Tag: network

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Kenneth Chin Named President of the American College of Commercial Finance Lawyers

Kenneth Chin, Head of Banking and Finance, US, at Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer (HSFK) and a longtime active member of AABANY, has been elected President of the American College of Commercial Finance Lawyers (ACCFL). ACCFL is a distinguished organization dedicated to advancing the practice and ethical standards of commercial finance law. Prior to assuming the presidency, Ken served on the Executive Committee, as a Regent on the Board of Regents, and as Chair of the Nominating Committee. AABANY congratulates Ken on his election as President, effective April 2026.

Ken’s path to the presidency reflects years of thoughtful and sustained engagement with the organization. Service on the Board of Regents, a prerequisite for any officer position, along with his leadership of the Nominating Committee, gave Ken a deep familiarity with the ACCFL’s mission and membership. Though he was invited on multiple occasions to join the Executive Committee, Ken chose to accept only when he was confident he could devote the time and attention necessary to serve effectively in that capacity.

As President, one of Ken’s central priorities is strengthening the bonds among ACCFL’s Fellows. Fellowship is by invitation only, extended in recognition of demonstrated expertise in commercial finance law. In an era increasingly defined by digital communication, Ken holds firmly to the belief that in-person connection remains indispensable. To that end, the ACCFL convenes semi-annually alongside the American Bar Association’s Business Law Section and hosts Fellows briefing sessions at which members with specialized expertise share their knowledge with the broader Fellowship. Ken envisions these gatherings as a living resource network, enabling Fellows to draw on one another’s depth of knowledge beyond the boundaries of their own specific practice areas.

Ken speaks from personal experience about the tangible value of the ACCFL network. He recounted an instance in which a Fellow, technically out of the office, returned his call within ten minutes to offer guidance on an out-of-state legal matter, a response Ken attributes directly to the strength of their personal connection. “It is the ability to not only be an expert in the area of law, but also to draw on other experts who may have more in-depth knowledge about particular subjects that you do not have,” Ken explained. This philosophy runs throughout his professional approach: Ken consistently prioritizes cultivating genuine personal relationships over institutional ones, recognizing that a trusted colleague, wherever their career may take them, represents an invaluable and enduring resource.

That same emphasis on human expertise, Ken observes, is being tested by the rapid rise of artificial intelligence in the legal field. Ken acknowledges that AI has meaningfully accelerated legal practice, reducing the need for lawyers to conduct manual research or rely on colleagues for preliminary answers. At the same time, he underscores the importance of human oversight, noting that while AI is advancing at an unprecedented pace, it remains susceptible to error. Ken draws a historical parallel to the transformation of the legal workplace that accompanied the widespread adoption of word processing software: just as attorneys began drafting their own documents directly, reducing reliance on secretarial staff, the integration of AI is likely to reshape legal support roles in similarly significant ways. Rather than viewing this shift with apprehension, Ken urges the next generation of lawyers to develop fluency in AI tools while remaining clear-eyed about AI’s fundamental limitations and its inability to fully replicate the judgment and responsibility of an experienced attorney.

Expanding the ACCFL’s membership is another of Ken’s key priorities as President. He was moved by concerns raised by former ACCFL President Sylvia Chin (also a past AABANY President) during her 2017–2018 tenure regarding declining membership and participation. Ken has since worked to bring about a meaningful shift in how the organization identifies and admits new Fellows. Looking beyond the traditional concentration of Fellows in the financial centers of New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago, Ken has championed geographic diversification to ensure that the network reflects the full breadth of commercial finance practice across the country. Because clients frequently have legal needs spanning multiple jurisdictions, Fellows with local expertise are essential to making the ACCFL’s membership genuinely comprehensive. The results have already been significant: this past year, the ACCFL welcomed 18 new Fellows. This is the largest incoming class in the organization’s history, a milestone attributable in no small part to Ken’s commitment to expanding the ACCFL’s reach. Whether reflecting on the culture he has helped shape or looking ahead to the membership he aims to expand, Ken’s tenure as President embodies a steadfast conviction that the ACCFL’s greatest strength lies in its Fellows.

