On Monday, December 16, 2024, AABANY’s Women’s Committee hosted the “Building Your Own House: Balthazar Breakfast with Jennifer Wu” at Groombridge, Wu, Baughman & Stone LLP. The event featured a delicious spread of pastries from Balthazar, along with seared tuna steak salad, fresh fruit, and both cold and hot beverages.
The conversation was moderated by Aileen Huang and Ananya Pillutla, associates at Groombridge, Wu, Baughman & Stone LLP. Jennifer shared her journey from her early years as an associate at Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP to her time at Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP, where she was elected partner. In her next chapter, Jennifer launched her own firm — creating her own “house” — where the firm’s partnership is 50% women.
One of the key moments of the discussion was when Jennifer compared Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) to a dance party: “Diversity is being invited to the party; inclusion is dancing with you; and equity is playing your music.” For Jennifer, building her own house was about playing her own music.
Jennifer also shared her personal philosophy of not overplanning and letting life unfold naturally. When asked about her favorite karaoke song, she revealed that it’s not about perfection but about enjoying the experience. From her husband, she learned that the most fun comes not from delivering the perfect performance, but from the genuine passion and enjoyment of the music, regardless of skill.
The participants left the breakfast feeling more connected, supported, and inspired by Jennifer’s insights and authenticity.
Thanks to everyone who attended, and thanks to Jennifer and Groombridge, Wu for being such gracious hosts. To learn more about the Women’s Committee and how you can get involved, please click here.
AABANY congratulates Jennifer Wu, co-chair of AABANY’s Women’s Committee and Founding Partner at Groombridge, Wu, Baughman & Stone LLP, as a recipient of NAPABA’s Pro Bono Service Award. This recognition is well-deserved, acknowledging Jennifer’s exceptional commitment to Pro Bono service and unwavering dedication to advancing civil rights, aligning with NAPABA’s mission to promote justice, equity, and opportunity for Asian American Pacific Islanders. Jennifer’s exemplary legal and advocacy work also exemplifies the values and aspirations of the Asian American Bar Association of New York, making her an inspiring role model for the legal community at large. This award will be presented during the Gala on Saturday evening, November 11, at the NAPABA Convention in Indianapolis.
When asked what she felt when she first learned that she was getting this award, Jennifer recounts her initial feelings of overwhelming appreciation and gratitude for the NAPABA community. “To me, Pro Bono work has always been driven by a sense of purpose, with no expectation of accolades or recognition. Receiving the NABABA Pro Bono Service Award is like the cherry on top. It’s truly gratifying to receive recognition, particularly when you’re dedicated to serving a community that often goes unnoticed,” remarked Jennifer.
Jennifer’s Pro Bono career has been as exceptional as it has been unconventional. Her Pro Bono work differs significantly from what is traditionally associated with legal Pro Bono services. While many high-profile cases commonly involve courtroom appearances and legal battles, Jennifer’s approach is distinct. She provides legal guidance and support, helping victims and their families navigate issues that are more practical in nature. “While this type of work may not conform to what is conventionally recognized by the legal community,” Jennifer stated, “I am deeply honored by NAPABA’s acknowledgment.”
Jennifer demonstrates her exemplary dedication to the community through her active involvement in a wide array of groundbreaking initiatives and Pro Bono cases. Through her legal work, Jennifer has taken on the crucial role of representing victims of Anti-Asian violence, advocating for justice, and providing essential support to their families. Jennifer’s Pro Bono services have been extraordinary— she has taken on the representation of nearly every individual who has lost their life to anti-Asian violence in the past two years in New York City.
Notably, Jennifer Wu played a pivotal role in seeking justice for GuiYing Ma and her family, and raising awareness about the tragic incident. In March 2022, Jennifer orchestrated a press conference for GuiYing Ma’s family, and its subsequent national coverage in the New York Times granted them a vital platform to voice their story and demand justice. Then, in April of that same year, Jennifer worked closely with GuiYing’s family to craft an in-depth feature about her life, further shedding light on the incident’s impact. Currently, Jennifer is working with the Queens family attacked in a car and families of the Allen, Texas mall shooting, both of which are suspected to be hate crimes.
