Tag: well-being

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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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AABANY Hosts Third Annual Wellness Retreat at Blue Cliff Monastery

On May 16, 2026, AABANY held its third Annual Wellness Retreat at Blue Cliff Monastery in the Catskills region of New York. Nearly twenty members, family, and friends gathered on a gorgeous spring day to step away from the hustle-and-bustle of life and immerse themselves in mindfulness and connection.

This year’s retreat was organized by AABANY’s newest Committee, the Wellness Committee, co-chaired by Karen Kim, past AABANY President, and Regina Jin as inaugural Co-Chairs. The Committee seeks to promote attorney well-being and help members cultivate balance and joy in both professional and personal life.

The retreat began with a Dharma Talk led by Sister Empathy in the Monastery’s small meditation room.  The space offered an intimate and cozy setting for our group, providing a perfect start to the day. Attendees learned to be more mindful through breathing, setting the tone for a day of reflection and awareness. 

After orientation, participants set out for a walking meditation, attuning themselves to each step, the rhythm of their heartbeat, the gentle breeze, the rustle of leaves, and the songs of birds. It was a moving reminder of how mindfulness can awaken the senses and ground us in the present moment.

Lunch in the Sisters’ Dining Hall was another highlight. Everyone practiced mindful eating in silence for the first half-hour, savoring a fresh, local vegetarian spread that included veggie stir-fry, brown and white rice, fried tofu wrapped in seaweed, and hearty vegetable soup. Washing plates afterward became part of the mindful experience, reminding attendees that every act, even the simplest, can be performed with presence and care.

The afternoon was a playful and meditative blend. Attendees explored the Monastery bookstore, hiked the monastery trails, and joined an “Amazing Race”-style working meditation, stuffing foam cushions into covers. Laughter and focus mingled in equal measure. Mindfulness can be both grounding and fun.

The retreat concluded with Dharma Sharing, where participants shared personal experiences and reflections. Stories of gratitude, insight, and connection flowed freely, inspiring everyone and reinforcing the power of mindful community.

This year’s Wellness Retreat was a rejuvenating and joyful experience. Attendees left with practical ways to bring mindfulness into daily life, memories of laughter and quiet reflection. We were reminded that taking time for self-care is not just a luxury; it’s essential.

AABANY extends heartfelt thanks to Sister Empathy and the Monastery team for making this day so nurturing and memorable.

If you have ideas for programs or speakers on the topic of wellness and well-being, please share them with AABANY at main@aabany.org.   AABANY’s Wellness Resources Guide provides a variety of information, including links to free assistance programs, trainings, and hotlines, which can be accessed here.

To learn more about the Wellness Committee, please visit here. More information about Blue Cliff Monastery can be found here.

For more photos from the retreat, the album can be viewed here.

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In the News: AABANY Featured in NYSBA Attorney Well-Being Newsletter “The Balance”

The Asian American Bar Association of New York was recently featured in the New York State Bar Association’s Attorney Well-Being newsletter, The Balance, March/April 2026 issue, highlighting AABANY’s growing commitment to wellness and well-being in the legal profession.

Published by NYSBA’s Attorney Well-Being Program and Lawyer Assistance Program, The Balance spotlights wellness initiatives and resources available to members of the legal community. In its latest edition, NYSBA featured AABANY’s wellness efforts as part of its broader mission to foster collaboration across bar associations and legal organizations throughout New York.

The feature, written by AABANY Member Lillian Moy, recognizes AABANY’s continued investment in building a healthier and more supportive legal community through wellness-centered programming and initiatives. These efforts include AABANY’s annual Wellness Day programming and the recent launch of its Wellness Committee, led by former AABANY President Karen Kim, which aims to help members prioritize mental health and well-being while reducing stigma around these important conversations. As discussions around attorney well-being continue to grow in importance across the profession, AABANY remains committed to creating spaces for connection and support for its members and the broader legal community.

To read the full newsletter, click here. The article appears on page 4.

