We extend our sincere gratitude to Volunteers, AABANY, Asian American Law Fund of New York (AALFNY), AABANY’s Pro Bono and Community Service (PBCS) Committee, and the Chinese-American Planning Council, for your invaluable contributions to the Pro Bono Legal Clinic held in Brooklyn on May 31, 2025. Thanks to your dedication, we were able to assist 21 clients with a wide range of legal concerns, including housing, matrimonial and family law, probate, personal injury, workers’ compensation, immigration, tax, business fraud, public benefits, and civil litigation.
Our volunteer attorneys and interpreters demonstrated exceptional patience and commitment in addressing client questions, offering guidance, and connecting them with further legal support through AABANY’s Legal Referral and Information Service (LRIS). We are proud to offer our services in both Mandarin and Cantonese, allowing us to continue our mission of providing crucial support to individuals facing linguistic or cultural barriers in accessing quality legal care.
Thank you to our volunteer attorneys at the May 31st Brooklyn Pro Bono Clinic:
Volunteer Attorneys
Francis Chin
Jenny Dai
Kwok Ng
Shuyao Wang
Yilan Wang
May Wong
Gary Yeung
Jungeun (Evelyn) Yu
Interpreters & Shadowers
Sam Chen
Jingjuan Guo
Nandar Win Kerr
Nikita Kohli
Samuel Liu
Albert Tong
We invite you to continue supporting our community by joining us at our upcoming pro bono clinics:
June 18 [Manhattan link here], from 6:30 – 8:30pm, AAFE Community Center, 111 Norfolk Street, NY, NY 10002
July 12 [Brooklyn link here], from 12:30 – 3:30pm, CPC Brooklyn Community Services, 4101 8th Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11232
August 6 [Queens link here], from 6:30 – 8:30pm, One Flushing Community Center, 133-29 41st Ave, 2nd Floor, Flushing, NY 11355
We look forward to your participation in our future clinics! Have a wonderful weekend!
To learn more about the Pro Bono & Community Service Committee, visit probono.aabany.org.
We extend our sincere gratitude to AABANY, the Asian American Law Fund of New York (AALFNY), AABANY’s Pro Bono and Community Service (PBCS) Committee, Asian Americans for Equality (AAFE), and all the dedicated volunteers who contributed to the success of our Pro Bono Legal Clinic in Manhattan on May 21st, 2025.
During the clinic, our volunteers provided invaluable assistance to 10 clients, addressing a range of legal matters including housing, immigration, civil litigation, and nuisance issues. 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.
Thank you to our volunteer attorneys at the May 21st Manhattan Pro Bono Clinic:
Volunteer Attorneys
Ming Cheung
Francis Chin
Justin Lee
Beatrice Leong
Jasmine Sripa
Kenny Ip
Interpreters & Shadowers
Albert Tong
Collette Chang
Sisu Chou
Emily Kam
Kenny Ip
We invite you to join us for our upcoming pro bono clinics:
June 18 [Manhattan link here], from 6:30 – 8:30pm, AAFE Community Center, 111 Norfolk Street, NY, NY 10002
July 12 [Brooklyn link here], from 12:30 – 3:30pm, CPC Brooklyn Community Services, 4101 8th Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11232
August 6 [Queens link here], from 6:30 – 8:30pm, One Flushing Community Center, 133-29 41st Ave, 2nd Floor, Flushing, NY 11355
We look forward to your participation in our future clinics! Have a wonderful weekend everyone!
To learn more about the Pro Bono & Community Service Committee, visit probono.aabany.org.
On March 27, 2025, the AABANY Pro Bono and Community Service (PBCS) Committee marked a significant milestone: the 10th Anniversary of the Community Pro Bono Clinics. The celebration took place at House of Joy in Chinatown, bringing together nearly 50 friends, volunteers, and past and present PBCS leaders.
Guests enjoyed a full six-course Chinese banquet at one of Chinatown’s most popular and well-established restaurants. The evening concluded on a sweet note with ice cream from The Original Chinatown Ice Cream Factory, featuring classic flavors like almond and mango.
