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AABANY Hosts Fourth Annual Wellness Day

On June 13, 2026, AABANY hosted its Fourth Annual Wellness Day at Brooklyn Law School. This successful event was made possible through the generous support of AABANY’s engaging speakers and generous sponsors, enabling participants to learn about crucial issues related to mental and physical well-being among members of the legal profession. 

AABANY held its inaugural Wellness Day during former AABANY President Karen Kim’s 2023-2024 term, which focused on highlighting mental health and well-being in the legal profession. Since then, Wellness Day has continued as an annual event. Mental health and well-being are often overlooked and under-discussed. With programs like Wellness Day, AABANY aims to break down barriers and recognize mental health issues within the legal profession, creating a safe and supportive space for people to share their stories. At Wellness Day this year, participants learned about topics such as managing stress, the importance of resilience, and keeping physically fit. 

Doors for Wellness Day opened at 9:30 am. The event started with a Meet and Greet Breakfast, where attendees connected with one another as well as with former and current Wellness Day speakers and sponsors, and eased into the morning with pastries from Paris Baguette. Attendees who checked in early were also eligible to enter a raffle to win prizes designed to support wellness and well-being. The prizes included a complimentary intake session with Anise Health; a Time-Management Intensive Session with Dr. Michelle Thompson, CEO of Resistant Vision; 1:1 Coaching Session with Celina Lee, an executive and career coach, and founder of the Live Your Dream Club; Laser Focus Power Pitch Session with the Perfect Pitch Group; and Rainmaking 101 from Day 1, a book by Precious L. Williams. 

AABANY President Varuna Bhattacharyya officially kicked off the programming with welcoming remarks, thanking AABANY’s sponsors, speakers, and attendees who made the event possible. 

8 Pillars of Attorney Well-Being

The first morning session featured Jennifer Clayton from the New York State Bar Association and Niti Parthasarathy from Generation SOS. Ms. Clayton highlighted the problems in the legal profession surrounding stress and how it builds. She introduced the “8 Pillars of Attorney Well-Being” as a strategic way to deal with stress in the workplace, which are: Emotional, Spiritual, Intellectual, Physical, Occupational, Financial, Environmental, and Social. Ms. Parthasarathy shared her story as a burned out attorney at her law firm. What helped Ms. Parthasarathy was realizing that everything would be fine if you let go and that self care is not selfish. She emphasized the importance of being kind to yourself. To amplify the point, Ms. Clayton shared an example of being kind to yourself by recounting a story about a biker and a bike chain, where the biker thought that she was slow because she was unathletic, when the real problem turned out to be the bike chain that was broken, showing how some things happen for external reasons. Ms. Parthasarathy shared how doing things like going outside, trying new things, and taking just a little time to meditate improved her overall quality of life, giving her free time and actual hobbies beyond just working. In sharing these lessons, Ms. Clayton and Ms. Parthasarathy helped the audience learn the importance of being kind to yourself and taking time for yourself when needed. 

The materials for this CLE session can be found at: https://wellness2026.aabany.org/AABANYWellnessDay2026.pdf

Fireside Chat with Socheth McCutcheon

Next, Socheth McCutcheon, Associate General Counsel at Verizon and Founder of the National Association of Cambodian American Lawyers, together with Kristin Coletto, Vice President of Integration and Strategic Programs, engaged in a fireside chat to share the importance of listening to your body. Ms. McCutcheon talked about serious health problems she developed as a hardworking lawyer and parent. She noted how work took a toll on her physically, and how she didn’t want to take time off, even through severe weight loss. Ms. McCutcheon recounted how she eventually took time off through the encouragement of her friend, and afterwards, she discovered that she needed a blood transfusion. Even though she was able to get help, Ms. McCutcheon reflected on how long it took her to admit that she needed help.  In their discussion, Ms. McCutcheon and Ms. Coletto highlighted the need to listen to your body and the need to ask for help rather than pushing through despite pain and discomfort. The fireside chat closed with an engaging Q&A session where attendees shared personal experiences further emphasizing how important health should be prioritized before serious health issues arise.

After the morning sessions, attendees enjoyed a delicious and healthy lunch featuring a variety of Korean dishes.  Raffle winners were selected and announced through a random wheel spin.  All speakers and attendees received handheld fans to beat the summer heat as a Wellness Day giveaway. Throughout the day, attendees also enjoyed healthy snacks to help stay focused and energized. Attendees made new connections and re-connected with prior Wellness Day attendees during the break, before diving back into the afternoon session. 

Pivot with Purpose: Navigating Career Transitions with Resilience

The afternoon kicked off with a panel on career transitions with Michelle Lee, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary at MediaCo; Christina Chelliah, Corporate Counsel for TransPerfect and founder of the Foreign Trained Attorneys Network; and Rachel Lee, President and General Counsel for Stand with Asian Americans.  The panel was moderated by Regina Jin, Associate at Troutman Pepper Locke, and Co-Chair of AABANY’s Wellness Committee. Each member of the panel shared their unique experiences with career change and offered advice to other lawyers considering a career change. 

