What has AABANY been up to?

On May 31, 2026, AABANY’s Membership Committee hosted members and friends at the Gotham FC vs Houston Dash match as we celebrated the end of Asian American Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month. It was exhilarating to watch the reigning NWSL champions, Gotham FC, secure a 1-0 victory in a match where the energy across the stadium was truly incredible.

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On May 29th, 2026, the Asian American Bar Association of New York (AABANY) joined the Safe Horizon AAPI Affinity Group in New York for a screening of the “Voices Against Anti-Asian Hate” documentary. The documentary produced by AABANY and AALFNY (Asian American Law Fund of NY) shares the experiences of survivors and families affected by the rise in anti-Asian violence in New York during the Covid-19 pandemic and highlights the legal and community response that followed.

To read more, click here. 

On May 29, 2026, AABANY’s Student Outreach Committee and Young Lawyers Committee partnered to host Boba Break: Recharge and Connect at King & Spalding. This event brought together law students, young attorneys and members of the AABANY community for an evening of conversation, connection and, of course, boba (bubble) tea in a welcoming and informal setting.

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As Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage (AANHPI) Month wound down, attendees gathered on May 27, 2026 in downtown Manhattan to watch the latest historical trial reenactment produced by the Asian American Bar Association of New York (AABANY) entitled Born American: United States v. Wong Kim Ark.

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On May 26, 2026, the AABANY Government Service and Public Interest Committee (GSPI) attended the “Make It 10 Cents!” Community Panel in Chinatown at the ISS Storefront for Ideas, located at 127 Walker Street. The panel followed a one-day, pop-up redemption event at the Columbus Park Pavilion, hosted by Sure We Can in collaboration with artist and advocate Siyan (Joane) Wong and local organizations NYC Connect, Welcome to Chinatown, Immigrant Social Services, and Canal Street Research Association. There, all bottles and cans were redeemed at a 10-cent rate to simulate the passage of the Bigger Better Bottle Bill, which updates the 1982 New York State Container Law. This pending environmental legislation would double the current redemption rate from 5 to 10 cents and expand the categories of containers eligible for return, providing critical support to canners, who are predominantly elderly and immigrant workers across New York City.

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On May 23, 2026, the 2026 AAPI 5K took place on the Lower East Side, with around 400 participants running or walking in chilly morning weather in support of good causes. Teams from various companies and non-profit organizations.

The Asian American Bar Association of New York’s (AABANY) Issues Committee and Young Lawyers Committee led the effort in organizing AABANY’s participation in this race. Runners and supporters celebrated AANHPI Heritage Month while raising awareness for the work of various AANHPI nonprofits and small businesses. Team AABANY sought to raise funds for the Asian American Law Fund of New York (AALFNY).

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On Friday, May 22, 2026, the AABANY Intellectual Property Committee hosted its highly anticipated May Dinner at Blue Blossom NYC in Midtown Manhattan. Generously supported by Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton LLP, the casual gathering served as a Committee bonding highlight during AAPI Heritage Month. The event brought together a dynamic group of 17 legal professionals, innovators, and students to network, share insights, and celebrate the local IP legal community.

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On May 21, 2026, the Solo & Small Firm Practice Committee (SSFP) of AABANY hosted its first Networking Event of the fiscal year at Blue Panda Office Spaces in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.

Members and guests gathered for an evening of networking, conversation, and collaboration. In an intimate setting, attendees had the opportunity to connect with fellow solo and small firm practitioners, share professional experiences, exchange recommendations for favorite restaurants and local spots, and discuss ideas for future Committee programming and events.

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On Thursday, May 21, 2026, the AABANY Membership Committee hosted an incredible evening of community, culture, and basketball for AAPI Heritage Night at Barclays Center. Members, family, and friends gathered in Brooklyn to cheer on the home team as the New York Liberty took on the Golden State Valkyries, making it a memorable celebration of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. While the Liberty ultimately fell to the Valkyries with a final score of 87-70, the energy inside the arena remained electric.

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The National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) hosted its annual Lobby Day on May 19-20, 2026, bringing together many affiliate members, including those from the Asian American Bar Association of New York (AABANY) who traveled to Washington, D.C. to participate in this year’s NAPABA Lobby Day. AABANY members joined attorneys, judges, law students, and community leaders from across the country in advocating for policies that advance civil rights, protect due process, and strengthen the rule of law.

