Tag: thank you

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AABANY Marches in the Third Annual AAPI Cultural and Heritage Month Parade in Midtown Manhattan


Photo credit: AABANY

On Sunday, May 19th, 2024, AABANY members and friends marched together in the Third Annual AAPI Cultural and Heritage Parade in Midtown Manhattan.

Around noon, our group gathered on West 44th Street and Sixth Ave at a designated meeting spot to line up for the parade. As everyone was arriving, the street filled with people anticipating the start of the procession, many practicing their dances, taking pictures with their groups, and enjoying conversation with the organizations around them.


Photo credit: Nandar Win Kerr

As we did in last year’s parade, we wore matching red t-shirts, the front showcasing the AABANY logo and the back printed with a large QR-code that directs onlookers to the AABANY Pro Bono website. To attract more attention, AABANY President Joseph Eng, along with his son Max and friend Alfred Kurtz, brought a Chinese lion head and a drum to perform a traditional Chinese Lion Dance during the parade. While waiting for the parade to begin, other marchers took pictures with the lion and enjoyed the music and dance as Joe, Max, and Alfred practiced for their performance. They also taught any willing members of our group how to do a lion dance and play the drums.


Photo credit: AABANY

Around 1:00 pm, we saw the floats in the front begin to move, excitement rising as our time to take the street drew near. Once we reached the entry point on Sixth Avenue, the drum was beating and the sun was shining, making it the perfect time to walk along the avenue with pride. Those who were shown how to perform the lion dance took turns with Joe and Alfred to operate the lion costume. Others helped Max keep the drum beat as our group marched. Everyone was enjoying the 10-block march, especially as we got to see the performances of other groups and the costumes they dressed up in, including an eye-catching panda suit.


Photo credit: AABANY

After the parade, several of the participants enjoyed a family-style lunch at Tang Pavilion. The wait for the parade to start, followed by the march, especially for the lion dancers, took more energy out of us than expected, and the delicious meal at Tang Pavilion hit the spot.


Photo credit: AABANY

Thank you to the AABANY members and friends who celebrated AAPI Heritage Month by marching with us in this parade! For more photos and videos of our  group at the event, check out the album here.

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Thanks to the Volunteers at the April Queens Pro Bono Clinic in Flushing 

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 [email protected].  

Thank you to the volunteers and community partners for supporting the Queens Pro Bono Clinics!

Volunteer AttorneysInterpreters & Shadowers
Beatrice LeongJennifer Shi
Eugene KimJing Liang
Gary YeungJuliet Romero
Kevin HsiShi Tang
Lina LeeYuhan Chen
May WongNuala Naranjo (AAFE)
Richard InInaki Herrera (AAFE)
Shirley LuongGabriel Hisugan (AAFE)
Willow Liu
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Thank You to the Volunteers at the March Pro Bono Clinic in Brooklyn

On March 9, 2024, the AABANY Pro Bono & Community Service (PBCS) Committee held its Brooklyn Pro Bono Clinic at the Chinese-American Planning Council (CPC) Brooklyn Community Services Center, the first Brooklyn clinic of the year. Beginning at 12:30, attorneys, interpreters, and other volunteers met with community members who presented legal issues pertaining to immigration, criminal, divorce, and housing law. 

Thanks to the efforts of volunteer interpreters, the majority of whom were law students and recent JD graduates, the Pro Bono Clinic was able to meet with Spanish and Mandarin-speaking clients with limited English proficiency. This unique aspect of the clinic allowed our volunteers to overcome language barriers, enabling clients to express and understand their matters with greater ease. They also had the assistance of a volunteer attorney with criminal law experience providing legal advice on the two criminal cases presented. One client traveled from Warwick, NY to seek legal advice. Clients whose matters required the retention of an attorney were referred to AABANY’s Legal Referral and Information Service (LRIS), which connects clients to qualified lawyers within AABANY’s panel of attorneys. 

The PBSC Committee would like to thank the CPC, Councilmember Alexa Avilés, State Senator Senator Iwen Chu, Councilmember Justin Brannan, and all of their Brooklyn community partners and volunteers for joining them at the Brooklyn Pro Bono Legal Clinic. 

Please consider joining the Pro Bono and Community Service Committee at the Manhattan Pro Bono Clinic on April 17th, 2024 at AAAFE Community Center 111 Norfolk St New York, New York 10002. Although volunteer registration is closed, you can email [email protected] if you are still interested in volunteering at the clinic on 4/17. 

Feel free to check out www.probono.aabany.org for more information about upcoming legal clinics. 

Thank you, everyone! 

Volunteer AttorneysInterpreters & Shadowers
Andrew WuKaila Chen
Anna ChenJialin Zhu
Beatrice LeongJuliet Romero
Francis ChinLucy Liu
Kwok Kei NgNandar Win Kerr
Johnny ThachYiming (Roselyn) Chen
May WongWillow Liu
Megan GaoYiyang (Leo) Shen
Victoria ChengLi Zhi Lin – CPC
Yan SinJenny Lin – CPC
Maver Monclez – CPC
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Thank You to Our Volunteers at the Queens Pro Bono Clinic in February

Thank you AABANY, AAFE, and our dedicated volunteers for joining us at the Queens Pro Bono Legal Clinic on February 7, 2024. This was our first Queens clinic of the year and we met with 16 clients who asked questions about criminal law, housing, and contracts.

