On April 9th, 2026, AABANY’s Mentorship Committee held its Mentorship Program Kickoff Mixer at the offices of McDermott Will & Schulte at One Vanderbilt. Mentors and mentees mingled in person and made new connections across the Mentorship Program over a delicious spread of hors d’oeuvres and drinks, while enjoying a panoramic view of the city.
Mentorship Program Co-Chairs Emily Chen and Gary Yeung gave opening remarks and thanked the attendees and sponsor, McDermott, emphasizing the importance of being proactive in seeking out mentorship during the course of one’s career.
AABANY’s Mentorship Program provides support, advice, and networking opportunities to aid both mentors and mentees in their professional and personal development. Each mentee is matched to a mentor who will serve as a teacher, role model, and resource to the mentee. By way of the one-to-one relationships and Mentorship Program events, held throughout the year, the program provides the structure to advance professional growth and networking skills of both mentors and mentees.
We would like to again give special thanks to McDermott Will & Schulte for generously sponsoring this Mentorship Mixer, which will undoubtedly help this year’s class of mentors and mentees to build enduring bonds in the coming months and years.
– Written by Gary Yeung, Co-Chair, AABANY Mentorship Committee
On Wednesday, March 18th, AABANY’s Student Outreach Committee and Women’s Committee organized the Careers in Media Law Panel, hosted by Perkins Coie. The panel featured a diverse group of professionals in media law: Roger Chao (Senior Counsel at A+E Global Media), Jessica Cheng (Associate at Perkins Coie), Amy Gajda (Jeffrey D. Forchelli Professor at Brooklyn Law School), and Alicia Matusheski Khaled (Senior Counsel at Perkins Coie). The event was held at Perkins Coie’s midtown Manhattan office in the SoHo conference room, where around 15-20 lawyers, students, and other registrants attended.
The panelists engaged in a riveting discussion of media law, the field’s niches, and the influence of AI on their work. Topics such as the First Amendment and privacy were brought into the conversation, specifically how these areas were being put in jeopardy and questioned by AI’s emergence. The panelists also engaged in a lighthearted, realistic discussion about the challenges of working within media law, as well as the rewards. They found the work they did to be stressful sometimes. One example included the stress in getting a contract or agreement through as a deadline looms, because not closing the deal can mean delays in production and content that was waiting to be used or seen by millions of people. But what the panelists found most rewarding was seeing the shows, games, or other media they worked on in the news and loved by fans.
The audience was incredibly engaged and interested in what was shared. Attendees asked questions generally about the field of law, but also specific questions, including discussion of AI and its impact. After the panel discussion and Q&A, the attendees and panelists networked over a spread of hors d’oeuvres featuring lime-and-garlic-grilled shrimp and truffled potato croquettes as well as strawberries dipped in chocolate for dessert. Those who attended in the hopes of gaining more insight into media law left with a deeper understanding of the field’s intricacies and the stories of the experts who worked within it.
AABANY thanks Perkins Coie for the refreshments and the beautiful space. Thank you also to our panelists, who were deeply engaged in conversation and who passionately shared stories, information, and tips about media law.
To learn more about AABANY’s Student Outreach Committee, click here. To learn more about AABANY’s Women’s Committee, click here. You can find out more about upcoming events by visiting the calendar on AABANY’s website.
— Written by Emily Kam, AABANY Student Outreach Committee Vice-Chair
On Monday, March 16, 2026, the AABANY Intellectual Property (IP) Committee gathered for its final dinner of the 2025-2026 fiscal year at CHILI, a Michelin-recognized Sichuan restaurant in Midtown Manhattan.
The evening served as a festive conclusion to a productive year, bringing together a diverse mix of legal professionals—from seasoned IP attorneys, in-house and government attorneys, to law students—to network and reflect on the year’s achievements before the new fiscal year begins on April 1. The gathering offered the attendees, all AABANY members at different stage of their careers, an opportunity to share insights and forge connections that extend well beyond the courtroom or office. Conversations flowed easily between the fourteen attendees, from those who have spent decades navigating the complexities of intellectual property law to those just beginning to find their footing in the profession, creating a sense of mentorship and mutual inspiration. As the evening drew to a close, attendees departed with renewed energy and a shared sense of purpose, ready to carry the momentum of the past year into the promising opportunities that the new fiscal year is sure to bring.
A heartfelt thank you to everyone who joined us for this special evening. We look forward to many more meals, meaningful conversations, and moments of connection in the new fiscal year.
