatly missed by all those she worked with.

Annual Judges’ Reception

AABANY’s Judiciary Committee hosted its Annual Judges’ Reception on Tuesday, April 8, 2025, at Fordham Law School. The event, which drew about 70 attendees, was a yearly opportunity to honor newly elected, appointed, elevated, and retired Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) judges throughout New York. It was an evening characterized by reflection, gratitude, and a forward-looking hope for greater AAPI representation within the judiciary.

Chinatown Manpower Project (CMP) 2025 Law & Justice Gala Honoree

AABANY was an honoree at the Chinatown Manpower Project (CMP)’s Law & Justice Gala on April 24, 2025. The event, which drew over 400 guests, was a lively evening of celebration, networking, and philanthropy. AABANY was recognized for our essential work in advocating for rights, advancing the interests of immigrants, amplifying Asian American voices, and ensuring justice for all.

Other distinguished honorees included the Asian American Law Fund of New York (AALFNY), AABANY’s 501(c)(3) affiliate; Edward J. Cuccia, Esq.; and the Honorable Karen Lin, AABANY member. The Spirit of Immigrants Award was jointly presented to Nikki Kwok and Hailey Kwok.

AAPI Heritage Month

2025’s AAPI Heritage Month was again filled with nonstop events that were organized or co-sponsored by AABANY and its various Committees.  It kicked off with a Karaoke Showdown on May 1, 2025 that was co-sponsored with KALAGNY and FALA New York.  Then AABANY sponsored a “Sunday Run Day” series where members met up at 8:30am on Sundays near the 86th Street A station to run and prepare for the May 24th AAPI 5k run at Hudson River Greenway.  AABANY also co-sponsored the South Brooklyn AAPI Heritage Month Celebration on May 10th.  On May 14th, AABANY co-sponsored the Third Annual Hon. Randall T. Eng Award Program at the Appellate Division, Second Department, in Brooklyn.  Before a room full of distinguished judges, elected officials, and community leaders, we celebrated three trailblazing public servants whose work embodies integrity, leadership, and a deep commitment to justice: Senator Stephen Chan, Justice Anar R. Patel, and Lieutenant Mido Mary Wu.

On the night of May 14, AABANY members and supporters gathered at CitiField / Mets Stadium in Flushing for the Mets v. Pirates Baseball Game in celebration of AAPI Heritage Month (top photo in this section).  The same night, AABANY co-sponsored a “Talking with Trailblazers” event at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom, which featured the Honorable Denny Chin  and Kathy Hirata Chin.  Later in the month, on May 18, AABANY co-sponsored an event called “Asian Americans in Public Service” with various public service professionals in celebration of AANHPI Heritage Month.  AABANY’s Government Service and Public Interest Committee together with AABANY’s Judiciary Committee also co-sponsored “A Legacy of Leadership & Resilience: Then and Now, In the Context of Korematsu and Thind” at the Queens Supreme Court on May 20, 2025.

The month wouldn’t be complete, of course, without AABANY’s Pro Bono Clinics, which were held on May 21 in Manhattan and on May 31 in Brooklyn.  A screening of the documentary “Voices Against Anti-Asian Hate” followed by a discussion with two esteemed panelists (Judge Marilyn D. Go and Rachel Lee) on hate crimes happened on May 28, 2025 in partnership with Richmond County District Attorney’s Office.  

The month also included the Community Memorial Service for Justice Dorothy Chin-Brandt on May 24, 2025 at the Glow Cultural Center in Flushing, an event that commemorated her profound contributions to the judicial system and the Asian American community.

AAPI Heritage Month concluded with AABANY members and friends marching in the Fourth Annual AAPI Cultural and Heritage Parade in Midtown Manhattan on June 1, 2025.  As we did in prior years, AABANY wore matching red and blue t-shirts and were joined by AABANY Immediate Past President Joseph Eng Jr. and his son Max who brought a Chinese lion head and drum to perform a traditional Chinese Lion Dance along the parade route up Sixth Avenue. 

36th Anniversary Annual Dinner

On May 29, 2025, the Asian American Bar Association of New York (AABANY) hosted its 36th Anniversary Annual Dinner at the elegant Cipriani Wall Street, under the theme: “Together We Thrive: The Power of Us!” Held once again during AAPI Heritage Month, the event welcomed approximately 750 guests, including attorneys, judges, prosecutors, in-house counsel, government officials, and community leaders.  AABANY also hosted nearly 50 General Counsels in the GC Reception held before the dinner, thanks to the General Counsel Reception Sponsor Groombridge, Wu, Baughman & Stone.

The honorees for AABANY’s Annual Dinner included:  

  • Women’s Leadership Award: Professor Elaine Chiu, St. John’s University School of Law 
  • Corporate Leadership Award: Henry Hadad, Senior Vice President, Deputy Counsel, Bristol Myers Squibb
  • Law Firm Leadership Award: Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, LLP

AABANY also congratulated Don H. Liu Scholars Program’s 2025 Scholars:
– Cindy Guo, Harvard Law School
– Teja Kim, UCLA School of Law
– Mikka Vapor, University of Pennsylvania Law School

Thanks to everyone who attended and helped to make our Annual Dinner a success!  To read AABANY’s blog post of the event, including the photo albums linked on the bottom of the blog post, please click here.

Summer Receptions

The warmer weather of Summer 2025 provided the perfect backdrop for AABANY to host a variety of successful receptions and mixers. One highlight was the Summer Associates Mixer on July 22, co-hosted with the Korean American Lawyers Association of Greater New York (KALAGNY) at Tap Haus 33. This event provided a relaxed atmosphere for fostered networking, conversation, and community building by connecting summer associates and law students with practicing attorneys.

Another well-attended gathering was the Summer Reception held on July 17 with the Asian American Law Fund of New York (AALFNY). This annual reception served to recognize the AALFNY Public Interest Scholarship recipients and featured a distinguished guest speaker: Judge Denny Chin, Co-Director of the Center on Asian American and the Law at Fordham Law School.

Wellness Events

AABANY maintained a strong focus on attorney wellness throughout 2025 with several key events.

The year kicked off on March 22, 2025, with the 2nd Annual Mindfulness Wellness Retreat held exclusively for AABANY members at Blue Cliff Monastery in upstate New York. This retreat offered a much-needed sanctuary for participants to relax, reflect, and connect, prioritizing their mental and emotional well-being.

Mid-year, AABANY successfully hosted its Third Annual Wellness Day on June 21, 2025, at Brooklyn Law School. Made possible by the dedicated support of AABANY’s speakers and sponsors, the event upheld the wellness initiatives championed by former AABANY President Karen Kim. Attendees engaged with crucial topics impacting physical and mental health, including strategies for managing daily stressors, the impact of unhealthy drinking culture in the legal profession, recognizing signs of depression, and identifying support groups and resources.

We are thrilled that AABANY received the Bar Leaders Innovation Award from the New York State Bar Association for our Annual Wellness Day program. The award was presented on October 29, during the Bar Leaders Fall Meeting Reception held at the New York City Bar Association. What started as a thoughtful initiative has grown into a beloved annual event that brings our community together to focus on mental, physical, and emotional well-being. It’s become a highlight of the year for many of our members.

Finally, on Tuesday, November 11, 2025, the 3rd Annual Pre-Holiday Multi-Association Gathering brought together AABANY and 20 other associations at the New York City Bar Association. The evening featured a potluck dinner and a CLE Program on Wellness Resources. Because the event fell on Veterans Day, the CLE program included a Fireside Chat focusing on veterans in the legal profession, moderated by President Ben Hsing.

Fall Conference

AABANY successfully hosted its 16th Annual Fall Conference, “Together We Thrive: The Power of Us!,” on Saturday, September 27, 2025, at New York Law School. The day commenced with a buffet breakfast, allowing attendees to network over coffee, pastries, bagels, and light bites.