Growing up in an immigrant family in New Jersey, Jennifer recounted how her upbringing has affected her outlook on the importance of Pro Bono service and civil rights advocacy. As the first lawyer in her family, it struck her that Pro Bono services were not available for those that needed them. “I noticed that organizations out there simply don’t solve the problems that my immigrant family faces,” observed Jennifer. Asian immigrants, in particular, face a host of unique challenges in gaining access to legal services. “Many immigrants find themselves in a challenging middle ground—they’re not considered poor enough to qualify for legal aid, but they also lack the financial means to afford a top-tier lawyer who can represent them effectively,” Jennifer stated.
This phenomenon highlights the pressing need for legal services that bridge the gap for immigrant communities, making it clear that there is a substantial segment of the population that falls into this underserved category. Armed with her personal experiences and profound understanding of the immigrant experience, Jennifer hopes to dedicate her legal career to addressing this gap in service, reshaping the legal landscape to better serve the needs of all members of society.
Furthermore, “the immigrant community is not assimilated enough [to know about] government services [and] to trust the people that are there to help them. They don’t trust the police, they don’t trust the district attorney— they don’t even trust the hospitals treating them,” observed Jennifer. “When they don’t trust those institutions, their reaction is to withdraw, and not engage. This is okay, except when someone’s been really hurt. All of the sudden, they’re faced with these legal institutions that for their entire life, they’ve tried to avoid.”
Against this backdrop of general distrust of existing institutions, Jennifer views her Asian identity as a unifying force, a connection that can help close the gap between immigrant communities and the often intimidating legal system. Her immigrant background thus becomes a point of connection and relatability, enabling her to break down barriers and establish trust with individuals who may have been apprehensive about seeking help. Her commitment to building these crucial bridges not only helps immigrant families find the justice and support they need but also serves as a powerful testament to the impact of diversity and cultural understanding that facilitates the efficacy of her Pro Bono advocacy.
Aside from her illustrious Pro Bono career, Jennifer is actively involved in AABANY as a co-chair of AABANY’s Women’s Committee. When asked about her experience in the committee, Jennifer’s face lit up with a smile, and she warmly reflected on her involvement. “Though I’ve engaged in mentorship experiences in the past, they often felt awkward because they didn’t naturally evolve,” Jennifer declared, in an animated tone. “What makes the Women’s Committee so exceptional is that it provides an organic opportunity to connect and engage with a diverse and accomplished group of female Asian lawyers.” Her warmth and enthusiasm in discussing her role in the Committee demonstrates her dedication to empowering the next generation of legal professionals. To learn more about AABANY’s Women’s Committee, please click here.
To announce the release of the Endless Tide report, Jennifer delivered remarks at a press conference held on May 31 at the offices of Paul, Weiss in midtown Manhattan. During this event, Eva Zhao, the widow of Zhiwen Yan, the delivery worker who tragically lost his life in Forest Hills, spoke about her hardships and struggles in the wake of her husband’s murder. Significantly, the very next day, the perpetrator responsible for Zhiwen Yan’s tragic death was arrested, marking a significant breakthrough in a case Jennifer had worked diligently on. Jennifer’s relentless efforts and dedication in the Zhiwen Yan case played a pivotal role in bringing closure to the grieving family and securing justice for the victim. To read more about Jennifer’s involvement in this case, and her approach to anti-Asian violence casework, click here.
Please join AABANY in congratulating Jennifer on receiving the NAPABA Pro Bono Service Award, In the legal world and beyond, Jennifer Wu’s work serves as an embodiment of the power of empathy, cultural understanding, and unwavering dedication to justice.
On July 11th, 2023, AABANY’s Students Outreach Committee organized a Students Meet Firms event, connecting law students with attorneys from Groombridge, Wu, Baughman & Stone. (Groombridge, Wu) The panelists included Josephine Young, Partner at Groombridge, Wu; Karen King, Partner at Morvillo Abramowitz Grand Iason & Anello PC; Ben Hsu, Associate at Groombridge, Wu; and Chih-Wei Wu, Associate at Groombridge, Wu. Serving as the moderator was Jennifer Wu, Partner at the firm and Co-Chair of AABANY’s Women’s Committee. The event took place at the Groombridge, Wu office located in New York City and online via Zoom.
