Official blog of the Asian American Bar Association of New York
On Oct. 20, Law360’s New York Law & Community section published AABANY’s submission on Vincent Chang receiving the Norman Lau Kee Trailblazer Award at its annual Fall Conference. The full article appears in the screenshot below.
AABANY thanks Law360 for publishing this report, and would like to congratulate again our past president and longtime Asian American legal community leader Vincent Chang for this well-deserved honor.
On Saturday, September 26, at Fordham Law School, AABANY hosted its 2026 Fall Conference, with the theme “Rising Up to Meet the Future: Cultivating Tomorrow’s Leaders Today.” Thanks to Fordham Law School for hosting this day-long event. The full-day event offered multi-track CLE programming throughout the morning and afternoon, a plenary lunch session, and different opportunities for professional development, networking, and community-building. In addition to CLE sessions, the Conference also featured the Trial Advocacy Program, Diversity Career Fair, Link-Up Reception, and meetings and gatherings throughout the day hosted by various AABANY Committees.
The day began with an ample breakfast buffet that was most welcome on a wet and stormy morning. Despite the nor’easter brewing outside, the warmth of the food and energy in the room created a welcoming start to the day, bringing together friends and colleagues, old and new, into the AABANY community.
Morning Sessions
From 9:00 to 10:30 AM, participants could choose from the following four CLE panels:
Rising Up to Serve: Leveraging Bar Associations for Community-Centered Lawyering – exploring how attorneys can use bar associations and community organizations to respond to the legal needs of AANHPI and immigrant communities, expand access to legal services, all the while engaging in community-centered advocacy.
AI, Voice, Likeness and Persona: How Tomorrow’s Lawyers Will Define Ownership, Consent, and Control – examining the rapidly changing legal questions surrounding AI-generated replicas of voices, faces, likeness, and other personal attributes, covering issues of ownership, consent, control, monetization, and misuse.
Bridging the Gap! Transitioning from MPRE to Real-World Ethics – focusing on moving beyond the principles tested on the MPRE to consider how ethical obligations arise in the everyday practice of law and how new attorneys can apply those principles in professional and practical settings.
Conducting Effective Internal Investigations – examining the implications involved in managing internal investigations, from establishing protocols and determining scope to working with stakeholders and protecting privilege.
The next block, from 10:45 to 12:15 PM, offered:
How to Lateral: Building a Transferable, and Marketable Skill Set – providing insight into the skills, qualifications, and experiences employers look for in candidates, and how to build transferable skills.
Beyond Forms & Filings: How Tomorrow’s Immigration Attorneys Build Power Through Tech, Data, and Storytelling – examining how immigration attorneys can combine technology, data, and storytelling to strengthen advocacy, address systemic disparities, and better serve AANHPI communities in a rapidly changing policy environment.
The Modern Advocate: Mastering Courtroom Skills in a Changing Legal Landscape – preparing current and aspiring litigators for courtrooms shaped by AI, covering professionalism, oral advocacy, and working with pro se litigants from diverse communities while also discussing the ethical implications of using AI tools in preparing for court.
At the Table: Turning Today’s Great Lawyers into Tomorrow’s Trusted Client Advisors – exploring the judgement, steadiness, and strategic communication skills that enable attorneys to grow from technically excellent lawyers into trusted client advisors.
Plenary Lunch Session: Moving Forward After Trump v. Barbara – Constitutional Principles, Immigration Policy, and the American Process
At 12:30 PM, AABANY President Varuna Bhattacharyya gave opening remarks to a filled room for the Plenary Lunch Session: Moving Forward After Trump v. Barbara – Constitutional Principles, Immigration Policy, and the American Process. The lunch session brought together professors, lawyers, and advocates to examine the recent Supreme Court’s decision in Trump v. Barbara and its implications for birthright citizenship, executive authority, and the Fourteenth Amendment. What stood out, however, was not simply the legal analysis of the decision but also the way the panel connected these constitutional questions surrounding birthright citizenship and the Fourteenth Amendment to the people and stories behind them.
The panel featured Beth Lew-Williams, Professor of History and Director of the Program in Asian American Studies at Princeton University; Edgar Chen, Special Policy Advisor at the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA); Razeen Zaman, Immigrants’ Rights Director at the Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund (AALDEF); and Gabriel “Jack” Chin, Professor at UC Davis School of Law. The discussion was moderated by Chris M. Kwok, Adjunct Professor at CUNY Hunter College, mediator and arbitrator at JAMS, and Co-Chair of AABANY’s Alternative Dispute Resolution Committee.
