united states supreme court Archives

April 30, 2025April 30, 2025

Congratulations, Vincent Chang, 2025 Recipient of The Network of Bar Leaders’ President’s Award

On April 22, 2025, at The Harvard Club in New York City, the Network of Bar Leaders, a coalition representing over 50 bar associations in the greater New York Metropolitan area, honored Vincent Chang, Esq., Counsel at Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP, with the President’s Award. The distinction is reserved for those who have advanced the legal profession through the values of leadership, collaboration, and community within and across bar associations.

With a legal career focused on complex commercial litigation, including securities, investment banking, hedge funds, bankruptcy, insurance, real estate, antitrust, and bondholder disputes, Vince brings a deep sense of responsibility to the profession. His resume includes serving as Immediate Past President of the New York County Lawyers Association (NYCLA), past President of the Asian American Bar Association of New York (AABANY), and a member of the Executive Council of the Network of Bar Leaders. He currently holds positions within the American Bar Association and the New York State Bar Association, including serving as a Special Advisor to the ABA’s Standing Committee on the Federal Judiciary. Vince is one of those rare leaders who has left a lasting mark on the legal community not only through his work in the courtroom but also through the time, energy, and care he has poured into the bar associations that shape the future of law.

Vince’s journey in bar association leadership began with AABANY, a formative role that contributed to his collaborative approach to leadership. “My goal was to bring people together,” he recalled. His efforts not only unified the group but also doubled AABANY’s membership during his term. His ability to lead with transparency and unity laid the groundwork for a generation of new leaders, including James Chou and Yang Chen, both past presidents of AABANY. Yang now serves as its Executive Director. Vince credits AABANY as the launchpad for much of his bar association work. “It was the leadership opportunity that started everything. Without AABANY, I wouldn’t have joined other bar associations, wouldn’t have become part of the American Bar Association, wouldn’t have been president of the Network.” His leadership at AABANY set a standard that continues to influence the future of the legal community.

From there, his bar service expanded across the legal landscape. At NYCLA, he guided the association through the difficulties of COVID-19, restructured its physical offices to ensure financial stability, and upheld its legacy as a pioneer in legal diversity. “It was the first bar association to admit people of color, women, and non-Protestants,” he shared. “Serving as President was a high point in my career.” His leadership not only preserved NYCLA’s legacy but positioned it to thrive in a new era of law and inclusion.

What motivates someone to give so much time and energy to bar associations while maintaining a demanding legal career? For Vince, the answer is simple: the people. “There’s a lot of fellowship in bar associations,” he explained. “You learn from great people. You get to do fulfilling work. And you really don’t need a huge time commitment to get started. If you put more into it, you get more out of it. But even a small investment of time can open doors—meet judges, build networks, find mentors.” His message to younger attorneys is clear: “Carve out the time, no matter how difficult it seems. Bar associations are a fulfilling activity, and one that young lawyers ought to get involved in immediately if they can.” By prioritizing bar association involvement, young attorneys can unlock opportunities that extend from just their legal practice.

Across every organization he’s served, Vince has consistently advocated for the judiciary, particularly in securing fair pay and resources. “There was a time when judges went more than a dozen years without a raise. That’s unacceptable.” Through reports, testimonies, and public education, Chang helped lead the fight for change. “Supporting the judiciary is some of the most rewarding work I’ve done,” he said. His dedication to judicial advocacy has helped redefine how legal professionals understand the vital role of court support.

Beyond his work in bar associations, Vince’s legal career includes moments that many attorneys only dream of. One of the most memorable was a case that took him all the way to the United States Supreme Court. “It was a landmark case for Morgan Stanley, involving separation of powers. I’ll never forget seeing the justices in person,” he shared. The case was decided 4–4, which meant the previous court’s decision stayed in place. While Vince’s team did not win at the time, their argument was proven right when a later case confirmed the same legal principle. It was an experience that left a lasting impression both professionally and personally.