The setting was intimate and informal, with Jennifer fielding questions from attendees, which included sharing personal stories and discussing the significance of being assertive in the legal profession. Jennifer emphasized learning to recognize your own voice and not allow others to walk over you. The conversation also delved into topics such as workplace racism, the advantages and disadvantages of owning a firm versus working for one, the training process, the life of an associate, and the value of learning from mistakes.
One notable piece of advice from Jennifer was to seek out a firm that allows for mistakes and provides opportunities for growth through learning from them. The attendees shared insightful questions, such as when does making mistakes become unacceptable, the experiences of being an Asian American woman while climbing the corporate ladder and making partnership, and the pros and cons of practicing law in a post-COVID world.
Overall, the panel provided comprehensive responses to a range of attendee questions, spanning from the experiences of litigation lawyers to insights into achieving partnership status at a major law firm or running one’s own.
Thank you to our speakers for sharing their insights and to the Student Outreach Committee for organizing this wonderful and informative event. To read more about other Students Meet Firms events, including Cleary Gottlieb and Kirkland & Ellis, click on the links to the blog posts. To learn more about the Student Outreach Committee, please click here.
On March 24, 2023, the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights (USCCR) organized a briefing to address the federal government’s response to anti-Asian racism in the United States. Jennifer H. Wu, Co-Chair of the AABANY Women’s Committee and a member of the AABANY Anti-Asian Violence Task Force, provided her testimony during the session. Jennifer highlighted the fact that none of her pro bono clients, who were victims of well-known anti-Asian hate crimes, had ever reported the crimes to federal agencies. “I am here, because I became a civil rights lawyer,” Jennifer declared, “because there has been no federal response to anti-Asian racism.”
During her testimony, Jennifer emphasized the importance of reading AABANY’s reports on anti-Asian violence in 2021 and 2022 to understand “the response from the local community to people in our community dying.” She acknowledged the precipitous rise in anti-Asian hate crimes in New York City and the growing atmosphere among of fear within the AAPI community during the pandemic. Jennifer called for comprehensive support for victims, including providing and advocating for qualified and experienced interpreters in interactions with the police and improved training and education. In addition, “[the] victims need wraparound services [such as] people to help them with [setting up a] Go Fund Me. In order to withdraw funds, you need [a] Social Security number from the United States as well as [a] bank account [in] the United States. They also need [the] ability to apply for U visas if they are undocumented. They need help with healthcare.” Jennifer, herself a daughter of immigrant parents and a mother of three children, expressed her deep “yearn[ing] for a better future.”
AABANY extends our congratulations and gratitude to Jennifer for her outstanding efforts and advocacy work in support of the AAPI community during a most difficult and challenging time. Her invaluable pro bono work advising and assisting survivors and victims of anti-Asian violence in New York over the past few years were recognized with a Member of the Year Award at AABANY’s 2023 Annual Meeting. We commend her for her dedication and commitment.
To view the full hearing before the USCCR, please click here.
To view the highlights of AAPI leaders who testified:
Jo-Ann Yoo, Asian American Federation
John Yang, Asian Americans Advancing Justice
Cynthia Choi, Chinese for Affirmative Action
Jennifer Wu, Asian American Bar Association of New York
Manjusha P. Kulkarni, AAPI Equity Alliance
please click here. Thanks to Commissioner Magpantay for sharing the highlight video.
On November 29th, AABANY’s Anti-Asian Violence Task Force (AAVTF) led by Chair Elaine Chiu and member Jim Lin, attended the sentencing of Tammel Esco in support of the survivor of a horrific act of hate that took place in Yonkers on March 11, 2022. AAVTF member Jennifer Wu represented the survivor pro bono as the case against Esco proceeded through the courts and accompanied the survivor, together with co-counsel Johan Tatoy (also an AABANY member) at the sentencing.
Tammel Esco was arrested after he brutally beat a 67-year-old Filipino-American woman at the entrance of her Yonkers apartment. Esco pleaded guilty to the charge of first-degree assault as a hate crime and was sentenced to 17-1/2 years in prison followed by five years of supervised release. Judge Minihan presided at the sentencing and recounted Esco’s sad history. She offered him the chance to apologize or explain himself, but he declined. In her victim impact statement, the survivor stated, “A complete stranger heartlessly spit, beat, and kicked me over 100 times just because of my heritage. I lost months of my life. I will forever be on edge.” Currently, she remains in stable condition, yet had to move out of her longtime home due to the traumatic event.
