Asian American Bar Association of New York Commends the Appointment of Donald Leo as New York City Criminal Court Judge
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 14, 2016
Contact: Yang Chen, Executive Director
(718) 228-7206
NEW YORK – January 14, 2016 – The Asian American Bar Association of New York (“AABANY”) commends New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio’s appointment of Donald Leo as New York City Criminal Court Judge. Judge Leo joined the bench after thirteen years of service as an Assistant District Attorney in New York County and seven years as Deputy Bureau Chief of the Sex Offender Management Bureau for the New York State Attorney General’s Office. His appointment was effective December 29, 2015.
A lifelong New Yorker and first generation son of Chinese immigrants, Judge Leo is fluent in Cantonese and witnessed firsthand the Chinatown community’s aversion to cooperating with law enforcement and their distrust of the legal system. He has spent many of his years as a public servant fostering public trust and bridging the two worlds of New York’s Chinatown and New York’s criminal justice system by bringing justice to those who often feel that there is none. Judge Leo is a graduate of New York University and received his J.D. from Brooklyn Law School. He is also a founding member of AABANY’s Prosecutors Committee, started in 2008.
“AABANY is proud to see another one of its prominent members ascend to the bench,” says Yang Chen, Executive Director of AABANY. “Judge Leo is highly qualified to serve on the Criminal Court, and his own life experiences speak to the need for increased diversity on the bench. The more the bench reflects the diversity of the residents in our diverse communities across the city, the more they can develop a sense of trust that the courts are truly representative of them and are there to serve them. We thank Mayor de Blasio and his Advisory Committee on the Judiciary for making this appointment possible, and for continuing to promote diversity on the bench as an integral part of the administration of justice for all New Yorkers.”
For more information, please contact Yang Chen, AABANY Executive Director, at (718) 228-7206, or direct any inquiries to [email protected].
The Asian American Bar Association of New York 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).
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AABANY Congratulates Rosemary Yu as Recipient of the NYPD Asian Jade Society’s Lifetime Community Service Award
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 12, 2015
Contact: Yang Chen, Executive Director
(718) 228-7206
NEW YORK – February 12, 2015 – The Asian American Bar Association of New York (“AABANY”) congratulates Rosemary Yu, Manhattan District Attorney’s Office, as the 2015 recipient of the New York Police Department (“NYPD”) Asian Jade Society’s Lifetime Community Service Award. Ms. Yu will be honored on February 13, 2015 during the Annual Asian Jade Society Scholarship Dinner Dance at Jing Fong restaurant.
A native New Yorker, Ms. Yu joined the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office in 2005. She has extensive experience handling cases and investigations in the Office of the Special Narcotics Prosecutor and Special Investigations Bureau. She was one of the five inaugural ADAs in the Crime Strategies Unit, created by the District Attorney in 2010. Appointed Co-Director of the Manhattan District Attorney’s Immigrant Affairs Program in 2011, Ms. Yu has worked within the department and with community leaders to investigate and prosecute crimes affecting the immigrant community as well as educate the public about immigration fraud. In 2013, Ms. Yu handled the high profile ‘Chinese blessing’ scandal in the Chinatown community, which preyed on the fears of religious elderly Chinese immigrants historically averse to reporting crimes to the police. In elaborate multi-person schemes, the perpetrators switched victims’ bags of money and jewelry with water bottles and newspaper clippings in fraudulent ceremonies meant to bless and spiritually cleanse the victim’s families. The NYPD Asian Jade Society is recognizing Ms. Yu’s service and impact in making the Chinatown community a safer place.
Ms. Yu has been active with AABANY as Co-Chair of its Prosecutors’ Committee, which seeks to promote the interests of Asian Pacific American (APA) prosecutors in New York at the county, state and federal levels. In this capacity, Ms. Yu has organized events and programs that benefit the professional development and advancement of APA prosecutors, including AABANY’s annual Prosecutors’ Reception at the New York County Lawyers’ Association, which has become one of AABANY’s signature events attended by the District Attorneys of each of New York City’s boroughs and the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, among others. In addition, Ms. Yu has collaborated with AABANY’s Immigration and Nationality Law Committee to educate the APA community about immigration fraud and how not to fall victim to it. Through her leadership role in the Prosecutors’ Committee, Ms. Yu helps AABANY connect with the District Attorneys’ offices across New York City, so that AABANY can play a role as an advocate and resource to the APA community.