Michelle Lee opened up about how she filed a discrimination lawsuit against her former company, in order to uphold her rights, even if it meant losing her job in the process. Ms. Lee shared how she used the time she had after losing her job to begin exercising to focus on her physical health. She recommended everyone to take time to work out, especially in the context of the legal profession where lawyers do not have much time to focus on their physical fitness. She also advised lawyers to think twice about quitting before trying to switch careers, noting that interviewing while unemployed is challenging.

Christina Chelliah shared her story about being a successful, practicing attorney in Malaysia before moving to the United States. Although her family and peers were surprised by her decision to leave Malaysia in the midst of a successful career, Ms. Chelliah ultimately decided to move to the United States in the pursuit of greater career achievement. As a foreign-trained attorney, she experienced struggles in proving her skills to law firms in the United States. Ms. Chelliah also discussed the sense of duty many Asian American women experience, noting a tendency to prioritize the well-being of others over their own. Consequently, her choice to pursue a new career path represented a significant departure from deeply rooted cultural norms. She urged those in attendance to prioritize their own aspirations rather than focusing solely on the expectations of those around them.

Rachel Lee talked about working at big law firms and then transitioning to a non-profit organization. She spoke about how she disagreed with her firm’s withdrawal from supporting DEI, causing her to ultimately decide to leave the firm. Ms. Lee noted that the transition to non-profit was a financial sacrifice, but it was the right thing to do. She encouraged attendees to have the courage to acknowledge when things aren’t always perfect or right and to stay connected to their passion. 

After the first afternoon session, the audience took a quick stretch break led by Michelle Lee. Ms. Lee guided participants through several convenient exercises to do any time during the day from their seats. The stretch break was greatly appreciated after a long day of sitting.

Demystifying the Bench

From the stretch break, we moved to a panel on demystifying the bench, with Judge Judy Kim, Justice of the New York County Supreme Court, and Judge Joseph Zayas, Chief Administrative Judge of the New York State Unified Court System, moderated by Nicole Zayas, LCSW, CEO, Arriving Full Circle (and daughter of Judge Zayas). 

Judge Kim talked about being the first Korean American justice elected to the New York County Supreme Court. Reflecting on her journey as an immigrant to the United States, Judge Kim discussed her judicial responsibility to support the community and ensure the court system remains accessible and user-friendly. She talked about her choice to go into the legal profession instead of going to medical school, choosing a profession that actually impacted the real world. Judge Kim reflected on the moment when she decided she didn’t want to be a private sector lawyer and instead transitioned to public service to serve a greater purpose. In response to what advice she would have given her younger self, she highlighted the importance of having self confidence.

Judge Zayas recounted his story as a young boy who would skip class and who almost failed gym. He reflected that he had no idea that one day he would end up in such an important role.  Even as a Justice of the New York State Supreme Court, Judge Zayas admitted that he didn’t always feel absolutely confident. He recalled a time when he went to an event and admitted that he felt a little scared in his role, but he was later told by others that he shouldn’t admit his vulnerability and should appear as completely confident. Judge Zayas disagreed, telling the audience that it was important to be true to yourself, including admitting when things are hard. Judge Zayas offered some key pieces of advice, such as working hard, treating everyone with kindness, and being resilient. Judge Zayas emphasized persistence, noting that anyone, even an almost-failing student like himself, could work hard and contribute to society in a meaningful way. He also gave the audience advice on being in touch with your emotions – even if sometimes obstacles get you upset, you need to learn how to calm down and go back later to reflect on why something made you mad in the first place. 

To read a blog post about this panel from Judge Kim’s intern, Devashani Sharma, go here.

Reclaiming Your Life Without Burning It Down: The Journey Back to Yourself

The day ended with a session from Nicole Zayas, LCSW, CEO of Arriving Full Circle. She began by involving everyone in a mindfulness exercise that included a Hershey’s Kiss, where participants felt, heard, smelled, and even tasted the Kiss before finally eating it. The exercise slowed down the attendees and focused them on being present in the moment. 

Ms. Zayas began her presentation by telling her story of being a young woman who did “everything right,” going to school, working hard, and finding a job. Then, she suddenly became a mother from two unexpected pregnancies, feeling overwhelmed and disconnected. She managed to find her way back to herself through therapy, breathing exercises, and yoga. Ms. Zayas then proposed that “broken” people aren’t really broken; rather, they are in survival mode, trying to just survive (instead of thriving), and reacting (instead of responding). Ms. Zayas gave three steps to getting back in the driver’s seat:

  1. Believing it is possible
  2. Investing in yourself
  3. Finding your purpose

These three steps shaped what Ms. Zayas called the “Power Pass,” a step-by-step program to get people back in the driver’s seat of their lives. She gave the analogy of a surfer, where the person is the surfer and the waves are their thoughts. The person can either ride the waves or let the waves ride them. Ms. Zayas ended the session by promoting her Power Pass series in August, inviting anyone interested to sign up for a wait list to join the sessions.

Closing Remarks

AABANY Executive Director Yang Chen delivered closing remarks, thanking all of the speakers, sponsors, and participants who made the day possible. Attendees then enjoyed the remaining time to connect with each other before leaving the event, bringing AABANY’s Fourth Annual Wellness Day to a close. 