After the sentencing, AABANY members had the chance to meet the District Attorney of Westchester County, Mimi Rocah, at her press conference, where Jennifer Wu commented on the survivor’s behalf, stating, “Leaving the home that you’ve had for 24 years and where you raised your daughters, is incredibly painful.” During the meeting, AAVTF members offered proposals on statutory reform and how to prevent such gruesome cases from occurring in the Asian American community in the future. Elaine Chiu commented further on AAVTF’s attendance at the sentencing and the press conference, stating, “It was a very valuable day with efforts that contribute to the multi-faceted work of our Task Force.”
Watch this News 12 report about the sentencing, in which Johan Tatoy, as the survivor’s attorney, spoke at the press conference and AAVTF Task Force Chair Elaine Chiu was interviewed.
To learn more about the AAVTF and support its efforts, please click here.
On June 10, 2022 AABANY Women’s Committee Co-Chair and AABANY Anti-Asian Violence Task Force member Jennifer Wu and AABANY Board Director Lawrence (“Larry”) Wee were recognized by Bloomberg Law in an article entitled “Why Paul Weiss Is the Pro Bono Go-To for Victims of Asian Hate.” Jennifer and Larry, both partners at Paul, Weiss, have represented some of the most high profile cases, including the families of GuiYing Ma, a grandmother who died after being bashed with a rock; Yao Pan Ma, an elderly man who was struck and kicked to death while collecting cans; and Zhiwen Yan, a deliveryman who was shot to death.
Jennifer and Larry spearhead their firm’s pro bono work fighting anti-Asian hate. They cite their close ties to New York’s Asian community as a reason for their work. Larry is a preacher at a church in Chinatown and Jennifer’s husband, Andy Woo, is a community organizer in Chinatown. Jennifer and Larry feel an urgent sense of responsibility to fight hate against the Asian community. Their urgency is well supported by AABANY’s second anti-Asian violence report, Endless Tide: The Continuing Struggle to Overcome Anti-Asian Hate in New York, which shows an increase in incidents despite media attention and calls by elected officials for change on the issue. (Paul, Weiss attorneys assisted in editing and drafting the Endless Tide report.)
Gaining the trust of victims and their families is not easy and requires great cultural sensitivity. “Often, they don’t trust people with money, and they’re worried that you’re in cahoots with authorities,” Jennifer said. She meets her clients in noodle shops in Queens rather than Paul, Weiss’ Manhattan office. Jennifer and Larry, both Chinese speakers, are the most visible members of Paul, Weiss’ fight against anti-Asian hate. They are grateful for the many additional partners, including Loretta Lynch, Jeannie Rhee, and Alan Halperin, who have been essential to the effort.
AABANY congratulates Jennifer and Larry on their well-deserved recognition. To read the full article, please click here.
On February 24, AABANY co-sponsored a hybrid Women’s Leadership panel, together with the Asian Financial Society, the Chinese Finance Association, East West Bank, and MSCI which hosted the event and the reception afterwards. Around 30 attendees joined in-person, with the rest participating by Zoom.
The panel of industry leaders were:
Jennifer Wu Partner, Paul, Weiss and AABANY Women’s Committee Co-Chair;
Janny Cheung, FVP-CRE Manager, Eastern Region CRE, East West Bank;
Chengying Xiu, Shareholder of Becker & Poliakoff, Chairwoman of AFS;
Angelene Huang, Executive Director, VisWise Global and board member of TCFA; and
Jigar Thakkar, Chief Technology Officer and Head of Engineering, MSCI.
The panel was moderated by Cara Chen (Executive Director, Client Coverage (Hedge Funds), MSCI).
The discussion focused on allyship and how women of color can meaningfully advance in their careers including through the support of bar associations like AABANY. Jigar talked about his practice of communicating with diverse people not just about what they have done right but the challenges of running a company; Janny Cheung talked about the diverse and supportive environment at East West Bank that treats everyone like individuals and that has allowed women like her to succeed; Chengying Xiu talked about the importance of speaking from the heart and being true to yourself; Angelene Huang talked about starting an organization that brings together Asian American professionals and how much she values toughness; and Jennifer talked about her journey from a premed student to a litigation partner and how as a first generation lawyer, other people had dreams for her that she did not have for herself.
