On March 12, the Tax Committee hosted a dinner at Blue Willow, a Chinese restaurant in midtown Manhattan. The Committee had an open discussion on various tax questions from attendees and future plans for the Tax Committee.
Attendees ranged from newcomer students to partners who were part of the original creation of the Tax Committee that provided a historic perspective on how and why the Committee was created. Future networking and outreach activities were discussed as well as the sharing of career advice, some current thorny substantive questions encountered at work and various ways to substantively enhance one’s practice.
On February 24th, 2024, the Asia Practice Committee and Mentorship Committee hosted a Lantern Festival and Lunar New Year dinner at the Jiang Nan restaurant in Manhattan. Nineteen people gathered to celebrate the Lantern Festival and embrace the promising start of the Year of the Dragon.
The event drew a diverse array of attendees, reflecting the richness of our legal community. From law students eager to learn to seasoned lawyers, judges, arbitrators, in-house counsels, and law school professors, the dinner saw a delightful mix of talents and experiences. Conversations flowed freely, with attendees sharing insights from their professional journeys and exchanging captivating life stories that underscored the depth of camaraderie among us.
After dinner, some attendees decided to extend the evening with after-party drinks, further strengthening the connections formed during the celebration.
We extend our gratitude to all the participants who joined this event. The Asia Practice Committee and Mentorship Committee are dedicated to fostering connections and providing enriching experiences for our community. We look forward to organizing more events that continue to bring us together and inspire us in the future.
To learn more about the Asia Practice Committee go here. To learn more about the Mentorship Committee go here.
The AABANY Pro Bono & Community Service Committee thanks all the volunteers who helped out at the Manhattan pro bono clinic on February 21, 2024! We thank AABANY, PBCS volunteers, and AAFE staff (Elton Ye, Jiwon Youn, and Joy Ng) for this collaboration. We met with 9 clients and discussed housing, real estate, and civil procedure.
One client shared that she had been afraid to speak with her own attorney. In her comments, she wrote, “The lawyers [at the clinic] were very knowledgeable and clear in communicating the steps to be taken and what I could expect about the case updates. They were also professional and trustworthy.”
Another client wrote, “I had many questions and the attorney(s) were very nice and explained well. As a senior, I hope to live at home and maintain peace every day. Thank you for your explanation.”
Great work, everyone!
Volunteer Attorneys
Interpreters & Shadowers
Beatrice Leong
Angela Zhao
Eve Hongye Mao
Christine Seid
Francis Chin
Daniel Kang
Judy Lu
Eric Duan
Justin Lee
Jialin Zhu
Kevin Hsi
Nandar Win Kerr
Kwok Ng
Ruo Yang
May Wong
Tiancheng “Tim” Lyu
Tiange (Tim) Chen
Xue Zhang
Yan Sin
Yiming (Roselyn) Chen
Jiwon Youn (AAFE)
Elton Ye (AAFE)
Joy Ng (AAFE)
Please join our upcoming legal clinics:
Brooklyn Pro Bono Clinic – March 9th, 2024, 12:30pm – 3:30pm
Location – CPC Brooklyn Community Services, 4101 8th Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11232.
On January 16, a chilly winter evening in the heart of midtown Manhattan, AABANY’s Student Outreach, Career Placement, and Mentorship Committees came together to host a memorable event that combined artistry, camaraderie, and a dash of culture. It was the much-anticipated “Paint & Sip Night” held at the Painting Lounge. The event brought together a vibrant mix of practicing attorneys and enthusiastic law students, all eager to unwind and tap into their creative sides. The focal point of the evening: capturing the iconic New York City skyline on canvas while indulging in fine wine and delectable Korean cuisine.
As the attendees gathered, the Painting Lounge provided the perfect ambiance for the creative journey that lay ahead. Easels, canvases, and an array of vibrant paints awaited the eager participants. Under the guidance of an expert instructor, everyone had the opportunity to channel their inner artists and bring their visions of the NYC skyline to life. Sipping on wine and enjoying the company of fellow legal professionals and aspiring lawyers, the atmosphere was filled with laughter, shared stories, and a palpable sense of community. Korean cuisine enhanced the evening’s festivities. Attendees savored a variety of mouthwatering dishes that reflected the rich flavors of Korean culture. From savory bulgogi to spicy cucumber kimchi, the culinary journey was a treat for the taste buds, providing a culinary complement to the artistic expressions taking shape on canvas.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to the Student Outreach, Career Placement, and Mentorship Committees for organizing this fantastic event, and to all the attendees who made it an evening to remember.