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On May 19, the AABANY Corporate Law Committee kicked off the new fiscal year with a virtual Meet & Greet, bringing together members and prospective members to share ideas on programming for the year. Attendees ranged from recent law school graduates just beginning their careers to seasoned attorneys returning to corporate practice.

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On May 19, 2026, AABANY hosted its monthly book club meeting, where a dedicated group of members gathered at Anderson & Associates‘ new office at 347 W 36th St., Suite 1003, to share their thoughts on this month’s book. In honor of Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage (AAPI) month, the group decided to read Nobel Prize-winning South Korean author Han Kang’s We Do Not Part. The meeting was hosted by Yen-Yi Anderson, Co-Chair of the Solo & Small Firm Practice Committee, and S. Yan Sin, AABANY’s Board Secretary for the 2027 fiscal year. While they shared their insights, the attendees enjoyed a delicious dinner of dumplings, green beans, and fried rice.

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On Tuesday, May 19, 2026, the Judiciary Committee of the Asian American Bar Association of New York (“AABANY”) welcomed over 90 guests to its Annual Judges’ Reception at The Nexus Club located at 100 Church Street, New York, NY 10007.

The event brought together members of the judiciary, attorneys, government officials, law students, and community leaders to celebrate judges who were appointed, elected, or elevated within the past year.

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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.

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Thank you to the Asian American Law Fund of New York (AALFNY), AABANY’s Pro Bono & Community Service (PBCS) Committee, the Chinese-American Planning Council, our incredible volunteers, and our community partners for your support at the Pro Bono Clinic in Brooklyn on May 9th. Our volunteers met with 23 clients to address legal matters involving family, real estate, criminal, housing, and labor law.

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On April 30, 2026, AABANY had the privilege of participating in the second Asian American & Pacific Islander Summit. The event was hosted in the U.S. Capitol by Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and brought together AAPI organizations, advocates, and community leaders from across New York for three panels covering immigration enforcement and community response, civic engagement and the Voting Rights Act, as well as grants and resources for small business owners.

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On April 29, 2026, AABANY’s In-House Counsel Committee hosted a fireside chat with Linda Lu, Chief Legal and Risk Officer of Zip Co Limited, at offices of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP. Over 40 attendees gathered to hear Lu discuss her 25-year career across prominent financial services and insurance companies, offering insights into reaching the top as an Asian American woman.

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On April 22, 2026, the AABANY’s Judiciary Committee hosted a virtual panel discussion titled “Pathway to the Bench: Federal Magistrate Judges” which offered valuable firsthand insight into the process of becoming a Federal Magistrate Judge. The panel featured two sitting Federal Magistrate Judges: Hon. Ona T. Wang of the Southern District of New York (SDNY) and Hon. James Cho of the Eastern District of New York (EDNY). Both judges shared candid reflections on their paths to the bench and practical advice for prospective applicants looking to apply.

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On April 16, 2026, JAMS hosted a CLE program titled “The Mediation Process: What Works, What Fails, and Why?,” co‑sponsored by AABANY and SABANY. The program drew a highly engaged audience and generated thoughtful, practical discussion among the panelists. Attendees remained actively involved throughout, contributing questions and insights that enriched the session.

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On April 15, 2026, the Asian American Bar Association of New York (AABANY)’s LGBTQ Committee, in collaboration with the Solo and Small Firm Practice Committee, hosted a dynamic and insightful panel at Fordham Law School titled “Table Talk: Careers Beyond Big Law.” The event brought together an accomplished group of legal professionals and an engaged audience of students and early-career professionals eager to explore alternative pathways within the legal profession.

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Thank you to the Asian American Law Fund of New York (AALFNY), Asian Americans for Equality (AAFE), the Pro Bono & Community Service Committee (PBCS), and all the dedicated volunteers who contributed their time and expertise at the Pro Bono Clinic in Manhattan on April 15, 2026. Our volunteers met with 12 clients on a range of issues.

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On Saturday, April 11, 2026, armed with stacks of flyers and information, volunteers fanned out across Chinatown in pairs to distribute flyers for AABANY’s upcoming Pro Bono Clinics in Manhattan. After volunteers distributed the flyers, they enjoyed delicious dim sum at the Golden Unicorn restaurant.

