Tag: Fireside Chat

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AABANY Hosts Fourth Annual Wellness Day

On June 13, 2026, AABANY hosted its Fourth Annual Wellness Day at Brooklyn Law School. This successful event was made possible through the generous support of AABANY’s engaging speakers and generous sponsors, enabling participants to learn about crucial issues related to mental and physical well-being among members of the legal profession. 

AABANY held its inaugural Wellness Day during former AABANY President Karen Kim’s 2023-2024 term, which focused on highlighting mental health and well-being in the legal profession. Since then, Wellness Day has continued as an annual event. Mental health and well-being are often overlooked and under-discussed. With programs like Wellness Day, AABANY aims to break down barriers and recognize mental health issues within the legal profession, creating a safe and supportive space for people to share their stories. At Wellness Day this year, participants learned about topics such as managing stress, the importance of resilience, and keeping physically fit. 

Doors for Wellness Day opened at 9:30 am. The event started with a Meet and Greet Breakfast, where attendees connected with one another as well as with former and current Wellness Day speakers and sponsors, and eased into the morning with pastries from Paris Baguette. Attendees who checked in early were also eligible to enter a raffle to win prizes designed to support wellness and well-being. The prizes included a complimentary intake session with Anise Health; a Time-Management Intensive Session with Dr. Michelle Thompson, CEO of Resistant Vision; 1:1 Coaching Session with Celina Lee, an executive and career coach, and founder of the Live Your Dream Club; Laser Focus Power Pitch Session with the Perfect Pitch Group; and Rainmaking 101 from Day 1, a book by Precious L. Williams. 

AABANY President Varuna Bhattacharyya officially kicked off the programming with welcoming remarks, thanking AABANY’s sponsors, speakers, and attendees who made the event possible. 

8 Pillars of Attorney Well-Being

The first morning session featured Jennifer Clayton from the New York State Bar Association and Niti Parthasarathy from Generation SOS. Ms. Clayton highlighted the problems in the legal profession surrounding stress and how it builds. She introduced the “8 Pillars of Attorney Well-Being” as a strategic way to deal with stress in the workplace, which are: Emotional, Spiritual, Intellectual, Physical, Occupational, Financial, Environmental, and Social. Ms. Parthasarathy shared her story as a burned out attorney at her law firm. What helped Ms. Parthasarathy was realizing that everything would be fine if you let go and that self care is not selfish. She emphasized the importance of being kind to yourself. To amplify the point, Ms. Clayton shared an example of being kind to yourself by recounting a story about a biker and a bike chain, where the biker thought that she was slow because she was unathletic, when the real problem turned out to be the bike chain that was broken, showing how some things happen for external reasons. Ms. Parthasarathy shared how doing things like going outside, trying new things, and taking just a little time to meditate improved her overall quality of life, giving her free time and actual hobbies beyond just working. In sharing these lessons, Ms. Clayton and Ms. Parthasarathy helped the audience learn the importance of being kind to yourself and taking time for yourself when needed. 

The materials for this CLE session can be found at: https://wellness2026.aabany.org/AABANYWellnessDay2026.pdf

Fireside Chat with Socheth McCutcheon

Next, Socheth McCutcheon, Associate General Counsel at Verizon and Founder of the National Association of Cambodian American Lawyers, together with Kristin Coletto, Vice President of Integration and Strategic Programs, engaged in a fireside chat to share the importance of listening to your body. Ms. McCutcheon talked about serious health problems she developed as a hardworking lawyer and parent. She noted how work took a toll on her physically, and how she didn’t want to take time off, even through severe weight loss. Ms. McCutcheon recounted how she eventually took time off through the encouragement of her friend, and afterwards, she discovered that she needed a blood transfusion. Even though she was able to get help, Ms. McCutcheon reflected on how long it took her to admit that she needed help.  In their discussion, Ms. McCutcheon and Ms. Coletto highlighted the need to listen to your body and the need to ask for help rather than pushing through despite pain and discomfort. The fireside chat closed with an engaging Q&A session where attendees shared personal experiences further emphasizing how important health should be prioritized before serious health issues arise.