We would like to thank the following sponsors for generously supporting this year’s Wellness Day:

To learn more about the Wellness Committee, go here. To join the e-mail list of the Wellness Committee, email main@aabany.org. For more information about this year’s Wellness Day speakers, go to the website: https://wellness2026.aabany.org/, where you can also find a drop down for previous Wellness Day webpages and blog posts. AABANY’s list compiling Wellness Resources can be found here.

–Written by Samuel Yu, incoming 9th grade student of Livingston Public Schools, New Jersey

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2025 NAPABA Convention: August 5 deadline to Apply for a Scholarship

The 2025 NAPABA Convention is just 100 days away! Don’t miss this powerful opportunity to advance your legal career through dynamic programs, inspiring speakers, and unparalleled networking with fellow AANHPI legal professionals.

We know that cost can be a barrier, which is why NAPABA offers scholarships to help make attending more accessible. Scholarships—including a general scholarship and a dedicated law student scholarship—can be used to help cover registration, travel, and lodging expenses.

Apply by August 5th. As a current NAPABA member, now is the time to take advantage of this opportunity. Please note: the Law Student Scholarship application closes September 16 at 8 pm ET.

Join us in Denver this November and apply for a Convention scholarship today!

Apply for the General
Scholarship
Apply for the Law Student
Scholarship
Register for the Early Bird Rate for the 2025 NAPABA Convention

Questions

Additional resources about the Convention are on our website. For further questions, email us at convention@napaba.org.

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Thank You for Joining AABANY at our 15th Annual Fall Conference: “Building a Strong Foundation for a Brighter Future”

On Saturday, October 12, 2024, AABANY hosted its 15th Annual Fall Conference, “Building a Strong Foundation for a Brighter Future,” at Fordham University of Law. The Conference was co-sponsored by Fordham Law School’s Center on Asian Americans and the Law, and AABANY greatly appreciates Fordham’s support of this event.

The conference began with a buffet-style breakfast. Attendees chatted over pastries, coffee, bagels, and other assorted breakfast items, reconnecting with colleagues, while also introducing themselves to unfamiliar faces. 

The first part of the morning programs began at 9:00am and ran until 10:30am, presenting upon a diversity of topics, including: 

This year’s conference theme was “Building a Strong Foundation for a Brighter Future,” and the morning programs explored this topic in great detail. “Problem-Solving Courts and Person-Centered Justice,” for example, discussed the emergence and proliferation of problem-solving courts within the New York judiciary, their impacts on recidivism, and the judiciary’s vision to further expand the breadth of problem-solving courts within New York. Another program, “Artificial Intelligence in the Legal Profession: Transforming Practices and Future Trends,” considered the impact of AI and Generative AI on the legal profession. By promoting innovation, adaptability, and responsible use of AI, the program sought to foster a forward-thinking legal community.

After a 15 minute break, the second part of the morning programs, scheduled between 10:45am and 12:15pm, commenced, exploring the following topics:

The third and final installation of AABANY’s “Pathways to the Bench” series, coordinated by the Young Lawyers Committee, Judiciary Committee, and Government Service and Public Interest Committee, was also held during the latter half of the morning session. While the first two segments of the series had focused on showing how someone can become a federal clerk or state court attorney and explaining the nuances of landing on the bench, this capstone program, titled “Pathways to the Bench: Steps to the Federal Judiciary,” centered around four AAPI judges, who each shared their particular pathways to the bench, hoping to inspire others to follow in their footsteps and to give them the tools to do so.

To see photos from the morning session please click here.

Opening at 10:30am, the Fall Conference offered its annual Diversity Career Fair, organized by the Career Advancement Committee, featuring public sector, corporate, and law firm employers, each hosting informational sessions, meet-and-greets, and more. Participating employers included the Law Firm of Hugh H. Mo, P.C., the Office of the New York State Attorney General, Rupp Pfalzgraf LLC, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, and several District Attorneys’ offices. Employers and prospective employees conversed extensively, exchanging questions and learning more about one another. Some employers also collected resumes and conducted on-site first round interviews, allowing candidates to express their interest in working for participating employers. To see photos from the Diversity Career Fair, please click here.

Throughout the day, AABANY also hosted Link-Up Sessions, organized by the In-House Counsel Committee and Corporate Law Committee, which provided an opportunity for participants to engage in live meetings with in-house counsel who had indicated a current or future need for outside legal services. Applicants were pre-screened by in-house counsel based on their needs, and selected participants were then invited to join one or more Link-Up Sessions at the Fall Conference. These sessions facilitated connections between corporate law firm attorneys and in-house counsel.

After the morning programs concluded, attendees grabbed lunch boxes and headed to the Costantino Room, where the Plenary Lunch Session began at 12:30pm. The program, titled “Organizing to be Heard: The Importance of Redistricting and Coalition Building in the NYC Asian American Community,” featured five speakers: 

  • Hon. Marilyn D. Go (Ret.), Commissioner, New York City Districting Commission
  • Zohran Kwame Mamdani, Assemblymember, New York State Assembly
  • Elizabeth R. OuYang, Coordinator, APA VOICE Redistricting Task Force
  • Grace Pyun, Acting Executive Director and General Counsel, New York City Districting Commission
  • John Park, Executive Director, MinKwon Center

Vishal Chander, Managing Attorney, the Chander Law Firm PC, moderated this timely and important discussion.

