Kang Hwan Yoo, a 70-year-old Korean immigrant business owner was stabbed repeatedly inside his store last month. Last week, the alleged perpetrator was finally arrested, but some of Mr. Yoo’s most challenging times remain ahead.
AABANY, along with community leaders and organizations, demands justice for Mr. Yoo. AABANY Board and AAVTF Member, Christopher Bae, is representing Mr. Yoo pro bono to help ensure that he receives all the legal, financial, and victim services that he needs.
Please consider donating to Mr. Yoo’s official Gofundme. Click here to learn more and to donate.
On May 21, in observance of Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, AABANY’s Legal Referral and Information Service (LRIS) hosted an event titled “A Brief History of Anti-Asian Racism in America and Call to Action” to raise funds for Welcome to Chinatown’s Longevity Fund. Welcome to Chinatown is a grassroots initiative working to preserve New York City’s Chinatown by supporting small businesses and amplifying community voices. In 2020, they launched The Longevity Fund, a small business relief program, to support small businesses where cultural and socioeconomic barriers have prevented them from applying for assistance programs.
The first part of the fundraising event consisted of a presentation from Chris Kwok, AABANY Board Director, Asia Practice Committee Co-Chair, and Issues Committee Chair, on the history of anti-Asian racism in America. He provided an overview of the history of sinophobia and anti-Asian violence in the United States, highlighting the passage of laws including the Naturalization Act of 1790, the Page Act of 1875, and the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882. Chris also shared the common themes of how Asian Americans have been perceived throughout history and are still seen today as “forever foreign.”
The presentation was followed by an informal Q&A session between Moderator Tiffany Miao, and William Ng, AABANY President-Elect and LRIS Panel Member, on the importance of AAPI representation in the legal profession and how AAPI lawyers can play a role in preserving Asian cultures and communities for future generations. After listening to Chris’ presentation, William spoke about how the history of sinophobia in the U.S. was never taught in school and how it is important to push towards adding it to school curriculums. Chris added that it’s critical for individuals to understand how race works with Asian Americans—although there’s similarity with how African Americans and Jews experience race, there are still differences and nuances. As for how AAPI lawyers can support AAPI communities, William stated, “While it’s a good career opportunity to do meaningful work, this time in particular, Asian Americans have an opportunity to do more, push certain initiatives.” In addition to representing Asian American clients at work, AAPI lawyers can donate to organizations such as Welcome to Chinatown, and join AABANY’s LRIS to provide legal assistance to the Asian American community.
To join AABANY’s LRIS, please email [email protected] for an application. To learn more about Welcome to Chinatown, please visit welcometochinatown.com and check out their Instagram account @welcome.to.chinatown
At the conclusion of the fundraiser, AABANY was able to raise $2000 for The Longevity Fund. Thank you to everyone who joined us for the event, and thanks especially to all the donors for their support.
On Wednesday, February 24, 2021, AABANY hosted its 2021 Virtual Gala: Uniting for Justice and Equity.
The event kicked off at 6 pm with a Pre-Gala Virtual Cocktail Reception on Remo attended by sponsors and special guests, including prominent General Counsels and judges. At 6:30 pm, all Virtual Gala attendees were invited to enjoy a piano concert featuring AABANY Member Renee Yao.
The Virtual Gala started at 7 pm and Kate Siahaan-Riggs, NYC-based actor, stand up comic, and writer, served as emcee. Throughout the gala, AABANY held a text-to-donate fundraiser to support Portrait Project 2.0, the second phase of the Portrait Project study which is researching why Asian Americans are underrepresented in top leadership positions across all sectors of the legal profession and how it can be addressed.
This year AABANY was proud to honor:
Frank H. Wu, President of Queens College, the City University of New York, with the AABANY Impact Award
Sneha Desai, Deputy General Counsel Litigation of BASF Corporation, with the AABANY Women’s Leadership Award
Kirkland & Ellis LLP with the AABANY Law Firm Diversity Award
Ed Lee, AABANY Board Director and Partner at Kirkland & Ellis, accepted the Law Firm Diversity Award on behalf of Kirkland & Ellis LLP. Honoree Sneha Desai delivered an acceptance speech, stressing the importance of individuals in leadership and influential positions to make positive change in diversity and inclusion. The Honorable Denny Chin, U.S. Circuit Judge, U.S. Court of Appeals, 2nd Circuit, hosted a fireside chat with honoree Frank H,. Wu to discuss his career and the work he has accomplished.
In addition, we were also pleased to present the 2021 class of Don H. Liu Scholars: Narissa Ganpat, Minji Kim, and Minh Eric Le.
The Gala concluded with a tribute to Asian American photojournalist and historian Corky Lee who passed away in January due to COVID-19. Corky had taken photos of our past Annual Dinners from its earliest days until 2020.
We thank all of the AABANY Virtual Gala Planning Committee members and volunteers for their hard work in making this year’s celebration a huge success.
We extend sincere thanks to all of our sponsors. Their generous sponsorships make it possible for us to pursue our mission to advance the interests of the Asian Pacific American (APA) legal community and the communities we serve and support our many activities and signature events throughout the year.