After the morning sessions, attendees enjoyed a delicious and healthy lunch featuring a variety of Korean dishes.  Raffle winners were selected and announced through a random wheel spin.  All speakers and attendees received handheld fans to beat the summer heat as a Wellness Day giveaway. Throughout the day, attendees also enjoyed healthy snacks to help stay focused and energized. Attendees made new connections and re-connected with prior Wellness Day attendees during the break, before diving back into the afternoon session. 

Pivot with Purpose: Navigating Career Transitions with Resilience

The afternoon kicked off with a panel on career transitions with Michelle Lee, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary at MediaCo; Christina Chelliah, Corporate Counsel for TransPerfect and founder of the Foreign Trained Attorneys Network; and Rachel Lee, President and General Counsel for Stand with Asian Americans.  The panel was moderated by Regina Jin, Associate at Troutman Pepper Locke, and Co-Chair of AABANY’s Wellness Committee. Each member of the panel shared their unique experiences with career change and offered advice to other lawyers considering a career change. 

Michelle Lee opened up about how she filed a discrimination lawsuit against her former company, in order to uphold her rights, even if it meant losing her job in the process. Ms. Lee shared how she used the time she had after losing her job to begin exercising to focus on her physical health. She recommended everyone to take time to work out, especially in the context of the legal profession where lawyers do not have much time to focus on their physical fitness. She also advised lawyers to think twice about quitting before trying to switch careers, noting that interviewing while unemployed is challenging.

Christina Chelliah shared her story about being a successful, practicing attorney in Malaysia before moving to the United States. Although her family and peers were surprised by her decision to leave Malaysia in the midst of a successful career, Ms. Chelliah ultimately decided to move to the United States in the pursuit of greater career achievement. As a foreign-trained attorney, she experienced struggles in proving her skills to law firms in the United States. Ms. Chelliah also discussed the sense of duty many Asian American women experience, noting a tendency to prioritize the well-being of others over their own. Consequently, her choice to pursue a new career path represented a significant departure from deeply rooted cultural norms. She urged those in attendance to prioritize their own aspirations rather than focusing solely on the expectations of those around them.

Rachel Lee talked about working at big law firms and then transitioning to a non-profit organization. She spoke about how she disagreed with her firm’s withdrawal from supporting DEI, causing her to ultimately decide to leave the firm. Ms. Lee noted that the transition to non-profit was a financial sacrifice, but it was the right thing to do. She encouraged attendees to have the courage to acknowledge when things aren’t always perfect or right and to stay connected to their passion. 

After the first afternoon session, the audience took a quick stretch break led by Michelle Lee. Ms. Lee guided participants through several convenient exercises to do any time during the day from their seats. The stretch break was greatly appreciated after a long day of sitting.

Demystifying the Bench

From the stretch break, we moved to a panel on demystifying the bench, with Judge Judy Kim, Justice of the New York County Supreme Court, and Judge Joseph Zayas, Chief Administrative Judge of the New York State Unified Court System, moderated by Nicole Zayas, LCSW, CEO, Arriving Full Circle (and daughter of Judge Zayas). 

Judge Kim talked about being the first Korean American justice elected to the New York County Supreme Court. Reflecting on her journey as an immigrant to the United States, Judge Kim discussed her judicial responsibility to support the community and ensure the court system remains accessible and user-friendly. She talked about her choice to go into the legal profession instead of going to medical school, choosing a profession that actually impacted the real world. Judge Kim reflected on the moment when she decided she didn’t want to be a private sector lawyer and instead transitioned to public service to serve a greater purpose. In response to what advice she would have given her younger self, she highlighted the importance of having self confidence.

