Tag: nysba

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Press Release: Former AABANY President Glenn Lau-Kee Named President-Elect of the NYSBA

NEW YORK – January 28, 2013 – The Asian American Bar Association of New York (AABANY) welcomes and applauds the news that Glenn Lau-Kee has been named as President-Elect of the New York State Bar Association (NYSBA). The 77,000-member New York State Bar Association is the official statewide organization of lawyers in New York and the largest voluntary state bar association in the nation. Mr. Lau-Kee was elected at the 135th Annual Meeting by the House of Delegates, the Association’s decision and policy-making body. He will begin his one-year term as President-Elect on June 1, 2013. Mr. Lau-Kee will be the first Asian American to serve as a President-Elect of NYSBA. “On behalf of AABANY and its Board of Directors and Officers, we congratulate Glenn on this historic achievement and wish him success as he becomes the President-Elect of the New York State Bar Association, a revered organization and leader among all bar associations in the nation,” said Jean Lee, President of AABANY.

AABANY and NYSBA participate in a number of joint programs through the year, including an annual Diversity Reception at NYSBA’s annual meeting in New York every January. “Glenn is among the most respected leaders at NYSBA and in the entire legal community in New York. AABANY is proud of Glenn’s historic ascension to the presidency-elect of NYSBA, an elevation which inspires the entire Asian legal community. We are certain that Glenn’s new role at NYSBA will boost Asian American participation in NYSBA and lead to new joint initiatives between NYSBA and AABANY,” said Vincent Chang, former AABANY President and a current member of NYSBA’s Nominating Committee.

To read the full text of the press release go to: www.aabany.org/associations/6701/files/PR%20012813%20-%20Glenn%20Lau%20Kee%20-%20NYSBA_Final.pdf

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Press Release: Congratulations Lillian M. Moy, Recipient of NYSBA’S 2013 Diversity Trailblazer Award

The Asian American Bar Association of New York (“AABANY”) applauds the selection of Lillian M. Moy, as the recipient of the 2013 New York State Bar Association (“NYSBA”) Diversity Trailblazer Award. The NYSBA Committee on Diversity presented the 2013 Diversity Trailblazer Award at an Award Presentation and Networking Reception during the 10th Annual Celebrating Diversity in the Bar Reception held on Monday, January 21, 2013 at the New York Hilton in New York City.

“We are thrilled that NYSBA has recognized Lillian with the Diversity Trailblazer Award. Her commitment and dedication to promoting diversity in the legal profession is well known to us, as she has been a constant and passionate proponent of getting AABANY and other diverse and specialty bar associations more involved with NYSBA and other mainstream bar associations. Her work has greatly improved the visibility and participation of lawyers of color in bar groups and the legal profession. We are proud to count her among our most prominent members in AABANY. Congratulations, Lillian!” said Yang Chen, Executive Director of AABANY.

To read the full text of the press release go to http://www.aabany.org/associations/6701/files/PR%20012413%20-%20Lillian%20Moy%20NYSBA.pdf.

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NYSBA: Empire State Counsel Program

Passing along some important information from NYSBA:

New York State Bar Association

Office of the Presidentimage

Dear Jean:

I write in my capacity as the President of the New York State Bar Association to tell you about the Empire State Counsel® Program and cordially invite you to join the ranks of this elite group.  The Empire State Counsel® Program is a purely voluntary initiative which seeks to recognize those who perform significant pro bono service. 

The Empire State Counsel® designation is reserved exclusively for NYSBA members who, during the calendar year, performed 50 hours or more of free legal assistance either through direct legal representation of a low-income individual; or by donating free legal services to an organization whose services are designed primarily to address the legal and other basic needs of persons of limited financial means; or by providing free legal services to an organization dedicated to increasing the availability of legal services to vulnerable and/or low-income populations.   The program is open to NYSBA members even if they are employed in another state or overseas. If you are not currently a member of the Association, but otherwise meet the criteria, we hope that you will consider becoming a member. If you join the Association by February 28th, you will receive a free membership to the section of your choice and a free NYSBA tote bag. Click here to access the Membership Application.