The plenary session deepened the appreciation and understanding for how intertwined constitutional law is to individuals’ everyday lives. Hearing Wong Kim Ark’s story alongside Trump v. Barbara made the Fourteenth Amendment feel less like an abstract piece of legal text and more like something tangible that shapes who is recognized as belonging to this country. That’s what made the lunch session so compelling: exploring how someone’s ordinary choices can become a part of a landmark legal history and examining how, over a century later, the country is still grappling with the questions surrounding the idea of belonging.
AABANY’s Career Advancement Committee Presents: Diversity Career Fair
AABANY’s Career Advancement Committee hosted its annual Diversity Career Fair (DCF) at the 2026 Fall Conference, bringing together various public and private sector employers and interested applicants from 10:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Employers hosted informational tables, met with candidates, collected resumes, and conducted first-round on-site interviews. Throughout the day. The room was constantly filled with individuals looking to learn more about available opportunities and meet active members of AABANY in their professional settings.
While some employers were unable to attend due to the weather, the DCF still offered a wide range of career opportunities. Law students and lawyers moved between tables, asked questions, exchanged resumes, and connected directly with employers. At public interest tables, attendees gathered to learn about internships, externships, and volunteer opportunities, including opportunities with The Legal Aid Society. Government and public-sector employers, including the New York City Law Department and District Attorney’s Offices, similarly offered attendees the chance to learn directly from practitioners and representatives about these respective career paths.
In the private sector, employers such as Barclay Damon LLP provided opportunities for one-on-one conversations with one of the partners, allowing attendees to learn about what the firm was looking for while also establishing meaningful professional relationships.
Attendees also had the opportunity to meet members of AABANY’s Career Advancement Committee, receive career advice, and learn about additional career opportunities. The Committee collected resumes and distributed them to all employers after the event.
AABANY’s Litigation Committee Presents: The Trial Advocacy Program (TAP)
From 9:00 AM to 4:15 PM, AABANY’s Litigation Committee presented the 2026 Trial Advocacy Program (TAP) at the Fall Conference, giving junior lawyers an opportunity to strengthen their trial skills under the guidance of experienced judges and trial attorneys. The program focused on essentials of trial skills: opening statements, direct and cross-examinations, and closing statements.
Although TAP is usually held in person, this year’s program was moved to virtual format at the last minute due to the weather. Even with such short notice, the program drew a strong group of participants and maintained the interactive nature of the program. Participants worked through a mock trial scenario and prepared portions of their openings, examinations, and summations with a partner. Through the combination of lectures, practical exercises, and small-group mock trial sessions, participants were able to recreate the experience of an in-person trial as closely as possible. Judges and trial attorneys provided feedback throughout the exercise, allowing participants to strengthen their courtroom skills, receive constructive criticism, and learn strategies they can carry into actual practice. Even in the virtual format, the program fostered productive small break-out group conversations and hands-on participation, showing us how meaningful trial advocacy training could take place both beyond the courtroom and in-person.
The quality of the faculty was truly impressive. Participants learned from bench and bar alike, including the Hon. James R. Cho of the U.S. District Court of the Eastern District of New York; Hon. Frances Wang of Queens Supreme Court; and the Hon. Christopher Chin of the New York Supreme Court. Prosecutorial experience was well represented by Joe Gim, Chief of Criminal Court at the Kings County District Attorney’s Office; Sara Khan, a Homicide ADA at the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office; and Hana C. Kim, Bureau Chief of the Financial Frauds Bureau at the Queens County District Attorney’s Office. Participants were also able to hear from leaders in the private sector and in-house counsel, including Genny Ngai, Partner at Morrison Cohen; Diana Wang, Counsel at Clark Smith Villazor LLP; Hugh Mo, Principal of The Law Firm of Hugh H. Mo, P.C.; and Jacqueline Choi, In-House Litigation Counsel at Red Apple Group, Inc. Together, they offered participants a well-rounded view of effective trial advocacy from every side of the courtroom, and their generosity in sharing both their time and their depth of experience made the program all the more valuable. AABANY thanks each of them for their commitment to imparting trial advocacy skills to the next generation of lawyers.