Judge Zayas recounted his story as a young boy who would skip class and who almost failed gym. He reflected that he had no idea that one day he would end up in such an important role.  Even as a Justice of the New York State Supreme Court, Judge Zayas admitted that he didn’t always feel absolutely confident. He recalled a time when he went to an event and admitted that he felt a little scared in his role, but he was later told by others that he shouldn’t admit his vulnerability and should appear as completely confident. Judge Zayas disagreed, telling the audience that it was important to be true to yourself, including admitting when things are hard. Judge Zayas offered some key pieces of advice, such as working hard, treating everyone with kindness, and being resilient. Judge Zayas emphasized persistence, noting that anyone, even an almost-failing student like himself, could work hard and contribute to society in a meaningful way. He also gave the audience advice on being in touch with your emotions – even if sometimes obstacles get you upset, you need to learn how to calm down and go back later to reflect on why something made you mad in the first place. 

To read a blog post about this panel from Judge Kim’s intern, Devashani Sharma, go here.

Reclaiming Your Life Without Burning It Down: The Journey Back to Yourself

The day ended with a session from Nicole Zayas, LCSW, CEO of Arriving Full Circle. She began by involving everyone in a mindfulness exercise that included a Hershey’s Kiss, where participants felt, heard, smelled, and even tasted the Kiss before finally eating it. The exercise slowed down the attendees and focused them on being present in the moment. 

Ms. Zayas began her presentation by telling her story of being a young woman who did “everything right,” going to school, working hard, and finding a job. Then, she suddenly became a mother from two unexpected pregnancies, feeling overwhelmed and disconnected. She managed to find her way back to herself through therapy, breathing exercises, and yoga. Ms. Zayas then proposed that “broken” people aren’t really broken; rather, they are in survival mode, trying to just survive (instead of thriving), and reacting (instead of responding). Ms. Zayas gave three steps to getting back in the driver’s seat:

  1. Believing it is possible
  2. Investing in yourself
  3. Finding your purpose

These three steps shaped what Ms. Zayas called the “Power Pass,” a step-by-step program to get people back in the driver’s seat of their lives. She gave the analogy of a surfer, where the person is the surfer and the waves are their thoughts. The person can either ride the waves or let the waves ride them. Ms. Zayas ended the session by promoting her Power Pass series in August, inviting anyone interested to sign up for a wait list to join the sessions.

Closing Remarks

AABANY Executive Director Yang Chen delivered closing remarks, thanking all of the speakers, sponsors, and participants who made the day possible. Attendees then enjoyed the remaining time to connect with each other before leaving the event, bringing AABANY’s Fourth Annual Wellness Day to a close. 

We would like to thank the following sponsors for generously supporting this year’s Wellness Day:

To learn more about the Wellness Committee, go here. To join the e-mail list of the Wellness Committee, email main@aabany.org. For more information about this year’s Wellness Day speakers, go to the website: https://wellness2026.aabany.org/, where you can also find a drop down for previous Wellness Day webpages and blog posts. AABANY’s list compiling Wellness Resources can be found here.

–Written by Samuel Yu, incoming 9th grade student of Livingston Public Schools, New Jersey

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Breaking Barriers, Building Community: A Fireside Chat with Sandra Leung

On June 2, the Asian Employee Resource Group of the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office (DANY) hosted a fireside chat with DANY alum Sandra Leung in honor of Asian Pacific Islander Desi American (APIDA) Heritage Month. Leung is an Independent Director of Bausch Health Companies and recently retired as Executive Vice President and General Counsel (GC) of Bristol Myers Squibb, where she was the first Asian American and first woman to hold the role. Moderated by Grace Vee (Co-Chair of AABANY’s Prosecutors Committee; Associate General Counsel and Chief, State Civil Litigation Unit, Appeals Division, at Manhattan District Attorney’s Office)  and Emily Abrams, the event brought together prosecutors, attorneys, and members of the legal community for a conversation about Leung’s career and the lessons she’s carried from the DA’s office to the boardroom.

Leung credited her career to both her family history and her time at DANY, where she chose prosecution after a stint in legal aid exposed her to criminal justice firsthand. When she first started, diversity wasn’t yet something the profession really talked about. Despite that, she pushed through imposter syndrome, a feeling she said never fully goes away.  Leung learned to recognize it and work past it when it counted.