“AABANY is proud of Rosemary’s recognition by the Asian Jade Society as a Lifetime Community Service Award recipient,” says Executive Director Yang Chen. “Our association has long known about and benefited from Rosemary’s ties to the community and her considerable talents and energy as a prosecutor and public servant. We commend the Asian Jade Society on its choice of Rosemary as an honoree. She is not only highly worthy and deserving of the honor, but we are confident that she will continue to earn praise and accolades in the years and decades to come.”
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For more information, please contact Yang Chen, AABANY Executive Director, at (718) 228-7206, or direct any inquiries to[email protected].
The Asian American Bar Association of New York 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).
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Additional information about AABANY is available at www.aabany.org
Follow our blog at www.blog.aabany.org
Follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/aabany
Find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/aabany
Find us on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/in/aabany
AABANY Congratulates Kin W. Ng on His Promotion to Chief of the Immigration Fraud Unit
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 12, 2015
Contact: Yang Chen, Executive Director
(718) 228-7206
NEW YORK – February 12, 2015 – The Asian American Bar Association of New York (“AABANY”) is proud to announce that Kin W. Ng has been promoted to Chief of the Immigration Fraud Unit in the Kings County District Attorney’s Office, formed in 2014 by District Attorney Ken Thompson. Chosen for his expertise and unique understanding of the immigrant experience, Kin’s leadership of the Immigration Fraud Unit aims to strengthen the mission of dedicating resources to under-reported and difficult-to-prosecute crimes in the immigrant community.
Since joining the Kings County District Attorney’s Office in 1991, Kin has tried a full range of serious cases including rapes, robberies, felony drug sales, and homicides. His roles have included Deputy Bureau Chief in the Early Case Assessment Bureau, Bureau Chief in the Domestic Violence Bureau, Director of Training for more than 500 Assistant District Attorneys (2007-2013), and most recently, Deputy Bureau Chief for Felony Trials in the Orange Trial Zone.
After emigrating from Hong Kong as a child, Kin has maintained strong ties with the Asian American community in Brooklyn and New York City, understanding firsthand the experience of many immigrants. Not only has Kin lectured before various government agencies and community-based organizations on a wide range of topics related to the criminal justice system, he also works regularly with local and foreign media to educate and raise awareness in the immigrant community. Kin is an active member of AABANY, as well as founder and former Chair of AABANY’s Prosecutors’ Committee, representing the interests of New York-area Asian American prosecutors. He co-founded the National Asian Pacific Islander Prosecutors’ Association (“NAPIPA”) in 2011, and currently serves on NAPIPA’s National Executive Board and as President of its New York Regional Chapter.
“Kings County is home to a diverse population of immigrants, including many from Asia. Immigration fraud plagues our immigrant communities all across New York City, and AABANY commends District Attorney Thompson for appointing Kin Ng to the important position of Chief of the Immigration Fraud Unit,” says AABANY Executive Director Yang Chen. “With Kin leading the Kings County District Attorney’s Office in combatting immigration fraud, we anticipate that victims of notarios, unscrupulous lawyers and pseudo-lawyers, will have someone in the District Attorney’s office looking out for them. Kin’s dedication to the community is well-known and well-established. We congratulate Kin on this well-deserved appointment, and AABANY looks forward to working with him and the District Attorney’s office to protect members of the community against immigration fraud.”
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For more information, please contact Yang Chen, AABANY Executive Director, at (718) 228-7206, or direct any inquiries to[email protected].
The Asian American Bar Association of New York 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).