Committee Meetings and Gatherings
Beyond the main programming, the third floor had its own energy. AABANY opened up rooms for Committees that wanted a space to network and gather, and a few Committees took full advantage, reserving rooms at different points throughout the day. AABANY’s CIRC Program, which is part of the Membership Committee, got things started in the morning, inviting participants to stop by to chat about their program updates, share feedback, and grab some delicious Asian snacks along the way. They brought so many treats that they continued their gathering in the Soden Lounge on the second floor, where Asian sweets and savory favorites disappeared within minutes. The Government Service & Public Interest (GSPI) Committee’s mooncake social stood out, giving members a chance to meet the Co-Chairs, hear about upcoming events, and enjoy a delicious mooncake alongside refreshments in celebration of the Mid-Autumn Festival. The Solo & Small Firm Practice (SSFP) Committee followed in the same room with an assortment of Levain cookies, a relaxed change of pace after a full day of programming where folks got to meet newer members and have a chance to catch up with other colleagues and longtime members. The Pro Bono & Community Service Committee, together with AALFNY, set up a table at the Diversity Career Fair to promote the Pro Bono Clinics and recruit volunteers.
Afternoon Sessions:
From 2:30 PM to 4:00 PM, attendees chose from the following programs:
Rising to the Challenge: A Balancing Act of Caregiving Leaders of the Sandwich Generation – informing potential and future caregivers about basic estate planning tools, long-term care planning, and special needs planning, along with providing them with resources available to help them balance these responsibilities and prepare for any potential crisis.
Clause and Effect: AI Contracting and Vendor Management – focusing on equipping lawyers to lead clients through AI governance by covering the privacy and cybersecurity risks of AI tools and examining the best practices for negotiating vendor agreements on data use, training, security, audit rights, and liability.
The Gentle and the Assertive: What New Motherhood Teaches About Advocacy – two mom litigators sharing how the dual roles of mother and advocate are strengthening their advocacy and leadership skills, offering AAPI attorneys a framework to leading authentically while making full use of their lived experiences.
The Mechanics of Public Company Stock Ownership and Voting – introducing proxy plumbing, the infrastructure and process behind shareholder voting, and how Broadridge keeps this process efficient, transparent, and compliant so that shareholders’ voices are heard in corporate governance.
From 4:15 PM to 5:45 PM, attendees could choose from the following programs:
Race and Space: How Laws Create and Impact Asian Spaces – exploring how, despite the promise of Reconstruction, many AANHPI New Yorkers still live and work in racially concentrated spaces, discussing how law and policy created them and what that means for the future of Asian communities.
IP and AI Slop: Why is Pikachu Fighting Darth Vader on My Instagram Feed? – examining the rise of unauthorized generative AI videos, the legal issues and options for IP owners, and what it all means for the future of content.
Building & Using the Diversity Pipeline in Arbitration & Mediation: Why it Matters and How to Participate – focusing on why diversity among arbitrators and mediators matters to the credibility of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) and how lawyers, clients, and institutions can strengthen the pipeline of diverse neutrals, to include AANHPI attorneys interested in becoming neutrals.
No One Teaches This: How Attorneys Actually Build Clients and Become Rainmakers – exploring how attorneys can build credibility and lasting professional relationships that can grow into client development and leadership opportunities.
Link-Up Reception
An exciting way to wind down the day was the Link-Up Reception, which provided an opportunity for law firm attorneys and senior in-house counsel to connect and explore potential external legal services. Now in its second year, the invitation-only event was open to select in-house counsel and Gold-level sponsors and above, creating a more intimate setting for sponsors to engage directly with in-house decision-makers and establish professional connections.
With an almost one-to-one ratio of in-house counsel to law firm attendees, the reception felt intentionally intimate and direct. Rather than having brief introductions before moving onto the next conversation, attendees seemed to have the time and space to really listen to one another. Conversations about professional experiences and careers grew deeper as they continued to talk over hors d’oeuvres, creating opportunities for connections that felt more genuine and lasting.
The sense of possibility in the room was palpable. People were exchanging ideas, learning about one another’s work, and finding ways to build relationships that could grow beyond this gathering. It was a great way to bring together the professional connections and collaboration that had been growing throughout the day, and it set an energetic tone for the rest of the evening.