Program Highlights:

  • Morning and Afternoon CLEs: Twelve different panel presentations throughout the day focusing on a wide range of topics, from disability rights, to intellectual property, to community empowerment.
  • Plenary Lunch Session and Trial Reenactment: This session featured a reenactment of the landmark U.S. Supreme Court cases Ozawa v. United States (1922) and United States v. Bhagat Singh Thind (1923). The dramatization explored these two pivotal early 20th-century decisions that denied naturalization to Asian immigrants: Takao Ozawa, who argued his light skin and assimilation qualified him as “white,” and Bhagat Singh Thind, an Indian Sikh man who claimed Caucasian status based on Aryan ancestry to meet the “free white person” requirement for citizenship.
  • Diversity Career Fair (DCF): Hosted by the Career Advancement Committee, the DCF ran from 10:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Recruiters and legal professionals from public, corporate, nonprofit, and legal services sectors hosted informational tables, with some conducting first-round on-site interviews. Attendees were able to network, exchange resumes, and meet with potential employers.
  • Trial Advocacy Program (TAP): Returning this year, TAP offered junior attorneys structured, mentored training in essential trial advocacy skills. The program included lectures, demonstrations, and hands-on exercises focused on opening and closing statements, as well as direct and cross-examinations. Participants prepared based on a mock trial problem and presented opening statements as well as conducted direct and cross-examinations before a faculty of experienced trial lawyers in breakout rooms, receiving individual feedback and coaching.
  • Link-Up Reception: A key networking event of the day, the Link-Up Reception was designed to facilitate engagement between law firm attorneys and senior in-house counsel seeking external legal services. This exclusive benefit was open only to invited in-house counsel, Gold-level sponsors and above, and representatives from the 2025 Annual Dinner and Winter Soiree sponsors, providing higher-tier sponsors with increased exposure and direct access to in-house decision-makers.

Closing and Award Presentation:
A highlight that closed the conference was the presentation of the Norman Lau Kee Trailblazer Award during the general Cocktail Reception. The award, which recognizes leadership, innovation, mentorship, and sustained community impact, was presented to Hon. Judy H. Kim, Acting Justice of the Supreme Court, New York County.

In her acceptance speech, Justice Kim emphasized the profound importance of mentorship and community. She shared a moving anecdote from an intern who wrote to her, “You have shown me into a world that I thought I would never be able to be part of, and the gift that you have given me is priceless.” This reflection left a deep impression on all attendees, reinforcing the value of guidance and support in the legal profession.

To read more about the Fall Conference, click here.

First-ever Diwali Dinner

On October 28, 2025, AABANY held its first-ever Diwali Celebration at Bengal Tiger on 56th St in Manhattan.  Co-sponsored by the South Asian and Indo-Caribbean Bar Association of Queens (SAICBA-Q), the sold-out event brought together dozens of members of both AABANY and SAICBA-Q to celebrate the Festival of Lights — a holiday oftentimes celebrated by Hindus, Jains, and Sikhs that symbolizes the triumph of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance.  People celebrate by lighting oil lamps, decorating their homes, setting off fireworks, and exchanging gifts and sweets.  The event was well attended by members of all backgrounds ranging from students to associates to partners to judges to non-lawyer allies.  It was great to see many attendees wear festive attire for the occasion.  Attendees were able to order from a variety of appetizers, chaats, entrees, and desserts, and enjoyed mango lassis as well.  We look forward to making this an annual event going forward with increased capacity to accommodate members’ interest in attending.  AABANY and SAICBA-Q also look forward to co-hosting other events in the future, including a potential Holi celebration in the spring of 2026.

Pro Bono Clinics

We thank the Pro Bono and Community Service (PBCS) Committee for another year of Pro Bono Clinics and their continued efforts to aid the AAPI community in Manhattan, Queens, and Brooklyn. The PBCS Committee held monthly clinics in Manhattan with our community partner AAFE (Asian Americans for Equality) at their Norfolk Street site on the Lower East Side. Together with AAFE, the Committee held bi-monthly clinics in downtown Flushing at AAFE’s offices there. The Committee held bi-monthly clinics in Brooklyn with our community partners, including the Chinese-American Planning Council (CPC).  To read the blog posts summarizing each Clinic, please see this link.  Our Pro Bono Clinics need you! Please consider volunteering. Click on the flyer for more information.

Events and Programs from Our Committees

We would also like to thank AABANY’s Committees for organizing and hosting various events and programs throughout this fiscal year. To learn more about AABANY’s 27 Committees go here. To date, after three quarters so far of this fiscal year, our Committees have put on some 120 programs, which averages out to 3 or 4 events per week. Below are a few highlights:

Intellectual Property Committee – Board Game Nights

AABANY’s IP Committee held four board game nights in 2025 – on March 7, April 9, July 23 and December 18.  Hosted by the law firm of Fish & Richardson in Time Square, the evenings invited attendees to unwind and connect over friendly competition.  To read more about board game nights, see here.

Real Estate Committee – “What’s Happening in Queens”

On June 26th, 2025, at JP Morgan Chase Bank in Bayside, AABANY’s Real Estate Committee hosted their “What’s Happening in Queens” networking event, which brought together a variety of people interested in making meaningful connections in the Queens real estate scene. 

In 2025, the Real Estate Committee also put on a number of programs, many of which provided New York CLE credits.  A sampling of the programs includes: 

  • Cybersecurity, Artificial Intelligence and Real Estate Fraud (May 21)
  • Transfer on Death Deeds Law Under NY Real Property Law (May 28 – co-sponsored with the Trusts & Estates Committee, and June 17)
  • Clearance and Closing a Residential Real Estate Transaction (August 19)
  • 1031 Exchange Basics and Foreign Real Estate Regulations (November 19)
  • The Basics of Title Insurance Underwriting (December 4)

Corporate Law Committee Golf & Game Night at Five Iron Golf

AABANY’s Corporate Law Committee, under the leadership of Vice Chairs Ashley Wong and Kyle Zhu, hosted the exciting Golf & Game Night on Friday, July 11. This high-energy event, generously sponsored by PNC Bank and held at Five Iron Golf in Midtown Manhattan, offered attendees virtual golf, ping pong, drinks, and a chance for community connection. It drew a diverse group of attorneys, in-house counsel, and professionals—spanning fields from international tax law to capital market transactions—for a night that successfully blended fun with a corporate-law focus.

GCs Uncorked

AABANY concluded September with an intimate and engaging wine tasting and live music event called “GCs Uncorked” at Saltwater NYC, the cozy coffee shop and wine bar co-owned by Sumeet Chugani, General Counsel at Cloaked. The special, packed evening on September 30 brought together AABANY members and senior in-house counsel for conversation and connection.

LGBTQ Committee – Fall LGBTQ Reception

AABANY’s LGBTQ Committee and the South Asian Bar Association of New York (SABANY) successfully co-hosted the 2025 Fall LGBTQ Reception on Thursday, November 13, 2025. Held at A&O Shearman’s Manhattan office, the event was a memorable gathering that fostered connections among attorneys, law students, and professionals within the Asian American, South Asian, and LGBTQ communities.

Intellectual Property Committee – Dumplings and Discussion Series

AABANY’s IP Committee continued the ever popular “Dumplings and Discussion” Series with various industry leaders, sharing their journey in the legal profession and offering insights over plates of dumplings.  Some of the featured guests include:

  • Alan Chang, General Counsel/Senior Vice President, New York Yankees (December 7)
  • Michelle Lee, General Counsel, Media Co (November 12)
  • Christopher Y. Chan, General Counsel, JLL Technologies (August 26)
  • Sonia Low, Vice President, General Counsel, and Corporate Secretary, Jacob K. Javits Convention Center (July 30)
  • Liz Nie, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary, Acorns (June 16)
  • Stephen Mar, Chief Legal and Administrative Officer, Odeko (April 23)
  • Osamu Watanabe, General Counsel, Moelis (March 18)

The above sampling of events represents just a fraction of the numerous programs put on by AABANY’s Committees over the first three quarters of this fiscal year. In addition, AABANY co-hosted with other bar associations and community groups more than 30 programs. It has been a busy 2025!

