AABANY Professional Development Committee and Solo and Small Firm Practice Committee Host Panels on Parents-in-Practicing Law

With the end of the holiday season and the start of a New Year, we want to give our gratitude and admiration for all the working parents in the legal professions who balance their demanding schedule at work and at home. 

On November 12, 2024, the Solo and Small Firm Practice Committee hosted the “Mothers-in-(Practicing) Law” Panel, which was moderated by Yen-Yi Anderson, Co-Chair of Solo and Small Firm Practice Committee and Managing Principal at Anderson & Associates Law P.C., and invited speakers: Hon. Lillian Wan, Associate Justice of Appellate Division, Second Department; Ada Wang, IP Litigation & Antitrust Senior Associate at Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati; Michelle Li, Director at Perella Weinberg Partners, and Megan Rha, Partner at Rha Kim Grossman & McIlwain LLP. The engaging discourse allowed panelists and the audience to discuss the challenges of a demanding legal profession for women and the added responsibilities of child-rearing.

The burden of child-rearing affects working parents in the legal profession emotionally, mentally, and physically. To follow up, on November 13, 2024, the Professional Development Committee hosted the “Fathers-in-(Practicing) Law” Panel with moderator Willow Liu, Esq, and featured speakers Benjamin Hsing, AABANY’s President-Elect and Partner at Venable, LLP., and Kwok Ng, Co-Chair of the Pro Bono & Community Services Committee and Associate Court Attorney in NYC Civil Court. The speakers talked about how legal employers viewed paternity leave in the past versus now, how paid family leave creates equity for both mothers and fathers to care for newborns, and how to set life balance needs and boundaries to protect their family time. 

Being a lawyer is already an incredibly challenging profession, and adding the responsibility of parenting requires extraordinary strength, endurance, and time management. To excel both in legal careers and as loving parents, our speakers emphasized being tolerant (remember to breathe, and it’s ok even when it’s not ok), practicing self-care, such as getting adequate rest (if possible) and taking walks, and working as a team with your work colleagues, family, and significant other. In the end, all can agree that family comes first! 

To working parents in the legal profession, don’t be too harsh on yourselves. You are not alone! Please consider joining the Parents Committee (in formation) to share parenting advice. For more information about that Committee email us at [email protected].

AABANY Hosts Interest Meeting for a New Parents Committee

On Friday Aug. 9th, 2024, a group including both AABANY members and non-members interested in meeting other Asian attorney parents, met at Dons Bogam BBQ & Wine Bar. Our goal was to gauge interest in possibly creating AABANYs 29th committee, a Parents Committee. The group included a diverse mix of attorneys, including those in public and private practice, with children ranging from babies to late teenagers, and active AABANY participants as well as new attorneys who were looking to get involved. 

Every attendee held a similar passion for their careers and parenting, as well as a deep appreciation for the fact that this meeting took place during a weekday lunch rather than an evening or weekend because otherwise who would look after the kids? As we shared a meal of Korean soul food, we shared many ideas on events and resources for the proposed Parents Committee. This group plans to take the next steps to form a Committee and will continue to meet regularly for weekday lunches. This new committee looks forward to continuing to explore new cuisines around the city, building and strengthening our social and professional networks, while reducing stress and improving mental health. 

Please be on the lookout for announcements about this group and reach out to [email protected] if you are interested in joining!  

Please click here to fill out the Parents Committee Google Form to answer a few survey questions to help us chart a direction for this emerging committee. Thanks in advance for your input and ideas. 

In the Wake of Zero Tolerance–Best Practices for Representing Separated Parents and Children Webinar

In the Wake of Zero Tolerance–Best Practices for Representing Separated Parents and Children Webinar

NAPABA Condemns the Separation of Children and Parents at the U.S. Border – National Asian Pacific American Bar Association

NAPABA Condemns the Separation of Children and Parents at the U.S. Border – National Asian Pacific American Bar Association

Parents Protest Emergency Calls

Parents Protest Emergency Calls