Tag: membership committee

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AABANY Asia Practice Committee Co-hosts: Together for Christmas Dinner

On December 25, 2022, the Asia Practice Committee, along with the Membership, Student Outreach, Women’s, and Young Lawyers Committees, partnered to host a Christmas dinner and gift exchange event at 99 Flavor Taste in Manhattan Chinatown. Fourteen attendees filled the upper level of this Chinese restaurant to enjoy hotpot and BBQ.

After all guests arrived, each attendee gave a one-minute self-introduction, which gave the guests a good opportunity to learn more about each other. While enjoying the delicious fare, attendees played Two Truths and a Lie, a fun icebreaker.

After everyone ate, the Christmas gift exchange took place, with order determined by lottery. To receive the gift, the recipient had to repeat the self-introduction of the gift giver.

After Christmas dinner, some attendees went on to enjoy an after-dinner karaoke party.

The event welcomed a wide range of attendees, including law students, corporate and tax law practitioners, retired professors and their significant others, who gathered to celebrate Christmas even though they do not have family around in New York, finding home and family among their AABANY friends.

Thanks to the Co-Chairs and Vice Chairs of all the co-sponsoring Committees for helping to organize and promote this enjoyable event and to everyone who came. We look forward to more fun events from these Committees in 2023 and hope you can join them!

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AABANY Membership and Litigation Committees Co-Host #RestaurantSeries Dinner at No Strings Attached Noodle Bar

The latest #RestaurantSeries dinner was held on Thursday, October 26, 2022 at NSA Noodle Bar in Brooklyn. #Restaurant Series dinners are intimate and informal get-togethers to connect current and prospective members with various AABANY committees, designed to support Asian-owned businesses in the wake of the economic disruption caused by the pandemic. The dinner featured Membership Committee Co-Chair Dianna Lam and Litigation Committee Co-Chair Lois Ahn. The NSA Noodle Bar provided a three-course prix fixe menu with delicious options including miso arancini, panko crusted takoyaki, miso honey burrata, truffle tonkotsu ramen, among others. The crowd favorite was hands down the miso honey burrata appetizer.

The food was great, of course, but the conversations were even better. The group, sitting in a cozy corner of the restaurant, exchanged life stories, and discussed career trajectories and goals, working as a big law associate vs. an in-house lawyer, and, in light of the upcoming winter season, the best places to ski/snowboard.

Big thanks to those who came out, and please be on the lookout for future #RestaurantSeries!

To learn about the Litigation Committee, go to this page, and to learn more about the Membership Committee go to this page.

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AABANY Celebrates its 33rd Anniversary with Founders’ Day, Featuring Hon. Denny Chin

On October 25, 2022, the Asian American Bar Association of New York (AABANY) celebrated its 33rd Anniversary with its Second Annual Founders’ Day Event at Judicial Arbitration and Mediation Services’ (JAMS) space in the New York Times building in Manhattan. The annual event commemorates the founding of AABANY as a bar association in 1989 and honors the Founders who helped build the foundation for AABANY to become the largest diverse bar association in the country.

The Honorable Denny Chin, United States Circuit Judge for the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, gave remarks as the Founders’ Day keynote speaker. He spoke about AABANY’s early days and the fight for diversity and Asian representation in the legal profession. He recounted the challenges that he and his colleagues faced during his time as AABANY’s second president. He concluded by urging members not to rest on their laurels but to continue to fight for the needs of Asian Americans in the legal community. AABANY President William Ng also gave remarks while Hon. Marilyn Go, longtime AABANY member Hugh Mo, Executive Director Yang Chen, and many other AABANY leaders and members attended the celebration. 

We would like to thank AABANY Board Member Chris Kwok and his colleagues at JAMS for hosting Founders’ Day, along with Membership Director Christopher S. Bae and the Membership Committee for organizing such a great event. AABANY is proud to have celebrated its 33rd anniversary with so many distinguished guests, and we look forward to celebrating our 34th next year at our Third Annual Founders’ Day Event.

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AABANY’s Women’s Committee, Corporate Law Committee, and Membership Committee Co-Host 2022 Golf Outing

On October 22, 2022, AABANY held its 2022 Golf Outing at the historic Shawnee Inn & Golf Resort on a sunny autumn afternoon.  The event was presented by the Women’s Committee, Corporate Law Committee, and Membership Committee.