In recognition of AAPI Heritage and Mental Health Awareness Month, we invite you to attend our upcoming Wellness Retreat on May 16, 2206 at the Blue Cliff Monastery in upstate New York. Tailored for the AABANY community, this retreat offers a dedicated space to foster emotional and mental health while addressing the unique pressures of legal practice. Registration is open until May 14th or when capacity is reached.  Additionally, please save the date for our 4th annual Wellness Day on June 13, 2026 at Brooklyn Law School. As a vital component of AABANY’s mission, this event continues to strengthen our supportive network and promote a culture of well-being within the legal profession.  Registration for Wellness Day is now open until June 11, 2026.  Both events are free and open to AABANY members.

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AABANY Hosts Third Annual Wellness Day

On June 21, 2025, AABANY successfully hosted its Third Annual Wellness Day at Brooklyn Law School. This event was made possible through the generous support of AABANY’s dedicated speakers and sponsors, enabling participants to address critical issues affecting mental and physical well-being, in line with wellness programs and initiatives championed by former AABANY President Karen Kim during her term. Participants learned about various topics, such as methods for dealing with daily stressors, unhealthy drinking culture in the legal profession, signs of depression, and how to find support groups and resources. 

Within the legal profession, mental health and well-being is not a topic that is often discussed. AABANY aims to challenge the normalized culture of long hours and drinking prevalent in the legal profession by highlighting the detrimental impact of these behaviors on the well-being of attorneys and offering a dedicated, supportive environment for necessary discussions.

Doors opened for Wellness Day at 9:00 AM. The event began with a relaxing Meet and Greet Breakfast catered by Paris Baguette, providing attendees with an opportunity to meet current and former Wellness Day speakers and greet one another and connect. During breakfast, Karen invited attendees to enter a raffle for a chance to win prizes like a one-on-one coaching session with Celina Lee, a 75-minute Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) session with Dr. Michelle Thompson, a laser Focus Power Pitch session or copy of Rainmaking 101 by Precious L. Williams, or a parenting coaching session with Dr. Theresa Nguyen.

AABANY President Benjamin Hsing welcomed everyone to the event. On behalf of AABANY, he expressed gratitude to all the participants, speakers, and sponsors who were crucial for the success of the event.

Wellness Day Champion Sponsor, Steno, hosted a table with goodies for attendees, ranging from Pride flags, bags, and iridescent water bottles to glass nail files. Thank you to Steno and Steno representative Gayle Damiano, for your generous support.

Creating a Kinder and Gentler Legal Practice when Grounded with Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT/Tapping)

The morning programs kicked off with Dr. Michelle Thompson from Resistant Vision, who first introduced Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT/Tapping). Dr. Thompson shared a compelling story about a client who, after 48 hours without sleep, found relaxation and rest through EFT practices. In her session, “Create a Kinder and Gentler Legal Practice when Grounded with Emotional Freedom Techniques,” Dr. Thompson led participants through tapping their stressors away and detaching them from their minds. She had participants rank their stress levels on a scale from one to ten.  By the end of the session, Dr. Thompson had helped the audience reduce their stress levels significantly. She invited a volunteer to help with a specific person causing their stress. Whether it be dealing with stressors at work or stress from academics, Dr. Thompson’s exercises helped everyone gain real-time emotional freedom and learn how to incorporate these practices for the stress that many in the legal profession face on a daily basis. To learn more about Resistant Vision, click here.

Bar None: Rethinking Alcohol in the Legal Profession

Jaimie Nawaday, partner at Seward & Kissel LLP and a former federal prosecutor, brought attention to the drinking culture in the legal profession with her session: “Bar None: Rethinking Alcohol in the Legal Profession,” moderated by Anden Chow, partner at MoloLamken LLP. Ms. Nawaday spoke openly about her personal experience with alcoholism as an attorney. She shared about being in denial about having a drinking problem for a long time and rationalizing her drinking due to the normalized drinking culture in the profession. In their discussion, they highlighted how as a lawyer, receiving and giving alcohol as a gift is normalized.  In addition, they noted that many events primarily serve alcoholic drinks. They highlighted how especially for the younger generation of lawyers entering the legal profession, the lack of senior lawyer role models who do not drink might create subtle pressure to engage in heavy drinking.

Ms. Nawaday shared about her progression from doing short health challenges to abstaining from alcohol for a year. She aimed to help spread awareness about the outdated corporate cocktail culture and posted a video on LinkedIn on this topic, which received wide-ranging support from viewers. She also recounted how she helped another lawyer feel included at an event with just the small action of getting them a nonalcoholic beverage. To counter the drinking culture, Ms. Nawaday proposed that it should be normalized to provide nonalcoholic drinks at events and that senior lawyers who do not adhere to the outdated drinking culture should serve as role models. Learn more about Jamie Nawaday’s company Disrupting Drinking here.