The night was filled with laughter, heartfelt conversations, and reunions as members, friends, and volunteers reconnected, caught up, and reminisced about their shared commitment to pro bono service. The atmosphere was festive and joyful, a true testament to the strong and loving community that has formed around the AABANY Pro Bono Clinics over the past decade.
On a large screen, a slideshow played, displaying nostalgic moments from clinic sessions over the years across Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens, showing both longtime volunteers and new faces. Familiar figures such as Beatrice Leong, Kwok Ng, and Gary Yeung were seen in many images, capturing their dedication and presence, while new volunteers continued to join, ensuring the mission carried forward.
As guests enjoyed their meal, a series of inspiring, authentic, and humorous speeches were delivered by Co-Chairs Kwok Ng, Gary Yeung, and Beatrice Leong, alongside former PBCS Committee Co-Chairs May Wong and Karen Kithan Yau, as well as Executive Director Yang Chen and President-Elect (now President) Ben Hsing. Each speaker reflected on the clinic’s journey, its impact on the community, and the dedicated volunteers who have made it all possible. More than just a community initiative, AABANY’s Pro Bono Clinics represent a movement, uniting individuals through a shared purpose: to break barriers, provide legal access, and uplift the underserved.
AABANY’s Pro Bono Legal Clinic was launched in 2015 to provide members of the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community, particularly those with limited English proficiency (LEP), with meaningful access to justice. Over the past ten years, PBCS has brought together AABANY members to help nearly 3,000 people in underserved AAPI communities across New York. Through its walk-in Clinics in Manhattan’s Chinatown, Downtown Flushing in Queens, and Brooklyn’s Sunset Park, AABANY has worked tirelessly to break down linguistic and cultural barriers to legal assistance. The Clinics have addressed issues such as immigration, housing, labor rights, and family law, helping to bridge the gap in legal services for underserved communities.
Donors for the 10th anniversary celebration included Board Member (and Past President) Dwight Yoo, PCBS Committee Co-Chair Lina Lee, and the following AABANY Committees:
Pro Bono & Community Service (PBCS)
Labor & Employment
Military & Veterans Affairs (MVA)
Tax
Career Advancement
Student Outreach
Judiciary
Government Service & Public Interest (GSPI)
As AABANY starts its new fiscal year on April 1, 2025, the Pro Bono Clinic schedule remains as follows:
Manhattan Clinics – every third Wednesday of the month
Queens Clinics – first Wednesday of even-numbered months
Brooklyn Clinics – second Saturday of odd-numbered months
The AABANY Pro Bono Clinics have been instrumental in ensuring that underrepresented communities receive the legal support they need. By addressing barriers such as language access, financial limitations, and cultural obstacles, these clinics have provided thousands of individuals with necessary legal information, resources, and guidance that might otherwise be out of reach. The continued dedication of volunteers, attorneys, and supporters ensures that this initiative remains a pillar of advocacy and service in New York City’s AAPI and immigrant communities.
As the AABANY Pro Bono Clinics enter their next chapter, their success remains rooted in the dedication of volunteers, attorneys, and supporters. However, expanding reach and strengthening impact will remain a priority as the need for legal assistance in underrepresented communities continues to grow. Those interested in supporting the clinics can volunteer, donate using the link or QR code below, or spread the word. Together, this strong and compassionate community will continue to make justice accessible to all.