Attendees listened attentively as the panelists discussed the impacts of congressional, state, and local district lines on communities, ranging from their influence on election results to the distribution of government funds. They then discussed the 2020 Redistricting Cycle and how it brought into attention the importance of redistricting due to the significant growth of Asians in New York, laying out the legal framework of districting and the impacts of voting rights laws on redistricting. Being that many of the panelists played influential roles within the 2020 Redistricting Cycle, they also shared personal anecdotes and experiences from that time. With preparations for the 2030 Redistricting Cycle beginning soon, the speakers emphasized the importance of continuing to educate the community on this topic and how the AAPI community can be heard in that process. To see photos from the Plenary Lunch Session, please click here.

The afternoon session began at 2:30pm, running in two segments. The first segment went from 2:30pm to 4pm and included the following programs: 

The second segment then took place from 4:15pm to 5:45pm, including the following programs:

Topics covered included diversity, equity, and inclusion within the legal profession, how to interview clients, and how to understand implicit biases in the workplace. These programs exemplified the diversity of discourse that the Fall Conference sought to facilitate, providing crucial insights and exposing attendees to a broad range of ideas and perspectives. To see photos from the afternoon session, please click here.

After a packed day of learning, the Fall Conference concluded with a Cocktail Reception, sponsored by Falconeri, held in the Soden Lounge and Bateman Room. Attendees networked with one another, connecting over drinks and hors d’oeuvres.

During the Cocktail Reception, AABANY honored Hugh H. Mo with the 2024 Norman Lau Kee Trailblazer Award, bestowed annually to “an individual who has carved a path for others to follow, served the community as a mentor and role model, and made a lasting impact on the AAPI community through his or her dedication and commitment.” Hugh H. Mo, Founder and Principal of Mo Law and a co-founder of AABANY, perfectly exemplifies the award’s mission, having been a leader in the AAPI community and legal profession for nearly five decades. To read the full press release about Mr. Mo receiving this honor, please click here.

To see photos from the Cocktail Reception, go here and here.

AABANY thanks several groups for making the Fall Conference possible. First, we would like to thank the approximately 40 student volunteers who ensured that the CLE programs ran smoothly and without delay. They hailed from schools all across New York City and the northeast region, including:

  • Brooklyn Law School
  • Cardozo School of Law
  • Columbia Law School
  • CUNY School of Law
  • Fordham College at Lincoln Center
  • Fordham School of Law 
  • Hunter College
  • New York Law School
  • Northern Highlands Regional High School
  • Rutgers Law School
  • Seton Hall Law School
  • St. John’s University School of Law
  • Syracuse University College of Law
  • Tufts University

The volunteers assisted with registration, handled inquiries, and checked-in and checked-out attendees for CLE credits. Their support was instrumental in making the Fall Conference a success, and AABANY extends our heartfelt appreciation. We also thank Catherine Tran and Joon Choe, co-chairs of the Student Outreach Committee, for their efforts in recruiting and coordinating these volunteers.

AABANY also thanks our generous sponsors, without whom the Fall Conference would not have been possible:

  • Falconeri (Cocktail Reception Sponsor)
  • Broadridge Financial Solutions (Elite Sponsor)
  • Jackson Lewis PC (Elite Sponsor)
  • Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP (Gold Sponsor)
  • The Law Firm of Hugh H. Mo, P.C. (Gold Sponsor)
  • Anytime AI (Silver Sponsor)
  • Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner (Silver Sponsor)
  • Cooley LLP (Silver Sponsor)
  • Fish & Richardson P.C. (Silver Sponsor)
  • Milbank LLP (Silver Sponsor)
  • Anderson & Associates Law, P.C. (Bronze Sponsor)
  • Roundblock (Bronze Sponsor)
  • Rupp Pfalzgraf LLC (Bronze Sponsor)
  • Wilson Sonsini Goodrich Rosati (Bronze Sponsor)

To see some photos of our sponsors, go here.

We would also like to acknowledge our 2024 Annual Dinner Sponsors for their generous year-round support of AABANY. In particular, we would like to recognize Broadridge Financial Solutions, our Diamond Sponsor, and Groombridge, Wu, Baughman & Stone LLP, our General Counsel Reception Sponsor. For a full list of the 2024 Annual Dinner Sponsors, please click here. Thanks again for your continued support and commitment to AABANY; it empowers us to fulfill our mission and produce events like the Fall Conference.

Furthermore, AABANY thanks all of our esteemed moderators and panelists for their time and participation in this year’s Fall Conference. We also extend our gratitude to the Program Chairs for organizing such an excellent lineup of programs. And, finally, we sincerely appreciate all the attendees for making this such a special and enlightening experience for the entire AABANY community. We hope to see you at upcoming AABANY events. 

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Thank You for Joining AABANY at our 14th Annual Fall Conference: “Embracing Wellness and Well-being”

On September 23, 2023, AABANY hosted its 14th annual Fall Conference, “Embracing Wellness and Well-being,” at the Fordham University School of Law. This year’s conference was co-sponsored with Fordham Law School’s Center on Asian Americans and the Law. AABANY was also honored to co-host the National Asian Pacific Islander Prosecutors Association (NAPIPA) 4th Annual Conference. AABANY thanks NAPIPA for contributing many excellent programs to the Fall Conference, including the Plenary Lunch Session.