The 27-hole world class golf course, which has hosted the PGA Championship, was designed by renowned architect A.W. Tillinghast.  Carpools left New York City Saturday morning for the hour and a half drive to the Pocono Mountains.  AABANY members, friends, family and children enjoyed the magnificent colors of the fall foliage on a picturesque day for golf.  Golfers met at the Shawnee General Store for lunch and then hit the driving range for some practice swings.  Five AABANY foursomes, including several beginners and first time golfers, teed off in the early afternoon and played several holes across water on an island in the middle of the Delaware River.  Following the round, AABANY golfers dined together in the Shawnee Inn’s River Room at a table set for 20.

Thank you to the Women’s Committee, Corporate Law Committee, and the Membership Committee for coming together and organizing this successful outing.

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Membership Committee Hosts Beach Day at Rockaway Beach

On August 28, 2022, the Membership Committee hosted AABANY’s first-ever beach day at Rockaway Beach. AABANY members gathered to enjoy one of the last days of summer amidst perfect beach weather. For most of the attendees, it was their first time at Rockaway Beach, and for some, their first time riding a New York City ferry. The day started out cloudy but by noon time, the sun started to break through the clouds. The beach was breezy and pleasantly cool. Attendees grabbed lunch, walked along the boardwalk, dipped their toes in the water, and enjoyed taking longer, more scenic routes to and from the beach – via ferry, bike, or car.  A few attendees grabbed brunch at Margie’s, a restaurant connected to the Rockaway Hotel near Beach 108th Street. Our group gathered at a spot that did not have any lifeguards on duty so swimming was prohibited but not surfing, apparently. Perhaps a surfing outing awaits us next summer?

Membership Committee Vice Chair Alysha Naik thanks everyone who attended and encourages all members to join AABANY at the next event on August 31, 2022: Oyster Happy Hour.  Details are available here: https://www.aabany.org/events/event_details.asp?legacy=1&id=1662205.

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AABANY Membership & Alternative Dispute Resolution Committees Host #Restaurant Series Dinner at Fishcheeks

On Thursday, August 18, 2022, the Membership Committee held its latest #RestaurantSeries Dinner where AABANY members enjoyed a full course Thai meal at Fishcheeks in Noho. The dinner featured the newly formed Alternative Dispute Resolution Committee and ADR Committee Chair Chris Kwok and Vice-Chair May Li were on hand to describe the work that their committee was doing and the different events that they recently held or planned to hold. Folks enjoyed a set NYC Restaurant Week menu, which included Thai iced-teas, red snapper and chicken wing appetizers, a variety of curry, crab and fish entrees, followed by an amazing mango sticky rice dessert. Thank you to everyone who attended this #RestaurantSeries dinner and be on the lookout for upcoming dinners featuring the Military & Veteran Affairs Committee and Litigation Committee. 

Thank you to all those who came out! Membership Director Christopher Bae encourages everyone to join us at the next #RestaurantSeries. Keep an eye out for future dinners on our calendar at aabany.org/events.

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AABANY Membership Committee Hosts AAIFF Comedy Night in Brooklyn

On August 12, 2022, AABANY members attended an all-Asian lineup comedy show presented by the Asian American International Film Festival (AAIFF45). The venue at Littlefield in Brooklyn was completely packed as seven comedians of all different views and backgrounds captivated the crowd with their hilarious sets. Congratulations to former AABANY intern, Claire Yoo, for not only being the event lead and producer, but for also performing a wildly entertaining set of her own. Shoutout to the Membership Committee for organizing another successful comedy event and be sure to look out for future membership events!

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AABANY Membership & Career Placement Committees Host #RestaurantSeries Dinner at Pasteur Grill and Noodles

On August 4, 2022, the Membership & Career Placement Committees hosted a #RestaurantSeries dinner at Pasteur Grill and Noodles. Located in the heart of Chinatown, Pasteur Grill and Noodles’ dishes are the result of family recipes passed through generations to “bring the best of Vietnamese cuisine.”

AABANY is trying to support small, Asian-owned businesses and restaurants through our Restaurant Series. “The Membership Committee’s #RestaurantSeries gives AABANY members an opportunity to meet fellow members and to get introduced to co-sponsoring AABANY committees while also supporting local businesses,” explains Membership Director Christopher Bae. “Whether the restaurants are Asian-owned mom and pop shops, established staples of the restaurant scene, or allies of the Asian-American community, join us in supporting and celebrating the resiliency of local businesses during this post-pandemic time.”