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Additional information about AABANY is available at www.aabany.org
Follow our blog at www.blog.aabany.org
Follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/aabany
Find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/aabany
Prosecutors’ Committee’s 4th Anniversary Reception
Brian Lee, Deputy Chief of the County Court Bureau, Nassau County D.A.’s office, reports:
On June 28, 2012, the Prosecutors’ Committee held its 4th Anniversary Reception at the New York University School of Law, Vanderbilt Hall. This year, the Prosecutors’ Committee, co-chaired by Cristina S. W. Park of the Bronx County D.A.’s Office and James S. Lin of the New York County D.A.’s Office, honored Sandra Leung, General Counsel of Bristol-Myers Squibb, and Thomas M. Chan, Assistant Chief of the New York City Police Department. Ms. Leung was the first female Asian American prosecutor in the New York County D.A.’s Office, and in her speech, recounted how her invaluable experience as a prosecutor propelled her rapid rise in the ranks at Bristol-Myers Squibb. Assistant Chief Chan is the highest ranking Asian American officer in NYPD’s history, and during his address, spoke of his passion to help the community as the driving force behind his illustrious career. These two individuals were honored for their dedication to diversity and as trailblazers for the Asian American community in New York.
The honorees and attendees were welcomed by Jeannie Forrest, the Vice-Dean of NYU School of Law. Nearly 120 guests attended the reception and congratulatory remarks were given by: Charles J. Hynes, the District Attorney of Kings County; Daniel R. Alonso, the Chief ADA for New York County; Daniel L. Master, the Chief ADA for Richmond County; Jesse J. Sligh, an Executive ADA for Queens County; and Steven M. Goldstein, the Chief ADA for the Office of the Special Narcotics Prosecutor. Closing remarks were delivered by Jean Lee, the President of AABANY.
Dignitaries in attendance at the reception included Judge Doris Ling-Cohan, New York State Supreme Court, Judge Gilbert C. Hong, New York City Criminal Court, Daniel D. Chu, Chair of the Civilian Complaint Review Board, and Hugh H. Mo, one of last year’s Trailblazer Honorees. The reception was covered by members of the media.
AABANY to Honor Two Asian American Trailblazers on June 28
AABANY to Honor Two Asian American Trailblazers on June 28
On Thursday, June 28, 2012 at 6:00 P.M., the Asian American Bar Association of New York (“AABANY”) will host the 4th annual Prosecutors’ Committee celebration at the New York University School of Law. AABANY will honor Sandra Leung, the first female Asian American prosecutor in New York County history and currently the General Counsel for Bristol-Myers Squibb, and Assistant Police Chief Thomas M. Chan, the highest ranking uniformed member of Asian American descent in the New York City Police Department (“NYPD”).
Summer Reception at Kenyon & Kenyon
For the last few years, AABANY’s July Board meeting has taken place at Kenyon & Kenyon thanks to the graciousness of past AABANY President John Flock. John was also recently honored by AABANY’s Prosecutors’ Committee, along with Hon. Randall Eng and Hugh Mo, at the Third Anniversary Reception of the Prosecutors’ Committee held at NYCLA on June 30.
In keeping with tradition, and to enjoy the marvelous views of New York Harbor from the 11th floor terrace of Kenyon & Kenyon, AABANY held a summer reception open to all right before the Board meeting. We also took the opportunity to invite the 2011 Joint Minority Bar Judicial Internship Program (JMB JIP) participants to pick up their stipend checks for the summer. Thanks to all the JMB JIP sponsors for making the stipends possible.
To make the party even livelier, Issues Committee Chair Joe Gim hosted a meet-and-greet for all those who were interested in joining AABANY’s Issues Committee to come and hear from Joe what the Committee is about and how anyone interested in legal issues affecting the APA community could get involved. Joe collected many names and e-mail addresses from those who were in attendance. We anticipate that at least some of those people knew they were signing up for the Issues Committee. If you wish to get involved with the Issues Committee but were not able to attend the reception, you can reach Joe at [email protected]. He will surely be glad to hear from you.
The hour-long reception lasted a little over an hour, after which Board members and committee chairs who were present headed down to the third floor conference room for the Board meeting. Quite a few of the reception attendees decided to stay for the Board meeting, making for a very crowded conference room. It was great to see so many people interested in attending an AABANY Board meeting. We hope you found the experience instructive and not soporific. And for those who wish to attend AABANY Board meetings, they are usually held on the first Tuesdays of the month at various locations. The next one will take place on Tuesday, August 2, at Constantine Cannon, starting at 7 pm. Register your attendance at this link.