Credit: Rosa Margarita McDowell

The conference kicked off with breakfast, which welcomed legal professionals from around the country to Fordham Law School. Attendees chatted over coffee, pastries and other breakfast fare, sharing their excitement and anticipation, before heading off to attend the morning’s CLE programs. 

The morning session of the conference offered a variety of topical programs to choose from, including:

The sessions ran concurrently, in two 90-minute blocks in three parallel tracks.

The theme of this year’s conference was “Embracing Wellness and Well-being,” which was well- reflected in this year’s diverse lineup of programs. The morning’s panels laid a strong foundation for the rest of the event, addressing complex and evolving challenges within the legal profession, while emphasizing the importance of well-being and community engagement. This thematic emphasis on well-being resonated throughout the event, encouraging attendees to reflect on their roles as legal professionals while nurturing their personal and collective wellness. To see photos from the morning session go here. 

During the first part of the morning session, AABANY’s Anti-Asian Violence Task Force premiered their video, “Voices against Anti-Asian Hate.” The documentary featured survivors of anti-Asian hate attacks and community supporters, followed by a panel discussion among members of the Anti-Asian Violence Task Force involved in the production of the video. For more information about the screening, click here.

Credit: Qijun (Simon) Ma

In a fourth track, the Fall Conference’s Trial Advocacy Program (TAP) was held. TAP offered junior lawyers a unique opportunity to hone their trial skills under the guidance of experienced mentors. This year’s TAP program was particularly noteworthy for conducting the first two segments over Zoom, in the weeks leading up to the Fall Conference. The program unfolded over two virtual sessions on specific dates. The first segment, held on September 13th, delved into Opening Statements and Direct Examinations. The second session, which took place on September 20th, covered Cross Examinations and Closing Statements, further enriching participants’ trial skills and knowledge.  

The culmination of the TAP program occurred in-person, at the Fall Conference, kicking off with an engaging keynote speech delivered by Brian Lee, Executive ADA at the Nassau County District Attorney’s Office. His insights and expertise added tremendous value to the program. Following the keynote address, TAP participants conducted a mock trial, where participants had the chance to put their newly acquired skills into practice. Seasoned trial lawyers graciously served as mentors during this mock trial, providing invaluable feedback and guidance to help participants refine their trial advocacy skills. Thanks to all the TAP mentors and participants who made this year’s TAP a success. 

Starting at 10:30 am, the Fall Conference offered a Diversity Career Fair, featuring a range of public and private sector organizations eager to network and connect with passionate young professionals. Participating employers included Legal Services NYC, The Legal Aid Society, the U.S Department of Justice, and several District Attorneys’ offices. Attendees were able to converse with representatives, receiving answers to questions and learning more about working at the various agencies, organizations and companies. Some employers collected resumes and held on-site interviews, providing the opportunity for candidates to express their interest in working for participating employers.

Credit: AABANY

To see photos from the Diversity Career Fair, go here.

Attendees convened in the Costantino Room for the Plenary Lunch Session, featuring the program “Prosecution in the 21st Century: Discussion with Four Trailblazer District Attorneys.” The panel featured four renowned District Attorneys, including:

  • Eric Gonzalez, District Attorney, Kings County
  • Alvin Bragg, District Attorney, New York County
  • Darcel Clark, District Attorney, Bronx County
  • Thien Ho, District Attorney, Sacramento County

Participants listened intently as the DAs discussed their unique journeys and challenges as diverse attorneys and prosecutors.  They talked about their roles as advocates for future diverse prosecutors and shared their visions and policies for the short- and long-term future of prosecution. Additionally, the DAs addressed the crucial issue of prosecuting anti-Asian bias incidents and hate crimes, emphasizing the importance of combating prejudice and protecting marginalized communities.

Credit: AABANY

The Fall Conference also featured the Corky Lee photo exhibit, featuring six photos taken by the renowned photographer. The exhibit highlighted Corky’s legacy of photographing every aspect of the Asian American experience. The works on display included a 2003 photo of Asian American judges from both the Federal and State judiciary, with Hon. Denny Chin and Hon. Marilyn Go (Ret.) featured in front, and a photo of Vincent Chin’s mother, illustrating the long legacy of anti-Asian hate crimes. AABANY honored Corky with an award in 2017 recognizing his invaluable contributions to society and especially the AAPI community.  We continue to carry forth his legacy of activism through the work of AABANY and its partners at the 2023 AABANY Fall Conference, NAPIPA (National Asian Pacific Islander Prosecutors Association) and the Center on Asian Americans and the Law at Fordham Law School.

Credit: AABANY

The afternoon session featured more engaging and impactful programs:

These panels covered a range of topics, including work-life balance, affordable housing, hate crimes prosecution, and mental health well-being. Additionally, they discussed the importance of embracing wellness in the legal profession and promoting diversity in appellate courts. Overall, the panels provided insights and strategies for addressing these pressing issues in the legal profession. Attendees were exposed to a wealth of knowledge, inspiration, and opportunities for professional and personal growth. To see photos from the afternoon session go here. 