Special thanks to the dedicated volunteers from FY25, whose time and energy have made a meaningful impact in advancing the clinic’s mission:
Albert Tong
Alexandra Lao
Alice Biagini
Alicia Ding
Andrew Wu
Angela Zhao
Anna Chen
Anthony Wong
Athena Zhang
Beatrice Leong
Ben Choi
Bich-Nga Nguyen
Brandon Wong
Carrie Nie
Cecilia Yang
Chenyi Wang
Chia-Jung (Colette) Chang
Christina Seid
Chunwei “Vicky” Mao
Collin Li
Cynthia Park
Daniel Kang
Daobo Wang
David Tse
Dianna Lam
Elton Hom
Emily Kam
Eric Duan
Esther Tang
Eugene Love Kim
Eugene Seong
Eve Hongye Mao
Forrest Sung
Francis Chin
Gary Yeung
George Chin
Gigi Zhou
Hazel F. Chin
Hong (Sophia) Zhang
Jack Chen
Jadyn Tiong
Jameson Xu
Jaymark Hawlader
Jennifer Shi
Jialin Zhu
Jieman Tan
Jing Liang
Joan Martinez
Johnny Thach
Judy Lu
Juliet Romero
Junjie Wang
Justin Lee
Kaila Chen
Karen Kithan Yau
Kayla Ramos
Kenny Ip
Kevin Hsi
Kevin Louie
Kevin Yim
Kirin Moy
Kwok Kei Ng
Leo Shen
Lily Li
Lina Lee
Lingjun (Julia) Chen
Lingjun Chen
Lord Chester So
Lucy Liu
May Wong
Megan Gao
Meghan Liu
Miao Wen
Michelle Yang
Mike Tse
Ming Chu (Judy) Lee
Minkyu Park
Nandar Win Kerr
Nicholas Loh
Peter Wei
Rachel Cohen
Rachel Lee
Richard In
Rita Zheng
Ruo Yang
Sam Chen
Sam Hou
Shi Tang
Shirley Luong
Shuyao (Sherry) Wang
Shuyao Wang
Sonia Yogesh Suchak
Suzie Yu
Tiancheng “Tim” Lyu
Tiange (Tim) Chen
Victoria Cheng
Vishal Chander
Wendy Zeng
Wenhsien (Wendy) Cheng
Willis Huynh
Willow Liu
Woohyeong Cho
Wooseok Ki
Xiang Li
Xiaocen Zhang
Xing Yang
Xinran Fan
Xue Zhang
Xuxia Zhao
Yan Lian Kuang-Maoga
Yan Sin
Yen-Yi Anderson
Yi Liu
Yichun Liu
Yiming (Roselyn) Chen
Yiyang (Leo) Shen
Yuanyuan Li
Yuhan Chen
Yvette Wang
Zekai Lian
Please join us in congratulating the Pro Bono Clinic on this historic milestone and offer our gratitude for their selfless service to the AAPI and immigrant communities in New York. Please consider volunteering for an upcoming Pro Bono Clinic.
Happy Lunar New Year! A huge thank you to AABANY, PBCS, AAFE, and all our incredible volunteers who dedicated their time and expertise at the February 5th pro bono legal clinic in Queens. Their commitment to serving the community made a meaningful impact, providing much-needed legal assistance to those in need. Our volunteers met with 12 clients, addressing questions related to housing, matrimonial and family law, and torts.
We extend our gratitude to our special guest speaker, Vishal Chander, for delivering an insightful “Know Your Rights” training. His presentation provided attendees with crucial information on their rights when encountering Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) authorities. Vishal also generously stayed to assist with complex questions regarding immigration sponsorship and divorce, further supporting our community members.
Here are some of the clients’ comments:
“Thank you for additional resources for mothers returning to the job force.” “Thank you, Shirley [Luong].”
Thank you again to our amazing volunteers:
Volunteer Attorneys
Beatrice Leong
Gary Yeung
Johnny Thach
Kevin Hsi
Lord Chester So
May Wong
Richard In
Vishal Chander
Yan Lian Kuang-Maoga
Interpreters & Shadowers
Miao Wen
Xiaocen Zhang
Xuxia Zhao
We are deeply grateful for everyone’s contributions and look forward to continuing this important work together! Please come back and join us at our upcoming clinics:
March 8, 2025 [Brooklyn link here], from 12:00 – 3:00pm, CPC Brooklyn Community Services, 4101 8th Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11232
April 2, 2025 [Queens link here], from 6:00 – 8:30pm, One Flushing Community Center, 133-29 41st Ave, 2nd Floor, Flushing, NY 11355
On Saturday, January 11th, AABANY members had the opportunity to volunteer at AABANY’s Brooklyn Pro Bono Legal Clinic, hosted by the Chinese-American Planning Council. The Clinic was organized by AABANY’s Pro Bono and Community Service (PBCS) Committee, staffed by a dedicated team of attorney and non-attorney volunteers, offering free thirty-minute legal consultations for community members facing serious legal challenges. This was the first Clinic of the year, and volunteers met with 14 clients, who asked questions about divorce, immigration, and housing.
