Apply Now: The online application for the Attorney General’s Honors Program (HP) and the Summer Law Intern Program (SLIP) is open. The deadline for law students and eligible graduates to apply is Tuesday, September 5, 2023, at 11:59 PM ET. The HP is the nation’s premier entry-level federal attorney hiring program. You will find more detailed information online, including eligibility requirements, participating components, application tips, and a link to the application!
AABANY Student Outreach Committee Presents: Students Meet Firms— Kirkland & Ellis
On July 6, 2023, AABANY’s Student Outreach Committee hosted a Students Meet Firms event, connecting law students with attorneys at Kirkland & Ellis. The Students Meet Firms series aims to connect rising second-year law students and other students pursuing law degrees with a range of diverse law firms, providing both insight into the legal profession and valuable networking opportunities.
The event, held at Kirkland & Ellis’ New York office, was moderated by Catherine Tran, J.D. Candidate, Columbia Law School ’25, and featured Partners Shaun Mathew and Kevin Lam, and Associates Keli Huang and Chrissy Pak. The panelists shared their personal experiences leading up to their current roles, what drew them to their particular practice areas, and insight into navigating on campus interviewing (OCI) in law school.
The event kicked off with panelists giving an overview the following practice areas: investment funds, shareholder activism and hostile takeover defense, mergers and acquisitions, and general corporate. The panelists agreed that the culture of Kirkland played a major role in fostering a collaborative environment. In particular, Keli highlighted how the partners of the firm welcomed associates to take on early responsibilities and were receptive to hearing her ideas. Chrissy also added that through her intensive research in law school, Kirkland stood out as one of the most diverse firms and its AAPI attorneys are represented at the highest leadership levels. Kevin underscored that Kirkland truly believes in meritocracy and has a willingness to put its resources into entrepreneurial ideas available to all its attorneys. As an example, Shaun recounted when he first joined the firm and noticed the lack of a South Asian affinity group and led the way in creating firm-wide events to bring South Asian attorneys at the firm together.
The panelists then shared their advice for the OCI process and the importance of finding the right fit. Kevin kicked off the discussion by highlighting that as much as the law firms are interviewing candidates, the students are also interviewing the law firms. Chrissy agreed by giving sample questions one could ask the interviewer to really understand the firm’s value and use the interview as an opportunity to learn whether your goals align with the firm’s. While intensive research into Kirkland and its practice areas are vital, the panelists noted how outstanding candidates demonstrated the ability to ask tailored questions. Keli recommended treating networking opportunities as building both insight into the firm and connections with people you may work with in the future. Shaun also reiterated that you are never working alone, and you never know who might be of importance to your goals.
Another factor that Kevin believes separates candidates from the crowd is having passion and authenticity in what they are doing. As the panelists stated at the introduction of the discussion, the culture at Kirkland is built on its people. By showing your critical thinking skills and authentically portraying yourself in an interview, a compelling narrative could come through in a way that is unique to each candidate. Finally, the panelists shared their experience as attorneys at Kirkland and the type of questions they would ask interviewees.
After the discussion, the panelists and participants connected over an array of hors d’oeuvres and beverages.
Thank you to the Student Outreach Committee and Kirkland & Ellis for organizing this informative program. To learn more about the Student Outreach Committee, click here. Click here to read about the prior Students Meet Firms event featuring Cleary.
AABANY Student Outreach Committee Presents: Students Meet Firms— Cleary Gottlieb
On June 22nd, 2023, AABANY’s Student Outreach Committee hosted a Students Meet Firms event, connecting law students with attorneys at Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP. The Students Meet Firms event series aims to connect rising second-year law students (2Ls) and other students pursuing law degrees with a range of diverse law firms, providing both insight into the legal profession and valuable networking opportunities.
The panel, held on Zoom from 7:00- 8:00pm EDT, was moderated by Siqi Li (AABANY Student Leader, Seton Hall Law School ‘24), and featured associates Chihiro Isozaki, Sharon Wang, Samson Lim, and Long Dang. The panelists gave detailed insight into navigating Cleary’s recruitment process, summer associate program, and life at Cleary as a lawyer.