Karen Kim took the podium to thank the morning speakers and announce that she would be distributing complimentary copies of The Daily Buddhist, which excited much of the audience. She also announced the lucky raffle winners. With that, the morning sessions came to an end, and lunch was served. Attendees enjoyed a delicious and healthy lunch from Chipotle.

Managing Stress: Maintaining Wellness

The afternoon started off with a session called “Managing Stress: Maintaining Wellness” by pediatrician Dr. Theresa T. Nguyen, who guided participants through the science behind how our brain processes stress. She then led participants through different techniques to ground ourselves, from two different methods of regulating breathing, spacing out inhales, breath holds, and exhales by tracing the fingers on our hand, and box breathing. Dr. Nguyen also invited an audience member to demonstrate the breathing techniques. She then led everyone through somatic grounding techniques, such as rubbing the thumb and index fingers together as well as guided meditation. Dr. Nguyen proceeded to lead the audience through different stretches and acupuncture points to relieve stress, nausea, and tension. Participants left her session feeling relaxed, armed with helpful methods to ground themselves amid stressors in their daily lives. To learn more about Dr. Nguyen’s practices, visit resilientmd.org.

Building Positive Habits: Practical Tips to Sustain a Long, Healthy Career in Law

A fireside chat followed, with Jackson Lewis Principal Tanya Bovée and Well-Being Director Gavin Alexander in a session called “Building Positive Habits: Practical Tips to Sustain a Long, Healthy Career in Law.” Mr. Alexander spoke candidly about his journey struggling with mental illness throughout his life. He talked about how he was initially reluctant to seek help since he thought any paper trail of receiving care would be damaging to his career. Due to the perceived stigma against mental illness in the legal profession and society, it was not until his near suicide that he sought help. Since then, he has advocated for mental well-being and served as the first-ever Fellow of the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court Standing Committee on Lawyer Well-Being. Mr. Alexander spoke about finding help in the form of a support group of lawyers with depression, through which he found his current position as a Well-Being Director at Jackson Lewis. When commended on his bravery for sharing his struggles, Mr. Alexander expressed the hope that we all could live in a world where someone like him wouldn’t be deemed brave for sharing his struggles, and talking about mental health would be normalized instead. In guiding the discussion, Ms. Bovée shared her struggles and techniques for better time management and recommended various books for the audience. She also shared personal stories of handling new roles and expectations.

Steno, Champion Sponsor – Remarks

Steno representative Gayle Damiano then gave brief remarks, recognizing Steno as the Wellness Day Champion Sponsor and its support of wellness and well-being in the legal profession. Attendees learned about Steno and its court reporting and litigation services.

But You Don’t Look Depressed

The next session, “But You Don’t Look Depressed,” was moderated by Karen Kim and featured Vivia Chen, an award-winning journalist and ex-lawyer. Ms. Chen shared her story of finding help and opening up about her mental health challenges. Publicly sharing her mental health struggles was difficult due to the stigma around depression in the legal profession. Ms. Chen shared that many lawyers have this stigma, mostly due to their family’s expectations. Asian American lawyers experience higher mental issues compared to the whole of those in the legal profession. Ms. Chen spoke of the challenges to secure short-term disability due to misconceptions around how the symptoms of depression or how those who suffer from depression should look. An insurance representative commented that she did not exhibit the usual signs of depression, such as sobbing uncontrollably or looking unpresentable. In the end, her application for short-term disability was denied. Ms. Chen also spoke about her experience finding a therapist suited for her and seeking help. Her story shines light on the lack of accessibility of help provided by legal workplaces, and the need to change the stigma and misconceptions around mental health, in order to make help more accessible to those who need it. Visit and subscribe to Ms. Chen’s Ex-Careerist Substack Column.

During the discussion, Karen highlighted previous Wellness Day sponsor and participant, Anise Health, a culturally responsive mental health platform dedicated to the Asian community. All attendees received a free trial consultation from Anise Health, as well as a 10% discount code for their first month of care.