AABANY at the NAPABA Convention in Denver

AABANY showed up in force 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 was notable for being the second-largest convening in NAPABA history.

The event attracted nearly 2,900 attendees, including AANHPI attorneys, judges, law professionals, and law students, with more than 800 people attending for the first time.

For further details on AABANY’s involvement and the many AABANY Awardees recognized at the NAPABA Convention, please check out this blog post.

Annual Holiday Party

AABANY celebrated the end of the year with our Annual Holiday Party on Friday, December 5, 2025, held at Upon The Palace, a premier Asian Fusion restaurant located in Tribeca, New York. The event presented a wonderful opportunity for everyone to connect and enjoy the holiday season.

The intimate atmosphere of the restaurant’s downstairs party room was a popular choice among AABANY members, providing a private setting for mingling and enjoyment. Having previously hosted attendees after the Fall Conference in September, this location might end up becoming a favorite venue for future AABANY gatherings.

Speaking Up, Speaking Out

Throughout 2025, AABANY actively upheld our mission to foster the meaningful participation of Asian American Pacific Islanders (AAPI) in the legal field, issuing important statements and celebrating significant community accolades.

AABANY proudly highlighted the achievements of AAPI judges and lawyers, including:

  • January 9, 2025: AABANY congratulated Hon. Jeffrey K. Oing (Ret.) on joining JAMS, the world’s largest private provider of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) services.
  • June 18, 2025: AABANY applauded the appointment of Jay Y. Kim to the New York State Court of Claims by Governor Kathy Hochul, which was announced on June 10, 2025.
  • July 9, 2025: AABANY congratulated Pei Pei Cheng de Castro on her appointment by Governor Kathy Hochul, announced on June 27, 2025, to serve as Chair and Trustee of the New York State Interest on Lawyer Account (IOLA) Fund.
  • July 10, 2025: Following the June 2025 primary elections, AABANY congratulated Sheridan Chu and Eve Cho Guillergan on securing the Democratic nominations for Judge of the New York City Civil Court in Queens County.
  • July 25, 2025: AABANY celebrated the historic designation of AABANY member, the Honorable Margaret Chan, by Governor Kathy Hochul to the Appellate Division, First Department of the New York State Supreme Court.
  • September 8, 2025: AABANY proudly congratulated four exceptional AAPI judges—Honorable Judy Kim, Honorable Kris Singh, Honorable Soma Syed, and Honorable Frances Wang—on their nominations to the New York State Supreme Court.
  • October 29, 2025: AABANY was proud to celebrate longstanding member Alice Young, who received the Lifetime Achievement Award from Womankind at their 2025 Communities Rising Gala.

AABANY advocated for our community’s interests throughout 2025 by taking key positions on important initiatives:

  • May 2, 2025: AABANY joined 23 other bar associations in filing an amicus brief in Susman Godfrey LLP v. Executive Office of the President, Civil Action No. 1:25-cv-01107-LLA, in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia.
  • September 24, 2025: AABANY expressed deep concern over the Presidential Proclamation issued on September 19, 2025, which imposed a $100,000 fee on the entry of H-1B workers, effective for petitions filed on or after September 21, 2025. We voiced our view that this measure would disproportionately harm the Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) community, negatively impact the New York and national economies, and raise serious legal and policy issues.

Finally, on November 13, 2025: AABANY recognized the historic election of Zohran Mamdani as Mayor of New York City, noting that he is the first New York City Mayor of Asian American and South Asian ancestry.To read all the press releases from AABANY in 2025, click here.

Upcoming events

Our current fiscal year runs through March 31, 2026, and our Committees will be putting on many great events over the coming months that we hope you will join. 

For example:

  • January 9: Trusts & Estates Committee Monthly Meeting.  Click here for more information and to register by January 7th.
  • January 10: AABANY Bi-Monthly Brooklyn Pro Bono Legal Clinic.  Click here for more information and to register by January 8th.
  • January 15: Join AABANY’s Anti-Asian Violence Task Force for a Prayer Walk for Michelle Go. Click here for more information and to register by January 13th.
  • January 15: AABANY Issues Committee Monthly Meeting.  Click here for more information and to register by January 13th.
  • January 20: AABANY Board Meeting.  Click here for more information and to register by January 15.  
  • January 21: AABANY Monthly Manhattan Pro Bono Legal Clinic.  Click here for more information and to register by January 19th.
  • January 21: AABANY Presents: Solo & Small Law Firm Litigators – Strategies for Success and Why Clients Should Care.  Click here for more information and to register by January 19th.
  • January 22: AABANY Presents: Pathways to Court-Connected ADR.  Click here for more information and to register by January 15th.
  • February 4: AABANY Bi-Monthly Queens Pro Bono Legal Clinic.  Click here for more information and to register by February 2nd. 
  • February 11: Save the Date – Annual Meeting of Members. Stay tuned for details. 

Save The Dates

Our next marquee event is the Winter Soiree, on Jan. 22. This invitation only event is open to executive and senior-level in-house counsel and corporate law firm sponsors. For more information or for sponsorship information, contact winter.soiree@aabany.org. The deadline to sponsor is January 9.

Be sure to save the date for the 2026 Annual Dinner on May 28,2026 at Cipriani Wall Street. We will be celebrating remarkable individuals and achievements in the legal profession and community in New York.

Save the Date also for AABANY’s Fall Conference, which will take place at Fordham Law School on September 26, 2026.  Please make plans to join us! 

Thank you!

We would not have had such an active year if it were not for the support from everyone involved in AABANY. We thank our Board Officers and Directors, as well as our Committee Co-Chairs and Vice Chairs, and we are grateful for the dedication of our staff, and the hard work of our volunteers and interns. 

We also extend our appreciation to the members of AABANY– without you we would not be what we are today. As we close out 2025, our membership now exceeds 1400 paid members. We look forward to your continued support and participation in the coming year.

We wish everyone a happy, healthy, and safe New Year!

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Thank You for Joining AABANY at Our 2025 Fall Conference: “Together We Thrive: The Power of Us!”

On Saturday, September 27, 2025, AABANY hosted its 16th Annual Fall Conference, themed “Together We Thrive: The Power of Us!” at New York Law School. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the school for hosting and supporting this gathering of the AAPI legal community. The day began with a buffet-style breakfast, during which attendees enjoyed coffee, pastries, bagels, and light bites, reconnecting with familiar faces and forming new connections. 

Morning Sessions 

From 9:00 AM to 10:30 AM, participants attended one of three CLE panels:

Next, the 10:45 AM to 12:15 PM block featured:

Plenary Lunch & Trial Reenactment

At 12:30 PM, AABANY President Ben Hsing gave welcoming remarks to a packed Plenary Lunch Session, setting the stage for a live reenactment of the landmark cases Ozawa v. United States (1922) and United States v. Bhagat Singh Thind (1923). The reenactment dramatized two pivotal cases from the early 20th century in which the U.S. Supreme Court denied naturalization to two Asian immigrants—Takao Ozawa, a Japanese immigrant who argued that his light skin and cultural assimilation qualified him as “white,” and Bhagat Singh Thind, an Indian Sikh man who claimed to be Caucasian, citing Aryan ancestry, to assert eligibility for citizenship under the “free white person” requirement.

The emotional resonance of the performance was heightened by the fact that the judges in the reenactment were sitting Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) women judges from state and federal courts. In the original cases, the highest court in the land had defined Ozawa and Thind as racially “other,” excluding entire communities from the privilege of citizenship. A century later, to see a full panel of AAPI women judges presiding from the bench—occupying the very institutional role that had once excluded people like Ozawa and Thind—was profoundly moving. The visual and symbolic contrast between the historical rulings and the present-day makeup of the judiciary underscored how legal institutions can be both instruments of exclusion and, over time, sites of transformation.