If you’re interested in future dinners, keep an eye on the AABANY calendar for upcoming events. To learn more about the IP Committee, visit their subpage on the AABANY website.
– Written by Ada Wang, AABANY Intellectual Property Committee Co-Chair
On March 12, 2026, AABANY’s Tax Committee and Asia Practice Committee co-hosted a vibrant dinner event at Chi Restaurant & Bar. The gathering brought together a diverse group of attendees, including seasoned attorneys, young professionals, and NYU tax LLM students, all eager to connect and share insights. Conversations ranged from emerging trends in Asian markets to recent developments in tax law, fostering both professional growth and community building. Guests enjoyed an array of Asian-inspired dishes while networking with new acquaintances and reconnecting with familiar colleagues in a welcoming atmosphere.
Building on the success of this event, the Tax Committee intends to host additional networking events throughout the year, collaborating with other AABANY Committees to broaden participation. We warmly invite professionals from all backgrounds to join our future gatherings and stay connected with our growing community.
For more information on AABANY’s Tax Committee, click here. For more information on AABANY’s Asia Practice Committee, click here. You can also check out AABANY’s website for information on other committees, as well as a calendar of upcoming events.
– Written by Eric Min, Co-Chair of AABANY’s Tax Committee
On Wednesday, February 25, 2026, AABANY’s Trusts & Estates Committee gathered to celebrate the Year of the Horse with a festive dinner in Midtown Manhattan. Held at Tang Pavilion, the evening brought together 18 attendees for a lively night of yummy food and community-building.
As guests arrived, they were directed to a separate private room reserved for the Committee, creating an intimate setting for the celebration. Co-Chair Natasha Chang thoughtfully ordered a wide-ranging selection of dishes for everyone to share, ensuring the table was filled with a delectable and generous spread. The meal began with scallion pancakes, cucumber salad, and frosted peanuts, followed by familiar favorites including Orange Chicken, Shredded Beef with Small Hot Peppers, Assorted Noodles, Beef Noodle Soup, Sweet & Sour Pork Ribs, Boneless Chicken Feet, and Smoked Fish. The steady arrival of dishes encouraged camaraderie as attendees around the table’s central lazy susan spun the glass turntable to share each dish and sample a bit of everything.
Beyond the delicious food, the dinner served as a valuable networking opportunity. Attendees went around the table introducing themselves and sharing their practice areas and career paths. The conversation evolved into a thoughtful reflection on the attendees’ respective law journeys. Many shared what they might have done differently, including whether taking one or more gap years before law school or gaining more practical experience earlier on. Some also talked about how the practice of law is changing with new technologies like AI and how future lawyers will need to adapt to these shifts.
Adding to the festive spirit, attendee Julie Min Chayet from Fiduciary Trust International passed around traditional red envelopes to all of the attendees. Inside were $2 bills and chocolate gold coins representing prosperity and good fortune for the year ahead. The thoughtful gesture sparked smiles and appreciation around the tables.
As we move forward into the Year of the Horse, AABANY’s Trusts & Estates Committee looks ahead with enthusiasm and renewed energy for the year’s programming and initiatives. Thank you to everyone who joined us for an evening of celebration and camaraderie.
On January 21, 2026, AABANY’s Solo and Small Firm Practice, Litigation, Judiciary, and Membership Committees hosted “Solo & Small Law Firm Litigators: Strategies for Success and Why Clients Should Care” at the Welcome to Chinatown Hub, at 115 Bowery, bringing together attorneys and non-attorneys for a dynamic and engaging discussion.
Panelists Tristan Loanzon, David Mou, Tiffany Miao, and Alysha Naik shared valuable insights and perspectives on building and sustaining successful solo and small-firm litigation practices, highlighting both career paths and the real value these firms offer clients.
The conversation was expertly guided by moderator Bianca Lin, Co-Chair of the Solo and Small Firm Committee, whose thoughtful questions and discussion topics prompted a lively and meaningful exchange. Audience members were highly engaged, asking insightful questions that added depth to the conversation and demonstrated strong interest in the panelists’ practical takeaways.
The program also included dedicated networking time before and after the panel, which gave attendees a meaningful opportunity to connect, meet new faces, and continue the discussion. The evening was complemented by delicious food catered by Nom Wah, generously made possible by our corporate sponsors, DocketBird, AmeriJudge, and Legal Consultants for Everyone.
