AABANY Hosts Dumplings & Discussion with Sandra Leung

On June 10, the Asian American Bar Association of New York (AABANY) hosted an installment of its Dumplings & Discussion event series featuring Sandra Leung, independent Board Member of Bausch Health Companies, retired General Counsel for biopharmaceutical company Bristol Myers Squibb, and past President of the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA). Over delicious dumplings and other dim sum dishes, Sandra shared her extensive career experiences with a captivated audience. 

In addition to her 18 years as General Counsel at Bristol Myers Squibb—the first Asian American and the first woman to serve as their General Counsel—Sandra is also the 2025 recipient of NAPABA’s highest honor, the Daniel K. Inouye Trailblazer Award. In her illustrious career, Sandra was also the first Asian American woman to serve as an Assistant District Attorney in the Manhattan District Attorney’s office. Her board service includes serving on the boards of the Minority Corporate Counsel Association (MCCA) and the Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund (AALDEF). Furthermore, she was a founding member of the Leadership Council on Legal Diversity (LCLD). 

Sandra shared her journey in conversation with moderator and event organizer Jeffrey Mok, Principal at Fish & Richardson, AABANY Board Director, and Co-Chair of AABANY’s Intellectual Property Committee. The audience learned about Sandra’s favorite type of dumpling (homemade veggie dumplings) before launching into Sandra’s career path.

Sandra offered advice for the many young lawyers present, focusing on the path to in-house work and the importance of loving the work you do. The room was spellbound by her compelling storytelling and wealth of experiences and advice, ranging from tales of microaggression to humorous stories to accounts of stressful experiences.

While winding down the discussion and taking questions, Sandra offered cogent advice to the audience to put yourself out there: “If you’re not at the table, you’re on the menu.” 

Sandra’s work ethic, charisma, and initiative left a strong impression on attendees, who continued mingling at the networking reception after the discussion. 

AABANY is grateful to Sandra Leung for her warmth and openness and to Fish & Richardson P.C. for graciously hosting the event. Thank you to all our attendees for joining and being part of a memorable evening!

See here to read about past Dumplings & Discussion chats.

AABANY Members Treated to a Special Yankee Stadium Behind-the-Scenes Tour Hosted by Yankees General Counsel Alan Chang

On Friday, June 12, 2026, the AABANY Membership Committee hosted a special behind-the-scenes tour of Yankee Stadium, capped by a discussion with Alan Chang, General Counsel and Senior Vice President of the New York Yankees. The afternoon paired a guided walk-through of one of baseball’s most storied venues along with a conversation with one of its most senior executives. The tour was donated by Chang and the New York Yankees, with all proceeds supporting AABANY’s mission of advancing the interests of the Asian American legal community.

The group gathered at the Office Lobby next to Gate 2 of the stadium, where Gus the tour guide led the way through the Yankees Museum, Monument Park, the visitors’ dugout, and beyond. Gus’s unparalleled passion for baseball helped make decades of history feel immediate and personal. A highlight was the story behind one of baseball’s rarest feats: the perfect game – a game in which all the batters from one team are retired in order, with no one reaching base. Thus far, there have been only 24 perfect games in Major League Baseball history, and the Yankees have thrown more than any other franchise, with four. Gus shared that every Yankees pitcher to throw one shares the same first initial: Don Larsen (1956), David Wells (1998), David Cone (1999), and Domingo Germán (2023). Larsen remains the most famous with the only perfect game in World Series history, sealed on his 97th pitch when he struck out pinch-hitter Dale Mitchell, and catcher Yogi Berra leapt into his arms in one of the sport’s most enduring images.

Bettmann / Getty Images

The most unexpected moment came at the very end of the tour. After a walk through Yankee Stadium, Gus handed each guest a pair of gloves. At first we were confused, but then Gus explained that we will be given the opportunity to hold some artifacts from Yankees history as part of this special tour. Among them were Aaron Judge’s bat, CC Sabathia’s size-15 cleats, Derek Jeter’s jersey from July 9, 2011 (the day he collected his 3,000th career hit, fittingly with a home run), and perhaps most iconic of all: a game-used bat swung by Babe Ruth himself. For a group that had spent the afternoon learning what made these objects significant, holding them in our hands was a once-in-a-lifetime honor.

The afternoon closed with a sit-down discussion with Alan Chang, who spoke candidly about the path that took him from serving as the Assistant Counsel at ESPN to General Counsel and Senior Vice President of the New York Yankees. He offered the group a look at the legal side of running a major ball club from players’ contracts, intellectual property, labor and player matters, stadium operations, regulatory work, and the range of issues that cross his desk on any given day. Speaking to a room of Asian American attorneys and students hoping to become attorneys one day, Chang reflected on what it has meant to reach that level in an industry where AAPI leadership remains rare, and shared advice for those drawn to sports law. The conversation gave members a window into a career few get to see up close.