Thanks to all our interpreters who helped us! We had a little mishap in ordering dinner for us that night. In case you were wondering why there were so many chicken feet, it was because we thought buldakbal meant “spicy chicken.” There you go, that’s why. This is also why it’s important to use human interpreters rather than entrusting AI Google translate.

And here’s what our clients have to say about our volunteers’ assistance –

“This is a wonderful service you provide the public. AAFE is making a difference for the community.”
“Extremely grateful to the lawyers and interpreter lady!”
“Service was great.”

Volunteer Attorneys:Interpreters & Shadowers:
Beatrice LeongDaniel Kang
Brandon WongKaila Chen
Forrest SungNandar Win Kerr
Gary YeungRuo Yang
Hazel F. ChinYiyang Shen
Johnny ThachWillow Liu
Lina LeeWoohyeong Cho
May Wong 
Shirley LuongAAFE:
Wenhsien (Wendy) ChengNuala Naranjo
Yan Lian Kuang-MaogaElton Ye
 Gabriel Hisugan

Thank you once again and we hope to see you soon!

To learn about upcoming Pro Bono clinics in Queens, Manhattan, or Brooklyn, visit probono.aabany.org.

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Thank You for Your Help at the Manhattan Pro Bono Clinic on February 21!

The AABANY Pro Bono & Community Service Committee thanks all the volunteers who helped out at the Manhattan pro bono clinic on February 21, 2024! We thank AABANY, PBCS volunteers, and AAFE staff (Elton Ye, Jiwon Youn, and Joy Ng) for this collaboration. We met with 9 clients and discussed housing, real estate, and civil procedure.

One client shared that she had been afraid to speak with her own attorney. In her comments, she wrote, “The lawyers [at the clinic] were very knowledgeable and clear in communicating the steps to be taken and what I could expect about the case updates. They were also professional and trustworthy.”

Another client wrote, “I had many questions and the attorney(s) were very nice and explained well. As a senior, I hope to live at home and maintain peace every day. Thank you for your explanation.”

Great work, everyone!

Volunteer AttorneysInterpreters & Shadowers
Beatrice LeongAngela Zhao
Eve Hongye MaoChristine Seid
Francis ChinDaniel Kang
Judy LuEric Duan
Justin LeeJialin Zhu
Kevin HsiNandar Win Kerr
Kwok NgRuo Yang
May WongTiancheng “Tim” Lyu
Tiange (Tim) ChenXue Zhang
Yan SinYiming (Roselyn) Chen
Jiwon Youn (AAFE)
Elton Ye (AAFE)
Joy Ng (AAFE)

Please join our upcoming legal clinics:

Brooklyn Pro Bono Clinic – March 9th, 2024, 12:30pm – 3:30pm

Location – CPC Brooklyn Community Services, 4101 8th Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11232.

Sign up here: https://forms.gle/H3Lyia9zRiV8tPL69

Manhattan – March 20, 2024, 6:30 – 8:30pm

Location – AAFE Community Center, 111 Norfolk St, New York, NY 10002, USA

Sign up here: https://forms.gle/SD2VMY8X6yE4vsxW9

Save the date for 3/21 for our Volunteer Appreciation Party!

Have a great week!

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Thank You to Our Volunteers at the Manhattan Pro Bono Clinic in November

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.

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Celebrating 35 Years of Leading and Uniting the AANHPI Legal Community

As we bid farewell to the 2023 NAPABA Convention, we want to express our deepest gratitude to each one of you who contributed to making this event a resounding success. We welcomed nearly 2,100 attendees to Indianapolis, with nearly 700 first time Convention attendees! Your presence, engagement, and enthusiasm truly made a lasting impact.

Throughout the Convention, we witnessed the power of unity, collaboration, and the collective spirit of NAPABA. The networking, mentorship, knowledge exchange, and most importantly, the power of showing up, were all on display in real-time as we build a stronger, more connected community. 

The plenary luncheons were nothing short of inspiring, featuring compelling discussions and insights from distinguished thought leaders who are not just experts from our AANHPI community, but national figures on these important issues. The session on the rights of transgender athletes provided a platform for not only understanding some of the legal complexities, but also emphasizing the humanity behind the legality. The session on law school campus discourse revealed the challenges, opportunities, and constant efforts to create inclusive and diverse environments within legal education, and could not have come at a more critical time.  

At the President’s and Trailblazer Awards Reception, we honored the late David Kim and recognized six prominent and incredible trailblazers who have paved the way for others and advanced opportunities for AANHPIs at the national level. 

Lastly, the Convention ended on a high note with an unforgettable celebration of our diverse community and shared achievements. At the 35th Anniversary Gala, emceed by actor, author, and activist Maulik Pancholy—who grew up in Indiana—the program kicked off with a musical procession to celebrate Diwali, where attendees were treated to an energetic Dhol performance. We came together to recognize accomplishments, forge new connections, and revel in the strength of our community. We welcomed the new Board of Governors and were privileged to hear from the extraordinary Mia Yamamoto on the importance of focused engagement. And while the Convention has wrapped up, our engagement with the communities of Indiana that have been so welcoming to NAPABA continues. 