Please join AABANY in congratulating Kenneth Chin on his election as President of the American College of Commercial Finance Lawyers.

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NAPABA 2026 Convention: Thursday Specialty Programs

Kick Off Your Convention Experience with NAPABA Specialty Programs!

The Convention Thursday Specialty Programs are intentionally designed to create dedicated spaces for attendees with shared identities, career stages, or professional interests. These programs offer a more intimate, focused environment where you can build meaningful relationships, exchange experiences, and strengthen your network within NAPABA’s community. This year’s Specialty Programs are:

  • Women’s Leadership Workshop
  • International Law Symposium
  • Public Service Network Workshop
  • Solo & Small Firm Boot Camp
  • Young Lawyers Workshop

CLE Information: All Thursday Specialty Programs except for the Young Lawyers Workshop are eligible for continuing legal education.

Registration Information:

  • Thursday Specialty Programs are included in Convention Registration.
  • One-day registration is available for anyone interested in attending only the Thursday Programming.
Register Now

Additional Thursday Activities

The Thursday Specialty Programs is just the beginning of Thursday’s activities. The NAPABA Village, our reimagined exhibit hall opens at 11 am. After an afternoon of learning and exploring the village, join us at the NAPABA Welcome Reception and Best Under 40s Awards Celebration. Our welcome reception is followed by NAPABA Committee and Network receptions.

See Full Agenda

Not a Member Yet or Need to Renew?

Your membership pays for itself. Members save up to $675 on Convention registration, receive early access to registration and the hotel block, and unlock exclusive year-round professional development, leadership, and networking opportunities. Join or renew now.  

Become a NAPABA member and enjoy savings that go beyond the cost of membership!

Join or Renew Today

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2026 NAPABA Convention Scholarship Program Applications Open Now!

Apply for a Scholarship Now!

Attending the 2026 NAPABA Convention is a powerful opportunity to advance your legal career, offering exclusive access to premier programs, industry leaders, and a robust network of legal professionals. We understand that the cost of attending may present a barrier for some. That’s why NAPABA offers a registration scholarship, exclusively for current NAPABA members, to help make participation possible.

The Convention Scholarship Program provides financial support in the form of a registration discount that may be applied toward a full or one-day Convention registration, as well as ticketed events. The scholarship program may not be used for travel reimbursements.

Only active NAPABA members are eligible for Convention scholarships. Join or renew your membership and then apply for the scholarship.

Learn More About Scholarships

General Scholarship

Deadline: July 28 at 8pm ET

Apply for the General Scholarship

Law Student Scholarship

Deadline: September 14 at 8pm ET

Apply for the Law Student Scholarship

Note: You may not apply for more than one Convention scholarship, e.g. law students may not apply for both scholarships.

Questions

View additional resources about the Convention or contact us at convention@napaba.org if you have any questions.

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Apply Now for NAPABA’s Prospective Partners Program

Apply Today and Take the Next Step in Your Career!

The Prospective Partners Program provides strategic mentorship and leadership development for senior associates and of counsel who are on track for partnership consideration within the next 12–18 months. Join a powerful network of senior in-house counsel and law firm partners who are committed to helping you navigate this important career transition with confidence.

  • Dates: November 12–13, 2026, during NAPABA’s Convention in Los Angeles, CA
  • Cohort: Highly selective, limited to 10 participants
  • Program Fee: $400 for NAPABA members | $650 for non-members
Apply For the Prospective Partners Program (PPP)

Not a Member Yet? Join Now & Save Big!

Now is the perfect time to become a member of NAPABA, an organization representing more than 80,000 attorneys, judges, law professors, and law students, along with over 90 affiliated bar associations across the United States, Canada, and U.S. territories. As a powerful convenor, connector, and professional development home, NAPABA advances opportunity, strengthens relationships, and cultivates leadership across the legal profession. NAPABA welcomes everyone committed to advancing the interests of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities in the legal profession and beyond to join us as members.

Become a NAPABA member and enjoy savings that go beyond the cost of membership!