The afternoon blended baseball history with a look at the legal career of one of the game’s most prominent executives. AABANY extends its sincere thanks to Alan Chang and the New York Yankees for their generosity in making this unique and memorable event possible. Thanks also to the Membership Committee for helping to put it together.

Rachel Ji-Young Yoo Serves as Advisor to South Korean Government’s “Study on Policy Improvements to Enhance International Mobility for Artists” 

Rachel Ji-Young Yoo of Yoo Law Group recently served as a U.S. immigration adviser to the South Korean government in their national study of artist-visa systems. Her resulting contributions were published in A Study on Policy Improvements to Enhance International Mobility for Artists in late 2025. Congratulations to Rachel on her achievement!

Rachel is the founding partner of Yoo Law Group, LLC, which specializes in immigration law, family mediation, and international dispute arbitration. In addition to her guidance in cross-border and mediation matters, she serves as the Co-Chair of the Asian American Bar Association of New York’s (AABANY) Alternative Dispute Resolution Committee. Rachel is also General Counsel of the Asian & American Art Foundation, and Mediator with the New York County Supreme Court.

On this project, Rachel was invited to serve as a U.S. immigration adviser to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism of the Republic of Korea. Her involvement grew out of her immigration practice and prior work advising Korean artists and cultural organizations, including the Korean Cultural Center New York, on U.S. visa issues. 

As an official contributor on matters related to U.S. immigration law, Rachel aided in examining how Korea’s institutional framework can be improved to better support the international mobility of artists. 

Drawing on interviews and comparative policy analysis, the project uses insights from both Korea and major countries, surveying artists, agencies, and legal/administrative experts with direct experience navigating the visa process to evaluate Korea’s artist‑visa systems. By identifying key issues, strengths, and weaknesses across countries, the report proposes recommendations to strengthen Korea’s artist‑visa policies and promote smoother global artistic exchange.

For Rachel, the experience was particularly meaningful as it represented a continuation of her work in “bridging two legal systems and two cultural frameworks” and “broadened [her] perspective on how national‑level policy decisions shape the practical realities artists face,” something that strengthens her commitment  to aiding her individual clients through U.S. immigration pathways.

Rachel’s work on this project is a testament to the impact that dedicated legal expertise can have beyond the courtroom in shaping policy, building bridges between nations, and advocating for the communities she serves. We are proud to have her as a valued member of AABANY, and please join AABANY in congratulating Rachel on this important achievement.

Michelle Lee Shares Her Journey at Dumplings & Discussion on Nov. 12

On November 12, 2025, AABANY hosted another installment of its popular Dumplings & Discussion series, featuring Michelle Lee, General Counsel at MediaCo. The event drew a diverse group of attorneys and law students for an evening filled with candid conversation, career inspiration, community building, and, of course, delicious dumplings.

Moderated by AABANY Board Director Jeffrey Mok, the discussion explored Michelle’s remarkable journey through the legal profession. She reflected on her path to becoming General Counsel, sharing insights on mentorship, resilience, and embracing new challenges. Her thoughtful reflections offered both practical guidance and encouragement to aspiring legal professionals navigating their own career paths.

Following the conversation, attendees gathered for a networking reception, continuing the dialogue over plates of dumplings. The evening fostered connection, mentorship, and the exchange of shared experiences among members of the legal community.

AABANY extends its heartfelt thanks to Michelle Lee for her generosity in sharing her story, to Jeffrey Mok for leading the discussion, and to all who attended for making the event a success.

To read more about past Dumplings and Discussion chats, click here.

Consider coming to the next Dumplings and Discussion event, scheduled for December 9, 2025 with Alan Chang, General Counsel/Senior Vice President of the New York Yankees. For more information and to register by December 7, click here.

AABANY Committees Come Together for GCs Uncorked

On September 30, 2025, AABANY hosted a special evening of wine tasting and live music at Saltwater NYC, a cozy coffee shop and wine bar co-owned by Sumeet Chugani, General Counsel at Cloaked. The packed event brought together senior in-house counsel and AABANY members for an intimate and engaging night of conversation and connection.

With curated wine selections and a relaxed ambiance, Saltwater provided the perfect backdrop for an evening of relaxed conversation, shared stories, and new connections among AAPI legal professionals and allies.