To date, more than 6,897 NYSBA members, located in virtually every state in the United States, as well as in Europe, Indonesia, Africa, Canada and India, have achieved this distinction.  Since the program was launched by then President Mark Alcott approximately six years ago, Empire State Counsel® members, collectively, have donated 1,001,924 hours of free legal services to individuals and families. Our members’ pro bono contributions have provided critical legal assistance in the areas of mortgage foreclosure, landlord-tenant issues, bankruptcy, immigration, asylum, domestic violence, child custody, and vital government benefits. 

In recognition of the significant contributions our members make to pro bono through their law firms, the Association plans to award a plaque to the law firms enrolling the largest number of Empire State Counsel® for service during 2012.  An award will also be presented to two individual attorneys whose pro bono contribution made a significant difference during 2012.

Individual honorees will receive a certificate suitable for framing and the signature Empire State Counsel® lapel pin.  Honorees may use this honorific designation as a credential on their resume and the names of the individual honorees will be published in a variety of Association publications.  Empire State Counsel® honorees will be recognized during the Association’s Annual Meeting at the complimentary Justice for All Luncheon which will be held on Thursday, January 24th at the Hilton New York, from 12:30 to 2:00pm.

Kindly share this letter with the attorneys at your firm who are actively involved in pro bono. Hopefully they will find the program worthwhile and wish to register.  Enrollment is open now through the end of February 2013.  The 2012 Verification Form is a fillable PDF form that is available online at www.nysba.org/2012ESCVF  and may be submitted directly to the Department of Pro Bono Affairs for processing.  Alternatively, if it is more convenient, the firm’s pro bono coordinator may submit a list of attorney names and their respective pro bono hours, together with a single completed verification form attesting to the accuracy of the list.  The Department of Pro Bono Affairs will be responsible for determining the membership status of each attorney and will relay that information back to the firm pro bono coordinator.  Any questions about the program may be directed to Gloria Herron Arthur, Director, Department of Pro Bono Affairs, at [email protected]  or by telephone at (518) 487-5641.  
  
Thank you for your consideration of this program.

Sincerely,

Seymour W. James, Jr., President

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NYS Bar Association Sets Up Legal Hotline to Assist Storm Victims

From the NYSBA website:

1-800-699-5636 Toll-free Number for Legal Questions

New Yorkers with legal problems related to Superstorm Sandy can receive free advice from volunteer lawyers through a program sponsored by the New York State Bar Association, President Seymour W. James, Jr. announced today.

“We know there will be a great need for legal assistance in the coming weeks,” said James (The Legal Aid Society in New York City). “We are grateful to attorneys who go above and beyond to serve their communities.”

Volunteer attorneys will answer storm-related questions about insurance, real estate issues (landlord-tenant and other property disputes) and general legal matters, such as replacing missing wills and other documents.

Storm victims seeking legal advice can call a toll-free hotline: 1-800-699-5636. They will receive the name and phone number of a volunteer attorney. Callers will be eligible for a free legal consultation of up to 30 minutes, either by phone or in person.

Individuals whose applications for emergency assistance are rejected by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will be able to speak with an attorney about how to appeal the decision.

The Association’s Lawyer Referral and Information Service (LRIS) is coordinating the program in partnership with the American Bar Association’s Young Lawyers Division. They are working closely with local bar associations, legal assistance providers, community programs and local officials in storm-battered areas of the state.

Attorneys wishing to volunteer can visit  www.nysba.org/DisasterVolunteerSandy or call 518-463-3200.    

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Volunteer Opportunities to Help Victims of Hurricane Sandy

Thanks to Yomi Ajaiyeoba, President of the Nigerian Lawyers Association, for passing along this information.