The Clinic facilitated a supportive and inclusive space for all in attendance. Attorneys were paired one-on-one with clients to carefully address their legal concerns, while interpreters ensured smooth communication for non-English speakers. Shadowers had the opportunity to sit in on attorney-client conversations, taking notes and learning from these real-world interactions. Through this collaborative effort, the Clinic demonstrated its ongoing commitment to fostering community involvement and empowering individuals.
With the current change of presidential administration, many immigrants are uncertain what will come next. As concerned public interest organizations, we want to protect and prepare our vulnerable clients the best we can. We greatly appreciate that immigration attorneys and legal services are taking their time to keep us updated with the law and providing accessible resources for our clients to know their rights. Please check out the Immigration Coalition’s website at https://www.nyic.org/ and Asian American Legal Defense Education Fund’s website at https://www.aaldef.org/ to learn more!
Thank you to our volunteer attorneys at the January 11 Brooklyn Pro Bono Clinic:
Volunteer Attorneys
Beatrice Leong
Gary Yeung
Kwok Kei Ng
May Wong
Victoria Cheng
Interpreters & Shadowers
Junjie Wang
Nandar Win Kerr
Xiaocen Zhang
Shuyao (Sherry) Wang
If you’re interested in volunteering at future AABANY Pro Bono Clinics, please consider joining us at the following upcoming events:
February 5, 2024 [register here], from 6:00 – 8:30pm, One Flushing Community Center,133-29 41st Ave, 2nd Floor, Flushing, NY 11355
February 19, 2025 [register here], from 6:00 – 8:30pm, AAFE Community Center,111 Norfolk Street, NY, NY 10002
We hope to see you there and wish you a happy Lunar New Year!
To learn more about the Pro Bono & Community Service Committee, visit probono.aabany.org.
On December 4th, volunteers had the opportunity to participate in AABANY’s Pro Bono Legal Clinic in Queens, hosted by the Asian Americans for Equality (AAFE). The clinic was organized by AABANY’s Pro Bono and Community Service (PBCS) Committee, with a dedicated team of attorney and non-attorney volunteers providing free thirty-minute legal consultations to members of the community facing various legal challenges.
The volunteers met with 11 clients, answering questions related to housing, torts, and contracts. One key issue that came up frequently was unreasonable rent increases. As New York continues to grow more expensive, attorneys volunteering at our clinics would be well-served with some basic knowledge to protect tenants’ rights.
Under the Good Cause Eviction law, tenants in covered housing are protected against unreasonable rent increases that exceed the local rent standard. The local rent standard is determined annually based on the inflation rate in the area, plus 5%, with a maximum cap of 10%. As of May 1, 2024, the local rent standard for the New York City area is 8.82%, which means any rent increase over this percentage may be considered unreasonable by the court, provided it occurred after April 20, 2024. See here: https://www.nyc.gov/site/hpd/services-and-information/good-cause-eviction.page.
Landlords may provide justification for higher rent increases, such as significant repairs or increased property taxes, but the final decision rests with the court. Pro Bono Clinic attorneys encourage all tenants to open their mail and file an answer in court to protect their rights.
Clients expressed gratitude for the assistance, including the following comments:
“Extremely grateful. Appreciative of your supported services. Helped me decide on many of my bigger problems.”
“Attorney Yeung’s attitude was superb – he provided translation and advice.”