Cocktail Reception and Trailblazer Award Presentation
After the conclusion of the day’s programs, at 6:00 pm, all attendees were invited to the general Cocktail Reception, which provided a relaxed and celebratory setting to connect and unwind. The room was filled with food of every kind, from pigs in a blanket to crab cakes with a variety of dipping sauces, plus a vegetable and fruit platter that stretched across the center of the room, as well as both warm and cold options for any preference. Over appetizers and drinks, attorneys, law students, and other members of the AABANY community reconnected with colleagues and formed new professional relationships, with the buzz of conversation filling the air. The reception brought the conference to a close by creating an exciting space for networking and continued community-building.
The highlight of the evening was AABANY’s Executive Director Yang Chen presenting the Norman Lau Kee Trailblazer Award to Vincent Chang, former President of AABANY. Named for a legal and community pillar of Chinatown, the award honors a leader and role model in the AANHPI legal community, and Vincent Chang’s career exemplifies the award. Not only has he served as former AABANY President, but he was also the first Asian American to have served as President of NYCLA. He has held important leadership positions with the American Bar Association and the New York State Bar Association, where he currently serves on the Executive Committee.
In his acceptance remarks, Vince reflected on his involvement in the AANHPI legal community and the relationships and experiences that have shaped his career both in the private and public sphere. Vince expressed his appreciation for the community that has supported him throughout his career and acknowledged the strides made by AABANY and its leaders over the years. It was especially meaningful to see Vince celebrated alongside so many AABANY members, from past, present, and future Presidents to longtime and newer members, making for an inspiring and fitting way to conclude the 2026 Fall Conference.
Thank You!
We extend our deep thanks to all the volunteers from law schools and colleges for providing support with conference logistics, programming, and registration, and to all the moderators, panelists, Program Chairs, and attendees, whose participation and engagement made the Conference so successful and memorable.
We are also grateful to our sponsors, whose support made the Fall Conference possible:
For more photos of the event, please visit the links below:
Thanks to our volunteer photographers Alvin, Haoyu, and Zhiqian.
Thank you for joining us at the 2026 AABANY Fall Conference! We hope you found the day inspiring, engaging, and meaningful, and that you left with new connections and a stronger sense of community. We are grateful to have shared this special event with you and look forward to strengthening our engagement at future events.
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!
On July 22, 2023, AABANY successfully hosted its inaugural Wellness Day in commemoration of Minority Mental Health Awareness Month. The event, held under the theme “Embracing Wellness and Well-Being: Strengthening the Legal Profession by Investing in Ourselves,” took place at Brooklyn Law School. This event was made possible through the generous support of our distinguished speakers and sponsors, enabling us to address crucial topics such as fostering wellness, seeking therapy, building resilience, and more.
Mental health and well-being, particularly within the Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) community and in the context of the legal profession, have often been overlooked and under-discussed. With this event, AABANY sought to break barriers and shed light on these critical issues, providing a safe and supportive platform for these conversations to take place.
Wellness Day registration started at 9 a.m. with the first 25 attendees to sign-in receiving a free stainless steel AABANY water bottle. Attendees were encouraged to come in casual attire and the program was also offered via Zoom, to be inclusive of those unable to attend in-person. The full-day event kicked off with breakfast from Paris Baguette, allowing participants to network and connect with one another over pastries and coffee for an enjoyable hour. Soon after, AABANY President Karen Kim delivered welcoming remarks. She extended her appreciation to all the attendees who joined this meaningful event and the pivotal role of the speakers and sponsors, recognizing their significant contribution to wellness and mental health advocacy.
Anu Gupta, the Founder of BE MORE with Anu, began with an enlightening presentation. His program, titled “Mindful Embodiment as a Means to Heal Burnout and Internalized Anti-Asian Bias,” commenced with a guided meditation, allowing attendees to clear their minds, relax, and focus on the session.
Anu introduced his PRISM ToolkitⓇ. PRISM is designed to help reduce unconscious bias and stereotyping, enhance social connectedness, strengthen relationships, and alleviate stress. Anu emphasized the significance of “love and kindness for oneself” and how true wellness is rooted in understanding and managing our internal environment. He stressed the importance of self-love as the foundation for extending that love to others, fostering connections beyond our differences.