Cultivating Mental Resilience to Thrive Amid Uncertainty

Next, Benjamin Hsing, President of AABANY, facilitated  a conversation with Pema Sherpa, co-author of The Daily Buddhist, speaker, and mindfulness researcher. They explored how resilience can be cultivated through intentional mind-training practices rooted in Buddhist philosophy and contemporary mindfulness research. Drawing from both personal experience and her book, Ms. Sherpa shared practical tools to manage stress, reframe emotional challenges, and foster inner calm amidst professional demands. She emphasized how simple yet consistent exercises such as meditation, compassion, and mental reframing can strengthen one’s emotional resilience and promote wellness. During the Q&A session, Ms. Sherpa highlighted how the book’s daily format offers readers an accessible and structured path to integrate mindfulness into their routines. Participants appreciated the interactive dialogue, and at the conclusion of the event, Ms. Sherpa graciously signed copies of her book for attendees. Visit Pema Solutions to learn more about mindfulness.

Closing Remarks

Karen Kim delivered ending remarks, thanking everyone for coming to Wellness Day. She gave thanks to all the volunteers, sponsors, and speakers who were vital to making the event successful. Many attendees stayed for the optional networking reception afterward, taking the time to reconnect with old friends and acquaintances and making new connections.

Wellness Day has been a celebration of self-care, health, and the importance of nurturing both mental and physical health. AABANY compiled a Wellness Resources guide and encouraged attendees to reach out to AABANY and the available resources for themselves, their colleagues, friends, and family. AABANY’s Wellness Resources can be found here.

AABANY thanks all Wellness Day speakers for sharing their expertise and personal journeys:

  • Michelle Thompson, J.D., Ph.D., CEO of Resistant Vision Coaching and Consulting, LLC
  • Jaimie Nawaday, Partner, Seward & Kissel LLP
  • Anden Chow, Partner, MoloLamken LLP
  • Theresa T. Nguyen, MD, MS, FAAP, Adulting Coach & Wellness Consultant, ResilientMD
  • Gavin Alexander, Well-Being Director, Jackson Lewis P.C.
  • Tanya A. Bovée, Principal, Jackson Lewis P.C.
  • Pema Sherpa, Co-Author of The Daily Buddhist, Speaker & Mindfulness Researcher
  • Benjamin C. Hsing, President, AABANY
  • Vivia Chen, Opinion Writer, The Ex-Careerist, Substack
  • Karen Kim, Senior Counsel, QBE North America

AABANY thanks the following sponsors for their generous support:

Sponsors:

  • Brooklyn Law School
  • Pema Solutions
  • ResilientMD
  • Infinite Potential Counseling
  • Resistant Vision Coaching and Consulting, LLC
  • Live Your Dream Club with Celina Lee
  • Anise Health
  • Seward & Kissel LLP
  • MoloLamken LLP
  • Perfect Pitch Group

Champion Sponsor: Steno

Supporter Sponsor: Jackson Lewis P.C.

Co-Sponsoring Bar Associations:

  • Judges & Lawyers Breast Cancer Alert
  • Haitian American Lawyers Association of New York

Photos from Wellness Day can be found here.

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AABANY Hosts 2nd Annual Wellness Retreat at Blue Cliff Monastery

On March 22, 2025, AABANY hosted its 2nd Annual mindfulness wellness retreat at Blue Cliff Monastery in upstate New York, designed exclusively for AABANY. The retreat provided a safe space to relax, reflect, and connect with one another while focusing on one’s mental and emotional well-being.

In continuation of AABANY’s 2023-24 theme, “Embracing Wellness and Well-Being: Strengthening the Legal Profession by Investing in Ourselves,” the retreat was organized with the support of AABANY’s Professional Development Committee. 

Over thirty AABANY members, family, and friends attended, starting the day with an orientation and introduction to meditation and mindfulness practices. After some time to relax and connect with each other, members joined in group singing outside before going on a walking meditation led by the monastics. Attendees were taught how to be mindful of their surroundings, their breathing, and walking, as they enjoyed the nature around them in peaceful silence. 

Afterwards, attendees practiced a mindful lunch in silence for the first 20 minutes, focusing on the vegetarian meal prepared by the monastery, being mindful of the food, how it nourishes the body, and the preparation of the food by the monastics. As meals were finished, attendees washed their own plates and utensils, again focusing on being mindful and present.