Attendees ordered classic Vietnamese dishes including Pho, fried noodles, and spring rolls. Attendees also enjoyed refreshing drinks like Thai iced teas, mint lemonade, and beer to beat the summer heat. New connections were formed among the diverse group of attendees, with conversations ranging from law school advice to international travel.

Thank you to all those who came out! Membership Director Christopher Bae encourages everyone to join us at the next #RestaurantSeries. Keep an eye out for future dinners on our calendar at aabany.org/events.

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AABANY’s Membership Committee Hosts Inter-Bar Association Summer Family Day

On June 4, 2022, AABANY’s Membership Committee hosted an Inter-Bar Association Summer Family Day with the Korean American Lawyers Association of Greater New York (KALAGNY) and the South Asian Bar Association of New York (SABANY). Over fifty members and their friends and families gathered at the Major R. Owens Health & Wellness Community Center in Brooklyn to participate in spirited sports games and enjoy snacks and refreshments. 

Three full courts were available for AABANY, KALAGNY, and SABANY to utilize, as well as many seating areas on the courts, and an upstairs conference room overlooking the courts. With the AC on high, it was a great way to escape the heat and socialize with other members.

The teams kicked off the afternoon of fun with an engaging game of half-court basketball, before some members pivoted to a lively game of volleyball. In both sports, new alliances were formed, and very quickly, the games went from competitive in nature to collaborative and centered in team building for all those involved, even spectators. Following volleyball, a rallying game of dodgeball ensued, before the afternoon wrapped up with prizes and raffles. Throughout the afternoon, AABANY, KALAGNY, and SABANY members also enjoyed sandwiches, chips, and beverages while networking in the upstairs conference room featuring a full-glass wall overlooking the exciting sports games below. What a truly spectacular way to spend a Saturday afternoon!

Shoutout to the Membership Committee for organizing such a fun social event and to our sister bar associations KALAGNY and SABANY for co-sponsoring. Make sure to sign up for upcoming AABANY events at aabany.org/events.

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AABANY #RestaurantSeries Celebrates at Louie’s Pizza in Queens to Honor a Hero and Wish Happy Birthday to Beatrice

On May 28, 2022, the Membership Committee hosted a #RestaurantSeries lunch at Louie’s Pizza. AABANY is trying to support small Asian owned businesses and restaurants through our Restaurant Series, which will be held twice a month. In this case, we wanted to recognize the father and son duo, Cazim and Louie, for coming to the aid of an AAPI woman being robbed and attacked in front of their pizza store. The father and son stepped in for the woman, chased her assailants, and detained two of the suspects until the police arrived. Cazim and Louie received a combined ten stab wounds and each suffered collapsed lungs. 

AABANY members enjoyed many pizza pies, from plain cheese to a variety of toppings. AABANY President William Ng came by with his son Justin. When co-owner Louie Suljovic came by to our tables to drop off a pie, he asked Will what high school he went to and mentioned that he looked “very familiar.” Will then thought about it for a minute and it dawned on him that he and Louie played basketball together in middle school in Queens. Small world! Karen Lin, AABANY member and candidate for Judge of the Civil Court in Queens also joined us with her husband and three sons. They spent their morning handing out campaign literature to help Karen become the first East Asian woman elected to be a judge in Queens. Read more about Karen in this profile: https://blog.aabany.org/2022/05/17/aabany-member-profile-karen-lin-runs-for-queens-civil-court-judge/.

We concluded the lunch by celebrating AABANY Vice President of Programming and Operations Beatrice Leong’s birthday with a cake from Martha’s Country Bakery in Bayside. We kicked off Beatrice’s birthday weekend with a rousing round of “Happy Birthday!”

Thank you to those who came out! Our next #RestaurantSeries will be at Lil Chef Mama. Enjoy a delicious Thai-fusion dinner with the Membership and Solo and Small Firm Practice Committees while supporting a local Asian-owned business. Dinner includes shared appetizers and an individual entree.

We hope you will join us on June 9 at 7pm at Lil Chef Mama (27 Cliff Street, Manhattan).

For more information and to register, please visit https://www.aabany.org/events/event_details.asp?legacy=1&id=1643025

For more information, please email Membership Director Christopher Bae at [email protected]