Anu, a lawyer, scientist, and educator, shared his personal healing journey, which began during his 2L summer in law school when he went to Taiwan to become a monk. Continuing his quest for healing, during his 3L year, he became a certified yoga teacher. Toward the end of his presentation, Anu highlighted the wisdom of the Asian diaspora, citing the teachings of HH Dalai Lama, who emphasized the philosophy of kindness. Anu firmly believes that kindness and love should form the “foundation of society.” Thank you, Anu Gupta, for setting a meaningful tone for the day and reinforcing the importance of prioritizing wellness and meditation for personal and professional growth.
For more information about PRISM and Anu Gupta, please visit his website here.
Next, Dr. Nadine Chang, Ph.D., Clinical Psychologist at Gracie Square Hospital, and Alice Zhang, CEO of Anise Health presented their program, “Mental Health 101 for the Asian Community.” They talked about misconceptions of mental illnesses, signs of depression and anxiety, importance of culturally informed care and barriers to mental health treatments.
During her presentation, Alice highlighted that “[the] current solutions [in the mental health care system] are not often tailored for minorities,” including the process of deciding to seek care, browsing for providers, conducting consultations, and continuing care. Alice then introduced the attendees to Anise Health, a culturally-responsive digital mental health and wellbeing platform dedicated to meeting the unique needs of communities of color, starting with a focus on the AANHPI population. Following up, Dr. Chang spotlighted the much-needed steps towards breaking the stigma surrounding mental health in the AANHPI community and fostering a more understanding and supportive environment for those facing mental health issues, such as learning to support your loved ones struggling with mental illness by being more present, listening, and empathizing with the other person’s situation by reflecting on how they may think and feel being in their shoes.
For more information about Anise Health, Dr. Nadine Chang, and Alice Zhang, please visit here.
To conclude the morning session, speaker Ona Lu and moderator Maggie Poon presented their fireside chat titled, “How to Find a Therapist and Mental Well-Being Tips.” Ona Lu, a former AABANY Legal Intern, began the conversation by reflecting on her journey and offering advice to her 18-year-old self. She emphasized the importance of recognizing that “everything happens for a reason” and that life experiences are opportunities to “learn and grow from.” She shared her personal journey of redirecting and rediscovering her passion for law after leaving her job as an attorney. Ona also opened up about the challenges she faced in seeking therapy, particularly coming from a conservative family. She reflected on the process of finding a therapist, admitting that it felt somewhat scary due to fear of judgment and the daunting fact of opening up to a stranger. “Finding a therapist is like dating,” she says, and advised that one should not give up on finding the right therapist. Through her inspiring story, Ona encouraged others to prioritize their mental health, emphasizing that it is okay to seek help and take care of oneself without feeling guilty or selfish. We thank Ona Lu for her openness and vulnerability of her journey and Maggie Poon for moderating a personal and intimate conversation.
When the morning session concluded, attendees were treated to a delightful spread of Korean food, providing an informal and relaxed opportunity for everyone to chat, mingle, and network over delicious and comforting fare.
Pema Sherpa, Founder of Pema Solutions, commenced the afternoon session with her program, “Cultivate Resilience to Thrive Amid Challenging Times.” She began with a brief mindful check-in breathing exercise, allowing attendees to de-stress. Then, Pema shared a powerful story about the earthquake that struck Nepal, highlighting how its impact differed for each individual and community. After the earthquake, she embarked on a rescue mission to a rural village, where she witnessed firsthand the trauma and distress faced by the people whose homes were destroyed. She was struck by the sight of normalcy amidst the devastation, as children were actively helping their parents cope with the aftermath. Curious about their experiences, Pema asked one of the children about how she dealt with the trauma of the earthquake. The child’s response was inspiring: she chose not to allow the trauma to overpower her. This particular encounter inspired Pema to reassess the power of resilience and the ability to find strength and hope even in the face of adversity. She shared that resilience serves as a protective mechanism: protects against stress, reduces loneliness, and enhances the immune system.
For more information about Pema Sherpa and Pema Solutions, please visit her website here.