The event kicked off with panelists sharing useful tips on how to succeed in the interview process. In particular, they highlighted the importance of creating a compelling narrative of yourself as an applicant. While intensive research into Cleary and its practice areas are vital, the associates noted how outstanding candidates demonstrated connections between themselves and the firm that went beyond surface superficialities. To best accomplish this, the panelists recommended that interviewees reach out for coffee chats with Cleary attorneys working in the practice areas they are interested in, building both insight into the firm and comfortability with conversations.
The panelists then shared their own experience as summer associates and highlighted Cleary’s unique global rotation program. Through the program, summer associates are given the opportunity to spend four weeks in one of Cleary’s many overseas offices, including Beijing, Brussels, Cologne, Frankfurt, Hong Kong, London, Milan, Paris, Rome, São Paulo, and Seoul. Cleary also provides many other unique opportunities for professional development, such as their “miniMBA” training program and comprehensive mentorship system.
The associates also discussed the workplace culture at Cleary and how they were drawn to the firm because of its friendly, collaborative, and intellectually stimulating environment. The panelists emphasized that work is equitably distributed at Cleary, through a central staffing system. Many associates were also attracted to Cleary’s strong international presence and the opportunity to work with sovereign governments and international institutions.
Finally, the panelists emphasized Cleary’s strong mentorship system, both on a formal and informal level. Panelist Samsom Lim shared how his relationship with his mentor continued months after he finished the summer associate program. Expanding on this point, panelist Sharon Wang discussed the diverse range of opportunities she has encountered in her day-to-day work to connect with more experienced lawyers as an associate at Cleary.
Ultimately, panelist Chihiro Isozaki emphasized that the interview process is a two-way street, where applicants are also given a glimpse into Cleary and the chance to determine if it is the right fit for them. She gives the advice for future Cleary associates to be open, honest, and vulnerable; they should really get to know people on a deeper level.
Thank you to the Student Outreach Committee and Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP for organizing this informative program. To learn more about the Student Outreach Committee, click here.
Interested in attending a Students Meet Firms event? Upcoming events include:
- Kirkland & Ellis: July 6th, 2023 at 6:00pm, with registration closing on July 3rd
- Groombridge, Wu, Baughman & Stone: July 10th, 2023 at 6:00pm, with registration closing on July 9th
AABANY Labor & Employment Law Hosts Kick-Off Meeting at Littler Mendelson, P.C.
The Labor & Employment Law (“L&E”) Committee of AABANY held its kick-off meeting on the evening of June 8, 2023 in person at Littler Mendelson, P.C.’s New York City office. 20 people attended the kick-off meeting: practicing attorneys (including the L&E Committee chairs), law students, and recent law school graduates. At this kick-off meeting, the L&E Committee chairs and all attendees introduced themselves to the rest of the group; firm attorneys, in-house counsel, a mediator/arbitrator, and other legal professionals shared their respective experiences in the profession to provide some advice to the law students, recent graduates, and junior attorneys in the room. Following this initial portion of the kick-off event, all attendees networked and conversed over light refreshments for the rest of the evening.
The L&E Committee will be creating more networking opportunities by hosting more meetings, informational panels or sessions, and social events throughout the rest of the year. The next event is currently being planned. Once the details for the next L&E Committee event are finalized, we will update the AABANY calendar and send email updates. If you are interested in attending our future L&E Committee events (which are sometimes also co-hosted by other AABANY committees), please check AABANY’s calendar and update your email preference in your account to receive the L&E Committee’s emails.
For more information on the L&E Committee, click here. Additionally, if you have any ideas or suggestions for an event through the L&E Committee, please fill out AABANY’s “Contact Us” form.
Student Outreach Committee and Corporate Law Committee Co-host Program on “What Do Corporate Lawyers Do?”
