Tag: New York City

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Thank You to the Participants of the 2025 Thomas Tang Moot Court Competition

Over the course of two days – in-person on October 17, and over Zoom on October 18 – law students from across the country participated in the 2025 Thomas Tang Moot Court Competition (TTMC).  A total of 28 teams from 11 states competed in three regional competitions, showcasing exceptional advocacy, composure, and legal reasoning. To make these competitions possible, 78 members of the bench and bar marked a total of 133 score sheets across 12 rounds.


Background

The Thomas Tang Moot Court Competition was named in honor of Judge Thomas Tang of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit and Dr. Pearl Tang. The competition provides law students with a platform to hone their advocacy skills while engaging with the Asian Pacific American legal community. The competition was sponsored by the NAPABA Law Foundation and NAPABA Judicial Council, and remains one of NAPABA’s signature programs for fostering mentorship, excellence, and representation among the next generation of advocates.

AABANY’s Contributions

AABANY is proud to share that many of our members volunteered as judges and bailiffs for the Regional, held on October 17, 2025 at the St. John’s University campus in New York City. Our members generously devoted their time and mentorship to the aspiring attorneys, providing detailed feedback to the law students, asking provoking and critical questions about the case. 

The volunteer judges included federal and state judges, as well as seasoned litigators and practitioners. They offered meaningful advice in vital areas such as argument construction, speaking, composure, and presentation. Many students shared that the feedback and support they received from practitioners were among the most meaningful parts of their competition experience.

AABANY also co-sponsored the luncheon with the law firm of Groombridge, Wu, Baughman & Stone LLP, where participants enjoyed a spread of delicious sandwiches, beverages, and snacks. 

During the lunch, Jennifer Wu (AABANY Board Director), Judge Pamela Chen (AABANY Member), and Judge Jennifer Choe Groves shared their experience and advice with the students. Jennifer Wu recalled her own time as a competitor in the Thomas Tang Moot Court Competition, where several judges had told her, “You should be a litigator.” She humorously noted that one of the things she did particularly well was conceding at the right time, a small but important skill in advocacy. Reflecting on those memories, she spoke about the lasting mentorship she received during her time as a law student and her wish to pass that mentorship forward to the next generation.

Judge Chen and Judge Choe Groves echoed those sentiments, encouraging students to approach advocacy with confidence, humility, and openness to learning. Their words underscored the importance of community and the enduring relationships that the Thomas Tang Moot Court Competition helps build among judges, practitioners, and students.

About This Year’s Competition

The participants of this year’s regional rounds showcased exceptional preparation and professionalism. The participants shared creative arguments, thoughtful responses to questioning by judges, and showcased quick critical reasoning, as well as composed presentation. The atmosphere reflected the shared commitment of both students and volunteers to learning, growth, and community-building.

This year’s moot court problem addressed an interesting issue at the intersection of many current issues surrounding technology, intellectual property, copyright, and art: Who owns the copyright of an artwork created with the assistance of artificial intelligence? The case challenged participants to wrestle with questions of authorship, originality, and the evolving role of human creativity in the age of AI.

The top 18 teams from the regional competitions have advanced to the National Competition, which took place during the NAPABA Convention on November 7–8, 2025. The team that won the national competition was Audrey La and Josh Shimabukuro from Loyola University Chicago School of Law. They were the same team that won the regional competition round in New York.

We extend our gratitude to all those who made this competition possible, from the volunteers, judges, attorneys, and law student, to the TTMC National Committee and local coordinators. Your generosity of time and spirit continues to uphold the legacy of Judge Thomas Tang and ensures that mentorship, excellence, and inclusion remain at the heart of this program.

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Apply Now: 2025 NAPABA In-House Counsel (IHC) + Partners Summits August 28-29th

Applications are Now Open

In-House Counsel (IHC) + Partners Summits August 28-29 | New York

We are excited to announce that applications are now open for the NAPABA In-House Counsel (IHC) Summit and Partners Summit, taking place August 28-29, 2025, in New York City! These premier gatherings bring together top legal professionals for two days of high-impact networking, strategic career development, and actionable insights from industry leaders.

