On September 24, 2026, AABANY’s Solo & Small Firm Practice Committee, Litigation Committee, and Career Advancement Committee partnered to host “Ink & Inspiration: A Chinese Ink-Painting Workshop.” This event was led by Sharon Y. Li, an oil and Chinese ink painter based in Brooklyn who teaches introductory creative art workshops across New York and China.
Upon arrival, attendees were greeted with a beautiful setup of Xuan paper rolls (宣纸卷; Chinese rice paper rolls), mao bi (毛笔; traditional Chinese brushes), Chinese inks, felt pads, and painting tip sheets. The session began with participants learning how to grip a traditional Chinese brush properly and practicing various brush techniques.
After participants became comfortable with the basics, Sharon provided step-by-step instruction on how to paint iconic Mid-Autumn Festival symbols, including the rabbit, moon, and pomelo. The relaxed, friendly environment encouraged a range of conversations between lawyers and law students alike.
After two hours of engaging instruction, meaningful community bonding, and plenty of shared laughter over our unidentifiable ink blobs, the workshop drew to a close. The event ended in a vibrant gallery walk that proudly highlighted every single participant’s magnificent, unique work.
To see more photos from this event, click here. To read Law360’s article about this event, click here.
On September 29th, 2026, AABANY’s Real Estate Committee welcomed attorneys, bankers, title professionals, brokers, and other real estate professionals and industry colleagues to M&T Bank in Midtown Manhattan for a special Fall Harvest Moon Festival Professional Networking Event.
The event brought together professionals from across the real estate, banking, and legal industries for an opportunity to meet new colleagues, build new relationships, reconnect with longtime friends, while celebrating the traditions of the Harvest Moon Festival.
And let it be known– there was absolutely no shortage of food to get the conversations going.
Upon entering, guests were greeted by tables filled with sweets, chocolates, and desserts, alongside an abundance of mooncakes to celebrate the Harvest Moon Festival. A table of beverages offered a variety of refreshments, while the main spread featured an array of sushi. The festive spread quickly turned into a gathering point as guests began mingling and getting to know one another.
Conversations sparked from every corner of the room. Bankers from M&T compared notes with attorneys on where their services could overlap, title professionals swapped perspectives with brokers and other members of the real estate industry, while business cards exchanged hands through the course of the evening.
Soon after, Margaret Ling offered remarks and thanks to all those in attendance. A longtime, active AABANY member and former Co-Chair of the Real Estate Committee, Margaret is deeply involved in the AAPI legal community and the city’s broader legal community. She spoke about the connections she has built over the years and about why events like this matter, especially when paired with a celebration like the Harvest Moon Festival.
She also shared with attendees what the holiday means. Celebrated when the moon is at its fullest, the festival, also known as the Mid-Autumn Festival, is a time for reunion, gratitude for the harvest, and abundance. Mooncakes, with their round shape symbolize togetherness, a fitting celebration for an evening focused on building and expanding community.
Margaret then invited AABANY’s current Real Estate Committee Co-Chairs, Jameson Xu and Jason Ganfer, to say a few words. Each thanked the guests for coming, spoke about the value of the relationships to come, and reflected on the meaning of the festival.
Then Margaret did something that truly brought the room together: she asked all 20+ attendees to go around the room, introduce themselves, and share what they do. It was a warm, slightly out-of-comfort zone icebreaker that melted away any shyness and gave everyone a sense of who to talk to next.
Guests returned to mingling with buzzing energy and, later, the evening came to a wonderful close.
Attendees at the event learned how to grip a traditional Chinese brush properly and practiced various brush techniques. and were provided step-by-step instruction on how to paint iconic Mid-Autumn Festival symbols, including the rabbit, moon, and pomelo.
To read the full article by Law 360, see screenshot above.
On Sunday, September 27, 2026, AABANY’s Asia Practice Committee (APC), together with the NYU Chinese Law Students Association (CLSA) and the Chinese American Lawyers Forum (CALF), hosted “Career Panel Insights from the Bar: 2026 Legal Careers Panel & Networking” at Lipton Hall, New York University School of Law. The afternoon brought together more than 100 law students, LL.M. candidates, recent graduates, and practicing attorneys for a candid conversation about launching and building a legal career in New York.
Hardy Zhou, Tax Associate, Cooley LLP; Co-Chair, AABANY Asia Practice Committee
The panelists reflected on the paths that led them to their current roles, from in-house practice at a global financial institution (Lian Duan) and partnership at an international law firm (Jonathan Zhou), to co-founding a law firm (Angus Ni) and practicing litigation (Simona Xu) and tax at a national law firm (Hardy Zhou). Their stories showed that legal careers are rarely linear and that the skills, relationships, and reputation built early on carry forward across very different settings.
The conversation also addressed questions of particular interest to the audience, including choosing a practice area, making the transition from law school to practice, cross-border and China-related work, and considerations facing internationally trained lawyers and LL.M. graduates entering the U.S. legal market. Panelists also shared practical advice on mentorship, networking, and professional development.
After the panel, attendees put their own questions to the speakers in an open Q&A before the event moved into a networking reception. Over refreshments and mooncakes – a nod to the Mid-Autumn Festival just days earlier – students and attorneys continued the conversation, exchanged contacts, and connected with the panelists one-on-one.
AABANY and the Asia Practice Committee thank Lian Duan, Jonathan Zhou, Angus Ni, Simona Xu, and Hardy Zhou for generously sharing their time and insights; our co-hosts, NYU CLSA and CALF; and NYU School of Law for hosting us. To learn more about the Asia Practice Committee and its upcoming programs, visit this page and keep an eye on the AABANY calendar.
– Written by Ruixi Fu, Vice Chair, AABANY’s Asia Practice Committee
You are cordially invited to the Wells Fargo Asian Connection’s ‘Taste of Asia Journey Series,’ where we explore different Asian cultures and have the opportunity to meet new people. Our next journey takes us to Korea to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival. There will be a presentation on Korean culture and a raffle. Join us at Chorus Bar Lounge and karaoke the night away.
Feel free to forward to other team members and bring your friends.
Hope you can join for a fun-filled evening!
Details:
Date: Thursday, September 27, 2012 Time: 6:30 – 9:30 pm Location: Chorus Bar Lounge, 25 W 32nd Street, 3rd Flr, btwn 5th Ave and Bway http://choruskaraoke.com/
Cost: $20 per person/$25 at the door (Includees 2 drink tickets for Soju cocktails, beer or wine); Karaoke is $2 a song