On March 31, 2023, the Student Outreach and Corporate Law Committees presented the panel: “What Do Corporate Lawyers Do?” at Orrick’s New York office. Moderators Long Dang (litigation associate at Cleary) and Jay Hawlader (law student at Brooklyn Law School) spoke to corporate attorneys Alice Hsu (Capital Markets partner at Orrick), Chris Min (Finance partner at Orrick), Cherry Liu (M&A/PE associate at Paul, Weiss), and Ashley Wong (M&A/PE and Capital Markets associate at Sidley).
In a relaxed setting with pizza and soft drinks, students listened to Alice and Chris speak about building relationships with clients, managing associates, and how they succeeded in becoming partner at their firm. Cherry and Ashley gave advice on how law students should judiciously select practical law classes, how they can ace the law firm interview process, and how to be resourceful, self-starting junior associates.
The panelists also shared what drew them into their respective fields. Ashley, for example, was inspired by purchasing Teavana tea from a Starbucks menu and was then intrigued by high-level transactions that affected consumers. Chris was drawn into her group because she enjoyed the personalities and the work combination.
Students on Zoom and in person listened closely as Alice described her day in a life as a partner and when Cherry gave advice on interviewing with law firms. The event concluded with Q&A and light mingling among the panelists and students.
Thanks to the Student Outreach Committee and Corporate Law Committee for organizing this helpful and informative program, and thanks to all the speakers for sharing their knowledge and insights.
Join the Student Outreach Committee and Tax Committee for “What Do Tax Lawyers Do?” on April 26. For more details and to register, go here.
AABANY’s Government Service & Public Interest Committee and the Student Outreach Committee Present a Meet-and-Greet with Government Service and Public Interest Attorneys
Again showing AABANY’s commitment to raising up the next generation of Asian American lawyers, the Government Service and Public Interest (GSPI) committee teamed up with the Student Outreach Committee (SOC) and Mayer Brown LLP to host the first ever “AABANY Students Meet Government and Public Interest Lawyers” event. The program was held on the evening of February 23 and was very successful, featuring a room packed with students and mentors, and two professional panels, followed by a networking reception.
The panels showcased how Asian Americans have succeeded as lawyers in government service and in the public interest. The panels featured:
- Rahul Agarwal, Deputy Chief Counsel from the Office of Chief Counsel to the Mayor and City Hall;
- Sofia Khan, Director of the Family Law Unit from Legal Services NYC (LSNYC);
- Belinda Luu, Staff Attorney from Mobilization for Justice’s (MFJ) Special Litigation Project;
- Frank Ng, Deputy General Counsel from the New York City Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings (OATH);
- Kwok Ng, Associate Court Attorney from New York City Civil Court;
- Nakeeb Siddique, Director of Housing from the Legal Aid Society’s Brooklyn Neighborhood Office;
- Marti Weithman, Assistant Commissioner from the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development (DHPD); and
- Annie Wang, Director of Immigrant Justice Project from the Asian American Legal Defense and Education (AALDEF).
The panels showed students what it is like to work in a variety of fields in government and public interest and what it takes for students to get a foot in the door.
The panel discussions were followed by a networking reception with more government service and public interest lawyers. In attendance were, Ernie Collete from MFJ, Kevin Hsi from DHPD (also GSPI Committee’s Co-Chair), Jonathan Rosen from New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA), May Wong (Pro Bono & Community Service Committee Co-Chair) from DC 37 Legal Services. Also, in attendance were AABANY’s Executive Director Yang Chen, Vice President of Programs and Operations Beatrice Leong, and Treasurer and Co-Chair of the GSPI Committee Evelyn Gong.
Thank you to AABANY student leaders Stephanie Sun (Fordham Law) and Alex Lao (Pace Law), SOC Vice Chair Justin Lee (NYU Law), SOC Co-Chair William Lee (Associate, Mayer Brown LLP) and GSPI Committee Co-Chair Rina Gurung (Associate Court Attorney, Housing Court) for leading the charge.
Special thank you to Mayer Brown LLP for sponsoring and hosting this event.
To learn more about the GSPI Committee, click here. To learn more about the SOC, click here.
