Lawrence Wee Archives - WE Blog @ AABANY

April 13, 2026April 13, 2026

KCMB-TV Video Tribute: Community Leaders Reflect on Michelle Go’s Impact and the Path Forward

The Korean Community Media Broadcasting TV, INC. (KCMB-TV) recently posted a video memorializing the January 15, 2026 Prayer Walk that honored the memory of Michelle Go and reflected on the four years since her tragic passing. Featured speakers in the video included Justin Go (father of Michelle Go and advocate), Rachel Lee (President and General Counsel, Stand with Asian Americans), Yang Chen (Executive Director, Asian American Bar Association of New York), and Richard In (Executive Director, Korean American Empowerment for Community).

This gathering served as a solemn reminder of the outpouring of love and support for her family while highlighting the failure of a system that neglected both mental health and public safety. Justin Go described Michelle as a “cheerleader” and an “adventurer” who sought the best in everyone she met. He shared a moving tribute, noting that his family grieves for her every day while thinking about what “should have been, could have been, would have been.” Rachel Lee spoke on the importance of mental health support and public safety priorities. Richard In urged the community toward a path of healing and systemic reform. The video concluded with a collective call for New York City government to prioritize the safety of all New Yorkers and to speak out against all forms of hate.

Several distinguished members of AABANY were participants in this remembrance and movement for justice. Retired Federal Judge Marilyn Go, who was a founder of AABANY, joined the walk to celebrate the life Michelle lived. Grace Vee, the Senior Appellate Counsel in the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office, and Law Professor Elaine Chiu were also present to lend their support. Rachel Lee and Richard In, who spoke on the video, are also AABANY members. You can find the full video at this link.

The ongoing efforts of the Go family and their supporters will be recognized at the Asian American Federation (AAF) Gala, to take place on April 22 at Tribeca 360. Justin Go and his Pro Bono Legal Team, which includes AABANY members the Honorable Marilyn Go (retired), Lawrence G. Wee (Partner at Milbank LLP), and Jennifer H. Wu (Founding Partner at Groombridge, Wu, Baughman & Stone, LLP), will be honored as Courage Awardees for their advocacy and dedication to Michelle’s legacy.

Information regarding the AAF Gala and its mission to support the community can be found at https://www.aafederation.org/gala/.

June 21, 2022June 21, 2022

In the News: Jennifer Wu and Lawrence Wee Featured by Bloomberg Law for Anti-Asian Violence Work

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.

August 19, 2021August 19, 2021

In the News: Paul, Weiss Partners Jeannie Rhee, Lawrence Wee, and Jennifer Wu Offer Advice to Young Asian American Lawyers in “For Asian American Lawyers, Good Mentorship Is Crucial”

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.

June 9, 2017

Press Release: AABANY Congratulates Board Member Lawrence Wee on Receiving Award as One of the Outstanding 50 Asian Americans in Business

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 8, 2017

Contact: Yang Chen, Executive Director
(212) 332-2478

NEW YORK – June 8, 2017 – The Asian American Bar Association of New York (“AABANY”) congratulates Board Member Lawrence Wee on receiving one of the 2017 Outstanding 50 Asian Americans in Business award from the Asian American Business Development Center (“AABDC”). This esteemed honor recognizes Asian American individuals who have achieved success across different professions. The presentation of the award will take place on Tuesday, June 20, 2017 at Cipriani Wall Street at AABDC’s sixteenth annual gala.

The Outstanding 50 Asian Americans in Business Awards Gala Dinner, first established in 2001 by AABDC, has remained the only forum to highlight the achievements of Asian American business professionals across the United States. The award recipients represent a microcosm of the best of Asian American entrepreneurs, professionals, and corporate executives who are engaged in a wide range of business interests, and all of whom have a role in driving the U.S. economy. Several distinguished AABANY members have previously received this honor, including Immediate Past President Susan Shin and former Immigration & Nationality Law Committee Co-Chair Tsui Yee.

A partner in the Corporate Department and a member of the Capital Markets and Securities Group at Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison, LLP, Lawrence G. Wee focuses on capital markets and finance transactions and securities regulation. Larry is recognized by Chambers and The Legal 500 as a leading capital markets lawyer and by BTI Consulting Group as a Client Service All-Star. Larry’s practice includes public and private equity offerings, high-yield and investment-grade debt offerings, convertible debt offerings and offerings of asset-backed securities. AABANY is proud to have him serve as both Board Member and Corporate Law Committee Co-Chair.

“We are proud of Larry Wee for being recognized as one of AABDC’s 50 Outstanding Asian Americans in Business in 2017,” stated Executive Director Yang Chen. “Having seen Larry in action as a leader in AABANY for the past few years and knowing of his stellar reputation as a corporate attorney, we commend AABDC on its selection of Larry as an award recipient this year.”

For more information, please contact Yang Chen, AABANY Executive Director, at (212) 332-2478, or direct any inquiries to [email protected].

The Asian American Bar Association of New York is a professional membership organization of attorneys concerned with issues affecting the Asian Pacific American community. Incorporated in 1989, AABANY seeks not only to encourage the professional growth of its members but also to advocate for the Asian Pacific American community as a whole. AABANY is the New York regional affiliate of the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA).

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