New York State Bar Association:

Please Volunteer for Pro Bono Efforts to Assist Hurricane Victims

The New York State Bar’s Lawyer Referral and Information Service is recruiting attorneys that can provide free telephone consultations to individuals affected by Hurricane Sandy. There is need for attorneys with insurance, landlord/tenant, co-op and condo, or FEMA appeals experience, as well as those who can handle general practice matters. 

We encourage attorneys outside the NYC area to volunteer. The program is set-up to assist victims via phone consultation.

Please respond as soon as possible if you can help hurricane victims in need.

Go to: www.nysba.org/DisasterVolunteerSandy to fill out your volunteer form.

City of New York:

There will be various ways to volunteer to help in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy – Want to Volunteer? Please email [email protected] with your name, email address and borough. There will be ways to volunteer today and over the next week as opportunities arise. 

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NYSBA: FREE programs for Lawyers in Transition

Our friends at NYSBA have some great FREE offerings for Lawyers in Transition, so we pass along that information here. Please share widely.

New York State Bar Association Notice New York State Bar Association

Committee on Lawyers in Transition

Re-Entering the Legal Profession

Free Webcast and Live Program* sponsored by the Committee on Lawyers in Transition 

Monday, May 21, 2012 
6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
(Eastern Time)

Register online
www.nysba.org/May21stWebcast

Are you re-entering the legal profession after having taken a short or long term leave from practice, whether after a layoff, family leave or work in another field? Our panelists will share success stories and talk about tips and tactics for attorneys looking to return to traditional law practice. They will discuss networking, brushing up on experience, obtaining new skills and training, and addressing what employers want to know.

This program is part of the New York State Bar Association’s Committee on Lawyers in Transition series of free, live webcasts on Career Development to help lawyers better manage their careers. If you are looking to make a career change, leave your current job, or transition back to the workforce after time away from the profession, the Committee on Lawyers in Transition is here to help.

  
*NYSBA members are invited to attend in person to be a part of the live audience in New York City. The non-member, in person registrant fee is $25.

  In-person participants must arrive by 5:30 p.m. Seating is limited. Pre-registration is required. Please note that your name must be added to a security list to enter the building.

This program does not carry MCLE credit. 

For more information, visit www.nysba.org/May21stWebcast.

Upcoming Free Programs of Interest
 

How To Approach Your Employer about Flexibility, Leave or Other Special Needs
 Tuesday, June 5, 2012 |  9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
 www.nysba.org/June5thWebcast

Mock Interviewing
Wednesday, September 19, 2012  | 12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
www.nysba.org/LIT

How to Land a Non-Profit Position
 Wednesday, October 17, 2012 | 12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
www.nysba.org/LIT

Making Transitions Later in Your Career
Thursday, November 1, 2012 | 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
www.nysba.org/LIT

Did you miss any of the previous Career Development programs?
 
Visit www.nysba.org/LITarchivedWebcasts to view archived webcasts.
 

If you would like more information about the Committee on Lawyers in Transition, please contact Kathy Suchocki, Staff Liaison to the Committee at [email protected].

If you have program ideas or suggestions, please contact JessicaThaler, Esq., Chair of the Committee on Lawyers in Transition at [email protected].

Visit the Committee blog at http://nysbar.com/blogs/lawyersintransition

Join the NYSBA Lawyers in Transition LinkedIn group at www.nysba.org/LinkedIn

NEW YORK STATE BAR ASSOCIATION, ONE ELK STREET, ALBANY, NY 12207
PH: (518) 463-3200  FX: (518) 487-5517 For Public Officials: The New York State Bar Association is registered with the New York State Commission on Public Integrity pursuant to the Lobbying Act to engage in lobbying activities. Consequently, public officials cannot accept certain benefits from the Association. Further information can be obtained by contacting an official’s agency ethics officer or the Association at (518) 463-3200.