Eventually the hours and the need for more stability for a growing family pulled her toward in-house work, a path that led her to the GC role at Bristol Myers Squibb. From her time at the company, she learned that diversity was not only about being fair and ethical, but it was also good for business, because it prevents groupthink. She pointed to the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association’s model of mentorship and allyship as a blueprint for what the room could keep building. She closed by urging everyone not to let their differences divide them but to remember that the profession moves further when it moves together.

Leung’s decades of leadership have earned national recognition. Earlier this year, the ABA Commission on Racial and Ethnic Diversity in the Profession honored her with the 2026 Spirit of Excellence Award. At last year’s NAPABA Annual Conference, Leung received the Daniel K. Inouye Trailblazer Award, NAPABA’s highest honor, for her achievements and leadership in advancing Asian Pacific, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander lawyers. 

AABANY thanks Sandra Leung for sharing her insights and her journey, and thanks the Asian Employee Resource Group of the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office for hosting this celebration of APIDA Heritage Month.

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From the Courtroom to the C-Suite: Lessons from Linda Lu, Chief Legal and Risk Officer, Zip Co Limited

On April 29, 2026, AABANY’s In-House Counsel Committee hosted a fireside chat with Linda Lu, Chief Legal and Risk Officer of Zip Co Limited, at offices of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP. Over 40 attendees gathered to hear Lu discuss her 25-year career across prominent financial services and insurance companies, offering insights into reaching the top as an Asian American woman.

Moderated by Dwight Yoo, Partner at Skadden and AABANY Board Director, the conversation covered Lu’s strategic career pivots, self-promotion, identity in corporate settings, and the role of AI in law. Lu structured her retrospective in reverse, starting with her current role at Zip, drawn by its female leadership and “low ego” culture. She recounted leaving TransUnion after a promised CLO succession plan failed for the second time in her career, reinforcing the need to remain open to outside opportunities.

Earlier, at Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company, Lu transitioned from Chief Litigation Officer to General Counsel for the largest business unit after mentors stressed the need for CLOs to understand the business. This period, marked by intense corporate politics, shaped her “integrity line” philosophy—the point where a professional must decide if a workplace battle compromises personal values.

Lu introduced the PIE model for career advancement: Performance (10%), Image (30%), and Exposure (60%). She cautioned that brilliance without exposure is insufficient. Lu also addressed the specific challenges she faced as an Asian American woman, including being mistaken for a court reporter, and shared a moment of “overcorrecting” with aggressive assertiveness. She emphasized that the integrity line is a personal threshold for deciding when to leave a toxic environment.

Regarding leadership, Lu distinguished between the operational work of an individual contributor and the strategy and influence of a leader, warning that promotion means less substantive legal work. On the subject of sponsorship, which was a recurring theme in diversity conversations, Linda offered practical guidance. She suggested to the audience to take risks, raise their hand, and above all, make their boss look good. Sponsors are not recruited through eloquent requests, they are earned through visible and reliable performance that reflects well on the people above you.

Lu also shared the personal costs of her ambition, including returning to work six weeks after her first child’s birth—a mistake that she believed set an unhealthy precedent. Perhaps the most poignant moment of the evening involved Lu’s reflections on the personal trade-offs of her career trajectory. She recounted an episode when her second-grade son won a school contest for a story that was later staged as a play. Arriving early to secure a front-row seat, Lu expected a whimsical performance. The play, entitled My Day at the Zoo, began with a mother turning away from her child to answer a work call, leading to the boy getting lost. While the narrative eventually shifted toward a happy ending with talking animals, the image of the mother’s distraction remained a haunting symbol of the professional struggles and the “integrity line” Lu negotiated throughout her journey as a parent and a leader.

The discussion concluded with AI. Lu reported that Zip uses AI tools company-wide with a policy of no headcount reduction associated with use of the technology. She views AI as accelerating “Performance” but unable to replace human judgment, trust, and relationship-building. Her final message was: “People who use AI will survive more than people who don’t.”