Alex Su, the next speaker, is a former lawyer and the Head of Community Development at Ironclad. The fireside chat,“Overcoming Setbacks and Failures,” was moderated by President Karen Kim. Alex’s career, spanning from law to technology and even social media, didn’t always go as planned and encountered several major setbacks along the way. He shared his story, beginning with the first setback he faced: failing the bar exam. Other setbacks followed: he went from a big law firm, to creating his own, to being let go from a small firm. He then explored opportunities in sales and eventually found his way into the tech and social media industry. Through each setback, Alex acknowledged that it was an opportunity for growth and “set[ting] the path [for him] to try something new.” He emphasized that “resilience is a muscle” and that muscle develops stronger with each challenge.
Sharing his setbacks on LinkedIn proved to be a pivotal moment for Alex, as he received an outpouring of comments from peers who could relate to his experiences. This realization highlighted that many people tend to only share their successes and not their failures. When asked if he would go back in time to avoid these setbacks, considering he now gets to do what he loves, Alex responded with a resounding “Yes, 100%.” He recognized that those setbacks were necessary steps in discovering his true passions and aligning them with his personality. Each setback, “like a slap,” guided him along the right path. Thank you, Alex, for sharing your vulnerable story and serving as a powerful reminder that setbacks and failures are stepping stones towards finding one’s purpose and fulfilling career journey.
For more information about Alex Su, please visit his newsletter here.
Concluding Wellness Day, AABANY hosted a CLE program titled, “Challenges on Being the First and Prioritizing Your Well-Being.” The program included the following panelists:
and moderated by Yang Chen, first Executive Director of AABANY and former AABANY president.
The inspiring panel of firsts shared their careers and discussed various topics related to imposter syndrome, work-life balance, stress and anxiety and mental well-being. Susan Jin Davis shared that her greatest challenges of becoming the first was imposter syndrome and the lack of representation. She overcame this feeling by focusing on “the second and the third and the fourth [and] lay[ing] a pathway for the future.” Similarly, Connie resonated with the same feelings, and even more so regarding her identity as a queer Filipino woman in the legal field. Vincent highlighted the significance of finding “a great support system” and his joining many different bar associations, where he found like-minded individuals who shared careers and interests similar to his own. Judge Bulsara offered valuable advice, emphasizing the importance of not comparing oneself to others and recognizing that everyone has their unique journey in life.
The shared experiences and advice from the speakers served as valuable takeaways for all attendees. AABANY thanks them all for being a powerful influence in wellness and mental health advocacy.
We hope Wellness Day provided attendees with a relaxing day of self-care and resources to help promote the well-being of themselves and their family and peers. After a full day of speakers, good food and snacks throughout the day, attendees left with a card deck on Mindfulness or Stress Relief & Selfcare, to help further prioritize wellness.
We also want to express our sincere gratitude to President Karen Kim for successfully organizing this event and for convening an important and much-needed discussion. Wellness Day would not have been possible without the generous support of our sponsors, and we extend our heartfelt thanks to them for their valuable contribution.
Wellness Day Speakers:
Wellness Day Sponsors:
Advocate Sponsor: KEB Hana Bank USA
Supporter: Faegre Drinker
Co-Sponsoring Bar Associations:
To read the full press release, please click here.
On May 1, City & State published their 2023 list of the Power Asian 100 in New York. As stated in the article:
City & State’s Power of Diversity: Asian 100 list features these elected officials and also highlights other power brokers who are managing government agencies, running businesses, advocating for policy changes – and ensuring Asian Americans have a voice at the table.
AABANY is pleased to announce that our Immediate Past President William Ng has been named one of City & State’s Power Asian 100 at 56 on the list.
Please join AABANY in congratulating William Ng along with the following attorneys connected to AABANY (numbers in parentheses indicate ranking):
Sandra Ung, New York City Council Member and Former AABANY Treasurer. (10)
Kevin Kim, Commissioner, New York City Department of Small Business Services. Honored by AABANY with the Norman Lau Kee Trailblazer Award at the 2022 Fall Conference, and past AABANY Board Officer. (10)
Frank Wu, Queens College’s first President of Asian descent. AABANY honored Frank Wu with the AABANY Impact Award at our 2021 Virtual Gala: Uniting for Justice and Equity. (22)
Faiza Saeed, Presiding Partner at Cravath, Swaine & Moore, a Sponsor of AABANY for many years. (40)
Asim Rehman, Commissioner and Chief Administrative Law Judge, New York City Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings. Longtime AABANY Member. (46)
Preet Bharara, Partner, WilmerHale. AABANY honored Preet Bharara, when he was the United States Attorney of the Southern District of New York, at the Annual Dinner in 2015. (48)
Anna Mercado Clark, Partner, Phillips Lytle. Previously served as the Development Director of AABANY during FY2023 and currently President-elect of NAPABA. (78)
Tai Park, Partner, Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, a long-time sponsor of AABANY. (91)
Vincent Chang, Partner, Litigation and Dispute Resolution Group, Wollmuth Maher & Deutsch. First Asian American President of the New York County Lawyers Association and past AABANY President 2007. (96)
AABANY congratulates all the accomplished individuals who appear in City & State’s 2023 Power Asian 100 List.