Accommodations for Persons with Disabilities: NYSBA welcomes participation by individuals with disabilities. NYSBA is committed to complying with all applicable laws that prohibit discrimination against individuals on the basis of disability in the full and equal enjoyment of its goods, services, programs, activities, facilities, privileges, advantages, or accommodations. To request auxiliary aids or services or if you have any questions regarding accessibility, please contact Kathy Heider at (518) 487-5500 or [email protected].

You may unsubscribe from ALL NYSBA e-mails. If you choose to unsubscribe from ALL NYSBA e-mails, you will no longer receive NYSBA e-mail messages that may relate to your practice and important legal issues (excluding individual and listserve messages). Click here to unsubscribe from ALL NYSBA e-mails.

This is a General message related to NYSBA Notices & Alerts. If you prefer not to receive General e-mails related to Notices and Alerts, please click hereto unsubscribe.

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Fireworks at Smooth Moves 2012

On Tuesday, April 24, the New York State Bar Association (NYSBA), through its Commercial and Federal Litigation Section, presented Smooth Moves 2012: Career Strategies for Attorneys of Color.  The CLE portion of the event was entitled: “Views from the Corner Office: Diverse GCs Discuss How to Get There and How to Win Their Business.”

The moderator was Hon. Stephen C. Robinson, Partner at Skadden Arps and former judge in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York.

When Judge Robinson turned to the question of how to get the business of the prominent GCs who were on the panel, he asked how important diversity was in getting hired.

Don LiuDon Liu, Senior Vice President, Secretary and GC at Xerox Corporation replied that with Xerox’s strong leadership on issues of diversity, Xerox placed a high premium on diversity in deciding which outside counsel to retain.

At that point, Sandra Leung, GC and Corporate Secretary at Bristol-Myers Squibb, turned to Don and said, “Let me challenge you a bit on that. Do you mean to tell me that if you had a bet-the-company case and the only lawyer who can win the case for you and who is the proven expert on that type of case and has a winning track record, but he and his firm have a poor showing on diversity, you would not hire that attorney?”

Don answered, “I’ve never been faced with that situation,” which drew appreciative laughter from the audience, “but do you mean to tell me that in this wide world, he would be the only lawyer who can handle that case? I doubt it.  We would certainly consider his qualifications and track record, but we would still place a high premium on diversity.”

Sandra LeungSandra continued to press and was joined by Jeffrey Harleston, Executive Vice President and GC at Universal Music Group, who shared Sandra’s viewpoint and did not think that diversity would take precedence over other factors, especially if the case was not just “bet-the-company” but was “bet-the-industry.” In such a case, diversity or not, the company would go with the best lawyer for the job.

Don, seeming somewhat piqued but contained, replied: “There seems to be a suggestion that picking the diverse candidate somehow implies getting inferior services. I don’t buy that.” The audience applauded loudly for that statement.

The back-and-forth continued and Don seemed to relent slightly in his position but did not retreat from his stance that the hypothetical was unrealistic. Col. Maritza Ryan, Head of the Department of Law at the United States Military Academy, the fourth panelist, noted for the record (yes, transcription was being taken) that she was “the peaceful one.” The audience laughed appreciatively in response.

The debate was certainly lively and enhanced what was already an engaging discussion.  At the end, Don and Sandra, who are long-time friends, gave hearty hugs to each other, making clear that there were no hard feelings.

I didn’t have the benefit of the transcript in recounting the exchanges described above but of all the Smooth Moves programs I have had the pleasure to enjoy these last few years, this is the one for which I would request a copy of the transcript.  If you know how we can get a hold of one, please let me know.

What do you think?  If your company was faced with a bet-the-company or bet-the-industry case, does diversity go out the window in deciding which outside counsel to hire?

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Congratulations to Karen I. Wu, attorney at Perlman & Perlman and co-chair of AABANY’s Pro Bono and Community Service Committee, who on January 26, at a reception held during the New York State Bar Association (NYSBA) Annual Meeting, received NYSBA’s 2012 Outstanding Young Lawyer Award.