The evening closed with further networking. AABANY’s In-House Counsel Committee thanked Linda Lu for her candor and Skadden for hosting. To learn more about AABANY’s In-House Counsel Committee, click here. 

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In the News: AABANY’s In-House Counsel Committee’s Fireside Chat with SEC Commissioner Mark Uyeda

Photo Credit: Benjamin Hsing

The recent fireside chat featuring SEC Commissioner Mark Uyeda, moderated by AABANY member and Bath & Body Works Chief Legal Officer Michael Wu, was reported on by Alyssa Aquino in a December 5, 2025 article in the New York Law Journal titled “SEC Commissioner Mark Uyeda Reflects on Career in Fireside Chat.”

The event, which was organized by AABANY’s In-House Counsel Committee, took place on the evening of December 4th at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom’s New York City office.  Commissioner Uyeda, the first Asian-Pacific American to serve as an SEC Commissioner, shared insights into his career and offered valuable advice to the young professionals in attendance.

The article highlighted key takeaways from the conversation, including Commissioner Uyeda’s counsel on the necessity of gaining managerial experience throughout one’s career and the importance for capital markets attorneys to understand accounting. Uyeda, who began his tenure at the agency in 2006 as counsel to then-Commissioner Paul Atkins, humorously noted that even after 20 years since they first met, they are “still doing the same thing.”

To read the full article on Law.com, please click here.  (Subscription required)

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AABANY Co-Hosts the 3rd Annual Pre-Holiday Multi-Association Gathering Featuring Veterans Day Fireside Chat

AABANY gathered 20 other associations for the 3rd Annual Pre-Holiday Multi-Association Gathering, on Tuesday, November 11, 2025, at 6:00 p.m., at the New York City Bar Association. The evening featured a potluck dinner, and a CLE Program on Wellness Resources, which included a Fireside Chat focused on veterans in the legal profession since this year’s event fell on Veterans Day.

As the evening began, guests gathered around a vibrant potluck table featuring an array of dishes representing the diverse cultures of the co-sponsoring bar associations.

The spread included scallion pancakes, lo mein, samosas, roasted pork, dumplings, pigs-in-a-blanket, fried rice, Caribbean-spiced chicken, and homemade baked goods, among other offerings. 

Holidays can be emotionally and mentally challenging for many, especially those navigating identity transitions, loss, or professional pressures.  This year’s CLE focused on veteran experiences, resilience, mental health, and navigating civilian legal careers after military service.  Because this topic has often been neglected, it was especially meaningful to conduct this dialogue on Veterans Day.

The Fireside Chat featured a conversation between Amos Kim, Co-Chair of AABANY’s Military & Veteran Affairs Committee, litigation associate at Baker Hostetler, and Austin Cheng, U.S. Army veteran, attorney, and CEO of Gramercy Surgery Center. It was moderated by Benjamin Hsing, President of AABANY and Senior Counsel at Bayes PLLC. Meredith S. Heller, Attorney from the Law Office of Meredith S. Heller PLLC, also spoke to share wellness resources from the New York City Bar Association.  

Austin described the often invisible challenges of transitioning from military life to a legal career. Reflecting on his return from service, he shared: “In the military, I knew exactly what I was responsible for. Every day had structure. There was clarity, purpose, and a team. When I returned to civilian life, I suddenly had too many choices — too much freedom. And that can be overwhelming.” Without that structure, veterans are suddenly faced with what many of us take for granted — choice. But for those used to clear orders, set routines, and defined missions, choice can feel less like freedom and more like instability.

Austin also shared that when he returned from service, the emotional weight of reintegration was immense. He reflected, “I just remember getting back on a Sunday. I was happy to get back home to my family after four years. I can see my mother, she was very different from when I saw her last.” Returning home is often imagined as a moment of relief, closure, or celebration. Yet for many veterans, the process can also be challenging and even painful. They need to rebuild identity, redefine purpose, and adjust to a life no longer shaped by military structure, urgency, or routine. Austin shared that he was suddenly faced with family responsibilities, including taking over his mother’s business, while grappling with these changes. It was during this time that he decided to pursue a J.D.