On November 15th, 2023, AABANY held its Manhattan Pro Bono Clinic at the AAFE (Asian Americans for Equality) Community Center, at 111 Norfolk Street. Our devoted volunteers gave up their Wednesday evening to give back to our community, providing free legal services and language assistance to all who came into the clinic. Volunteer interpreters and attorneys helped clients resolve a variety of issues, in the areas of housing, immigration, and civil practice.
Special thanks to the Student Outreach Committee for their postering campaign and passing out the lovely flyers which Mayer Brown printed for us! The majority of the 18 clients seen indicated in their intake forms that they came because of the flyers posted in stores, local libraries, and streets.
Though AABANY attorneys assisted with a range of interesting cases, one notable situation involved a client who sought advice on how to deal with an unresponsive attorney representing his case for unpaid wages. The litigant was represented by counsel, and AABANY attorneys couldn’t provide a second opinion about the case. Nonetheless, the volunteers provided a listening ear, carefully evaluating the client’s situation before responding with helpful advice. The attorneys advised the client to consider reaching out to the NYS Dept of Labor to file a claim and seek assistance. Moreover, they suggested the client explore the Attorney Fee Dispute Resolution Program, which provides low-cost arbitration hearings as an alternative to protracted court battles. Ultimately, this case demonstrates AABANY attorneys’ commitment to empowering clients with accessible avenues for justice. The client departed the clinic content, having obtained valuable and satisfactory advice.
As always, AABANY thanks our Pro Bono & Community Service (PBCS) Committee, AAFE, our community partners, and our dedicated team of volunteers for their continued efforts and support. We would like to recognize the following individuals, for supporting AABANY at Wednesday’s clinic:
Volunteer Attorneys:
Casey M. Lee
Francis Chin
May Wong
Yan Sin
Yen-Yi Anderson
Interpreters and Shadowers:
Angela Zhao
Daniel Kang
I-Kai Lee
Jieman Tan
Wendy Xia
Wei Huang
Yiming (Roselyn) Chen
Yuchen Zheng
AAFE:
Jiwon Youn
Elton Ye
Ling Ren
For any volunteers that were unable to make it on Nov. 18th, we hope that you will be able to join us at the next Brooklyn Pro Bono Clinic, taking place on December 2, 2023 at CPC Brooklyn Community Services. For more information, please click here.
AABANY’s Commercial Bankruptcy and Restructuring Committee teamed up with Restructuring Attorneys in New York (“RAINY”) to organize a mixer at The Dawson in midtown Manhattan. In addition to attorneys, insolvency bankers and consultants from FTI Consulting, AlixPartners, Jefferies, Morgan Stanley and other financial institutions were in attendance. We look forward to more joint events in the future.
The Commercial Bankruptcy & Restructuring Committee was formed in order to raise awareness of bankruptcy related issues to non-bankruptcy practitioners, as well as provide networking opportunities for APA bankruptcy/restructuring professionals. To learn more about the Committee and how you can get involved, click here.
On October 18th, 2023, AABANY held its Manhattan Pro Bono Clinic at the AAFE (Asian Americans for Equality) Community Center, at 111 Norfolk Street. Our dedicated volunteers gathered on Wednesday evening to provide invaluable, free legal services to the community. The clinic was met with a large number of volunteers, eager to give back to the New York AAPI community. Volunteer interpreters and attorneys met with clients, discussing a range of issues, encompassing family, immigration, and employment law.
AABANY would like to thank our Pro Bono & Community Service (PBCS) Committee, AAFE, our community partners, and our hard-working volunteers for giving us their time and energy. Our success could not be possible without your support. AABANY hopes to continue making a positive impact on the community and providing much-needed legal services to those in need. We extend our sincere gratitude towards the following individuals:
Volunteer Attorneys:
Anna Wang
Beatrice Leong
Helen Lee
Hongye Mao
Francis Chin
Menglong (Anthony) Zhu
Osamu Watanabe
Tiange (Tim) Chen
Wenhsien Cheng
Xue Luan
Yan Lian Kuang-Maoga
Yan Sin
Yang Xu
Yi Stewart
Interpreters and Shadowers:
Cecilia Yang
Gaohany Guo
I-Kai Lee
Jieman Tan
Justin Lee
Ruo Yang
Shi Tang
Suzie Yu
Yiming (Roselyn) Chen
Yu-Syuan Huang
Yuwen Long
AAFE:
Elton Ye
Ling Ren
Once again, AABANY thanks all the volunteers, AAFE, community partners, and the PBCS Committee who made this Pro Bono Clinic possible. Please join the next Queens Pro Bono Clinic taking place on November 1st at One Flushing Community Center. For more information, please click here.