In support of the monastery and to experience a working meditation, various activities were presented to the attendees, including raking leaves, planting seeds, and cleaning and cutting vegetables for future meals. This was also an opportunity to connect with guests from CUNY Law School, who had their annual retreat at the same time. 

After some time to further connect and relax with others over tea, with some stopping by the bookstore at the monastery, attendees experienced a relaxation meditation. Everyone rested on mats, providing an opportunity to focus on oneself, away from the challenges of the legal profession as well as the current state of the world. 

To conclude the day, AABANY attendees participated in Dharma Sharing, where everyone shared a little bit about themselves and what they were grateful for that day. Special thanks were made to AABANY, Sister Empathy, and Blue Cliff Monastery for organizing the retreat. Thanks also to AABANY member Khanh Nguyen for helping make arrangements with the monastery, AABANY Professional Development Committee Co-Chair May Wong for helping make van transportation arrangements, and AABANY member Francis Chin for assisting in making sure everyone was accounted for on the van. Finally, thanks to Yang Chen for helping with the overall logistics to make AABANY’s 2nd Annual Wellness Retreat a success.

Attendees offered positive feedback and gratitude for the opportunity to spend the day on mindfulness, with many asking whether the retreat would be organized again next year. The retreat provided a much-needed day of rest for attendees to re-charge and focus on their self-care, as well as spend time with family, friends, and new friends. AABANY thanks Sister Empathy, Brother Emptiness, and the other monastics for their warmth, generosity, and guidance throughout the retreat.

If you have ideas for programs or speakers on the topic of wellness and well-being, please reach out to AABANY at wellness@aabany.org. AABANY’s Wellness Resources Guide provides a variety of information, including links to free assistance programs, trainings, and hotlines, which can be accessed here.

To learn more about the Professional Development Committee, please visit here. More information about Blue Cliff Monastery can be found here.

For more photos from the retreat, the album can be viewed here.

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Professional Development Committee Hosts Soft-Launch Event for AABANY’s Wellness Podcast, “Hello… It’s Me!” 

Thank you to all who joined the Professional Development Committee for the soft-launch of AABANY’s Wellness Podcast, “Hello… It’s Me!,” on August 22, 2024. The podcast promotes personal and collective well-being within the legal community and will feature an AABANY member during each episode. Through storytelling, the aim is to emphasize the ABA’s multi-dimensional approach to lawyer well-being, focusing on mental health, emotional well-being, and self-care. By doing so, the Committee is working to remove the stigma around mental health and help our members embrace their true and authentic selves.

A screenshot of a video conference Description automatically generated

At the soft-launch, Willow Liu, Esq., a steadfast member of the Professional Development Committee and podcast team, moderated the event. The hosts and interviewers, Maggie Poon and Ona Lu, Vice-Chairs of the Professional Development Committee, shared their insights on conducting engaging and open conversations. The event’s special guest, Celina Lee, a former big law attorney turned career coach, author, and host of the “Live Your Dream” podcast, provided deep insights during her interview. A 13-minute podcast clip was presented featuring Celina Lee, who discussed how she focused her goals so that they would align with her values, and enable her to live her dreams. Celina’s advice was that “there’s no one path to create a fulfilling life,” which resonated with the audience and served as  a powerful reminder to stay curious.

The thought-provoking questions from our attendees were much appreciated, and the Professional Development Committee eagerly anticipates hearing more feedback from future participants! If you’re interested in contributing to this podcast, please get in touch with professionaldevelopment@aabany.org. 

You can listen to the podcast on the following platforms:

AABANY Blog Page: https://blog.aabany.org/podcast/, which contains both “Hello…It’s Me” and our prior podcast series, “The Whole Lawyer Project.”

Apple iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hello-its-me/id1764135581 

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLffZY9SRR0PrGu0OEs7Vp1ewavi7utUT4 

Coming soon on Spotify – stay tuned!

Don’t forget to save the date for our in-person official launch on September 17, 2024! For more details and to register please click here! 