Thank you for being an integral part of the 2023 NAPABA Convention. We hope that you left the Convention with a renewed sense of purpose and inspiration. Your energy, passion, and commitment are what make our community so vibrant. And thank you to all the CLE program chairs, speakers, and Committee and Network chairs for leading informative and educational programming that ensures NAPABA members are on the cutting edge of legal developments across the country. We look forward to connecting with you in the coming year through our various programs and hope to see you in Seattle in 2024.

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Thank You to Our Volunteers at the Queens Pro Bono Clinic in November

On November 1st, 2023, AABANY held its Queens Pro Bono Legal Clinic at the AAFE (Asian Americans for Equality) One Flushing Community Center. The clinic met with 15 clients, coming in with questions about criminal, housing, immigration, and family law. Volunteer attorneys and interpreters patiently addressed client concerns, answering questions and connecting them to lawyers through AABANY’s Legal Referral and Information Service (LRIS). We are extremely grateful to have volunteers willing to start early at 6pm and stay beyond 8:30pm to finish speaking with the clients.

We thank the AABANY Pro Bono & Community Service (PBCS) Committee and AAFE for organizing and hosting this event. We also thank Council Member Sandra Ung for partnering with us to make this service available to the community.

Thank you to our volunteers for supporting the clinic. Your time and dedication are essential for delivering crucial assistance to individuals seeking legal guidance. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to:

Volunteer Attorneys:

  • Beatrice Leong
  • Casey Lee
  • Eugene Kim
  • Gary Yeung
  • Kevin Hsi
  • Lina Lee
  • May Li
  • May Wong
  • Shirley Luong

Interpreters and Coordinators:

  • Daniel Kang
  • Melodie Han
  • Yiming (Roselyn) Chen
  • Nuala Naranjo (AAFE)
  • Elton Ye (AAFE)
  • Maria Bergeron (AAFE)
  • Sally Lin (AAFE)

Here is a list of upcoming Pro Bono Clinics:

  • Manhattan, November 15, from 6:30pm to 8:30pm, at AAFE Community Center, 111 Norfolk Street. Sign up by 12pm, November 10 to volunteer.
  • Brooklyn, December 2, from 12:30pm to 3:30pm, at Chinese-American Planning Council, Inc., 4101 8th Avenue. Sign up by 12pm, November 27 to volunteer.
  • Manhattan, December 20, from 6:30pm to 8:30pm, at AAFE Community Center, 111 Norfolk Street. Sign up by 12pm, December 15 to volunteer.
  • Queens, January 10, 2024 from 6:00pm to 8:30pm, One Flushing Community Center, 133-29 41st Ave. Sign up by 12pm, January 5 to volunteer.

Click here for more information about our Pro Bono Clinics and the PBCS Committee. Or sign up for the next BYOL (Bring Your Own Lunch) Sidebar Meeting on November 16 to learn more about the Clinic and the Committee. Go here for more details and to register.

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Thank You to Our Volunteers at the Manhattan Pro Bono Clinic in October

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.

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Thank You to Our Volunteers at the Queens Pro Bono Clinic in September

On September 6th, 2023, AABANY held its Queens Pro Bono Legal Clinic at the AAFE One Flushing Community Center. The clinic met with 31 clients, coming in with questions about housing, immigration, family law, and civil litigation. Volunteer attorneys and interpreters patiently addressed client concerns, answering questions and connecting them to lawyers through AABANY’s Legal Referral and Information Service (LRIS). We are extremely grateful to have volunteers willing to start early at 6pm and stay beyond 8:30pm to finish speaking with the clients.

We thank the AABANY Pro Bono & Community Service (PBCS) Committee and Asian Americans for Equality for organizing and hosting this event. We also thank Council Member Sandra Ung for partnering with us to make this service available to the community.

Thank you to our volunteers for supporting the clinic. Your time and dedication are essential for delivering crucial assistance to individuals seeking legal guidance. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to:

Volunteer Attorneys:

Richard In
Lina Lee
Beatrice Leong
Lord Chester So
May Wong
Gary Yeung

Interpreters and Coordinators:

Gabriel Hisugan
Jocelyn Jao
Willow Liu
Nuala Naranjo-Odoherty

Here is a list of upcoming Pro Bono Clinics:

● Brooklyn, October 14, from 12:30 pm to 3:30 pm, at Chinese-American Planning Council, Inc., 4101 8th Avenue. Sign up here to volunteer.

● Manhattan, October 18, from 6:30pm to 8:30pm, and AAFE Community Center, 111 Norfolk Street. Sign up here to volunteer.

● Queens, November 1, from 6:30pm – 8:30pm, at AAFE One Flushing Community Center, 133-29 41st Ave 2nd Floor. Sign up here to volunteer.

Click here for more information about our Pro Bono Clinics and the PBCS Committee.