Lastly, we thank everyone that attended the 2021 Virtual Gala and celebrated with us. Our Virtual Gala was streamed on Vimeo which reports that the gala drew 1,400 views. To watch the gala on You Tube, click here or on the image at the top of this blog. To view the Virtual Gala program book, click here.
Thanks to Shirley Ng for sharing this announcement with us.
Gong hay fat choy!
The Toisan Social Meetup Group is pleased to announce that as of late Friday Jan. 19th, it was unanimous that Li Mai, Kim and I decided to make our Lunar New Year event a fundraiser for the individuals and families that were evicted at 85 Bowery St.
A friend reached out to Shirley and asking, “What can we do for these families?” It was a no brainer that with our Lunar New Year event already planned but not yet announced, it was quickly decided to switch this event to support the families in the Chinatown community. Shirley has already reached out to NY Assembly Woman, Yuh-Line Niou on how to distribute the funds.
Please join us on Friday, February 9th to support the tenants of 85 Bowery. Our community needs us. With Lunar New Year right around the corner, it wouldn’t feel right knowing we have a home to go to when others don’t. We can all lend a helping hand.
Come network, make new friends and support our local community at the same time.
Your $15 admission gives you 20% off all food and drink all night at 1 Pike Cafe & Bar. You will receive a hand stamp. There are NO REFUNDS and tickets are NOT TRANSFERABLE. Cash and credit is accepted for food and drinks. Paid entry only from 6-9pm.
Tickets are $10 and $15 while they last. Limited amount of online tickets available. Entry at the door will be $20. Cash and credit will be accepted. All online sales end February 6th.
Tickets will only be sold at the door till 8:30pm. If you do not have a hand stamp at anytime, you will pay regular price for food and drink
A big THANK YOU to Bill of 1 Pike Cafe & bar for quickly working with us to change this event to a fundraiser for the tenants at 85 Bowery.
Thank you. Do good, pay it forward. Happy Lunar New Year.
From our friends at the Puerto Rican Bar Association:
On October 15, 2017, Puerto Rican Bar Association, Kasowitz Benson Torres, and Long Island Hispanic Bar Association, Latino Lawyers of Queens, HNBA, and Dominican Bar Association will host: Hurricane Maria Relief Latin Dance Party Fundraiser. The event will take place at Copacabana located at 268 West 47th Street, New York, NY 10036. The event will last from 6 pm to 10 pm and feature a special guest, J.W. Cortes, MC.
MARK YOUR CALENDAR! On April 6, 2016, Leaders on the Horizon, Safe Horizon’s volunteer leadership council, presents: A Snazzy Affair and Speakeasy Soiree to raise funds and awareness for Safe Horizon. The fundraiser will take place at the famous Webster Hall.
Safe Horizon, the leading victim services non-profit organization in the United States, provides a host of services for victims of abuse and violence in 57 locations throughout the 5 boroughs of New York. Established in 1978 as a pilot program in New York City’s court system, Safe Horizon’s original mission was to assist criminal court witnesses who had been intimidated, or who felt too threatened to testify in court. Since then, they have expanded their reach to help homeless youth, victims of domestic violence, victims of human trafficking, and some of New York’s most vulnerable citizens – victims of child abuse. Today, Safe Horizon touches the lives of more than 250,000 New Yorkers each year, helping victims of crime and abuse move from crisis to confidence.
**$150 means so much to Safe Horizon and the clients they serve.** $150 = 40 healthy meals and snacks for children $150 = a day of childcare while a parent is in court testifying about abuse $150 = 70 calls for help answered on their 24-hour domestic violence hotline $150 = can help cover the cost of legal representation that helps survivors regain their freedom We are also offering a couples ticket for $250 (that’s means you can save $25 if you get a friend to buy a ticket with you)!
COCKTAILS | MUSIC | HORS D’OEUVRES DETAILS: Location | Webster Hall, 125 East 11th Street, New York City Date | Wednesday, April 6th, 2016 Time | 7:00 – 10:00 PM Tickets | Here
P.S. Make sure you know the password (Safe Horizon) or you won’t be admitted!
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Full house at the Broad Street Ballroom.
After round 1, we are tied for second place.
After round 2, lawyers emerge on top as we tie with AALDEF and Newsday.
After Round 3, AABANY stays on top, and ED Yang Chen is a happy camper. (Photo by Julie Huang.)
AABANY ties with the VIPs, a team that includes national officers of AAJA.
Chris Kwok feels confident about taking AABANY all the way to the top in the final rounds. (Photo: Julie Huang.)
Alas, we slip into 3rd after round 4.
Final standings. Read ’em and weep. Panda Express team, we understand, included overflows from the NYT team.
Trivia Bowl team (L. to R.): Chris Kwok, Francis Chin, Tsui Yee, Joey Tsai, Yang Chen. Steve Shapiro, Linda Lin, Rio Guerrero, Ligee Gu, Gabe Arce-Yee.