To read the full article, please click here.
Vincent T. Chang, active member of AABANY since 2000 and former AABANY President in 2007, was inducted as the first Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) President of the New York County Lawyers’ Association (NYCLA) on May 28, 2021. In his new role, Vince is prepared to lead NYCLA in supporting diverse communities, reaching out to more young attorneys and law students, and closing the justice gap to serve those in the community who are most in need.
Since high school, Vince gravitated towards pursuing a career in the legal profession. Involved in both his high school and college debate teams, Vince found overlapping aspects between debate and law. In presenting an argument, he noticed both involve research, assembly of evidence, and oral presentation. After graduating cum laude from Harvard Law School, he clerked for the Honorable Robert Krupansky of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit before joining Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP in 1989. Being familiar with litigation from his experience in debate and serving as a judicial clerk in a Federal appellate court, Vince chose to practice in litigation. Currently, Vince is a Litigation Partner at Wollmuth Maher & Deutsch LLP in New York specializing in complex commercial litigation matters in the financial industry, including investment banking, hedge funds, and mortgage backed securities.
Outside of his work at the law firm, Vince is an active member of numerous bar associations and organizations, and has served and continues to serve in various leadership positions. To name a few, Vince previously served on the New York State Bar Association Committee of Bar Leaders, on the Board of Directors at Legal Services NYC, and is currently the Vice President of the Asian American Law Fund of New York. Although he might be affectionately called a “Bar Junkie,” Vince did not participate in bar association work until later on in his career.
The first bar association Vince joined was AABANY, and he appreciated both the social and intellectual aspects of the association. He enjoyed the opportunity to learn about different areas of law while also being able to network and meet prominent lawyers. One of his fondest memories of serving as President of AABANY in 2007 was hosting the Annual Dinner because it was a rare event for 500 to 600 AAPI lawyers, including General Counsels and Judges, to all gather in the same room in New York City. This was especially significant because at the time there were at most 400 members in AABANY compared to the 1,500 members AABANY has now.
At AABANY, Vince also played a prominent role in organizing the AABANY Trial Reenactments. With a goal to educate lawyers and the public about the notable trials and cases in U.S. history involving AAPIs, Vince assisted Judge Denny Chin and Kathy Hirata Chin to develop scripts for the productions. Since 2007, Vince has starred as a cast member in numerous reenactments at the annual NAPABA conventions and at other events. He most recently played Fred Korematsu in the “Fred Korematsu and His Fight For Justice” reenactment in November 2019 at the NAPABA convention.
Today, Vince is the first AAPI President of NYCLA, which was the first bar association to admit women and lawyers of color into its membership. He views his role as both an honor and a serious responsibility—an honor because past presidents include esteemed individuals and a responsibility because of his duty to represent AAPIs and serve as a role model. At a time when diversity, equity, and inclusion are at the forefront of many bar associations’ and law firms’ missions, NYCLA plans to be more interactive with young lawyers, especially diverse attorneys, by reaching out to law schools, affinity bar groups, and law firms. Vince also plans for NYCLA to remain relevant on public policy issues and respond to them in a timely manner. He hopes that “taking positions that affect diverse communities will make them notice and realize NYCLA is on their side.”