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AABANY Hosts Inaugural Wellness Retreat at Blue Cliff Monastery

On March 16, 2024, AABANY hosted a rejuvenating mindfulness wellness retreat at Blue Cliff Monastery in upstate New York, designed exclusively for AABANY. The retreat was an opportunity to create a space for relaxation, reflection, and connection, for members to step away from the stress and demands of the legal profession and nurture their mental and emotional well-being.

The event was held under this year’s theme, “Embracing Wellness and Well-Being: Strengthening the Legal Profession by Investing in Ourselves,” and co-sponsored by AABANY’s Professional Development Committee. 

Over thirty AABANY members, family, and friends attended on a beautiful Saturday, starting the day with an orientation and introduction to meditation and mindfulness practices. Members then joined in group singing outside, before going on a walking meditation led by the monastics. Attendees walked in silence, mindful of their surroundings and enjoying their surroundings, including moss-covered trails, chirping birds, and rippling streams. 

Lunch followed, where members practiced a mindful lunch in silence for the first 20 minutes, focusing on the vegetarian meal prepared by the monastery and appreciating the preparation of the meal and food offerings. After finishing their meals, everyone washed their own plates and utensils as another form of mindfulness.

Attendees then experienced a working meditation, assisting the monastics in raking leaves, weeding the garden, and sweeping indoors. While physically tiring at times, it was an opportunity to appreciate each other and help support the monastery. For some, it was their first time gardening and a welcome new experience to enjoy the outdoors.

The retreat concluded with Dharma Sharing, where meditation practices were shared, and attendees shared their thoughts and perspectives of the day. Special thanks were made to AABANY member Khanh V. Nguyen, for helping organize and coordinate the retreat with Sister Empathy and the monastery. Thanks also to AABANY member May Wong for helping make van transportation arrangements and AABANY member Gary Yeung for assisting May Wong in making sure everyone was accounted for on the van. Finally, thanks to Yang Chen for helping with the overall logistics to help make AABANY’s Wellness Retreat a success.

Attendees left the retreat refreshed and grateful for prioritizing their self-care for the day, spending time with family and friends, and meeting new friends. We hope to schedule another retreat again with Blue Cliff Monastery, and we thank Sister Empathy and the other monastics for their warmth, generosity, and guidance throughout the retreat.

If you have ideas for programs or speakers on the topic of wellness and well-being, please contact President Karen Kim at karen.kim@aabany.org. AABANY’s Wellness Resources Guide provides a variety of information, including links to free assistance programs, trainings and hotlines, which can be accessed here.

To learn more about the Professional Development Committee, go here. To learn more about the Blue Cliff Monastery, go here.

For more photos from the event, view the album here.

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NAPABA Opposes H.R. 734 and Discrimination Against Transgender Persons

For Immediate Release: 
Date: March 9, 2023		Contact:  Priya Purandare, Executive Director

WASHINGTON – March 9. The National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) opposes H.R. 734, recently introduced in the House of Representatives as the “Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act of 2023,” which would effectively ban transgender and intersex girls and women from participating in school sporting activities that align with their gender identities.

NAPABA is proud that last month, its Board of Directors ratified a policy resolution sponsored by its LGBTQ+ Network, that affirms the civil, constitutional, and human rights of transgender and non-binary youths, including those within the AAPI community, and recognizes their rights to participate in school sports and to receive the social, educational, developmental, and physical and mental health benefits of athletic participation. NAPABA’s policy resolution also expressly opposes discriminatory legislation that prohibits transgender students from participating in school sports as violative of their rights under Title IX.

Transgender youth experience disproportionately higher instances of bullying, harassment, isolation, family rejection and suicide, and exclusion from the benefits of athletic participation should not be yet another risk they face. H.R. 734 is inconsistent with NAPABA’s values of equality, community, advocacy, relationships, diversity, equity, inclusion, open-mindedness, and the health and wellbeing of our members and the Asian American and Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander communities, and the organization’s commitment to all underserved and underrepresented communities.

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The National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA), represents the interests of over 60,000 Asian Pacific American (APA) legal professionals and nearly 90 national, state, and local APA bar associations. NAPABA is a leader in addressing civil rights issues confronting APA communities. Through its national network, NAPABA provides a strong voice for increased diversity of the federal and state judiciaries, advocates for equal opportunity in the workplace, works to eliminate hate crimes and anti-immigrant sentiment, and promotes the professional development of people of all backgrounds in the legal profession.

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