Thanks to the co-sponsoring AABANY committees; click to learn more about each one:

Thank you to Sumeet and the Saltwater staff for hosting a memorable and fun night.  We look forward to more events that foster connection within our vibrant community.

To stay informed about all upcoming events hosted by these committees, as well as other exciting AABANY events, we encourage you to visit the calendar on AABANY’s website for the latest information.

written by Jeffrey Mok, AABANY Intellectual Property Committee Co-Chair and Board Director

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!

AABANY Dumplings & Discussions Featuring Liz Nie

On June 16, 2025, AABANY held another installment of its Dumplings & Discussion Series. The series presents notable leaders in the legal industry in a fireside chat, in a casual, intimate setting. We were honored to have Liz Nie as our featured guest of the night. Liz is the General Counsel and Corporate Secretary of Acorns, a financial technology company. Throughout the event, attendees enjoyed pork and chive dumplings, shu mai, shrimp rolls, and many other delicious Chinese dishes. AABANY Board Director Jeffrey Mok moderated the discussion.

Over the course of the evening, Liz enthusiastically discussed her journey in the legal profession. She described her personal experiences that led to her current role as General Counsel and her transition into the fintech industry, and offered valuable insights into the industry.

Liz’s discussion elicited many thought-proving questions from all the attendees, resulting in a lively Q&A.

Afterwards, everyone continued to enjoy food and drinks while forming new connections and cultivating old ones at the networking reception. 

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

AABANY IP Committee Hosts Talk with Kelly Koyama-Garcia as Part of “Dumplings & Discussion” Series

On June 20, 2023, the IP Committee hosted the next of its “Dumplings & Discussion” series at Fish & Richardson (“Fish”) with Kelly Koyama-Garcia as the guest speaker. She is the SVP, Corporate Secretary & General Counsel at Louis Vuitton America. Participants enjoyed pork and chive dumplings, Buddha’s Delight, chicken dumplings, and many other Chinese dishes. Jeffrey Mok, IP Committee Co-Chair and Principal at Fish, moderated the discussion and kicked it off by asking Kelly her favorite type of dumpling.

Over the course of the evening, Kelly openly shared her unique experiences that have led her to her current position at Louis Vuitton Americas. Outside of her work, Kelly is an active member of AABANY and other organizations. Kelly shared her personal experiences that have paved the way for her choosing the legal profession and navigating challenging moments in her industry. 

Kelly also talked about her day-to-day responsibilities at Louis Vuitton and the biggest legal concerns she faces.

Kelly’s journey elicited many thought-provoking questions from all the attorneys attending.

After the in-depth discussion and lively Q&A that followed, attendees continued to enjoy drinks and food during the networking reception that capped the event. 

Thanks to Jeff Mok, Co-Chair of the IP Committee for organizing a well-attended and insightful program. To learn more about the IP Committee and how you can get involved, go here.

Opportunities in New York City’s Office of Administrative Tribunals and Hearings (OATH)

OATH is New York City’s central, independent administrative law court. From disciplinary matters involving city employees to civil summonses for various violations, OATH typically conducts more than 200,000 hearings and trials annually, making it one of the busiest tribunals in the country.  OATH’s mission is to ensure that everyone who appears before it receives both a fair opportunity to be heard and a timely resolution of their case.  It is a unique place within City government and a wonderful place to work.  You can learn more about OATH here.

And OATH is hiring!  OATH has a broad range of opportunities available for lawyers, from junior level attorney positions to Administrative Law Judge positions for seasoned professionals.  They have positions in the General Counsel unit for individuals interested in in-house work, adjudicator positions for those who want to serve as neutrals in the Hearings Division, as well as specialist positions such as those in the new Special Education Hearings Division.  A full list of openings can be found here on OATH’s website.

OATH also has a pro bono program that pairs volunteer lawyers with legal service organizations to provide free representation to indigent respondents who appear before OATH.  More information is available here.

Questions? Direct them to HROATH@oath.nyc.gov

2022 NAPABA IHC Summit Application Closes in TWO DAYS!

NAPABA IHC Summit

July 28-29, 2022 | Chicago, IL

The deadline to register for the 2022 NAPABA In-House Counsel (IHC) Summit is just around the corner! Current or former senior public company in-house attorneys who are ready to make the jump into the C-Suite will receive tailored guidance and training based on where they are in their careers. Here is a sneak peek at this year’s topics: 

  • Board & C-Suite Expectations of Today’s GC
  • The Process, Winning Trends & Making the Slate in 2022
  • Strategies to Achieve the Public Company Role

Space is limited! The program is accepting the first 60 qualified applicants—apply by 8:00 pm ET on Wednesday, June 8!

APPLY HERE.