Which Summit Is Right for You?

In-House Counsel (IHC) SummitPartners Summit
Designed for senior in-house attorneys looking to accelerate their leadership trajectory, this program features guidance and insights from General Counsels, C-Suite Executives, and search firm leaders on how to navigate leadership transitions and position yourself for top legal roles at Fortune 1000 companies.A dynamic program for law firm partners to strengthen leadership skills, develop business strategies, and connect with the next generation of NAPABA legal leaders. Hosted alongside the IHC Summit, this event also provides a unique opportunity to build relationships with senior in-house attorneys from Fortune 1000 companies.
Learn More & Apply Now
Learn More & Apply Now



Why Attend?

✔️ Engage with Fortune 1000 legal decision-makers
✔️ Gain actionable strategies to elevate and advance your career
✔️ Expand your network and forge meaningful connections with top in-house attorneys and law firm partners
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Save the Date for NAPABA In-House Counsel (IHC) and Partners Summits August 28-29

In-House Counsel (IHC) + Partners Summits August 28-29 | New York

The IHC Summit and Partners Summit return to New York City on August 28-29, 2025. Held concurrently, these premier gatherings bring together top NAPABA members for two days of high-impact networking and career-building opportunities.

In-House Counsel (IHC) SummitPartners Summit
A career development program helping senior in-house attorneys accelerate their competitive advantage. Participants will gain insights from General Counsels, C-Suite Executives, and search firm leaders on navigating leadership transitions and positioning themselves for top legal roles.An interactive program for law firm partners to strengthen leadership skills, collaborate on career strategies, and build connections with the next generation of law firm leaders. The Summit is hosted in parallel with the IHC Summit, providing unique networking opportunities with senior in-house attorneys from Fortune 1000 companies.
Learn More
Learn More



Why You Should Be There

  • Engage with Fortune 1000 legal decision-makers
  • Gain actionable strategies from industry leaders to elevate your career
  • Build lasting connections with senior IHC attorneys and law firm partners

Applications open April 2, 2025!

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Columbia Law School’s Paralegal Pathways Initiative: Applications Now Open for Spring 2025

The Paralegal Pathways Initiative (PPI) at Columbia Law School is a 12-week training program designed to support formerly incarcerated individuals as they transition into meaningful careers within the legal field. Through skills-based legal training and professional mentorship, PPI empowers participants to develop valuable career and interview skills. Applications are now open for the upcoming Spring 2025 class, and PPI wants to extend this opportunity to as many potential applicants as possible.

Application Requirements: Interested individuals should submit an application online through this link. The application package includes:

  • Resume 
  • Personal statement (500 words)
  • Response to a writing prompt (350-450 words) 
  • Two references 
  • [Optional] Additional materials/information

PPI encourages applications from individuals from marginalized communities, including those based on race, sexual orientation, religion, age, gender, or disability.

Eligibility Criteria:

  • 18 years old or older
  • Ability to commute to New York City
  • Have been formerly incarcerated and at least one year post-release
  • Demonstrate a genuine interest in the legal field
  • Commit to attending an in-person two-hour class one night a week for 12 weeks, and additional programming and workshops
  • Commit to contributing to a collaborative learning environment
  • Complete an interview

Application Deadline: Friday, November 15, 2024 

Contact Information: For more information, contact the PPI team at ppi@law.columbia.edu or follow @paralegalpathways_cls on Instagram. Please share this information with anyone who may be interested in applying.

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IP Committee Hosts Dinner at Charoen Krung

On July 22, the IP Committee met for a tasty Thai dinner at Charoen Krung in Manhattan.  Attendees enjoyed a wide variety of classic Thai dishes.  The dinner welcomed many new faces into the community, from law students to interns, to experienced private practice and in-house attorneys.  Attendees shared about how they were spending their summers, as well as about projects they were tackling at work.  The dinner ended with delicious Thai desserts including mango sticky rice.     