After a full day of CLE programs, TAP, and DCF, the conference closed with a cocktail reception, where panelists and attendees connected over drinks and light bites. 

Credit: Qijun (Simon) Ma

“It was such an honor to be surrounded by so many different law students and lawyers from so many different areas of law, and learn more about the Asian legal community,” said volunteer Alyzah Ziga, part of the large Syracuse Law School contingent. A special thanks goes out to the dedicated student volunteers from:

  • Brooklyn Law School
  • Cardozo School of Law
  • Columbia Law School
  • Cornell University
  • Fordham Law School
  • New York Law School
  • New York University
  • NYU School of Law
  • Pace School of Law
  • Seton Hall School of Law
  • St. John’s University School of Law
  • Syracuse University College of Law
  • Touro Law Center

Thank you for generously contributing your time to assist with registration, address attendee inquiries, and handle attendees check-in/check-out for CLE credits. The Fall Conference would not have run as well and as smoothly without your assistance throughout the day. To see some photos of our dedicated volunteers, go here.

Credit: AABANY

The informal and relaxed atmosphere during the reception allowed attendees to actively converse and forge professional connections, a testament to the sense of camaraderie and community that had been prevalent throughout the day. “It was amazing to meet all of these like-minded and passionate Asian American lawyers. It’s always very inspiring to be around such driven, and accomplished individuals who really just want to help each other succeed. Though this was my first Fall Conference, it’s definitely not going to be my last,” said Kwonsun Jung, Young Lawyers Committee Co-Chair and associate at Lowenstein Sandler. 

Credit: Qijun (Simon) Ma

While the reception was still going on, some of the attendees departed Fordham Law School to attend NAPIPA’s 9th Annual Scholarship Banquet & Trailblazer Award Presentation, hosted at Seng Seafood Restaurant in Chinatown. AABANY congratulates Paul Jhin, President of NAPIPA, for winning the Award of Excellence. Paul has not only been a prominent leader but also a catalyst for change within the AAPI law community, serving as an inspiration to all. Judge Chin received NAPIPA’s Trailblazer Award.  Judge Denny Chin’s illustrious career and commitment to justice have not only left an indelible mark on the legal community but have also inspired countless individuals. We would also like to recognize Hugh Mo, who was honored with NAPIPA’s Lifetime Achievement Award. Hugh’s lifelong pursuit of legal excellence and AAPI advocacy serves as a testament to his commitment to justice and equity for all. Lastly, AABANY extends its warmest congratulations to James Lin, this year’s recipient of AABANY’s Trailblazer Award. James has been a powerful and dynamic presence in the criminal justice and law enforcement community for over thirty years, and we are excited to formally recognize his considerable achievements over a long career. The evening was a true celebration of outstanding individuals dedicated to making a positive impact in our legal community, and AABANY is proud to have been a part of it. To see photo from the NAPIPA Scholarship Banquet, go here.

Credit: AABANY

AABANY wishes to express its heartfelt gratitude to the sponsors who contributed to the success of the 2023 Fall Conference. We extend our sincere thanks to the following sponsors:

  • Broadridge Financial Solutions (Elite Sponsor)
  • ConEdison (Elite Sponsor)
  • Fish and Richardson (Elite Sponsor)
  • Perkins Coie (Gold Sponsor)
  • Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner (Bronze Sponsor)
  • Goldstein Hall (Bronze Sponsor)
  • Hudson Court Reporting (Bronze Sponsor)
  • Kensington Vanguard (Bronze Sponsor)
  • Wilson Sonsini Goodrich Rosati (Bronze Sponsor)

In addition, we acknowledge and thank the Annual Dinner 2023 Sponsors for their generous year-round support of AABANY. We extend special recognition to Morrow Sodali, our After-Party Sponsor; Broadridge Financial Solutions, our Diamond Sponsor; and Kirkland & Ellis, our Pre-Dinner GC Reception Sponsor. To view a full list of our generous sponsors, please visit our sponsors page here. Your continued support empowers us to pursue our mission and create meaningful events like the Fall Conference. Thank you for your commitment to AABANY as well as its numerous programs and activities.

Furthermore, AABANY thanks all our esteemed panelists and moderators for sharing their valuable insight and time with our members and community. We express our sincere gratitude to all the Program Chairs who organized an excellent slate of programs. We are deeply grateful for their vital role in making this event an enriching and enlightening experience for all attendees. Finally, thank you to the attendees and volunteers who gave us their valuable time this weekend. The Fall Conference thrived through your participation, and we hope that we will see you again at upcoming AABANY events.

For more information about this year’s Fall Conference, you can visit our website here.

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NYC Bar Office for Diversity and Inclusion: Call for Speakers/Faculty

The New York City Bar seeks recommendations for potential speakers and faculty members for our annual programming (e.g. Committee programs, CLE, etc.) We encourage you to share this form with your colleagues who may be interested in speaking at future events.

The form can be found at the following link: http://bit.ly/1arrXuz (or for those who have trouble accessing the online form, you can submit the attached PDF to Monica Parks at mparks@nycbar.org).