The reenactment was followed by a fireside chat with Professor Rose Cuison-Villazor moderated by Albert Tong, Student Outreach Committee Chair, which unpacked the historical and contemporary significance of these rulings in shaping concepts of citizenship, race, and identity. For many attendees, the moment crystallized both how far the community has come and how history continues to shape present realities.

Diversity Career Fair (DCF): Building Bridges Between Talent & Opportunity
Hosted by the Career Advancement Committee, the Diversity Career Fair (DCF) ran from 10:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Employers from public, corporate, nonprofit, and legal services sectors hosted informational tables and, in some cases, first-round on-site interviews. Attendees engaged in meet-and-greets, exchanged resumes, and connected with recruiters and legal professionals. The DCF served as a vital platform for career exploration and networking within the AAPI legal community, allowing attendees ample opportunities to explore career openings by visiting employer tables and meeting with representatives from approximately 20 public and private sector organizations and companies.  On-site interviews took place with 5 of the participating employers, and resumes were collected from around 11 of the participating employers.

The Trial Advocacy Program (TAP): Hands-On Training and Mentorship from Eminent Trial Lawyers

Returning to the Fall Conference this year, TAP (Trial Advocacy Program) gave junior attorneys structured, mentored experience in key trial advocacy skills, with lectures, demonstrations, and exercises in opening and closing statements, as well as direct and cross-examinations. Participants prepared ahead of time, based on a mock trial problem, to present opening statements and conduct direct and cross-examinations before a faculty of experienced trial lawyers in breakout rooms, and received individual feedback and coaching. The program concluded with powerhouse closing argument demonstrations by two distinguished trial lawyers, Hugh Mo and William Campos, that captivated the audience. For video of Hugh Mo’s closing statement for the defense, courtesy of Mo Law Firm, see here.

Afternoon Sessions: Community & Innovation in Practice

From 2:30 PM to 4:00 PM, attendees had their selection of:

From 4:15 PM to 5:45 PM, programming included:

These sessions continued the balance between community impact and emerging legal trends.


Link-Up Reception: Cultivating Professional Connections

One of the highlights of the day was the Link-Up Reception designed to foster meaningful engagement between law firm attorneys and senior in-house counsel seeking external legal services. Open only to invited in-house counsel, Gold-level sponsors and above, and representatives from 2025 Annual Dinner and Winter Soiree sponsors, the Link-Up Reception was a benefit offered to higher-tier sponsors, giving them increased exposure and direct access to in-house decision-makers.

By offering a direct and selective networking opportunity in a concentrated timeframe, the Link-Up Reception helped to enhance business development possibilities and strategic connections for participating in-house and outside counsel.

Cocktail Reception and Trailblazer Award Presentation

Following the Link-up reception, a general Cocktail Reception was held. The Cocktail Reception created a more open, celebratory atmosphere where attendees – including attorneys, law students, and pre-law students –  could meet and mingle, after a full day of CLE and other programs. Attendees socialized, reflected, and strengthened connections over hors d’oeuvres and beverages. For many, the Cocktail Reception presented an excellent chance to connect with judges, seasoned practitioners, and peers in an informal setting — a space where mentorships may begin, collaborations were seeded, and the day’s theme of community and collective growth came to life in real time. 

During the Reception, following remarks by AABANY President-Elect Varuna Bhattacharyya, Hon. Justice Jeffrey K. Oing, former Associate Justice, Appellate Division, First Department, introduced Justice Kim.

AABANY’s Executive Director Yang Chen then presented the Norman Lau Kee Trailblazer Award, honoring leadership, innovation, mentorship, and sustained community impact, to Hon. Judy H. Kim, Acting Justice of the Supreme Court, New York County. In her acceptance speech, Justice Kim highlighted the importance of mentorship and community. She recounted a particularly memorable time when an intern wrote to her, “You have shown me into a world that I thought I would never be able to be part of, and the gift that you have given me is priceless.” These words left a deep impact on everyone, reminding us of the importance of mentorship in this competitive world. This celebration closed the conference on a note of recognition, gratitude, and community.

We extend deep thanks to:

  • More than 50 student volunteers from area law schools and colleges for providing wide-ranging support, including assisting with registration, logistics, and CLE sign-in and sign-out
  • Albert Tong, Chair of the Student Outreach Committee, for coordinating the volunteers before and during the Conference
  • Our sponsors, whose support made the Fall Conference and its educational, professional development, and networking opportunities possible
  • All moderators, panelists, program chairs, and above all, attendees, whose participation embodied the theme – “Together We Thrive: The Power of Us!”

For more photos of the event, please visit the links below:

Thanks to our photographers, Jessie Zhou (AABANY legal intern), Tohir Hodjakulov, and Shiyun Zhang (student volunteers).

We hope the 2025 Fall Conference enriched your professional journey and strengthened the bonds within our AAPI legal community. Thank you for being part of this signature AABANY event — we look forward to seeing you at future programs!

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Hugh H. Mo: Legal Trailblazer and Community Advocate

The Asian American Bar Association of New York (AABANY) celebrated the illustrious career of Hugh H. Mo by honoring him with the prestigious Norman Lau Kee Trailblazer Award at their Fifteenth Annual Fall Conference, on October 12, 2024, during the Conference Cocktail Reception that capped a full day of programming. This award, named after Norman Lau Kee—an influential legal and community figure in New York City’s Chinatown—celebrates leaders who have made significant contributions to the legal field and the AAPI community, recognizing attorneys who exemplify the qualities of role models and trailblazers in the legal profession while contributing to the wider community.

Born in Shanghai, China, Hugh immigrated to the United States at nine years old after living in Hong Kong, Taipei, and Madrid. Hugh then grew up on Manhattan’s Lower East Side. His journey into the legal profession started by participating in student activist groups, including the Vietnam War protests and the Civil Rights Movement, throughout high school and college. During his sophomore year at NYU, he was involved in a newly published magazine called Bridge: The Magazine of Asians in America, focusing on the experiences, issues, and concerns of Asian Americans that were ignored by the mainstream media and to mobilize Asians in political empowerment. As a result of his experiences as a student activist, Hugh was imbued with idealism and the desire to make the world a better place. He realized that in order to help Asians in general and in political empowerment, law is the most effective instrument to facilitate change to help people.

Hugh defines law as “advocacy,” to lend a voice to those who cannot advocate for themselves. This belief in the power of the law to help others was a driving force in his decision to become a lawyer. He says, “As a lawyer there is so much potential to help people,” and that realization has shaped his legal career.

From his formative student activist experiences, Hugh enrolled at Boston University School of Law, graduated in 1976, and served as an Assistant District Attorney in the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office, the first Asian American to do so. During his tenure, he mentored then Assistant District Attorney Sonia Sotomayor – who later became the first Hispanic and 111th United States Supreme Court Justice. In Justice Sotomayor’s memoir, My Beloved World, she wrote that she was fortunate to be assigned a second-seat role in her first murder trial, with Hugh as lead counsel. The case was People v. Richard Maddicks, the “Tarzan burglar.” Maddicks committed a series of burglaries and murders in a bloody three-month spree from 1981 to 1982 in Central Harlem, by swinging from rooftops on ropes and crashing through apartment windows with his gun blazing. Hugh and Sonia successfully prosecuted Maddicks in a 37-count indictment charging him with multiple counts of murder, burglary, assault, and other crimes. Hugh ensured her second-seat role was far from pro forma, allowing her to present half of the 40 government witnesses and to draft the opening statement of the case, which Hugh delivered. After a four-week jury trial in early 1983, Maddicks was convicted and sentenced to 62½ years–to–life in state prison. In her memoir, Sonia recalled that Hugh was “a slightly built figure with a booming voice and a big personality to match; a hard driving prosecutor, he was also a gentle family man and an all-around confounder of stereotypes.” 