Thank You to our Volunteers at the Manhattan Pro Bono Clinic in January
Thank you AABANY, VNS Chinatown Community Center, and our dedicated volunteers for joining us on January 14, 2023 at the Manhattan Pro Bono Clinic. Shoutout to Gary Yeung, co-chair of the Mentorship Program, for coming out to our clinics twice in a row!!!
We met with 15 clients who had questions about tort, family law/matrimonial, and housing.
Reading through our client satisfaction surveys, these are the remarks from our clients:
“Just appreciate your advice and services.”
“Made me more comfortable about my situation.”
For all law students/law graduates who are seeking to complete the 50 pro bono hours requirement, remember to reach out to us to get more information about the process and what other projects we have on hand at probono@aabany.org.
Please vist the AABANY’s Calendar and sign up for a listing of events and sign up for upcoming Pro Bono Clinics:
Volunteers:
| Beatrice Leong |
| Eugene Kim |
| Francis Chin |
| Gary Yeung |
| Jackson Chin |
| Johnny Thach |
| Kwok Kei Ng |
| May Wong |
| Tammy Tran |
| Theresa Yuan |
| Chenyun Ma* |
| Cindy Park* |
| Kirin Moy* |
| Sue Yu* |
| Tiancheng Lyu* |
| Yixuan Lian* |
| Yuichi Hayashi* |
| Yuwen Long* |
*Non-attorneys
Thank You to our January Pro Bono Clinic Volunteers in Queens
On January 7, 2023, the Asian American Bar Association of New York (AABANY), Asian Americans for Equality (AAFE), and dedicated volunteers staffed the Pro Bono Clinic at AAFE’s Flushing Community Center in Queens, New York.
The clinic met with 14 clients who had questions about tort, contracts, and housing laws.
Clients who filled out the clinic’s satisfaction surveys remarked:
“Hope there are more of these activities. Helps the community greatly.”
“Extremely grateful! Thank you guys very much.”
“Come frequently.”
Volunteering attorneys have asked clinic staffers about how to learn more about areas of law in which they do not practice. The best way to learn about new, developing areas of the law is from other attorneys. AABANY’s Pro Bono clinics are a great chance to connect with other attorneys.
For those attorneys interested in housing laws, check out the New York Department of Homes and Community Renewal Rent Regulation Fact Sheets, which can provide insight about the housing regulations in NYC, and the court’s website. Remember to check “the New York Civil Practice Law and Rules” for guidance on procedures and statute of limitations.
For law students and law school graduates seeking to complete the 50 pro bono hours requirement, remember to reach out to clinic staffers to learn about the requirement fulfillment process and other ongoing projects at probono@aabany.org.
Thank you Eugene Kim, co-chair of the Pro Bono and Community Service (PBCS) Committee, for bringing the wealthy cupcakes (fat go) to share with the volunteers!
Please check AABANY’s Calendar for a listing of events and the upcoming Pro Bono Clinics:
| AABANY Volunteers | AAFE Volunteers |
| Andrew Wu | Elton Ye* |
| Beatrice Leong | Daphne Mei* |
| Casey Lee | Nuala Naranjo* |
| Eugene Kim | Maria Bergeron*^ |
| Gary Yeung | Gabriel Hisugan |
| Jackson Chin^ | |
| Jennifer Park | |
| Johnny Thach | |
| Kwok Ng | |
| May Wong | |
| Meng Zhang | |
| Richard In | |
| Shirley Luong | |
| Tammy Tran | |
| Vincce Chan | |
| Daniel Kang* | |
| Tiancheng Lyu* | |
| Willow Liu* | |
| Yixuan Lian* |
*Non-attorneys
^remote
OATH Legal Internship Program Summer 2023
The City of New York’s Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings (OATH) is the nation’s largest central administrative tribunal, independent of the agencies that commence these proceedings. OATH conducts nearly 300,000 trials and hearings each year through its Trials Division and Hearings Division.
ADJUDICATIONS AT OATH
OATH Trials Division conducts complex adjudications for a wide range of legal matters such as employee discipline, discrimination under the City Human Rights Law, NYPD vehicle seizures, zoning and landlord- tenant disputes under the Loft Law, professional license revocation, and City vendor contract disputes.