Once you have completed the form, please submit a CV/bio to diversity@nycbar.org with the subject “Call for Speakers.” Questions can be directed to Monica Parks at mparks@nycbar.org.

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AABANY Speakers at NAPABA Rising 2015

The following made New York proud at the 2015 NAPABA Annual Convention in New Orleans. 

  • Solo/Small Firm Boot Camp
    Featuring Eve Guillergan; Edward Kang, Mentorship Program Coordinator; and Tsui Yee, Immigration & Nationality Law Committee Co-Chair
  • Asian Pacific Americans in Alternative Dispute Resolution: A New Frontier
    Featuring Theodore K. Cheng, Litigation – ADR Sub-Committee Chair
  • Lessons from Detroit: Advising Municipalities in Distress
    Featuring Commercial Bankruptcy & Restructuring Committee Co-Chair Vincent Roldan
  • The ABCs of Insurance Panel Counsel
    Featuring KALAGNY Immediate Past President Kyun Yi
  • Surviving The Lion’s Den: A Young Lawyer’s Guide to Navigating Office Politics
    Featuring Blossom Kan, In House Counsel Committee Co-Chair
  • Fishy Justice: SCOTUS Takes on Prosecutorial Discretion & Over-criminalization
    Featuring Vinoo Varghese, Former Board Member
  • The New Hollywood: How Technology is Transforming Entertainment Media
    Featuring Vernon Chu
  • Shattering Double Ceilings: How to Increase APA Women Leaders in Law
    Featuring Jennifer H. Wu
  • NAPALSA – Social Justice, Clerkships & Government Jobs, and Alternative Careers for JDs
    Featuring Hon. Doris Ling-Cohan
  • Luncheon & Plenary Session: The Voting Rights Act 50 Years Later: A Call to Action
    Featuring Jerry Vattamala
  • Asian-American LGBT Attorneys & The Bamboo Closet: To Stay In or Not?
    Moderated by Connie Montoya
  • Many Pros, Few Cons – More and More Lawyers Turning to Compliance
    Featuring Julie Kwon, Former Mentorship Program Coordinator, and Robert Shin
    Chaired by Michelle Rhee, Advisory Committee Member
  • Secret Handshakes: Practical Leadership and Professional Development Skills for APAs
    Moderated by Michael Yap
  • The 50th Anniversary of the Voting Rights Act: What’s Happened and What Does it Mean for 2016?
    Moderated by Jerry Vattamala
  • Sorry, I Thought You Were the Interpreter – When It’s Lawyers Who Are Being Profiled
    Featuring David Lat
  • Rising Waters: Practical Tips on Making It Rain
    Featuring Rio Guerrero, Immigration & Nationality Law Committee Co-Chair
  • The Ins & Outs of Becoming an Administrative Law Judge: A View from the Bench
    Moderated by Hon. Doris Ling-Cohan
  • Breakfast & Plenary Session: Women Leaders in Public Service
    Featuring 2015 AABANY Women’s Leadership Award Recipient Jenny R. Yang and 2016 AABANY Women’s Leadership Award Recipient Michelle K. Lee
  • Paradox of Abundance: The Ups & Downs of $50/Barrel Crude Oil
    Featuring Clara Ohr,  Immediate Past President 
  • Strategies for Effective Advocacy in Combating Human Trafficking
    Featuring Song Kim, Issues Committee Co-Chair
  • Justice for All: LGBT Civil Rights & the API Community
    Moderated by Glenn Magpantay, LGBT Committee Chair, and Carmelyn Malalis
  • Why and How to Become a Law Professor: Advocacy for APAs Through Legal Scholarship
    Featuring Elaine Chiu
  • NAPALSA Pre-Law Conference
    Featuring Christina Nguyen, Former Intern
  • General Counsel Roundtable
    Featuring Don Liu, Advisory Committee Member, and Ivan Fong, 2016 AABANY Corporate Counsel Leadership Award Recipient
  • AABANY Trial Reenactment: The Vietnamese Fishermen and The Ku Klux Klan – See the full cast, photos, and highlights of the event by clicking here.
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On July 16th, NYCLA and AABANY honored Glenn Lau-Kee for his historical accomplishment of becoming the 117th President of the New York State Bar Association and the first Asian-American to hold this position.

Margaret Ling, Chair of NYCLA’s Asian Practice Committee and co-chair of AABANY’s Real Estate Committee, began the program by introducing Presiding Justice of the Second Department, Hon. Randall T. Eng, to present the first remarks of the evening.

Margaret then introduced representatives from the many organizations Glenn has impacted or been part of, many of whom shared personal stories of their work with or connection to Glenn. Among the speakers were Lewis Tesser, President of NYCLA, Bridgette Ahn, Vice President of Programs and Committees for KALAGNY, Nadine Fontaine, Immediate Past President of the Metropolitan Black Bar Association, Rosevelie Marquez Morales, Co-Chair of NYSBA’s Committee on Diversity and Inclusion, Alex Lee, Vice President of Finance and Development for NAPABA, and Clara Ohr, President of AABANY.