Thank you to everyone who joined!  The IP Committee always welcomes new members to its events!

To learn more about the IP Committee and how you can get involved, go here.

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American Arbitration Association Now Accepting Applications to the 2024 Diverse Student ADR Summit

The American Arbitration Association® (AAA®) is now accepting applications to the 2024 Diverse Student ADR Summit in New York City on November 9-10, 2024. This program provides an in-depth look at careers in arbitration and mediation. 

Presenters will include experienced ADR professionals, litigators, and in-house counsel from various backgrounds who will outline a successful career path as an arbitrator or mediator and discuss how to avoid potential pitfalls along the way. Attendees will learn the importance of focusing on a specific industry, networking, connecting with mentors, gaining relevant experience, and building a good reputation in the field.

The program is open to 2nd and 3rd-year law students who identify as members of groups historically underrepresented in the ADR field. Accepted students will receive a scholarship of up to $2,000 to cover round-trip travel to and hotel expenses in New York.

TO APPLY, click here to submit the following items:

  • Resume
  • Statement of Interest
  • One faculty or professional recommendation
  • An essay on the future of ADR (350-500 words)

Application Deadline: September 25, 2024

Location
American Arbitration Association
150 East 42nd Street, 17th Floor
New York, NY 10017

To learn more about the program, please click here. Should any questions arise, feel free to contact the organizer at AAAStudentADRSummit@adr.org.

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Christina Chelliah Interviewed on “Building Belonging” Podcast

On September 5, 2024, the ”Building Belonging” podcast, hosted by the Office for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging at the New York City Bar Association, released their interview with Christina Chelliah, a member of AABANY. The series considers the perspectives of marginalized voices within the legal industry, and in an episode entitled “A Seat at the Table for Foreign-Trained Attorneys,” Chelliah shared her experiences getting admitted and practicing as a foreign-born attorney in New York City.

Originally from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Chelliah explained that her path to becoming an attorney was much different than her counterparts in the United States. In Malaysia, students do not need an undergraduate degree to attend law school, so Chelliah graduated from law school when she was just twenty-two years old. After studying for the bar for a year and then completing a year-long pupillage, she worked as a corporate attorney in mergers and acquisitions at one of Malaysia’s leading firms. After applying for and receiving a Diversity Visa, she moved from Malaysia to the United States, whereupon she was faced with several challenges because of her background.

Chelliah described the major obstacles that most foreign-trained attorneys face. First, because foreign attorneys do not have a J.D. from an American university, they only have the opportunity to sit for the bar in just two states – New York and California. Second, regardless of any professional experience they might already have, they likely would have to go back to school and receive an LLM degree. Chelliah’s story, however, was different as she came to the US already with an extensive common law background and a British law degree, thus exempting her from having to complete an LLM program. Though she initially was grateful for this – as it meant she wouldn’t have to pay for additional schooling – it made getting jobs all the more difficult for Chelliah as she neither had a JD or LLM. She commented, “When I tell [recruiters] that I am neither [a JD or LLM], people are confused … I come under this third, unseen category.” 

Chelliah explained that a lack of understanding around how foreign-born attorneys are trained is commonplace among recruiters. Said Chelliah, “There is this divide … between how you get qualified to sit for the Bar in New York and what happens after you pass the Bar and how you are perceived. It’s [due to] that lack of understanding of what foreign credentials mean … we have been left out of the process of inclusion or consideration for positions because of that first part of our resume.” This problem, Chelliah stated, is widespread and institutionalized. “The system is not set up to provide means and ways … for people who are not the traditional type of lawyers to get into the profession.” 