Thank you again to our volunteers:
Volunteer Attorneys
Beatrice Leong
Gary Yeung
Johnny Thach
Kevin Hsi
Lina Lee
Jack Chen
May Wong
Richard In
Interpreters & Shadowers
Eugene Seong
Xiaocen Zhang
Xuxia Zhao
Please come back and join us at our upcoming clinics:
December 18, 2024, from 6:30 – 8:30pm, AAFE Community Center, 111 Norfolk Street, NY, NY 10002, sign up here (please register by 12pm, 12/16/2024)
January 11, 2025, from 12:00 – 2:30pm, CPC Brooklyn Community Services, 4101 8th Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11232, sign up here (please register by 12pm, 01/08/2025)
January 15, 2025, from 6:30 – 8:00pm, AAFE Community Center, 111 Norfolk Street, NY, NY 10002, sign up here (please register by 12pm, 01/13/2025)
Wishing everyone a wonderful Christmas and Happy New Year!
DISCLAIMER: Nothing in this blog post should be deemed to be legal advice. Do not take any action or refrain from any action in reliance on anything contained in this blog post.
On Saturday, November 9th, AABANY members had the opportunity to volunteer at AABANY’s Brooklyn Pro Bono Legal Clinic, hosted by the Chinese-American Planning Council. The Clinic was organized by AABANY’s Pro Bono and Community Service (PBCS) Committee, staffed by a dedicated team of attorney and non-attorney volunteers, offering free thirty-minute legal consultations for community members facing pressing legal challenges. The volunteers met with 17 clients, who had questions about torts, family, matrimonial, and immigration issues.
As usual, the Clinic facilitated a positive and supportive environment; each client was paired with an attorney, who thoughtfully listened to and addressed their legal concerns. Shadowers observed the attorneys in action, taking notes and learning from these real-world interactions. Language interpreters were also available, ensuring that there were no language barriers between clients and attorneys. This collaboration reflected the Clinic’s commitment to community engagement and empowerment.
Thank you again to our volunteer attorneys:
Volunteer Attorneys
Anna Chen
Jieman Tan
Gary Yeung
May Wong
Interpreters & Shadowers
Jaymark Hawlader
Junjie Wang
Nandar Win Kerr
Wendy Zeng
If you’re interested in making a difference in the community through future Pro Bono Clinics, we invite you to join us at the following upcoming events:
Wednesday, December 4, 2024 [register here], from 6:00 – 8:30pm, One Flushing Community Center, 133-29 41st Ave, 2nd Floor, Flushing, NY 11355
Saturday, January 11, 2025 [register here], from 12:00 – 2:30pm, Tentative Location – CPC Brooklyn Community Services, 4101 8th Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11232
We hope to see you there!
To learn more about the Pro Bono & Community Service Committee, visit probono.aabany.org.
On Wednesday, April 10th, AABANY Pro Bono & Community Service (PBCS) Committee hosted their Queens Pro Bono Clinic at the Asian Americans for Equality (AAFE) Community Center in Flushing. With the help of AABANY, PBCS, and AAFE staff and volunteers, 22 clients were assisted with housing, immigration, and employment issues.
One of the clients paid $300 to an attorney to help her write a letter to management regarding a bed bug infestation matter. For someone with young children and a large family, the legal expense of $300 is financially burdensome. A housing attorney volunteer referred her to free legal services and advised her to document the situation and mobilize neighboring tenants to seek relief from the landlord. She was extremely grateful that the PBCS Committee, through the Pro Bono Clinic, offers free legal consultation and referral services.
In another case, a client came to discuss student loans and consumer debt and thought that her only option was bankruptcy. After discussing the NYS Exempt Income Protection Act, the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, and specific student loan forgiveness options, she felt relieved that she had more choices and greatly appreciated the information she received.
Here are some clients’ responses:
“Perfect management. Impressive lawyers.”
“Excellent! Thumbs up for Ms. May Wong.”
Please join us at the Manhattan Pro Bono Clinic on May 15, 2024, at AAFE Community Center, 111 Norfolk St, New York, NY 10002. Sign up here by May 10 to volunteer: https://forms.gle/SD2VMY8X6yE4vsxW9.
If you are interested in speaking at an upcoming Bring-Your-Own-Lunch (BYOL) Sidebar Meeting to discuss updates on the law, common issues asked at the Pro Bono Clinics, and other miscellaneous topics, please contact probono@aabany.org.
Thank you to the volunteers and community partners for supporting the Queens Pro Bono Clinics!