OATH Hearings Division conducts high volume adjudications involving:
- Violations of law that protect and promote health, safety, and a clean environment, as enforced by agencies such as the Department of Buildings, the Fire Department, the Department of Sanitation, and the Department of Environmental Protection;
- Violations of the City’s Health Code and related laws by restaurants and food vendors, as enforced by the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene;
- Summonses issued by the Taxi & Limousine Commission, the Port Authority of NY and NJ, or the NYPD, against owners and operators of taxis and other for-hire vehicles;
- Consumer protection laws that prohibit sale of tobacco to minors and home improvement contracts, as regulated by the Department of Consumer Affairs; and
- Violations under the Criminal Justice Reform Act, which authorizes issuance of civil summonses for certain low-level offenses formerly brought to criminal court and offers the option of community service in place of monetary civil penalties.
OATH’s Administrative Judicial Institute offers administrative judicial training and CLE classes citywide.
ABOUT THE INTERNSHIP
Working within various divisions, including the Office of the General Counsel, interns will develop research and writing, communication, and analytical skills. Typical assignments include: preparing summaries of trial or hearing records; drafting appellate decisions based on the hearing record and relevant law; researching and drafting memoranda of law; analyzing proposed legislation and rules that impact OATH; drafting proposed rules; participating in policy discussions; and assisting counsel prepare the defense in challenges to OATH decisions in state or federal court. Interns will attend training workshops. Networking and social events are also planned.
APPLICATION PROCESS
Interested law students should submit a cover letter explaining their interest, with a resume, writing sample (about 10 pages), and unofficial law school transcript. Applications should be submitted to Frank Ng, Deputy General Counsel, at fng@oath.nyc.gov. Deadline is March 6, 2023.
FUNDING
The internship is a paid position. Any arrangements, paperwork, or information needed from OATH to receive outside funding, work study, or academic credit must be made before the start of the internship.
For more information about OATH, visit the Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings website.
2023 Summer Judicial Internship Program – Ninth Judicial District
Each summer, the New York State Court System provides an excellent learning opportunity to students from all over the country through the Judicial Internship Program.
The 2023 Summer Judicial Internship Program for the Ninth Judicial District is scheduled to begin on Monday, June 5th, and last approximately six weeks until July 14th. Interns are expected to work Monday through Friday from 9 to 5. The internship encompasses the entire Ninth Judicial District (Westchester, Putnam, Rockland, Orange, and Dutchess Counties) and selected interns are placed in a location convenient for them. All interns will attend a detailed orientation on June 5th and weekly professional development lectures with guest speakers held in the Westchester County Courthouse in White Plains. The summer internship is unpaid, and interns are responsible for paying parking fees.
The opportunity to intern in a Judge’s chambers provides a student with an insider’s view into the decision-making process and a chance to participate in that important process. Interns’ tasks will include conducting legal research, drafting memos and briefs, preparing decisions, observing court, and assisting chambers staff with the day-to-day operations of their part.
Interested law students and college students who would like to apply to the 2023 Summer Judicial Internship Program, should complete the employment application and email it, along with a cover letter (explaining why you are interested in the program, what areas of law interest you, and what County you prefer to be placed), resume, and official transcript to Stefanie DeNise, Internship Coordinator, at sdenise@nycourts.gov.
Interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis, beginning in January. All applications must be received no later than March 31, 2023. Note: the internship program is limited to 50 students.
If you are a law student and an avid writer, and wish to hone those skills over the summer, please note in your cover letter that you would like to be considered for a position with the White Plains satellite office of the Appellate Division, Second Department. Please also include a writing sample with your application materials.
Interns must be fully vaccinated against the COVID-19 virus by the start date of the internship, unless granted a reasonable accommodation due to disability or religion.
The New York State Unified Court System is an equal opportunity employer, and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender (including pregnancy and gender identity or expression), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, age, membership in an employee organization, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factor.