Hugh’s eight-year tenure as a prosecutor was the beginning of a long legal career that stretched almost five decades, in which he fought for and inspired Asian Americans through the power of the law to secure our rights, justice, and fairness. In 1984, he was appointed as Deputy Commissioner in Charge of Trials in the New York City Police Department. At the time, he was the highest-ranking person of Asian descent in New York City government. After four years, he left public service to join the national and international law firm of Whitman & Ransom as a partner and founder of its China practice group. 

In January 1994, Hugh established The Law Firm of Hugh H. Mo, P.C., to primarily represent domestic and overseas Chinese clients in corporate, civil and criminal litigation, white collar and financial crimes, government investigation, customs, tax, and real estate matters. In 2023, Hugh received the NAPIPA Life-Time Achievement Award, and his firm was honored with the 2023 NAPABA APA-Owned Law Firm of the Year Award.

Throughout his career, Hugh has always championed the issues and concerns of the AAPI community. He reflects that one of the most common issues Asian American immigrants face is assimilation: adopting a new language, learning new behaviors, being accustomed to new social norms, and fully embracing American culture, and, at the same time, retaining one’s Asian identity, language, and culture. As he learned in high school and college, law is an instrument of change and justice, and for Asian Americans learning to assimilate, it is even more imperative to have Asian representation at all levels of the legal profession.

As a trial attorney, Hugh serves as an advocate to bridge the language and cultural barriers for his Asian clients. His private practice, The Law Firm of Hugh H. Mo, P.C., has represented countless individuals, corporations, and government entities, primarily focusing on clients within the Chinese American community and overseas. Hugh has served as legal counsel for the Permanent Mission of the People’s Republic of China to the United Nations, Chinese Consulate in New York, Xinhua News Agency, N.A., People’s Daily Overseas Edition, and other Chinese government entities and state-owned enterprises over the years.

In addition to his legal work, Hugh founded and currently serves as Co-Chair of the NYPD Asian American Police Executives Council (AAPEX), with the mission to inculcate leadership development of Asian police executives in the NYPD. He was involved as a co-founder of the Asian American Bar Association of New York (AABANY) in 1989, laying a foundation for future generations of Asian American lawyers. He was also involved in establishing the NYPD Asian Jade Society, the Chinatown Health Clinic (now known as the Charles B. Wang Community Health Center) and has served as Board President of the Chinatown Planning Council (now known as the Chinese-American Planning Council).

Hugh’s achievements extend beyond the courtroom. He served on numerous civic and advisory committees, including transition committees for elected officials such as Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz, Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance, Jr., City Comptroller John Liu, and Mayor David N. Dinkins, among others.

When asked about current challenges facing the Asian American community, he reflects on the disproportionate challenges that Asians have to overcome in order to pursue success in the law, including barriers due to institutional racism and the under-representation of Asian American partners in BigLaw, corporations, government, and the judiciary. Hugh maintains that this obstacle can be overcome by “grit, intelligence, and the willingness to rise up to any challenge.” Success is possible for anyone who dares and dreams with determination. Hugh’s career offers even more hopeful insight: every day is a new opportunity, because every day brings a new challenge. But, in his words, “challenges are meant to be overcome.”

He has opened doors for Asian Americans in law and inspired others to pursue justice and community advocacy. Accepting the Norman Lau Kee Trailblazer Award, Hugh reflected on the importance of uplifting the AAPI community through representation and leadership.

“We all represent not just our clients and ourselves, but our community,” Hugh said, emphasizing the role of Asian American lawyers as bridges for first-generation immigrants. His message resonates as a call to action for future generations to embrace challenges, strive for excellence, and contribute to a more equitable society.

The Norman Lau Kee Trailblazer Award recognizes attorneys who exemplify the qualities of role models and trailblazers in the legal profession while contributing to the wider community. Hugh’s journey serves as an inspiration for overcoming racial barriers, bridging communication and cultural gaps, and rising up to face all challenges and converting them into opportunities for continuing success and achievement. As a trailblazer in the legal profession, Hugh’s legacy is a testament to the power of determination and service. As he puts it, “We should be defined not by one or a few achievements, but by a multitude of achievements. We should not be defined by our worst mistake but by the sum of our collective accomplishments. … I don’t believe a person should be defined by their magnum opus. It is a successful life journey that counts.”

Written by Lui Montes, AABANY Legal Intern, Fall 2024.

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Thank You for Joining AABANY at our 14th Annual Fall Conference: “Embracing Wellness and Well-being”

On September 23, 2023, AABANY hosted its 14th annual Fall Conference, “Embracing Wellness and Well-being,” at the Fordham University School of Law. This year’s conference was co-sponsored with Fordham Law School’s Center on Asian Americans and the Law. AABANY was also honored to co-host the National Asian Pacific Islander Prosecutors Association (NAPIPA) 4th Annual Conference. AABANY thanks NAPIPA for contributing many excellent programs to the Fall Conference, including the Plenary Lunch Session.

Credit: Rosa Margarita McDowell

The conference kicked off with breakfast, which welcomed legal professionals from around the country to Fordham Law School. Attendees chatted over coffee, pastries and other breakfast fare, sharing their excitement and anticipation, before heading off to attend the morning’s CLE programs. 

The morning session of the conference offered a variety of topical programs to choose from, including:

The sessions ran concurrently, in two 90-minute blocks in three parallel tracks.

The theme of this year’s conference was “Embracing Wellness and Well-being,” which was well- reflected in this year’s diverse lineup of programs. The morning’s panels laid a strong foundation for the rest of the event, addressing complex and evolving challenges within the legal profession, while emphasizing the importance of well-being and community engagement. This thematic emphasis on well-being resonated throughout the event, encouraging attendees to reflect on their roles as legal professionals while nurturing their personal and collective wellness. To see photos from the morning session go here. 

During the first part of the morning session, AABANY’s Anti-Asian Violence Task Force premiered their video, “Voices against Anti-Asian Hate.” The documentary featured survivors of anti-Asian hate attacks and community supporters, followed by a panel discussion among members of the Anti-Asian Violence Task Force involved in the production of the video. For more information about the screening, click here.

Credit: Qijun (Simon) Ma

In a fourth track, the Fall Conference’s Trial Advocacy Program (TAP) was held. TAP offered junior lawyers a unique opportunity to hone their trial skills under the guidance of experienced mentors. This year’s TAP program was particularly noteworthy for conducting the first two segments over Zoom, in the weeks leading up to the Fall Conference. The program unfolded over two virtual sessions on specific dates. The first segment, held on September 13th, delved into Opening Statements and Direct Examinations. The second session, which took place on September 20th, covered Cross Examinations and Closing Statements, further enriching participants’ trial skills and knowledge.  

The culmination of the TAP program occurred in-person, at the Fall Conference, kicking off with an engaging keynote speech delivered by Brian Lee, Executive ADA at the Nassau County District Attorney’s Office. His insights and expertise added tremendous value to the program. Following the keynote address, TAP participants conducted a mock trial, where participants had the chance to put their newly acquired skills into practice. Seasoned trial lawyers graciously served as mentors during this mock trial, providing invaluable feedback and guidance to help participants refine their trial advocacy skills. Thanks to all the TAP mentors and participants who made this year’s TAP a success. 

Starting at 10:30 am, the Fall Conference offered a Diversity Career Fair, featuring a range of public and private sector organizations eager to network and connect with passionate young professionals. Participating employers included Legal Services NYC, The Legal Aid Society, the U.S Department of Justice, and several District Attorneys’ offices. Attendees were able to converse with representatives, receiving answers to questions and learning more about working at the various agencies, organizations and companies. Some employers collected resumes and held on-site interviews, providing the opportunity for candidates to express their interest in working for participating employers.

Credit: AABANY

To see photos from the Diversity Career Fair, go here.