On November 15th, 2023, AABANY held its Manhattan Pro Bono Clinic at the AAFE (Asian Americans for Equality) Community Center, at 111 Norfolk Street. Our devoted volunteers gave up their Wednesday evening to give back to our community, providing free legal services and language assistance to all who came into the clinic. Volunteer interpreters and attorneys helped clients resolve a variety of issues, in the areas of housing, immigration, and civil practice.
Special thanks to the Student Outreach Committee for their postering campaign and passing out the lovely flyers which Mayer Brown printed for us! The majority of the 18 clients seen indicated in their intake forms that they came because of the flyers posted in stores, local libraries, and streets.
Though AABANY attorneys assisted with a range of interesting cases, one notable situation involved a client who sought advice on how to deal with an unresponsive attorney representing his case for unpaid wages. The litigant was represented by counsel, and AABANY attorneys couldn’t provide a second opinion about the case. Nonetheless, the volunteers provided a listening ear, carefully evaluating the client’s situation before responding with helpful advice. The attorneys advised the client to consider reaching out to the NYS Dept of Labor to file a claim and seek assistance. Moreover, they suggested the client explore the Attorney Fee Dispute Resolution Program, which provides low-cost arbitration hearings as an alternative to protracted court battles. Ultimately, this case demonstrates AABANY attorneys’ commitment to empowering clients with accessible avenues for justice. The client departed the clinic content, having obtained valuable and satisfactory advice.
As always, AABANY thanks our Pro Bono & Community Service (PBCS) Committee, AAFE, our community partners, and our dedicated team of volunteers for their continued efforts and support. We would like to recognize the following individuals, for supporting AABANY at Wednesday’s clinic:
Volunteer Attorneys:
Casey M. Lee
Francis Chin
May Wong
Yan Sin
Yen-Yi Anderson
Interpreters and Shadowers:
Angela Zhao
Daniel Kang
I-Kai Lee
Jieman Tan
Wendy Xia
Wei Huang
Yiming (Roselyn) Chen
Yuchen Zheng
AAFE:
Jiwon Youn
Elton Ye
Ling Ren
For any volunteers that were unable to make it on Nov. 18th, we hope that you will be able to join us at the next Brooklyn Pro Bono Clinic, taking place on December 2, 2023 at CPC Brooklyn Community Services. For more information, please click here.
On October 18th, 2023, AABANY held its Manhattan Pro Bono Clinic at the AAFE (Asian Americans for Equality) Community Center, at 111 Norfolk Street. Our dedicated volunteers gathered on Wednesday evening to provide invaluable, free legal services to the community. The clinic was met with a large number of volunteers, eager to give back to the New York AAPI community. Volunteer interpreters and attorneys met with clients, discussing a range of issues, encompassing family, immigration, and employment law.
AABANY would like to thank our Pro Bono & Community Service (PBCS) Committee, AAFE, our community partners, and our hard-working volunteers for giving us their time and energy. Our success could not be possible without your support. AABANY hopes to continue making a positive impact on the community and providing much-needed legal services to those in need. We extend our sincere gratitude towards the following individuals:
Volunteer Attorneys:
Anna Wang
Beatrice Leong
Helen Lee
Hongye Mao
Francis Chin
Menglong (Anthony) Zhu
Osamu Watanabe
Tiange (Tim) Chen
Wenhsien Cheng
Xue Luan
Yan Lian Kuang-Maoga
Yan Sin
Yang Xu
Yi Stewart
Interpreters and Shadowers:
Cecilia Yang
Gaohany Guo
I-Kai Lee
Jieman Tan
Justin Lee
Ruo Yang
Shi Tang
Suzie Yu
Yiming (Roselyn) Chen
Yu-Syuan Huang
Yuwen Long
AAFE:
Elton Ye
Ling Ren
Once again, AABANY thanks all the volunteers, AAFE, community partners, and the PBCS Committee who made this Pro Bono Clinic possible. Please join the next Queens Pro Bono Clinic taking place on November 1st at One Flushing Community Center. For more information, please click here.