The difference in adjustment, Austin noted, is not merely about finding a new job and life, but about perspectives.  While civilians may show respect and appreciation for service, understanding the mindset of military service requires more. And this goes both ways – veterans also may need to understand the perspective of the civilians, understanding that they are limited in their perspectives. As Austin stated:  “I don’t think civilians ever played the role of a military person. I think what was more important at that time when I was transitioning out was me being able to understand the mindset of a civilian.” This highlights a key shift: successful reintegration does not mean expecting others to fully understand the military experience, it means understanding others’ perspectives. 

Furthermore, cultural change can be difficult to get used to.  Rather than operating within a single shared purpose, veterans entering the legal profession must now find purpose, build teams, and cultivate trust in a system where perspectives differ, and where collaboration is shaped not by command, but by conversation. Amos stated, “In the military we’re made to have like-minds, whereas here, in the team-building process, we have similar minds.” In the military, unity comes from sameness: same mission, same standards, same purpose. In the legal profession, unity must be built through difference: through debate, collaboration, and shared understanding.

However, they also benefited much from their time in service. Reflecting on how military training shaped his sense of purpose and discipline, Austin said: “I think being in the military gave me a certain level of resilience and perspective…. It’s war, so you have to kind of do certain things under very stressful conditions.” That sense of resilience, formed through years of training, responsibility, and operating under high-stress conditions, would anchor him in both law and leadership. 

Amos added similar reflections, noting that even after transitioning into the legal field, many habits shaped by military life remain deeply ingrained. Attention to detail, strategic thinking, and discipline continue to guide his work. He shared that he still wakes up at 4:00 a.m. every day because his body and mind remain conditioned to that rhythm. The expectations in the military: precision, accountability, and intention, become part of who you are.

Amos also described the intensity of expectation, precision, and discipline expected in the military: “Operating in the military is more along the lines of what you’re doing to the right every time. There’s no room for error, and there’s no room for any other ideas on how to do it better. It’s the best way to do it, and that’s all.”

Austin’s and Amos’s experiences as service members not only shaped how they approached their mission, but how they later perceived work, purpose, and responsibility in civilian life and the legal profession.

After dinner and the Fireside Chat, attorneys, law students, judges, and professionals connected and exchanged stories during the networking time.  The conversations were not just about their work, but about their families, cultural backgrounds, and personal journeys. Several attendees shared that it was refreshing to step away from case files and deadlines to connect as people, not just as professionals. The connections built between attendees of different backgrounds were personal, heartfelt, and deeply meaningful.

We thank all co-sponsoring associations for their continued support and generosity in sharing the diverse food for this event: 

Events like these demonstrate AABANY’s ongoing commitment to wellness, community, inclusion, and shared storytelling within the legal profession. On this Veterans Day, we were proud to honor not only those who served, but also those who continue to serve through law, leadership, and empathy.

In addition to the associations and the speakers, we would like to thank Jonathan Nguyen, Gloria Tsui-Yip (AABANY Membership Committee Co-Chair) and Kwang Woo Andy Kim (law student from Rutgers Law School – Newark) for volunteering at this event.

Photos from the event can be found at this album here.

“Purpose doesn’t end when service does. It simply takes a new form.” -Jade Simmons, transformational speaker, author and former concert pianist, from her book Purpose the Remix

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Labor & Employment Law & In-House Committees Host Fireside Chat With In-House Counsel Grace Fu

On September 17, 2025, AABANY’s Labor & Employment Law and In-House Counsel Committees hosted a fireside chat with Grace Fu, Chief Legal & Administrative Officer at Nanit. Grace shared her experience with AABANY members about working with unions in her prior role as Chief Legal and Administrative Officer and Executive Vice President at Barneys New York.