Attendees convened in the Costantino Room for the Plenary Lunch Session, featuring the program “Prosecution in the 21st Century: Discussion with Four Trailblazer District Attorneys.” The panel featured four renowned District Attorneys, including:

  • Eric Gonzalez, District Attorney, Kings County
  • Alvin Bragg, District Attorney, New York County
  • Darcel Clark, District Attorney, Bronx County
  • Thien Ho, District Attorney, Sacramento County

Participants listened intently as the DAs discussed their unique journeys and challenges as diverse attorneys and prosecutors.  They talked about their roles as advocates for future diverse prosecutors and shared their visions and policies for the short- and long-term future of prosecution. Additionally, the DAs addressed the crucial issue of prosecuting anti-Asian bias incidents and hate crimes, emphasizing the importance of combating prejudice and protecting marginalized communities.

Credit: AABANY

The Fall Conference also featured the Corky Lee photo exhibit, featuring six photos taken by the renowned photographer. The exhibit highlighted Corky’s legacy of photographing every aspect of the Asian American experience. The works on display included a 2003 photo of Asian American judges from both the Federal and State judiciary, with Hon. Denny Chin and Hon. Marilyn Go (Ret.) featured in front, and a photo of Vincent Chin’s mother, illustrating the long legacy of anti-Asian hate crimes. AABANY honored Corky with an award in 2017 recognizing his invaluable contributions to society and especially the AAPI community.  We continue to carry forth his legacy of activism through the work of AABANY and its partners at the 2023 AABANY Fall Conference, NAPIPA (National Asian Pacific Islander Prosecutors Association) and the Center on Asian Americans and the Law at Fordham Law School.

Credit: AABANY

The afternoon session featured more engaging and impactful programs:

These panels covered a range of topics, including work-life balance, affordable housing, hate crimes prosecution, and mental health well-being. Additionally, they discussed the importance of embracing wellness in the legal profession and promoting diversity in appellate courts. Overall, the panels provided insights and strategies for addressing these pressing issues in the legal profession. Attendees were exposed to a wealth of knowledge, inspiration, and opportunities for professional and personal growth. To see photos from the afternoon session go here. 

After a full day of CLE programs, TAP, and DCF, the conference closed with a cocktail reception, where panelists and attendees connected over drinks and light bites. 

Credit: Qijun (Simon) Ma

“It was such an honor to be surrounded by so many different law students and lawyers from so many different areas of law, and learn more about the Asian legal community,” said volunteer Alyzah Ziga, part of the large Syracuse Law School contingent. A special thanks goes out to the dedicated student volunteers from:

  • Brooklyn Law School
  • Cardozo School of Law
  • Columbia Law School
  • Cornell University
  • Fordham Law School
  • New York Law School
  • New York University
  • NYU School of Law
  • Pace School of Law
  • Seton Hall School of Law
  • St. John’s University School of Law
  • Syracuse University College of Law
  • Touro Law Center

Thank you for generously contributing your time to assist with registration, address attendee inquiries, and handle attendees check-in/check-out for CLE credits. The Fall Conference would not have run as well and as smoothly without your assistance throughout the day. To see some photos of our dedicated volunteers, go here.

Credit: AABANY

The informal and relaxed atmosphere during the reception allowed attendees to actively converse and forge professional connections, a testament to the sense of camaraderie and community that had been prevalent throughout the day. “It was amazing to meet all of these like-minded and passionate Asian American lawyers. It’s always very inspiring to be around such driven, and accomplished individuals who really just want to help each other succeed. Though this was my first Fall Conference, it’s definitely not going to be my last,” said Kwonsun Jung, Young Lawyers Committee Co-Chair and associate at Lowenstein Sandler. 

Credit: Qijun (Simon) Ma

While the reception was still going on, some of the attendees departed Fordham Law School to attend NAPIPA’s 9th Annual Scholarship Banquet & Trailblazer Award Presentation, hosted at Seng Seafood Restaurant in Chinatown. AABANY congratulates Paul Jhin, President of NAPIPA, for winning the Award of Excellence. Paul has not only been a prominent leader but also a catalyst for change within the AAPI law community, serving as an inspiration to all. Judge Chin received NAPIPA’s Trailblazer Award.  Judge Denny Chin’s illustrious career and commitment to justice have not only left an indelible mark on the legal community but have also inspired countless individuals. We would also like to recognize Hugh Mo, who was honored with NAPIPA’s Lifetime Achievement Award. Hugh’s lifelong pursuit of legal excellence and AAPI advocacy serves as a testament to his commitment to justice and equity for all. Lastly, AABANY extends its warmest congratulations to James Lin, this year’s recipient of AABANY’s Trailblazer Award. James has been a powerful and dynamic presence in the criminal justice and law enforcement community for over thirty years, and we are excited to formally recognize his considerable achievements over a long career. The evening was a true celebration of outstanding individuals dedicated to making a positive impact in our legal community, and AABANY is proud to have been a part of it. To see photo from the NAPIPA Scholarship Banquet, go here.

Credit: AABANY

AABANY wishes to express its heartfelt gratitude to the sponsors who contributed to the success of the 2023 Fall Conference. We extend our sincere thanks to the following sponsors:

  • Broadridge Financial Solutions (Elite Sponsor)
  • ConEdison (Elite Sponsor)
  • Fish and Richardson (Elite Sponsor)
  • Perkins Coie (Gold Sponsor)
  • Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner (Bronze Sponsor)
  • Goldstein Hall (Bronze Sponsor)
  • Hudson Court Reporting (Bronze Sponsor)
  • Kensington Vanguard (Bronze Sponsor)
  • Wilson Sonsini Goodrich Rosati (Bronze Sponsor)

In addition, we acknowledge and thank the Annual Dinner 2023 Sponsors for their generous year-round support of AABANY. We extend special recognition to Morrow Sodali, our After-Party Sponsor; Broadridge Financial Solutions, our Diamond Sponsor; and Kirkland & Ellis, our Pre-Dinner GC Reception Sponsor. To view a full list of our generous sponsors, please visit our sponsors page here. Your continued support empowers us to pursue our mission and create meaningful events like the Fall Conference. Thank you for your commitment to AABANY as well as its numerous programs and activities.

Furthermore, AABANY thanks all our esteemed panelists and moderators for sharing their valuable insight and time with our members and community. We express our sincere gratitude to all the Program Chairs who organized an excellent slate of programs. We are deeply grateful for their vital role in making this event an enriching and enlightening experience for all attendees. Finally, thank you to the attendees and volunteers who gave us their valuable time this weekend. The Fall Conference thrived through your participation, and we hope that we will see you again at upcoming AABANY events.

For more information about this year’s Fall Conference, you can visit our website here.

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Congratulations to Kevin Kim on Making the Top Ten in City & State’s Economic Development Power 100

On November 21, City & State New York, a leading multimedia news organization that covers New York City and State politics and policy, released its 2022 Economic Development Power 100. As stated in the article:

City & State’s Economic Development Power 100 identifies the top government officials, CEOs, heads of business groups and trade associations, advocates of small businesses and minority- and women-owned enterprises, and many other individuals who are aiming to answer these questions [on how to grow the economy] as they seek to drive job creation all across New York.

AABANY is proud to announce that Kevin Kim, the current Commissioner of the Department of Small Business Services in the Mayor’s Office, is listed as number 9 on the Power 100 list:

Kevin D. Kim is a former small-business entrepreneur and the son of immigrant small-business owners. Today he helps other New York City entrepreneurs get connected to needed resources as commissioner of the Department of Small Business Services. Kim played a key role launching a new initiative to help New Yorkers access cannabis retail licenses. The first phase of the initiative involves making sure that people who have been convicted of marijuana-related offenses receive guidance in applying for those licenses.

To read the full article with the complete list, click here.

Kevin was honored by AABANY with the Norman Lau Kee Trailblazer Award at the 2022 Fall Conference held at Fordham University School of Law on Oct. 8. Kevin was also a former Director on AABANY’s Board, in addition to numerous accolades earned over the course of his storied career in public service.