Chelliah identified several crucial ways that the legal system could better handle these issues moving forward. First, she noted that it is imperative to keep having conversations like these. She proposed that the Board of Law Examiners and bar associations work together to share more resources for foreign-trained attorneys. Bar associations, for example, could set up sections on their websites or a committee to support these individuals. Second, Chelliah called for a reform to technology and application services to account for the fact that not all attorneys have an undergraduate degree. Third, she asked HR departments and recruiters to revise their training practices and place a greater emphasis on understanding the different trajectories beyond a traditional American education for attorneys. And finally, she implored listeners “[to] be willing to understand that what you think you know about the extent of DEI within the legal profession is an ever-evolving topic.”

To listen to the full podcast, please click here.

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Thank You to the Volunteers at July 13th Pro Bono Clinic

Thank you to the CPC, the offices of Council Members Alexa Avilés and Justin Brannan, State Senator Iwen Chu, all of our Brooklyn community partners, and AABANY volunteers for joining us at the Brooklyn Pro Bono Legal Clinic held at CPC Brooklyn Community Services, 4101 8th Ave, on July 13, 2024.

During the clinic, we met 18 clients who had questions about housing, immigration, and special education law matters. 

In addition to having law students shadowing us, we had Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) high school students from CPC who helped clients complete their client intake forms and client satisfaction surveys. For any who may want to participate or know of someone who would, SYEP connects New York City kids between the ages of 14 and 24 with career opportunities and paid work experiences each summer.

Pro bono clinics function to address a wide array of problems and questions. At this clinic we had parents asking about how to apply for special education needs for their children. Many NYC children are not receiving adequate and immediate special education services, and if the child is denied special education needs, there is a limited time period for the parents to appeal the Department of Education’s decision. For further help please visit Advocates for Children of NYC (https://advocatesforchildren.org/) who can provide know-your-rights brochures and legal representation.

The day’s work was praised by clients in attendance. For example, one client stated, “This is the best service for people who can’t afford legal services.”

Thank you again to everyone, including volunteer attorneys:

  • Anna Chen
  • Daobo Wang
  • Francis Chin
  • Gary Yeung
  • Kwok Kei Ng
  • May Wong
  • Willow Liu
  • Yan Sin
  • Yichun Liu

Thanks also to the non-attorney volunteers:

  • Athena Zhang
  • Lingjun Chen
  • Nandar Win Kerr
  • Ruo Yang
  • Wendy Zeng

Please join us at the next exciting events:

July 24th – AABANY Pro Bono Clinic Fundraiser – https://www.aabany.org/events/event_details.asp?legacy=1&id=1858155

Queens Pro Bono Clinic on August 7th, 2024 at AAFE One Flushing Community Center, 133-29 41st Ave, 2nd Floor, Flushing, NY 11355. Sign up here – https://forms.gle/5PjG8A73EE1XENyV9

To learn more about AABANY Pro Bono & Community Service Committee contact probono@aabany.org or click here. 

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AABANY Membership Committee Hosts Meet the Board Series Event Featuring President Karen Kim and Board Director Won Shin

On Thursday, July 20th, 2023, the AABANY Membership Committee held the first event of the Meet the Board Series this year, at which attendees heard from AABANY President Karen Kim and AABANY Board Director Won Shin about their respective careers. The event was hosted by FTI Consulting in Midtown Manhattan, and co-sponsored by AABANY’s Women’s, Government Service & Public Interest, and Prosecutors’ Committees.

At the beginning of the night, attendees chatted and mingled over dinner before sitting down to participate in a Q&A session with Karen Kim and Won Shin moderated by Membership Director Christopher Bae. Christopher started by asking how the two became involved with AABANY, their most memorable cases, and how working with AABANY has changed their careers.

Won talked about his early career, starting with his work as a litigation associate at Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz for six years, his position as Assistant Solicitor General at the New York State Attorney General’s office and his stint in complex frauds and cybercrime in the United States Attorney’s Office. Finally, Won described his entrance into his office’s appeals unit, where he now serves as Chief of Appeals of the Criminal Division. 