NYCLA’s Solo and Small Firm Committee was a co-sponsor of the event, and Co-Chairs Tsui Yee and Paige Zandri offered remarks on behalf of that committee. Tsui also co-chairs AABANY’s Immigration and Nationality Law Committee. Vince Chang, a Past President of AABANY, presented remarks on behalf of NYCLA’s Federal Courts Committee, another co-sponsor of the event.

Representatives from Federal, State and City government were on hand to honor Glenn. The Governor’s Office, represented by Mecca Santana, Chief Diversity Officer, presented a greeting letter from the Governor to Glenn. Sandra Ung, Chief Legislative Assistant for Congresswoman Grace Meng, presented a commendation to Glenn from Congresswoman Meng’s office. Jimmy Yan, Chief Deputy General Counsel for New York City Comptroller Scott Stringer, offered congratulations on behalf of the Comptroller.

All of the speakers extolled Glenn for his outstanding record of leadership and status as a significant role model for Asian American, minority and under-represented groups.

After all the speeches were given, Glenn’s father, Norman Kee, a trailblazer in his own right, introduced Glenn. Glenn expressed his gratitude for the honors bestowed upon him at the reception. He urged everyone, especially young lawyers, to get involved in bar associations – any bar association – as a way to develop as lawyers and serve the profession.

Congratulations to Glenn on his historic achievement, and thanks to Margaret Ling for organizing the reception and NYCLA for hosting it. Thanks to all the government officials, bar leaders, friends and family who came out to celebrate.

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From AAF: State of Asian American Children – National Report and Conference

From our friends at the Asian American Federation comes this announcement:

The Asian American Federation is preparing a first ever national report to examine changes in demographics and socioeconomic status of Asian American children. The report will help us better understand the characteristics and growth of Asian American children, identify family support, as well as financial, educational and health related needs.

A conference to discuss the report’s findings, policy implications and philanthropic responses will be held:

Thursday, March 27, 2014
Time Warner Center, New York City
8:00am breakfast & registration
8:30am program

This full day event will include continental breakfast, plenary sessions, concurrent workshops and a networking reception. Discussion topics include:

  • Early childhood development including health disparities and access to care
  • Health policy that promotes healthy children in Asian American communities
  • Social policy towards working poor families
  • Education policy to promote academic success for at-risk youth
  • Depression and suicide among adolescent females
  • Philanthropy as an advocacy tool

CONFERENCE AGENDA

FEATURED SPEAKERS

SPONSORSHIP INFORMATION

 

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AABANY turned out in force for the 25th annual NAPABA National Convention in Kansas City, Missouri.

Among the highlights was the highly popular trial re-enactment “22 Lewd Chinese Women: Chy Lung v. Freeman,” led by Hon. Denny Chin and Kathy Hirata Chin, with a cast that included AABANY members Vince Chang, Yang Chen, Theo Cheng, Francis Chin, Andy Hahn, Lauren U.Y. Lee, Linda Lin, Anna R. Mercado, Vinoo Varghese, Ona T. Wang, and Jessica C. Wong.

Other speakers from AABANY during the convention included: Hon. Pamela K.M. Chen, James R. Cho, Hon. Doris Ling-Cohan, Don Liu, Hugh H. Mo, Chul Pak, Sapna Palla, Helen Wan, Michael Wu, Pauline Yeung-Ha, Michael Yim and James Yu.

AABANY congratulates its Best Under 40 Award Recipients, Mike Huang, Michael Park and Asim Rehman.

All the attendees enjoyed terrific program offerings, well-attended social events, sightseeing excursions, re-connecting with old friends, making new ones, and plenty of barbeque.

Next year’s convention will be held in Scottsdale, Arizona, Nov. 6-9, 2014.

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The 2013 NAPABA Northeast Regional/AABANY Fall Conference hosted by Weil Gotshal featured a packed afternoon with several CLEs to keep attendees busy. Session 3 commenced at 2:30 pm and CLE topics included: “How do GCs Manage Crisis and Government Investigations,” “E-discovery and the New Ethical Rules for Non-Litigators,” “The Right to Vote: Asian Americans and the Struggle Over who Can Vote and How,” and much more, including the afternoon portion of the all-day Trial Advocacy Program (TAP).

“How do GCs Manage Crisis and Government Investigations” was one of our most popular CLE programs. The panel was moderated by Don Liu, Corporate Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary at Xerox. Panelists included Stuart Alderoty, Senior Executive Vice President and General Counsel at HSBC, Bruce Bettigole, Partner at Sutherland, Katy Choo, Chief Investigative & Anti-Corruption Counsel at General Electric, and Sandra Leung, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary at Bristol-Myers Squibb.

Session 4 started at 4PM with well-attended CLEs: “The Partner Track: Fiction v. Reality,” “Common Sense Immigration Reform,” and “General Counsel Roundtable.”

Outside of the CLE programs, Robert Leung, Michael Park, and Gurinder Singh, of the newly formed AABANY Career Placement Committee, held one-on-one meetings throughout the day, in the morning and afternoon, with many individuals interested in the participating in the committee and the AABANY Career Exchange.

Many thanks to all of our speakers and moderators for contributing their time in preparing for and serving on their panels. AABANY would like to thank all staff, volunteers and attendees for participating in the conference.

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