Please join AABANY in congratulating Kevin on this noteworthy achievement and well-deserved recognition.

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Thank You for Joining AABANY for Our 2021 Fall Conference

AABANY’s twelfth annual Fall Conference, with the theme “Uniting for Justice and Equity,” took place on Oct. 22 and 23. We started on Friday afternoon, Oct. 22, with the GC Roundtable: The Evolving Role of General Counsels in Promoting Justice & DE&I in the Workplace, which ran concurrently with Pro Bono Crisis Lawyering: Challenges and Lessons Learned. After these two programs concluded, we held our Reception and Norman Lau Kee Trailblazer Award Presentation in person at King & Spalding, in hybrid format, with some attendees joining in person and others online via Remo. Those in attendance at King & Spalding got to meet and mingle in person with AABANY Board members and Committee Chairs, as well as the Trailblazer Award honoree Glenn Lau-Kee. To learn more about Glenn Lau-Kee and the Trailblazer Award, please see: https://conference2021.aabany.org/trailblazer/

Saturday kicked off with two concurrent programs, Fighting for Housing and Community Justice: The Role of Lawyers in the Movement and Measuring, Reporting and Improving Outside Counsel Diversity, followed by two more concurrent programs, Virtual Chat With Hon. Stacey L. Meisel, U.S. Bankruptcy Judge, D.N.J. and Achieving Justice and Equity Through Litigation. The Plenary Session, The Rising Tide of Anti-Asian Hate & Violence: Where Are We Now?, closed the Fall Conference.

We thank all the Program Chairs, Moderators, and Speakers for putting on important CLE programs on timely subjects that strongly reflected the Conference theme. We also thank our sponsors:

Gold

Broadridge
White & Case LLP

Bronze

New York State Bar Association Business Law Section

Finally, we thank everyone who joined us Friday afternoon and evening, and then again on Saturday morning into the early afternoon. We are processing your CLE certificates now and you should be receiving them soon. If you have any questions about CLE credits, please contact cle@aabany.org. If you have any questions or comments about the Conference, please contact fall.conference@aabany.org.

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Fall Conference 2020: Allyship and Black Lives Matter—Racism, Bias, and Xenophobia in Our Communities

On September 26, 2020, as part of AABANY’s 11th Annual Fall Conference, the AABANY Real Estate Committee and Issues Committee hosted a plenary session on the ongoing racial reckoning following the death of George Floyd and the rise in xenophobia against Asian Americans since the beginning of the pandemic. The panel included:  

  • Margaret T. Ling, Development Director and Real Estate Committee Co-Chair at AABANY and Senior Counsel at Big Apple Abstract Corp. (Moderator)
  • Letitia James, 67th Attorney General for the State of New York
  • Rahul Agarwal, Executive Assistant United States Attorney at the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey
  • Paula T. Edgar, Attorney, CEO of PGE LLC, and Partner of Inclusion Strategy Solutions LLC
  • Chris Kwok, Co-Chair of the Issues Committee and Asia Practice Committee at AABANY and a mediator and arbitrator with JAMS
  • Carmelyn P. Malalis, Chair and Commissioner of the New York City Commission on Human Rights

The esteemed panel discussed their experience addressing the issues of racism, bias, and xenophobia in their different capacities as government officials, bar association leaders, and diversity and inclusion specialists, especially in the context of the ongoing pandemic. As the opening speaker, Paula Edgar provided an informative presentation on systemic racism, the varying responses of Corporate America, and the importance for companies and law firms to invest in resources for diversity training as part of an urgent call to incorporate actionable plans into their missions for equity and inclusion. More importantly, allyship transcends performative activism, or surface-level activism, on social media and demands a sustained and active approach to listen to the experiences of marginalized communities, educate oneself on race-related history and issues, and speak out against any injustice. 

In highlighting the importance of using our vote at this historical moment, New York State Attorney General Letitia James suggested that the participation of more people of color in law-enforcement can be one of the ways to sustain the BLM movement and push for substantive, lasting changes. Some of the projects at the Attorney General’s Office include a lawsuit against the US Postal Service for their attempt to delay the vote-by-mail ballots and an effort to advocate for immigrants to ensure that they are counted in the 2020 US Census. Attorney General James emphasized the need to stay hopeful and utilize our vote as citizens to protect our democracy. 

Rahul Agarwal focused on the recent rise in hate crimes against Asian Americans and stressed the importance of active reporting on the part of community members to help law enforcement personnel investigate these crimes and open cases. Rahul explained that the law enforcement community takes reports on hate crimes very seriously because the perpetrators’ hatred often affects many individuals, and since the targeted population can become fearful, it is crucial for law enforcement to act quickly. 

Noting from a survey the significant increase in people’s perception and experience with racial inequality since 2016, Carmelyn Malalis described the active outreach by the New York City Commission on Human Rights to marginalized communities and its employment of staffers who speak a total of over 30 different languages at the Commission to increase community engagement. Echoing Attorney General James’ comment on the value of allyship, Commissioner Malalis added that allyship also means recognizing that the constructed narratives about marginalized groups are often inconsistent with the lived experiences of people in those communities. She emphasized the need to actively work on dismantling one’s biased preconceptions. 

Referring to the Stop AAPI Hate’s recent record of about 2,600 hate crimes and incidents against Asian Americans in the past six months, Chris Kwok suggested that the actual number is most likely a lot higher since there has been insufficient attention directed towards AAPI hate crimes and a general lack of active reporting in the AAPI community. Chris highlighted the importance for Asian Americans to support the BLM movement since we are all fighting to challenge white supremacy and ensure justice in the United States. He concludes by emphasizing the need to say “BLM”— since black lives had been defined as property for decades, we, as allies in the BLM movement, should acknowledge the hashtag’s reflection of that history and recognition of the equal rights that every person deserves.

Thank you to Margaret, Attorney General James, Commissioner Malalis, Rahul, Paula, and Chris, for this insightful panel discussion. Thanks also to the AABANY Real Estate Committee and Issues Committee for organizing this event. To view a recording of the plenary session, click here or on the image above.

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Fall Conference 2020: COVID-19 and Global Financial Distress: Where do We Go From Here?

On September 26, 2020, as part of AABANY’s 11th Annual Fall Conference, the AABANY Commercial Bankruptcy and Restructuring Committee hosted a panel discussion entitled “COVID-19 and Global Financial Distress: Where do We Go From Here?” The panel included: 

  • Courina Yulisa, Bankruptcy and Restructuring Associate at Dorsey & Whitney LLP (Moderator)
  • William Hao, Counsel in Alston & Bird’s Financial Restructuring & Reorganization Group
  • Vijar Kohli, Co-founder of Golden Door Asset Management
  • Vincent Roldan, Partner at Mandelbaum Salsburg’s Bankruptcy and Creditors Rights, and Banking and Financial Services groups

The panelists observed a general increase in commercial bankruptcy filings accompanied by a decrease in individual Chapter 11 filings compared to last year. As the opening panelist, William Hao remarked that the phenomenon was partly due to court closures during the pandemic, which made it harder to complete filings. New York City in particular, as Vijar Kohli and Vincent Roldan explained, has been suffering from a significant reduction in traffic, negatively affecting traffic-dependent industries such as hotels and has led to a domino effect on retailers, landlords and suppliers. The absence of employees entering and leaving office buildings signaled the slow reopening of businesses. The panelists also discussed the increased accessibility of Subchapter 5 under the CARES Act to small businesses in addition to larger corporations to speed up the recovery process. And while there has been heightened pressure on landlords since the pandemic began, Vijar suggested that tenants pay attention to details such as rent payment deadlines in existing contracts and openly negotiate with landlords to lessen the COVID-imposed financial impact. 