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On April 9th, 2026, AABANY’s Mentorship Committee held its Mentorship Program Kickoff Mixer at the offices of McDermott Will & Schulte at One Vanderbilt. Mentors and mentees mingled in person and made new connections across the Mentorship Program over a delicious spread of hors d’oeuvres and drinks, while enjoying a panoramic view of the city.

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On Thursday, April 2, 2026, AABANY’s Student Outreach Committee and Judiciary Committee co-hosted a panel titled: Careers in the State Judiciary at King & Spalding. 

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 Thanks to the Asian American Law Fund of New York (AALFNY), Asian Americans for Equality (AAFE), and AABANY’s Pro Bono & Community Service (PBCS) Committee, as well as our dedicated volunteers for your collaboration and contribution to the success of our Queens Pro Bono Clinic on April 2, 2026. Our volunteers met with 14 clients on a range of issues.

To read more, click here. 

On March 31, 2026, the Brooklyn Bar Association (BBA) hosted their inaugural Lunar New Year Celebration, which AABANY participated in as a co-sponsor. The event, which drew more than 200 members of Brooklyn’s legal community, honored two distinguished AAPI legal professionals: Hon. Peggy Kuo, U.S. Magistrate Judge for the Eastern District of New York, and Kin Ng, Esq., Bureau Chief of Trial Bureau II at the Kings County District Attorney’s Office. Both honorees are also AABANY members.

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On March 30, 2026, AABANY’s Military & Veterans Affairs (MVA), Commercial Bankruptcy & Restructuring (CB&R), and Young Lawyers (YLC) Committees co-hosted a lively happy hour at Sling Bar in Urban Hawker Midtown, celebrating the end of fiscal year ’26.

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On March 26, 2026, the Pro Bono & Community Service Committee and the Government Service & Public Interest Committee continued their tradition of hosting a Volunteer Appreciation Dinner to recognize the volunteer attorneys, law students, AABANY staff, AALFNY board members, and community partners who make our Pro Bono Clinics possible. Together, we celebrated our shared mission of serving the public and promoting access to justice for those who cannot afford legal services.

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On March 26, 2026, AABANY’s Solo & Small Firm Committee and Tax Committee co-sponsored the webinar “Navigating the New OBBBA Landscape.” This presentation arrived at a critical time as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act was signed into law on July 4, 2025, with some provisions taking retroactive effect going back to January 1, 2025.

Parag P. Patel, Co-Chair of the Tax Committee, led the session by providing a comprehensive update on how solo and small law firms can optimize their financial affairs. He emphasized that the new law offers various ways for small business owners to minimize their liabilities if they understand the specific requirements and limitations of the Act.

To read more, click here.

On March 25, 2026, AABANY’s Labor & Employment Law Committee, with co-sponsorship from the Issues Committee, hosted a timely and thought‑provoking CLE program, Navigating DEI Into 2026: Practical Takeaways & Industry Observations, at Littler Mendelson P.C. in New York City.

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On March 25, AABANY was delighted to host another engaging installment of the Dumplings & Discussion series, featuring Grace Fu, Chief Legal and Administrative Officer of Nanit—and this year’s AABANY Annual Dinner honoree for the Corporate Leadership Award. The evening, which took place at the New York office of Fish & Richardson, was filled with candid conversation, thoughtful insights, and, of course, delicious dumplings.

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On March 19, 2026, AABANY hosted its inaugural book club meeting where a dedicated group of members gathered at Anderson & Associates‘ new office at 347 W 36th St., Suite 1003, to share their favorite reads and literary interests. The meeting was hosted by Yen-Yi Anderson, Co-Chair of the Solo & Small Firm Practice Committee, and S. Yan Sin, now AABANY’s Board Secretary for the 2027 fiscal year which started on April 1. Attendees included Jaehee Yoo, Hannah Lee, Wendy Zeng, Eva Lee, and Regina Chiem. The group enjoyed delicious Korean corndogs and boba teas while they talked about their favorite books. 

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On Wednesday, March 18th, AABANY’s Student Outreach Committee and Women’s Committee organized the Careers in Media Law Panel, hosted by Perkins Coie. The panel featured a diverse group of professionals in media law: Roger Chao (Senior Counsel at A+E Global Media), Jessica Cheng (Associate at Perkins Coie), Amy Gajda (Jeffrey D. Forchelli Professor at Brooklyn Law School), and Alicia Matusheski Khaled (Senior Counsel at Perkins Coie). The event was held at Perkins Coie’s midtown Manhattan office in the SoHo conference room, where around 15-20 lawyers, students, and other registrants attended.