For the next generation of lawyers, Vince advises: “Putting your head down and working at your desk 12 hours a day won’t be enough. You have to meet people. You have to network. You have to learn from the broader profession.” He’s honest about what he would’ve done differently. “I didn’t really get involved in bar associations until I was 40. If you start in your 20s, you’ll get so much more out of it.” His advice serves as a reminder that success is built on connections, experience, and a willingness to step out of one’s comfort zone.

However, Vince also sees real challenges ahead. As social media and changing lifestyles pull younger professionals away from traditional membership organizations, bar associations must adapt. “Many groups are struggling with membership. AABANY has done well because it has a young demographic to draw from and knows how to reach them. But we can’t take that for granted.” He points to studies like The Portrait Project to show how diversity efforts must continue beyond entry-level roles. “There’s a glass ceiling. Asian American attorneys are getting into the profession, but they’re not advancing at the highest levels—whether that’s partner, elected DA, or leadership in government. We need to figure out why.” The future of bar associations depends on their ability to evolve and break down barriers for underrepresented groups within the profession.

Vince’s contributions to the legal community go beyond his accolades and titles. They are a reflection to a life dedicated to service, leadership, and progress. Through his commitment to bar associations and mentorship of young attorneys, he has made a strong impact for generations to come. Vince’s legacy is not just in the offices he’s held or the cases he’s won, but in the lives he’s touched and the doors he’s opened for others. His leadership continues to shape the future of our legal system: one that is more inclusive, more equitable, and more united than ever before.

Vince reflected on the celebration with heartfelt gratitude: “I am deeply grateful to my friends from the Asian American Bar Association of New York for sponsoring and attending this event. Including myself, there were five AABANY Presidents present. AABANY has always been close to my heart, and I am thrilled to see its continued growth and success under the leadership of Yang Chen and Ben Hsing.”

Congratulations, Vince Chang, 2025 Recipient of The Network of Bar Leaders’ President’s Award!

January 4, 2023January 6, 2023

In the News: Karen King Writes on her 9-0 Victory at the United States Supreme Court in Golan v. Saada

On October 7, 2022, Law360 published a piece written by AABANY Member Karen King titled “Key to a 9-0 Court Win: Look for a Common Ground.” Karen argued before the Supreme Court in March 2022 in Golan v. Saada, in which the Court decided in favor of Karen’s client in an unanimous 9-0 decision. Karen is a Partner at Morvillo Abramowitz Grand Iason & Anello, Co-Chair of AABANY’s Pro Bono and Community Service Committee, and an active member of AABANY’s Anti-Asian Violence Task Force.

Karen has had an impressive and storied career, with accomplishments reaching back to before her time as a litigator. She was president of the debate team in high school and at Yale University, where she majored in philosophy and political science. After Yale, Karen received her J.D. from Harvard Law School and started her career at Cravath. Two decades later, Karen continues to appear in federal and state courts on behalf of corporate clients while also taking on pro bono clients, being named a “Notable Woman in Law” by Crain’s New York Business and receiving both the Federal Bar Council’s Thurgood Marshall Award for Exceptional Pro Bono Service and the National Asian Pacific Bar Association’s Pro Bono award. Her pro bono clients include victims of discrimination, survivors of domestic violence, students with learning disabilities, victims of gun violence, and prisoners in civil rights issues.

In the article, Karen writes about the strategies and steps her team undertook to prepare for arguing Golan v. Saada before the Court.

The case concerned an Italian citizen who filed a petition with the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York to return his child to Italy through the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction. Narkis Golan, the child’s mother, petitioned the court to prevent the child’s return to Italy, as the father’s history of abuse would put the child at a risk of psychological harm. The Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit and the District Court for the Eastern District of New York agreed that the child could be required to return to Italy by finding “ameliorative measures” to prevent such harm to the child. When Karen brought the case to the Supreme Court for Golan, the issue was whether, under the Hague Convention, courts must consider all possible “ameliorative measures” which would lead to the return of a child to their country of habitual residence. The Court ruled in favor of Karen’s client, finding that courts are not obligated to find options that will enable the child’s safe return before denying return based on a risk of harm. Karen describes in her article how she and her team navigated the diverse judicial philosophies of the Court’s justices to achieve a 9-0 victory.