The event, hosted at Littler Mendelson P.C.’s midtown Manhattan office, aimed to explore the “labor” side of the practice of labor and employment law. Grace explained that her role at Barneys was the first time she had in-depth exposure to labor and employment law, and highlighted the learning curve that came with participating in collective bargaining and addressing the needs of a unionized workforce. She shared stories from her interactions with employees and union officials at Barneys, and expressed gratitude for the unique experience she gained in her dual role in both the Legal and Human Resources departments while at Barneys.

The fireside chat was followed by a Q&A session where Grace continued to provide insight and perspective on her role at Barneys, and shared how she has carried lessons from those experiences to her current role at Nanit. 

The Labor & Employment Law Committee plans on scheduling quarterly fireside chats with leaders in the field of labor and employment law. Please be on the lookout for future events, which will be posted on the AABANY calendar!

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Syracuse Law APALSA Hosts Fireside Chat with Hon. Lillian Wan

On Aug. 20 Syracuse Law APALSA hosted a fireside chat with Justice Lillian Wan (NY Appellate Division, Second Department).  Assistant Dean Lily Yan Hughes, a 2025 NAPABA Daniel K. Inouye Trailblazer Recipient, introduced Justice Wan.  Then APALSA President Rebecca Lee moderated the chat. The in-person and on-line audience was enthralled by Justice Wan’s stories of how she learned to embrace her Asian American heritage, found her calling in law, and then after another judge mentored her, finally saw that she could become a judge.   

Justice Wan’s mission is now to demystify the pathway to the judiciary.  It was a fabulous evening bringing together the public and legal community.  Thank you to AABANY’s co-sponsorship, along with Syracuse Law Office of Career Services, Syracuse University (SU) AAPI Faculty & Staff Association, Maxwell Executive Education, Asian American Journalists Association (AAJA) SU Student Chapter,  SU Family Law Society, New Americans Forum, SU Asian/Asian American Studies Program, and Asian Pacific American Public Affairs (APAPA) Syracuse Chapter.

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AABANY Hosts Dumplings & Discussion Fireside Chat with Sonia Low

On Wednesday, July 30, AABANY hosted one of its most highly attended Dumplings & Discussion events to date, featuring Sonia Low, Vice President, General Counsel, and Corporate Secretary of the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center. Held at the New York offices of Fish & Richardson in Times Square, the event drew 40 attendees—a diverse and engaged crowd of law students, practicing attorneys, and even family members of AABANY members.

The room was filled to capacity, with attendees lining up along the back wall to listen in on the candid discussion. In an insightful conversation moderated by Jeff Mok, Principal at Fish & Richardson and AABANY Board Director, Sonia shared her journey to Javits, reflecting on her early inspiration to pursue law and experiences in previous corporate roles. She also spoke about the evolving nature of the workplace, the importance of adaptability, and what it means to lead with authenticity and purpose.

Among the attendees was David Feeser, VP of Business Development at 1031 Specialists, who brought along his wife, Te-Hsing Niu, and their 12-year-old daughter. “I wanted my daughter to hear firsthand how people don’t always follow a straight path,” David shared. “Sonia’s story showed her that it’s okay to go through a variety of career changes before finding where you’re meant to be.” 

Following the discussion, attendees stayed for a relaxed networking reception. Over plates of shrimp har gow, black bean chicken, and other delicious bites, seasoned practitioners and young aspiring lawyers discussed a range of reflections on the fireside chat and their own experiences in the legal field.

AABANY extends its deepest thanks to Sonia Low for her candor and generosity, and to Fish & Richardson for graciously hosting the event. We’re grateful to everyone who joined us for such a vibrant and memorable evening.

Keep an eye out on the AABANY calendar for the next Dumplings & Discussion event!

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AABANY Co-Sponsors Fireside Chat with Bethany Li, Executive Director of AALDEF

On Thursday, February 27th, AABANY with FALA New York, NACAL, SABANY, and NYU’s APALSA co-sponsored a Fireside Chat with Bethany Li, the new Executive Director of the Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund (AALDEF). Moderated by Vishal Chander, Co-Chair of AABANY’s Issues Committee, the event gave insight into AALDEF’s history, Bethany’s journey into public interest law, and the pressing civil rights issues facing Asian American communities today.