Regarding corporate strategies to preserve and increase liquidity, Vijar noted that the most significant move has been to preserve cash by increasing sales or reducing expenses. Since the protracted business recovery has added more uncertainty to the long-term trajectory of their business profitability, the lack of capital is still unfortunately a difficult problem to resolve. Vincent described the recent changes in the restaurant industry, where establishments have been transitioning to providing delivery-only services to cut production costs. Despite these challenges, William mentioned that the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) can be helpful in getting capital temporarily, and again stressed that strategic negotiations with landlords can be particularly instrumental in preserving capital. 

The panelists foresaw a slow recovery timeline for small businesses and that real estate businesses, in particular, may take up to two to three years—also depending on the vaccine distribution timeline—to bounce back to a normal level of business operations. No major changes are likely in the next three months, since the next stimulus plans would not include much for businesses and thus it is up to businesses to ensure their own survival right now. Vincent stated that companies need to pay attention to signs of economic distress to plan their next moves and contact bankruptcy lawyers to know their rights. And unlike the 2008 financial crisis, Vijar explained that this year’s economic downturns have also been accompanied by high rates of unemployment and the replacement of local, small businesses with new technology companies. 

Thank you to Courina, William, Vijar, and Vincent, for this insightful panel discussion. And thank you to the AABANY Commercial Bankruptcy and Restructuring Committee, co-chaired by William and Vincent, for organizing this event. To view a recording of the panel, click here or on the image above.

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General Counsel Roundtable at the 2020 Fall Conference: Promoting Unity and Strength Through Leadership

On Friday, September 25, AABANY kicked off the 2020 Fall Conference, held virtually this year due to COVID-19. The conference theme was “Stronger Together: Unity in Diversity” and commenced with the General Counsel Roundtable program, entitled “Promoting Unity and Strength Through Leadership.” The panelists included: 

Moderator: 

  • Michael Wu, Chief Legal Officer and Corporate Secretary, Madewell, Inc.

Speakers: 

  • Vanessa Allen Sutherland, Executive Vice President and Chief Legal Officer, Norfolk Southern Corporation
  • Deborah P. Majoras, Chief Legal Officer & Secretary, The Procter & Gamble Company
  • Rena Reiss, Executive Vice President and General Counsel, Marriott International, Inc.
  • Ann Munson Steines, Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary, Nordstrom, Inc.
  • Amy Weaver, President and Chief Legal Officer, Salesforce.com, Inc.
  • David Zapolsky, Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary, Amazon.com, Inc.

The program followed a Q&A format and explored a wide range of topics, from the COVID-19 pandemic to Black Lives Matter and anti-Asian violence. Michael Wu started by asking the panelists how the pandemic has impacted their company operations and their outlook as organization leaders. One major takeaway was that legal departments are shifting into more generalist than specialist roles in order to adapt to crisis operations under a “rescue, recover, and reimagine” mandate. All panelists agreed that while companies and communities are currently in the recovery stage, a re-imagined world will look different from before and rely heavily on virtual and digital channels. Amy Weaver succinctly summarized that “two things are the most relevant today” to companies navigating these complex times: first, be a quick study; second, be able to make decisions quickly. 

The panelists were then asked what challenges in diversity and inclusion their companies are facing and how are they being addressed? Rena Reiss emphasized the need to carve out time and space to discuss racial issues that weren’t previously seen as polite workplace conversation. Vanessa Sutherland and Amy Weaver highlighted the snail’s pace at which financial industries and law firms operate with regard to diversity initiatives and stressed the need for immediate change. 

Michael Wu also asked about challenges Asian Americans face in corporate America, whether or not they are seen as minorities, and what advancement initiatives are in place. Panelists acknowledged the racial xenophobia and anti-Asian violence COVID-19 has wrought, and Ann Steines spoke to Black Lives Matter as an opportunity for allyship to advance the meaningful engagement of all diverse individuals in the workplace. 

At the conclusion of the program, Michael asked the panelists to give advice to diverse lawyers seeking career advancement. In response, Vanessa acknowledged the tendency of diverse attorneys to be risk-averse due to the disproportionate pressure placed on them. She encouraged lawyers of color to not be afraid to take risks, because leaders need to demonstrate that they are capable of making uncomfortable decisions.  

Ann recommended that minority lawyers consciously diversify expertise as their career progresses. “As lawyers we’re told to be experts in the areas we practice in. Then you get to a point in your career where you need to expand your horizons,” she stated. “People don’t always put their arm around the diverse candidate to tell them the advice that all the panelists have been giving today.” Ann thus highlighted the lack of formal and informal mentorship that places diverse attorneys at a disadvantage compared to their white counterparts. 

As the panel drew to a close, Michael asked the GCs to share with up-and-coming lawyers the most valuable advice they have received in their career. David Zapolsky offered the following three-part answer: First, to be business people first and lawyers second. Second, “being a lawyer is about preserving your personal credibility even if you have clients who can’t.” Finally, “if you touch it you own it.” 

The GC Roundtable is typically the highlight of the Fall Conference, and this year’s kept in line with prior GC Roundtables, offering impactful and pertinent viewpoints and guidance for all attendees. With this all-star panel the GC Roundtable kicked off another successful Fall Conference and set a high bar for the programs that followed on Saturday.

Thank you to all the panelists and our moderator, Michael Wu, for their invaluable insights on topical matters that are top-of-mind for in-house counsel and attorneys working in today’s challenging environment. To view a recording of the GC Roundtable, click here or click the image above.

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AABANY Fall Conference: APA Women in the Legal Profession Panel

“Stronger Together: APA Women in the Legal Profession – Strategies to Support, Lead, and Advance” was one of the many panels presented at AABANY’s Fall Conference this year. Held on Saturday, September 26 from 10:45 am to 12:15 pm, the panelists consisted of:

Moderators:

  • Connie Montoya, Partner, Hinshaw & Culbertson
  • Sandra Yamate, CEO, Institute for Inclusion in the Legal Profession

Speakers:

  • Anna Mercado Clark, Partner, Phillips Lytle LLP
  • Judy Lam, Partner, Maynard Cooper & Gale
  • Honorable Grace E. Lee, Administrative Law Judge, State of New York
  • Sandra Leung, General Counsel, Bristol Myers Squibb
  • Sapna Palla, Partner, Wiggin and Dana

The panel was not recorded to create a safe environment for panelists as well as listeners so that there could be a candid conversation about race and the experiences APA women have had to face throughout their legal careers.

The panel started off with discussing the challenges and barriers of being an APA woman in the legal profession. Shared experiences among the panelists were that they were often overlooked in the courtroom, being perceived and mistaken as the court interpreter or court reporter rather than as the lawyer or judge. Even when they were correctly perceived as the lawyer, the panelists were still treated differently compared to their white male counterparts. In response to these challenges, the panelists discussed how it was okay to feel uncomfortable about these topics and it is important to focus on the microaggressions. If people are more vocal about the uncomfortable situations and share their experiences with the community, it creates a greater ability to mobilize and create change.

The panelists stressed the importance of seeing more APA women in higher positions and one way of achieving that is through having role models and mentors for rising APA lawyers. Current AABANY President, Sapna Palla, highlighted the AABANY Leadership Development Program which has been successful in teaching participants the skills to advance into executive positions, and she hopes to see more programs that do the same.

The panel ended with each panelist going over one action item they were willing to commit to within the next year that will help support and advance APA women in the legal profession. The general consensus among the panelists was to start a mentoring circle. Not only do the panelists want to be an available resource for people who come up to them and have questions, but also they want to be active in following up with mentees and seeking feedback from them.

The panelists also vow to use their positions as a platform to continue this dialogue. Advancing APA women in the legal profession is an ongoing conversation and hopefully, listeners of the panel are inspired to continue the dialogue with their friends, peers, and colleagues.

Thank you to the panelists, Anna Mercado Clark, Judy Lam, Honorable Grace E. Lee, Sandra Leung, and Sapna Palla, and moderators, Connie Montoya and Sandra Yamate for sharing their experiences and leading an important discussion about supporting APA women in the legal profession.

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