A common theme of Vince’s work is the pursuit of justice to not only improve the legal profession, but to also improve the quality of legal representation for individuals in the community. He has served on the American Bar Association’s Standing Committee on the Federal Judiciary to review federal judicial nominees; sat on a NYCLA panel at a public hearing to address the impact of budget cuts on the Judiciary; served on the Disciplinary Committee for the First Department to prosecute disciplinary complaints against lawyers in Manhattan; and worked on other initiatives to minimize the justice gap. Vince plans to continue working on this at NYCLA as “access to justice is a hallmark of what bar associations and NYCLA are aiming for.” One program NYCLA has planned is to support attorneys who represent indigent persons through the Assigned Counsel Plan (18b). Under the proposed program, by increasing the rate at which assigned counsel are paid, there will hopefully be an increase of lawyers interested in doing 18b work, which will further decrease the access-to-justice gap. NYCLA also hopes to revive their Special Masters Program to provide an opportunity for young attorneys to gain experience working with the court system, and to close the gap between court workload and staff gap. At NYCLA’s AAPI Heritage Month Celebration on June 2nd, Vince vowed to continue to uphold NYCLA’s focus on sustaining the rule of law including the importance of practicing diversity, equity and inclusion in furtherance of fairness and justice for all.
Please join AABANY in congratulating Vince on becoming the first AAPI President of NYCLA and for doing all the work he does to support communities. We wish Vince great success in his vital new role as NYCLA President! To learn more about NYCLA, visit its website at https://www.nycla.org/. AABANY members who join NYCLA for the first time are eligible to receive 50% off their annual dues the first year and 25% off the second year. For more details, click here.
On June 2, 2021, AABANY co-sponsored New York County Lawyers Association’s (NYCLA’s) AAPI Heritage Month Celebration. The event was hosted by NYCLA’s Asian Practice Committee which AABANY Board Member Margaret Ling co-chairs. Congresswoman Grace Meng was awarded the 2021 NYCLA AAPI Trailblazer Award for all of her civic duty to the AAPI Community. In her keynote speech, she stressed how important it was for all of us to continue to work together and educate others about anti-Asian hate and racism. Attendees applauded the Congresswoman for her dedication and hard work in co-authoring the COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act and securing its passage. Those in attendance also applauded the installation of Vincent Chang, the first AAPI President of NYCLA. He vowed to continue to uphold NYCLA’s focus on sustaining the rule of law including the importance of practicing diversity, equity and inclusion in furtherance of fairness and justice for all.
Congratulations to Congresswoman Meng on her award, and we wish Vince much success during his tenure as NYCLA President.
On May 6, the Commercial and Federal Litigation Section of the New York State Bar Association presented the George Bundy Smith Award to the Honorable Peter Tom, former Associate Justice of the Appellate Division, First Judicial Department. The George Bundy Smith Award is presented annually to an attorney of color whose career exemplifies the high standards in legal excellence, community service, and mentoring set by Judge George Bundy Smith through his participation in the Civil Rights Movement and his years of public service serving as a judge.
Vincent Chang had the honor of presenting the award to Justice Tom. In his speech, he described Justice Tom as “our Jackie Robinson.” Like Jackie Robinson, Justice Tom had accomplished goals during his career no one in his race had ever accomplished. Throughout his years of service in the court system, he achieved many “firsts”—first Asian American appointed to the Housing Court in New York City; first Asian American elected to the Civil Court in New York City; first Asian American elected to the New York State Supreme Court in New York County; and first Asian American appointed to the Supreme Court, Appellate Division, First Department. Justice Tom was even the first Asian American to win the New York City Golden Gloves Boxing Championship. In his legal career, Justice Tom tore down walls one by one. He employed a 100-year-old “Bawdy House Statute” for the first time in a groundbreaking ruling to evict drug dealers from residential property. In People v. Luis Kevin Rojas, Justice Tom reversed an innocent man’s conviction and saved Luis Rojas from a potential lifetime in prison. Justice Tom also gives back immensely to the Asian American community. He is one of the founders of the Asian American Bar Association of New York.
In accepting the George Bundy Smith Award, Justice Tom shared the story of his family’s immigration to the United States from China with their hopes of finding the mountains of gold in America. Instead of finding gold mountains, Justice Tom was thrust into New York City where he had to learn English, find his identity, and work hard. He stated, “[The] real treasure of America was not…easy riches but vast golden opportunities in this diverse country where the road of opportunity leads if one works hard and perseveres.” In addition, Justice Tom provided attendees with insight into how appeals are handled by the First Department, stressing the importance of strong oral argument. He also emphasized pro bono representation and civility in the legal profession.
Congratulations to Justice Tom on receiving the George Bundy Smith Award! To read AABANY’s profile on Justice Tom, click here.