Join or Renew Today

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AANHPI Heritage Month Congressional Reception hosted by NAPABA

Tuesday, May 19, 2026 | Washington, DC

Join NAPABA, NAPABA members, and community leaders from across the country to celebrate Asian Pacific American Heritage Month at NAPABA’s Congressional Reception!

This widely attended event will bring together Members of Congress, their staff, and leaders in the AANHPI community. Previous speakers have included Sen. Mazie Hirono, Rep. Judy Chu, and CAPAC Chair Grace Meng.

This event is free and open to the public!

Don’t miss this opportunity to network with peers and connect directly with policymakers from both the Senate and the House.

Register for the Congressional Reception

For any questions about the reception, please email the NAPABA Lobby Day Team at lobbyday@napaba.org.

Want to join NAPABA for the full Lobby Day experience? Find out more!

Lobby Day Details

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AABANY Hosts Annual Holiday Party at Upon The Palace

This year’s AABANY Annual Holiday Party took place on Friday, December 5, 2025, at Upon The Palace, a premier Asian Fusion restaurant in Tribeca, New York. It was a fun night for everyone who attended and a perfect way to connect during the holiday season.

Tucked away in the downstairs party room of the restaurant, the space was well-liked by AABANY members as a private setting to connect and enjoy the evening. This location, which some members recalled visiting after the Fall Conference in September, is likely to become a favored spot for future AABANY gatherings.

The event quickly reached capacity, with registration filling up in under two weeks and a continuous waitlist right up to the day of the party, demonstrating the high level of enthusiasm among AABANY members for this annual gathering. More than 90 attendees enjoyed the festivities, with many arriving before the 6:00 pm start and staying late into the evening.

Guests enjoyed an open bar alongside a spectacular Chinese buffet that was continually refreshed. The delicious food offerings included Shanghai vegetable spring rolls, spicy garlic cucumber salad, pan-fried pork dumplings, crispy chicken wings, “magic” chili chicken, stir fried noodles with vegetable, sauteed mixed vegetables, sweet & sour pork, stir fried beef & broccoli, and egg & scallion fried rice, rounded out with plates of seasonal fruit. The variety and quality of the dishes were a hit, as evidenced by the long line of attendees going back for second and third servings. Some attendees piled their plates high, indicating either large appetites or reluctance to get back on line for seconds.

Beyond the food, members had the opportunity to network, reconnecting with old friends while developing new connections. The evening was lively with conversations about professional backgrounds, careers, and shared experiences. Karaoke was a highlight, with many members enthusiastically taking the stage to sing in various languages.

We are grateful to everyone who attended and made the event so vibrant and memorable. This annual tradition remains free to members, as a way for AABANY to thank our members for their dedication and involvement in the wide variety of social, educational, pro bono and advocacy programs, initiatives and activities throughout the year.

To see all the photos from the evening, please click here.

We wish you all a very happy holiday season and look forward to seeing you at our upcoming events in the New Year!

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Intellectual Property Committee and Student Outreach Committee Present “Careers in Intellectual Property” Panel

On the evening of October 17, the AABANY Student Outreach and Intellectual Property Committees presented the Careers in Intellectual Property Panel, held at Wilson Sonini Goodrich & Rosati. The program featured Gregory Pan (Nolan Heimann; Co-Chair of the Intellectual Property Committee) specializing in consumer products and entertainment, Joseph Eng (King & Spalding; Immediate Past President of AABANY) specializing in patent litigation, Jing Wang (Wilson Sonsini) specializing in patent prosecution, and Gina Kim (Zoetis) who shared her in-house patent experience.

All panelists spoke about their career paths into intellectual property and the work they handle day to day. Joseph and Jing, who both have PhDs in Chemistry, talked about their transition into pursuing law. Gregory and Gina shared their experiences working both in-house and in firms. In addition, Gregory and Jing shared their thoughts on the impact of emerging technologies such as AI on intellectual property.