Karen spoke about her work at a small firm doing mainly litigation, residential real estate, and construction law, before serving as Vice President of Operations and Strategic Development at Minority Corporate Counsel Association in D.C. and finally landing a position at QBE Insurance through former AABANY president Linda Lin. Karen believes her experience at the small firm she first worked at prepared her for her presidency at AABANY, because she worked on “a hodgepodge of everything” in both positions. 

Christopher turned to the guests for one last question before taking inquiries from the audience. “So how do mentees make themselves stand out so that you would want to mentor them? What can younger attorneys be doing to find more than a mentorship in name and instead build an actual relationship with you?”

Karen paused to think of an answer. “Well, I like chocolate.”

After around half an hour of audience questions, Christopher concluded with a round of rapid fire questions for Karen and Won. We learned that Won’s favorite legal show is “Jury Duty,” and Karen’s favorite judge, past or present, is Judge Judy (the TV judge, not Hon. Judy Kim). The evening wrapped up with more mingling and enjoying food and drinks in FTI’s stylish and modern space.

Thank you to Karen Kim and Won Shin for sharing your experience and wisdom with us, and Christopher Bae for moderating an insightful conversation. We look forward to hosting more Board Members in the Meet the Board Series. To learn more about the Membership Committee, go here.

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CUNY AAARI Presents Talk on AABANY’s Endless Tide Report, Featuring Chris Kwok, Megan Gao, and David Kim

On June 10, 2022, CUNY’s Asian American/Asian Research Institute (AAARI) hosted a discussion to address the Endless Tide report published by AABANY on May 31. The discussion was co-led by AABANY’s Board Director and Issues Committee Chair, Chris Kwok, and Megan Gao, Vice Chair of the Pro Bono and Community Service Committee. Chris is also a Co-Executive Editor of the report and Megan is an Associate Editor. As the report continues to gain media attention and publicity, various AAPI community groups have referred to Endless Tide and AABANY’s Anti-Asian Violence Task Force (AAVTF) to bring their issues and concerns to government officials in New York City. 

In publishing the Endless Tide report, Megan mentioned that lawyers can make a unique contribution by using the criminal justice system as a way to analyze how anti-Asian hate crimes have been prosecuted in New York City. By tracking the number of complaints and arrests that the New York Police Department made, the authors of Endless Tide were able to offer a legal analysis that details how the system has affected and impacted our AAPI neighborhoods and communities. In their research, they found that publicly available data does not track a hate incident from initial report to final resolution. In fact, the AAVTF learned about the disposition of outstanding cases by meeting directly with various District Attorney’s offices. 

At the event, they invited David Kim, a survivor of an anti-Asian attack featured in the report. David’s case was an example of the indifference he encountered in getting a District Attorney’s Office to pursue a hate crimes prosecution. David and his friends were harassed and physically threatened after a vehicle collision at the intersection of 149th Street and 34th Avenue on June 4, 2020. They were taunted by the alleged perpetrators and called racist epithets, forcing them to stay in their car until a 911 call was made – to which the police took time to respond to. With the incident happening at the peak of the pandemic, the victims were also yelled at and blamed for causing COVID-19. After the incident, Kim wanted to file a report to the precinct and pursue a case against his perpetrators. However, after meeting with the District Attorney’s office, with the assistance of counsel, they were told that the District Attorney’s office decided that no charges, including hate crime charges, would be brought. To date, no explanation has been given for this decision.

Hearing David’s story, Chris and Megan highlighted how the title Endless Tide reflects the ongoing racial discrimination towards Asians and Asian Americans. In an effort to address and assist the members of the community that have experienced bias incidents or hate crimes, AABANY created the Hate Eradication Active Response Team (HEART). David and his attorneys came to HEART after their requests to the District Attorney’s Office to pursue hate crimes prosecutions proved futile. Ultimately, the Endless Tide report and the AAVTF seek to encourage discussion with government officials and other organizations to take a closer look at how we can address the hate, violence, and discrimination faced by the AAPI community in New York City. 

To watch the recording of the event, please click here or on the image above. To contact AABANY’s Anti-Asian Violence Task Force, send an email to aavtf@aabany.org.

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