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On March 18, 2026, AABANY’s Corporate Law Committee hosted their Spring Social event at Blue Blossom near Bryant Park. This event brought together a vibrant group of legal professionals for an evening of connection and celebration. During the evening, AABANY members and friends gathered for lively conversation, delicious food, and yummy cocktails. The popular event was so successful that at times the second floor room was packed with attendees. Conversations flowed easily at this networking event, where many corporate attorneys relaxed over a delicious menu of dumplings, noodles, and lobster. Whether catching up with familiar faces or forging new professional relationships, attendees left the evening energized and inspired.

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On Monday, March 16, 2026, the AABANY Intellectual Property (IP) Committee gathered for its final dinner of the 2025-2026 fiscal year at CHILI, a Michelin-recognized Sichuan restaurant in Midtown Manhattan.

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On Saturday, March 14, 2026, the AABANY Pro Bono & Community Service (PBCS) Committee held another successful legal clinic in Brooklyn, with a special collaboration with the South Asian Bar Association of New York (SABANY). This event also marked a major milestone: our 100th in-person Pro Bono Clinic since returning from the pandemic!

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On March 12, 2026, AABANY’s Tax Committee and Asia Practice Committee co-hosted a vibrant dinner event at Chi Restaurant & Bar. The gathering brought together a diverse group of attendees, including seasoned attorneys, young professionals, and NYU tax LLM students, all eager to connect and share insights. Conversations ranged from emerging trends in Asian markets to recent developments in tax law, fostering both professional growth and community building. Guests enjoyed an array of Asian-inspired dishes while networking with new acquaintances and reconnecting with familiar colleagues in a welcoming atmosphere.

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On March 12, 2026, the US-China Intellectual Property Exchange and Development Foundation (UCIPF) together with the AABANY Intellectual Property Committee hosted an informative webinar entitled “Navigating the 2025 Draft Amendment to the Trademark Law of China.”

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The Asian American Bar Association of New York (AABANY)’s Prosecutors Committee, together with its Judiciary Committee, celebrated the 17th Anniversary of the Prosecutors Committee on March 5, 2026, at the Daniel Patrick Moynihan United States Courthouse in Lower Manhattan. The evening honored Pamela K. Chen, United States District Judge for the Eastern District of New York, with a Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of her exemplary service to the Federal judiciary and her longstanding dedication to justice.

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On March 3, the AABANY Issues Committee, Immigration Committee, Government Service and Public Interest Committee, Pro Bono and Community Service Committee, Intellectual Property Committee, Student Outreach Committee, and Young Lawyers Committee, in partnership with NYU Law’s Asian Pacific American Law Students Association (APALSA), hosted a fireside chat with Hasan Shafiqullah of the Legal Aid Society’s Immigration Law Unit at NYU School of Law. The event brought together attorneys, law students, and members of the legal community to discuss current immigration enforcement trends, detention practices, and the ethical challenges facing immigration practitioners.

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On March 2, 2026, AABANY’s Solo & Small Firm Practice Committee and Prosecutors Committee hosted a book reading and discussion featuring Strangers in the Land, the critically acclaimed 2025 book by Michael Luo, Executive Editor at The New Yorker. The event was moderated by the Honorable Marilyn Go (Ret.), the first Asian American woman to serve as a federal judge in the United States, and was hosted by Groombridge, Wu, Baughman & Stone LLP.

To read more, click here.

We thank the Pro Bono and Community Service (PBCS) Committee for another quarter of Pro Bono Clinics and their continued efforts to aid the AAPI community in Manhattan, Queens, and Brooklyn.

The PBCS Committee held monthly clinics in Manhattan with our community partner AAFE (Asian Americans for Equality) at their Norfolk Street site on the Lower East Side. Together with AAFE, the Committee held bi-monthly clinics in downtown Flushing at AAFE’s offices there. The Committee held bi-monthly clinics in Brooklyn with our community partners, including the Chinese-American Planning Council (CPC).

To read the blog posts summarizing each Clinic, please see this link. Our Pro Bono Clinics need you! Please consider volunteering. Click on the flyer for more information.