Students not only learned about the wide spectrum of intellectual property work but also gained valuable and practical advice that included important skills worth building as junior level associates and qualities that help candidates stand out in the job process. At the end of the program, all of the panelists shared what they found most rewarding from their work and networked with attendees.

AABANY’s Student Outreach and Intellectual Property Committees extend their gratitude to Wilson Sonsini for the venue, everyone who made this event possible, and to the panelists for sharing their time and experience.

To learn more about AABANY’s Student Outreach Committee, click here. To learn more about AABANY’s Intellectual Property Committee, click here. To find out about upcoming events like this, please visit the calendar on AABANY’s website.

– written by Ariel Zhang, AABANY Student Outreach Committee Vice-Chair

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Thank You to our Volunteers at the August Manhattan Pro Bono Clinic

We extend our sincere gratitude to AABANY, AALFNY, PBCS, AAFE, and all the dedicated volunteers who contributed to the success of our pro bono legal clinic in Manhattan on August 20, 2025.

During the clinic, our volunteers provided invaluable assistance to 13 clients, addressing a range of legal matters including housing, immigration, civil litigation, personal injury and employment. Our volunteer attorneys and interpreters thoughtfully addressed client concerns, offered clarity through their answers, and facilitated connections to appropriate legal resources via AABANY’s Legal Referral and Information Service (LRIS).

We are committed to offering services in both Mandarin and Cantonese to ensure continued support for individuals facing linguistic or cultural barriers when seeking guidance on substantive and procedural legal matters.

Thanks again to all the volunteers at the August 20th Manhattan Pro Bono Clinic for their time, professionalism, and contribution:

Volunteer attorneys:

Vishal Chander

Marcus Cheung

Francis Chin

Justin Lee

Beatrice Leong

Lily Li

Andrew Sun

Peter Wei

Cecilia Yang

Gary Yeung

Interpreters/shadowers:

Sam Hou

Emily Kam

Xiaofei (Lucy) Liu

Dazhen Lu

Albert Tong

Shang Zhai

We invite you to continue supporting our community by joining us at our upcoming Pro Bono Clinics:

September 17th [Manhattan link here] from 6:30-8:30pm, AAFE Community Center, 111 Norfolk Street, NY, NY 10002

September 20th [Brooklyn link here], from 12:30 – 3:30pm, CPC Brooklyn Community Services, 4101 8th Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11232

October 1st [Queens link here], from 6:30 – 8:30pm, One Flushing Community Center, 133-29 41st Ave, 2nd Floor, Flushing, NY 11355

Thanks once again to all our volunteers for attending the Pro Bono Clinic. We look forward to your participation in our future clinics!

To learn more about the Pro Bono & Community Service Committee, visit probono.aabany.org.

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 NAPABA Committees & Networks | 2025 Co-Chair Applications are Open

Lead and Inspire:
Become a NAPABA Committee or Network Co-Chair

Deadline: September 12, 2025

NAPABA’s committees and networks are vibrant, peer-led communities that connect members through shared practice areas, professional interests, and lived experiences. Committees focus on substantive legal topics and advocacy priorities such as labor & employment law, civil rights, and emerging technologies. Networks bring together members with common career paths or life experiences—such as in-house counsel, military service, or solo practice. These groups foster knowledge-sharing, collaboration, and leadership development.

Serving as a co-chair is a meaningful opportunity to:

  • Lead within a respected national bar association
  • Develop and showcase your leadership and subject-matter expertise
  • Build lasting relationships with colleagues across the country
  • Shape impactful programs, events, and initiatives that align with NAPABA’s strategic goals

If you are ready to take on a leadership role within NAPABA, we invite you to apply for open 2025 Committee and Network Co-Chair Positions.