Bethany Li first took the audience through the history of AALDEF, highlighting how AALDEF has been instrumental in landmark cases that have shaped Asian American advocacy. She emphasized that AALDEF’s history is deeply intertwined with the history of Asian Americans in the United States, stating, “Much of AALDEF’s history coincides with what we understand and study as Asian American history.” 

Bethany later shared personal stories of her childhood in Massachusetts, attributing much of her fine-tuned awareness of systemic injustices to her exposure to the immigrant struggle at an early age. This went on to influence her path to public interest law where, at Amherst, she became more involved in Asian American activism through internships at different journalistic and legal organizations, including one experience during college in which she interned at AALDEF. She later attended Georgetown Law, where she studied under Mari Matsuda, one of the nation’s leading critical race theorists, who cemented her commitment to social justice.

Reflecting on her return to AALDEF as Executive Director, she described it as a homecoming and stressed her commitment to expanding AALDEF’s litigation work, strengthening pro bono partnerships, and mentoring the next generation of civil rights attorneys.

The conversation turned to the role of law firms and private attorneys in supporting AALDEF’s mission. Bethany encouraged attorneys to take on pro bono cases, financially support AALDEF’s work through sponsorships, donations, and participation in events like AALDEF’s Annual Gala, and to advocate within their institutions for greater engagement in civil rights litigation and standing up against government policies that harm immigrant communities. She noted that law firms play a crucial role in civil rights litigation, so their support is greatly appreciated. However, she also acknowledged that pro bono support has become more challenging in the current political climate as firms have refused to attach their names to even non-controversial cases.

Bethany also shared valuable insights for law students interested in public interest law. She specifically stressed the importance of getting hands-on experience through internships, clinics, and pro bono opportunities and seeking mentorship from experienced public interest lawyers. Additionally, Niji Jain, the Legal Director of AALDEF, noted the importance of a strong cover letter while applying, saying that “as a lawyer, writing is your craft.” Bethany also mentioned one of AALDEF’s goals in the coming years: launching an Asian American Training Institute to train the next generation of civil rights litigators and community lawyers.

Vishal’s final question to Bethany was regarding whether she had a call to action for the audience. Bethany gave a powerful piece of advice, citing her former Professor Mari Matsuda, saying, “Do the work that gives you energy.”

The event concluded with Bethany taking a few questions from the audience, during which they engaged in discussions about AALDEF’s future priorities, the challenges of mobilizing Asian American communities, and ways to get involved.

AABANY extends its deepest gratitude to NYU Law School for hosting, FALA New York, SABANY, and NYU’s APALSA for co-sponsoring and making this possible, and especially Bethany Li for her time and insights. We also thank the AABANY Committees that worked so hard to put on this event, namely the IP Committee, Issues Committee, GSPI Committee, and Professional Development Committee. Thank you as well to everyone who attended this important discussion.

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AABANY Dumplings & Discussion Series Features David S. Sohn

On October 15, AABANY held the 5th installment of its Dumpling & Discussion Series.  The series brings notable AAPI leaders in the legal industry, with a fireside chat in a casual, intimate setting.  

We were honored to have David S. Sohn as our featured guest.  David is Vice President and Assistant General Counsel at JPMorgan Chase & Co.  David is also a current co-chair of AABANY’s In-House Committee, and formerly an AABANY Director and Vice-President of Programs & Operations, among other leadership positions at AABANY. 

Jeffrey Mok, current co-Vice-President of Programs & Operations, hosted the discussion.  David shared candid thoughts about his career journey, including his path to law school and his transition between different industries.  David also shared his insights on leadership and offered tips for lawyers who are early in their careers.

Attendees enjoyed a wide selection of delicious dumplings and other Chinese food. 

A lively reception followed the discussion with David, and attendees made new connections with each other over food and drinks.

Check the AABANY calendar for future editions of the Dumplings & Discussion Series.

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