On Wednesday, July 19th, 2023, AABANY hosted a highly successful Manhattan Pro Bono Legal Clinic at the AAFE (Asian American for Equality) Community Center, at 111 Norfolk Street, where compassionate volunteers offered their time and expertise to provide invaluable free legal services to the community. We extend our heartfelt appreciation to the Pro Bono & Community Service (PBCS) Committee, AAFE, our community partners, and our dedicated volunteers! Throughout the evening, we had the privilege of meeting with 22 clients, engaging in discussions of various legal issues, including immigration, housing, and family law. This was a vast increase from last month’s clinic when we had 8 clients.
In partnership with AAFE Community Center and other community partners, we recognize that the success of the Pro Bono Clinic would not be possible without our volunteers’ unwavering dedication to serving the community. By offering services in both Mandarin and Cantonese, we aim to continue to provide support for those who may face linguistic or cultural barriers when seeking access to legal services. Together, we continue to make a difference in the lives of our community members.
Volunteer Attorneys:
Beatrice Leong
Pang-Mei (P.M.) Natasha Chang
Tiffany Ngeo
Yen-Yi Anderson
David Mou
Menglong (Anthony) Zhu
Yan Sin
Yuanyuan Li
Interpreters and Shadowers:
Daphne Mei
Anna Bao
Ruo Yang
Wendy Zeng
MengXi (Claire) Xiong
I-Kai Lee
Doh Yun (John)
Suzie Yu
Alex Hwang
AAFE:
Ling
Thanks to all the volunteers, AAFE, community partners, and PBCS Committee who made this Pro Bono Clinic possible. Please join the next Manhattan Pro Bono Clinic taking place on August 16th at AAFE Community Center. To volunteer, please register here by August 11th. For more information, please click here.
On June 21st, 2023, AABANY held its Manhattan Pro Bono Legal Clinic at AAFE (Asian Americans for Equality) Community Center where dedicated volunteers came together to provide free legal services to the community. Thank you to the Pro Bono & Community Service (PBCS) Committee, AAFE, our community partners, and our volunteers! We met with 8 clients and discussed issues relating to immigration, housing, and contracts.
In partnership with AAFE Community Center and other community partners, the Pro Bono Clinic would not be possible without the volunteers’ dedication to serving all members of the community, in both Mandarin and Cantonese. It provides indispensable support to those who may face linguistic or cultural barriers in attempting to gain access to legal services.
The next Manhattan clinic will be on July 19th located at AAFE Community Center, 111 Norfolk Street, NY, NY 10002. You can sign up here to volunteer for our next Pro Bono clinic. For upcoming clinics, please check AABANY’s calendar and update your email preference in your account to receive our emails.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to the volunteers who made this Pro Bono Clinic a success:
On June 3rd, 2023, AABANY held its Brooklyn Pro Bono Legal Clinic at Homecrest Community Services Bensonhurst Center where dedicated volunteers came together to provide free legal services to the community. Our volunteers met with 14 clients and discussed issues relating to identity theft, insurance benefits, fraud, divorce, and government benefits.
In partnership with Homecrest and other community partners, the Clinic provided a haven for community members with limited English proficiency to better understand the legal process, discuss potential legal solutions, and help clients understand their rights.
The Clinic was made possible by volunteers who generously donated their time and expertise to help those in need. It provides vital support to those who may face linguistic or cultural barriers in attempting to gain access to legal services. The volunteers’ dedication to pro bono work, aiding in both Mandarin and Cantonese, is emblematic of the Committee’s commitment to serving all members of the community.
The Pro Bono Clinic is organized by AABANY’s Pro Bono & Community Service Committee. To learn more about the Committee’s work visit here. We extend our heartfelt thanks to the dedicated volunteers who made the Brooklyn Pro Bono Clinic such a success:
Volunteer Attorneys:
Andrew Wu
Ashley Shan
Francis Chin
Kwok Kei Ng
May Wong
Ming Chu (Judy) Lee
Ye Qing
Interpreters & Shadowers:
Anna Bao
Vincent Tsay
Please come and join our upcoming Manhattan Pro Bono Clinic on 6/21, starting at 6:30pm at e new location, Asian Americans for Equality (AAFE), 111 Norfolk Street, New York, NY. You can sign up to volunteer by completing this form by 6/16 at 12:00 PM.