Family, friends, colleagues and NYSBA leaders and officers came out for the occasion. NYSBA Young Lawyers Section Chair James Barnes kicked off the awards presentation. NYSBA President Vincent Doyle presented the award.

Quoting James Barnes from the printed program for the event:

[Karen’s] accomplishments as a practitioner, service to the profession, and volunteer work in the community make her a deserving recipient of this award…. The dedication she has shown as an attorney and concerned citizen provides a shining example to young professionals.

Karen’s well-deserved recognition represents an honor for AABANY. Last year, Anting Wang, currently co-chair of the Women’s Committee, received the NYSBA Outstanding Young Lawyer Award. For AABANY to count such remarkable leaders within its ranks of young lawyers is a true blessing indeed. We hope other young lawyers within AABANY will follow their lead and make significant contributions to the profession and community.

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AABANY Press Release on Karen Wu Receiving Outstanding Young Lawyer Award

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

December 5, 2011

Contact: Yang Chen, Executive Director

AABANY APPLAUDS SELECTION OF KAREN I. WU AS RECEIPIENT OF NYSBA’S 2012 OUTSTANDING YOUNG LAWYER AWARD

NEW YORK – December 5, 2011 – The Asian American Bar Association of New York (“AABANY”) applauds the selection of Karen I. Wu, co-chair of AABANY’S Pro Bono and Community Service Committee, as the recipient of the 2012 New York State Bar Association (“NYSBA”) Outstanding Young Lawyer Award.

The NYSBA will be presenting the 2012 Outstanding Young Lawyer Award at an Award Presentation and Reception during the NYSBA Annual Meeting on Thursday, January 26, 2012 at the New York Hilton in New York City.  Each year, the NYSBA’s Young Lawyers Section honors a young lawyer who has rendered outstanding service to both the community and legal profession.  The Outstanding Young Lawyer Award recognizes an attorney who has actively practiced less than 10 years, and has a distinguished record of commitment to the finest traditions of the Bar through public service and professional activities.

“We congratulate Karen, and we are grateful to the NYSBA Young Lawyers Section for recognizing Karen’s exemplary legal work and continued commitment to the public interest community,” states AABANY President-elect, Jean Lee.  “I am truly honored and humbled to receive the NYSBA’s 2012 Outstanding Young Lawyer Award.  I am extremely fortunate to be able to practice law in an area that has a positive social impact, and it has always been important for me to serve the community in a volunteer capacity as well.  Volunteering is not always convenient, but I have seen how communities are changed when people give their time to serve others, and would encourage all attorneys to find ways to make a difference,” says Karen.

Karen I. Wu is an associate at Perlman & Perlman, LLP, a New York City-based law firm, which focuses on representing the philanthropic community.  Karen has provided counsel to public charities, private foundations, fundraising professionals, and for-profit companies engaging in cause marketing and philanthropy.  She advises clients on a variety of issues including corporate governance and tax issues, fundraising regulatory compliance, joint ventures, political activities, business activities, and intellectual property matters. She is the author of several articles regarding fundraising regulation and tax compliance, and has provided several workshops and teleconferences to various members of the nonprofit community.  Karen is a board member of the Townsend Harris High School Alumni Association, as well as Open Hands Legal Services, a nonprofit organization that provides free legal services and counseling to the poor in New York City.  She serves as Pro Bono Counsel to the National Collegiate Table Tennis Association and Taiwan Mission Foundation.  She currently serves as the co-chair of the Pro Bono and Community Service Committee of the AABANY.  Karen earned a J.D. from Brooklyn Law School in 2004, and a B.A. from Wellesley College in 2000. 

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The Asian American Bar Association of New York (“AABANY”) is a professional membership organization of attorneys concerned with issues affecting the Asian Pacific American community.  Incorporated in 1989, AABANY seeks not only to encourage the professional growth of its members but also to advocate for the Asian Pacific American community as a whole.  AABANY is the New York regional affiliate of the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA).  To learn more about AABANY, visit www.aabany.org. 

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