Karen and her team took a keen interest in the judicial philosophies and oral argument preferences of justices on the Court to draw broad support from the bench. For example, Karen argued that the Second Circuit’s requirement to consider “ameliorative measures” which would favor return was an outcome not grounded in the text of the Hague Convention—an approach smartly tailored for textualist justices. Karen also writes that this case demonstrated how oral arguments offer not just opportunities for petitioners and respondents to emphasize certain legal points, but also chances to shape the justices’ thinking on the case.

In addition to demonstrating shrewd foresight through a textualist argument, Karen also underscored the importance of children’s interests in the Hague Convention text. These approaches to Karen’s oral argument performance were reflected in the Court’s opinion, where Justice Sotomayor remanded the case back to the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York. The justice drew upon the textualist ideas and child interest issues which Karen had brought forth during oral argument.

Karen’s article also reflected on the challenges she faced in preparing for oral argument at the Court for this case, as COVID-19 restrictions and partisan tensions reached new heights during preparations.

Lastly, Karen’s presence alongside two other Asian American litigators at oral argument before the Court places this case in Asian American legal history. The strategies Karen outlined for stellar advocacy go far beyond Golan v. Saada. As an Asian American community leader, Karen advocates for greater diversity in courtrooms and law firms, guides young litigators, and gives back to communities through pro bono work. AABANY is proud to see the inspiring work Karen King has done inside and outside of her role as a litigator, and we are excited to see how else she will continue to be a leading example for the Asian American community.

The full article can be found at:

https://www.maglaw.com/media/publications/articles/2022-10-07-morvillo-abramowitz-partner-karen-king-mentioned-in-law360-article

April 8, 2019

AABANY Joins NAPABA’s Amicus Brief in the Supreme Court Opposing the Addition of a Proposed Citizenship Question to the 2020 Census.

On April 1, 2019, the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) and the Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund (AALDEF), joined by Sixty-four (64) bar associations and AAPI-serving community organizations, submitted an amicus brief to the U.S. Supreme Court in Department of Commerce v. New York (18-966) opposing the addition of a proposed citizenship question to the 2020 Census.

In a press release, NAPABA stated:

On April 23, the Supreme Court will hear an appeal in Department of Commerce v. New York (18-966). In January, the Southern District of New York found that the Administration’s decision to add the question was ‘arbitrary’ and ‘capricious,’ and that it violated the Administrative Procedure Act. In a related challenge, California v. Ross, the Northern District of California found the Administration violated the Administrative Procedure Act and the Enumeration Clause of the Constitution. A decision is pending in a third challenge, involving AAPI and Hispanic plaintiffs, in the District of Maryland.

The AAPI organizations urge the Court to uphold the district court’s ruling to enjoin the addition of the citizenship question: Amici agree with the district court ’s finding that the addition of a citizenship question will likely lead to an undercount of noncitizen households of at least 5.8 percent. . . . This chilling of participation in the 2020 Census will have a disproportionate effect on the AAPI community. . . . These heightened concerns for the AAPI community come at a crucial moment, because Asian Americans are the fastest-growing racial group in the country and stand to make substantial gains in political representation based on that population growth.

AABANY is pleased to announce that it is a co-signatory to NAPABA’s amicus brief in the Supreme Court opposing the addition of a proposed citizenship question to the 2020 census. The addition of the citizenship question will negatively impact the Asian American and Pacific Islander community. It will depress response rates from Asian Americans, the fastest growing racial group and the largest segment of new immigrants in the country, and impact our ability to protect our rights and ensure political representation.

To read the full press release and the amicus brief, click here.