Thank you to Asian Financial Society for inviting AABANY to co-sponsor and to Jennifer Wu for representing the Women’s Committee as a panelist. To learn more about the Women’s Committee, please visit https://www.aabany.org/page/122.
On December 8, 2021, NY1 News published an article titled “NYPD civilian panel investigates hate crimes as cases double.” The NYPD tasked a civilian panel to review more than a hundred cases potentially motivated by bias. The article highlights the following:
Reported hate crimes doubled this year to 503 as of Dec. 5
There were 249 arrests in these cases
Of the 503 reported hate crimes, 129 of them were against Asians
Jennifer Wu, Co-Chair of AABANY’s Women’s Committee and a Partner of Paul, Weiss who has represented hate crime victims pro bono, is quoted in the article: “When people experience economic stress or a plague, a majority of people tend to blame a class of people.”
In “For Asian American Lawyers, Good Mentorship Is Crucial,” a Law360 Guest Column published on August 16, Paul, Weiss partners Jeannie Rhee, Lawrence Wee, and Jennifer Wu discussed the importance of mentorships and common setbacks and stereotypes faced by Asian American lawyers. Wee and Wu are both AABANY members. Wee is a co-chair of AABANY’s Corporate Law Committee and a former AABANY Board Director, while Wu is a co-chair of the AABANY’s Women’s Committee. Rhee, Wee, and Wu stated that finding good mentors is vital for professional development and career advancement, but also took care to note that the mentor-mentee relationship is two-sided. The authors recommended that mentees find ways to anticipate their mentors’ needs and assist them, while also encouraging mentors to be good listeners and step into their mentees’ shoes. While they maintained that these relationships can help young lawyers learn to manage some challenges associated with being an Asian American in the legal profession, they also recommended that Asian American lawyers should seek out a range of mentors, whether they share the same cultural background or not.
As mentors, Rhee, Wee, and Wu encouraged younger lawyers to take risks, speak up during meetings and challenging cases, and actively seek out promotions and leadership opportunities, especially since Asian Americans can be seen as risk-averse and face obstacles such as the bamboo ceiling. The authors also cautioned young Asian American lawyers, warning them that they will encounter stereotypes and that not everyone would acknowledge that they are minorities. However, they urged young Asian American lawyers to be their best, most authentic selves and to engage in positive, open communication about race-related issues. They also encouraged Asian American lawyers to become active in affinity groups and seek out organizations dedicated to the Asian American community and the career advancement of Asian American lawyers. The link to the full article is here.
The New York Law Journal recognized Jennifer H. Wu on October 10, 2018 with a Rising Stars Award, given to 29 of the region’s most promising lawyers under 40. Awardees are acknowledged for their influence in their practice areas in New York and beyond, developing unique practice niches, employing creative uses of technology, amassing robust books of business, demonstrating strong leadership qualities, showing expertise in litigation or transactional work, contributing to the improvement of their institutions, and committing themselves to pro bono, charitable and professional volunteer work.
Jennifer is a partner in Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP’s Litigation Department and focuses her practice on patent litigation matters. Jennifer frequently goes to jury and bench trials in federal district courts and trials before the International Trade Commission. She also represents clients in appeals to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit and the U.S. Supreme Court. She has litigated patents in a wide variety of technical areas, with a particular emphasis on pharmaceuticals and biotechnology. Jennifer’s work on biologics includes litigating issues of first impression as to the BPCIA, and her patent litigation experience also extends to GPS devices, DNA sequencing technology, and medical devices.
Jennifer directs Paul, Weiss’s first pro bono project expressly for Asian Americans, helping parents of special-needs children obtain services from the New York City Department of Education. Jennifer has also worked with the Innocence Project for over a decade, including on eyewitness misidentification, death penalty, and Shaken Baby Syndrome issues. She is a Board member of the Federal Circuit Bar Association; co-chair of the Women’s Committee of the Asian American Bar Association of New York; a Board member of Friends of UNFPA, which supports the work of the United Nations reproductive health and rights agency; and an Advisory Board member of the NYU Law Alumni of Color Association.
For more information on this award, please click here (subscription required).
Please join us in congratulating Jennifer Wu on this well-deserved honor and recognition.