AABANY extends its deepest thanks to our panelists, moderator, sponsors, and attendees for making this event such a memorable and rewarding experience.
On Thursday, January 22, 2026, AABANY’s In-House Counsel Committee and the Corporate Law Committee hosted its annual Winter Soiree. Returning once again to Le Chalet at Saks Fifth Avenue, the event transformed the heart of midtown into a warm, alpine-inspired venue where members came together for one of AABANY’s most well-attended and successful Winter Soirees to date.
The Winter Soiree, one of AABANY’s marquee events, proved more vibrant than ever this year. With nearly 200 attendees and a record 25 sponsors, attendees roared with chatter and laughter, while strengthening professional relationships, forging new connections, and celebrating the collaborative spirit that exemplifies AABANY’s legal network.
Guests started to arrive around 6:00 p.m. and were embraced by Le Chalet’s warm interior and balcony view of the city skyline. The intimate and collegial setting provided an ideal backdrop for meaningful dialogue among distinguished senior attorneys, partners, and the senior in-house counsel that represented a wide variety of sectors including financial services, technology and software development, healthcare, investment banking, insurance, real estate, media and entertainment, sports and licensing, consumer electronics, retail luxury goods, food and beverage, aviation, oil and gas, utilities, and environmental services. The companies represented included Mastercard, Pfizer, Con Edison, Wells Fargo, Morgan Stanley, Meta, Tiffany & Co., JP Morgan Chase, American Express and Johnson & Johnson.
Over 20 General Counsels were in attendance this year, representing some of the largest corporations in the country. Representing a remarkably diverse cross-section of the corporate and legal landscape, attendees engaged in thoughtful conversations on a wide range of topics while enjoying an assortment of hors d’oeuvres, wines, cocktails, and other refreshments as the evening unfolded.
Shortly after 7:00 pm, David Sohn of J.P. Morgan Chase, Co-Chair of the In-House Counsel Committee, delivered opening remarks. He highlighted his Committee’s work in advancing the legal profession and advocating for the AAPI legal community, and thanked Saks, all our sponsors, and the guests for helping to make the event a success through their presence. He then invited Ken McClure, representing Broadridge Financial Solutions and AABANY’s’ Diamond Sponsor, to address the audience.
Co-Chairs Peter Wei and Jack Jiaqi Chen joined David to introduce the AABANY Winter Soiree’s Platinum Sponsors: Haynes Boone (represented by Brian Sung); Perkins Coie (represented by Dennis Hopkins); Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP (represented by Phil Richter); Groombridge, Wu, Baughman & Stone LLP (represented by Jennifer Wu and Jenny Wu); and Seyfarth Shaw LLP (represented by Varuna Bhattacharyya, AABANY’s President-Elect).
The speakers expressed the importance of AABANY’s role in shaping a more diverse, supportive, and forward-looking legal profession. They spoke to the value of investing in the organization’s mission and noted AABANY’s lasting influence on the professional development and advancement of Asian American attorneys.
Closing out the remarks, Corporate Law Committee Co-Chair John Hwang, Partner at Linklaters LLP, explained the Committee’s mission to provide a forum for corporate law firm attorneys where they can exchange ideas and experiences as AAPI attorneys in that practice area. John also acknowledged his Co-Chairs, Tracy Feng, Partner at Paul Hastings and Keli Huang, Partner at Kirkland & Ellis, as well as Vice-Chairs Kyle Zhu, Associate at Orrick, and Ashley Wong, in-house counsel at Amazon, for their leadership and contributions to the Committee. John concluded by expressing gratitude to the Winter Soiree’s Gold and Silver Sponsors, after which the guests returned to mingling and networking.
AABANY extends its deepest gratitude to the 2026 Winter Soiree sponsors, whose generous support made the event possible:
Silver Sponsors Allegaert Berger & Vogel LLP Anonymous Blakes Clark Smith Villazor LLP Con Edison Leason Ellis LLP McCarthy Tetrault Miao Law LLC Steno
AABANY also extends its sincere appreciation to the Co-Chairs of the co-sponsoring Committees—David Sohn, Peter Wei, Jack Chen, of the In-House Counsel Committee, and Tracy Feng, John Hwang, and Keli Huang, of the Corporate Law Committee—for their dedication and leadership. Special thanks are due to the organization’s staff, Yang Chen, Executive Director; Carrey Wong, Deputy Executive Director; and Apollo Baltazar, Administrative Assistant, as well as interns Eva Lee and Aleasha Wattoo, and former intern Kirin Moy, whose hard work and support contributed to the evening’s success.