March 18, 2019

Hon. Kiyo Matsumoto Participates in Honoring Justice Sonia Sotomayor at the New York City Bar

On March 7, 2019, Hon. Kiyo Matsumoto, District Judge of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York, participated in honoring Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor at the New York City Bar Association for her commitment to upholding the rule of law and for being a role model to young students all across America.

At the event, Justice Sotomayor was honored with the unveiling of her portrait that will hang in the New York City Bar’s Great Hall and presented with the New York City Bar Association Medal. The Association Medal is a very prestigious honor that has only been conferred upon a total of 25 people in the last 67 years prior to Justice Sotomayor.

The awardees are chosen by the New York City Bar’s Executive Committee acting upon the nomination of the New York City Bar’s Honors Committee. Judge Matsumoto, a long time member of AABANY, is the chair of the Honors Committee.

The event was covered by the New York Law Journal. To read the article, click here.

July 23, 2018

PRESS RELEASE | NAPABA Statement on the Nomination of Judge Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court – National Asian Pacific American Bar Association

WASHINGTON — Last night, President Donald Trump announced the nomination of Judge Brett Kavanaugh to serve on the United States Supreme Court. The National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) congratulates Judge Kavanaugh on his nomination.

To read the rest of the press release, please click the link above.

March 19, 2018December 4, 2018

November 21, 2016

An Unsung Hero in the Story of Interracial Marriage – The New Yorker

Hon. Denny Chin, United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, alerted us to this article just published in The New Yorker that talks about the landmark US Supreme Court case of Loving v. Virginia which struck down as unconstitutional anti-miscegenation laws. The article brings out the little known role played by William Marutani, who argued on behalf of the Japanese American Citizens League (JACL), an amicus curiae in the case.

Marutani was later appointed by the Governor of Pennsylvania to the Court of Common Pleas in Philadelphia, becoming the first Asian American judge in Pennsylvania.

Our own trailblazer, Hon. Marilyn Go, clerked for Judge Muritani. She shared with us this link to the oral argument in Loving v. Virginia. You can both hear and read the transcript, including Judge Marutani arguing for JACL. It comes from oyez.org, a multi-media archive project of Chicago-Kent College of Law, with a mission to make the “Supreme Court of the United States accessible to everyone.”

With the approaching Thanksgiving holiday, we here at AABANY are truly blessed and grateful to have our esteemed jurists, Judge Chin and Judge Go, remind us of the contributions made by Asian American lawyers to the development of civil rights law in the United States. Let us not forget the struggles and triumphs of our trailblazers and predecessors for their role in paving the way to greater equality and justice for all. We need to follow and build on their example because the struggle continues.

November 14, 2016December 4, 2018

March 18, 2016

NAPABA Expresses Disappointment That an Asian Pacific American Was Not Nominated to the United States Supreme Court; Vows to Support the President’s Nominee

For Immediate Release
March 16, 2016

For More Information, Contact:
Brett Schuster, Communications Manager
202-775-9555; [email protected]

WASHINGTON — Today,
President Barack Obama announced the nomination of Judge Merrick
Garland to serve on the United States Supreme Court. The National Asian
Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) congratulates Judge Garland on
his nomination.

“We
urge the Senate to hold a fair hearing and a timely vote on the
President’s nominee, Judge Garland. It is critical to the stability of
our judicial system that the Supreme Court’s vacant seat be filled
promptly,” said Jin Y. Hwang, president of NAPABA. “Although we are
disappointed that the President missed an opportunity to make history by
nominating the first Asian Pacific American to the Supreme Court, we
celebrate the fact that Judge Sri Srinivasan was interviewed and vetted
for a possible nomination, which represented the first time that an
Asian Pacific American has ever been interviewed and put on ‘the short
list’ for the Supreme Court.”

NAPABA
congratulates Judge Garland and urges the United States Senate to
fulfill its constitutional responsibility and proceed with a timely vote
to confirm him to the Supreme Court.

For more information, the media may contact Brett Schuster, NAPABA communications manager, at 202-775-9555 or [email protected].