Eligibility Criteria

Ideal co-chair candidates will:

  • Bring relevant personal or professional experience to the committee or network’s focus
  • Show a clear commitment to NAPABA’s mission, especially in leadership development
  • Be a NAPABA or NAPABA affiliate member in good standing
  • Commit to serving a six-year term

Application Requirements

Please submit the following materials as a single PDF:

  • Resume or CV highlighting relevant experience
  • Statement of Interest demonstrating the following:
    • Your leadership experience in NAPABA, local NAPABA affiliates, or related organizations
    • Your commitment to integrity and professional excellence
    • Additional relevant experience not included in your resume
  • Professional Bio (a law firm or company profile is acceptable)
Apply Now

2025 Committees and Networks with Co-Chair Vacancies

  • Bankruptcy & Restructuring Committee
  • Cannabis/CBD/Hemp Law & Policy Committee
  • Civil Rights Committee
  • Dispute Resolution Committee
  • Energy, Environment & Sustainability Committee
  • Financial Services Network
  • Government Enforcement & Compliance Committee
  • Health Law Committee
  • Immigration Committee
  • In House Counsel Network
  • Intellectual Property Committee
  • International Law Committee
  • Labor & Employment Committee
  • Law School Professors and Administrators Network
  • LGBTQ Network
  • Litigation Committee
  • Mass Torts & Class Actions Committee
  • Military & Veterans Network
  • Partners Network
  • Pro Bono & Community Service Committee
  • Public Sector Network
  • Solo & Small Firm Network
  • Women’s Leadership Network
  • Young Lawyers Network

Questions?

Reach out to us at membership@napaba.org.

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Thank You to Our Volunteers at the August 6 Pro Bono Clinic in Queens

We extend our sincere gratitude to AABANY, the Asian American Law Fund of New York (AALFNY), AABANY’s Pro Bono & Community Service (PBCS) Committee, Asian Americans for Equality (AAFE), and our dedicated volunteers for contributing to the success of our pro bono legal clinic in Queens on August 6th, 2025. 

The clinic began with an orientation by Gary Yeung, Co-Chair of the PBCS committee, where volunteers were instructed on how to fill out intake forms and interact professionally with the clients.

At the clinic, our volunteers offered essential support to clients facing challenges in housing, worker’s compensation, finance, and immigration. Seasoned volunteer attorneys, along with student observers and interpreters, helped alleviate client stress by providing legal insights, language assistance, and access to a broad range of legal resources including referrals to AABANY’s Legal Referral and Information Service (LRIS).

College and law students gained legal knowledge and experience through shadowing, notetaking, and asking intake questions. Many clients had limited proficiency in English, and volunteers who spoke Mandarin and Cantonese aided both attorneys and clients by acting as interpreters.

Clients most frequently encountered housing-related issues and immigration issues. These included problems such as co‑op boards neglecting to hold their required annual shareholder meetings and landlords breaching leases. Clients also brought concerns about their loved ones’ immigration status, for example, asking if they would be let back into the country if they were to travel outside the United States. Volunteers helped clients understand their circumstances and outlined general next steps should they choose to pursue further legal action.

Many volunteers stayed afterwards to connect. Law students were able to converse with experienced lawyers about the types of problems encountered during the client consultations and asked them further questions about their various legal fields. Afterwards, some remaining volunteers went to grab dessert at Yuan Yang, located on Prince Street nearby.

We thank again all the volunteers at the August 6th Queens Pro Bono Clinic for their time, professionalism, and contribution:

Lawyers

Wendy Cheng

Richard In

Lord Chester So

Wendell Y. Tong

May Wong

Meng Zhang

Shadowers

Katelyn Hai

Cindy Huang

Nikita Kohli

Haau-Yi Li

Zhibiao Peng

Albert Tong

Shang Zhai

Haoyue Wang

We invite you to continue supporting our community by joining us at our upcoming Pro Bono Clinics:

August 20th [Manhattan link here] from 6:30-8:30pm, AAFE Community Center, 111 Norfolk Street, NY, NY 10002

September 17th [Manhattan link here] from 6:30-8:30pm, AAFE Community Center, 111 Norfolk Street, NY, NY 10002

September 20th [Brooklyn link here], from 12:30 – 3:30pm, CPC Brooklyn Community Services, 4101 8th Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11232

Thanks once again to all our volunteers for attending the Pro Bono Clinic.

We look forward to your participation in our future clinics!

To learn more about the Pro Bono & Community Service Committee, visit probono.aabany.org.

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