The Winter Soiree started to wind down around 8:30 pm., as guests left the warm embrace of Le Chalet to brave the winter evening, bringing an energetic and memorable night to a close. AABANY thanks all who attended and looks forward to continuing this festive tradition and welcoming the community back for future events.
On Thursday, December 18, 2025, AABANY’s IP Committee teamed up with the New York Intellectual Property Law Association (NYIPLA) Young Lawyers Committee for a fun and festive Board Games Night. The event brought together attorneys, law students, and friends for an evening of networking, laughter, and friendly competition over classic and modern board games.
Attendees enjoyed a variety of games, including Flip 7, Taboo, and Hues and Cues, which sparked plenty of creativity, quick thinking, and colorful conversations. Whether strategizing to win or just playing for fun, participants had a great time connecting in a relaxed, social setting over dinner and drinks.
Additionally, attendees celebrated the birthday of AABANY member (and past Litigation Committee Co-Chair) Aakruti Vakharia. The cake shared by all who was there was a special treat for the fun night.
Special thanks to NYIPLA Young Lawyers Committee for co-sponsoring this event and to all who attended and made the evening a success. Thanks also to Fish & Richardson for hosting. We look forward to hosting more collaborative events in the coming year!
On December 9, AABANY hosted the final Dumplings & Discussion fireside chat of the year, featuring Alan Chang, Senior Vice President & General Counsel of the New York Yankees. Over a wide selection of dumplings and other bites, Alan generously shared his career journey, offered candid insights into the sports industry, and gave practical advice for junior lawyers navigating their own paths. Thank you to the audience for their thoughtful questions and lively engagement, which made the discussion dynamic and meaningful. Attendees continued networking and exchanging ideas well into the night during the post-chat reception.
We are grateful to all of the incredible speakers of 2025 who helped the Dumplings & Discussion series continue to be a welcoming forum for sharing stories and candid dialogue:
Alan Chang, New York Yankees
Michelle Lee, MediaCo
Christopher Chan, JLL Technologies
Sonia Low, Javits Center
Liz Nie, Acorns
Stephen Mar, Odeko
Osamu Watanabe, Moelis
Thank you to each of these leaders for inspiring our community and contributing to meaningful conversations throughout the year.
We’re excited to keep the momentum going in 2026 with more opportunities to connect, learn, and—of course—enjoy dumplings together. Stay tuned for announcements on future Dumplings & Discussion fireside chats.
See here to read about past Dumplings & Discussion chats.
— Written by Jeffrey Mok, AABANY Board Director and Co-Chair of AABANY’s Intellectual Property Committee
Two Opportunities to Support Your Journey to a Legal Career
2026 SAIL Scholarship Deadline to Apply: June 30, 2026
The NAPABA Law Foundation is now accepting applications for the distinguished SAIL Scholarship Program—a rare, career-shaping opportunity created to uplift and empower the next generation of leaders in the legal profession.
The SAIL Scholarship offers far more than financial support. Selected scholars receive: – $7,500 in funding (distributed evenly across their 2L and 3L years) – One-on-one mentorship from seasoned legal professionals – Exclusive access to executive-level networking and leadership opportunities
Who Should Apply?
Current 1L students (rising 2Ls in Fall 2026) who demonstrate:
Strong academic achievement (undergraduate and 1L performance)
Leadership potential and a commitment to “paying it forward”
Volunteer or public service experience
Knowledge of or dedication to advancing AAPI communities
This program provides sustained support throughout law school — financially, professionally, and personally — helping recipients build a foundation for a career rooted in leadership, service, and impact.
If you know an exceptional first-year law student, please encourage them to apply.
Students: Be sure to review the SAIL Scholarship FAQ to confirm eligibility and expectations before submitting your materials.
Let the SAIL Scholarship help launch your path toward meaningful change in the legal field. To apply, click this link.
2026 NAPABA Judicial Council Summer Internships Deadline to Apply: January 15, 2026
We are pleased to announce that the NAPABA Judicial Council is offering three prestigious summer internship opportunities with distinguished federal judges for Summer 2026. Each selected intern will also receive a $1,500 scholarship stipend to support their experience.
These internships provide invaluable exposure to federal judicial work, insights into the court system, and the opportunity to learn directly from leaders in the judiciary. Each full-time internship will last approximately 4-10 weeks, with dates and times to be arranged between each intern and judge.
