NEW YORK, September 2, 2026—The Asian American Bar Association of New York (AABANY) is excited to announce that Vince Chang will receive the Norman Lau Kee Trailblazer Award at AABANY’s Fall Conference on September 26, 2026, at Fordham Law
School.
AABANY proudly presents the 2026 Fall Conference, “Rising Up to Meet the Future: Cultivating Tomorrow’s Leaders Today,” taking place on Saturday, September 26, 2026, at Fordham Law School.
This full-day event offers multi-track
sessions in the morning and afternoon, and a plenary lunch session, with many CLE (continuing legal education) credits available, as well as the following special programs:
Registration
is now open. Click here for more information.
The early bird deadline is Friday, September 11. Discounted prices available for members.
Register NOW. (To see member prices, make sure you are signed in as a member. If you need help with membership login, contact main@aabany.org.)
As we prepare for the 2026 Fall Conference, we are seeking volunteers to help make this year's conference another success! Volunteers will have the opportunity to assist with registration, event logistics, attendee support, and other conference-related
needs. In addition to supporting the conference, volunteering is a great opportunity to gain valuable experience, expand your professional network and connect with members of the legal community.
Whether you are able to volunteer for the full day or only for a portion of the Conference, we would greatly appreciate your support.
The In-House Counsel Link-Up Reception provides law firm invitees an opportunity to engage with numerous senior in-house counsel who have indicated a current or future need for outside legal services. So far, we have more than 30
GCs representing industries like entertainment, commerce, and banking signed up to attend! The list is growing so sign up for your spot today.
This is a great opportunity to meet diverse in-house attorneys for current or future legal services needs. In-house participants at the Reception will either (i) have direct responsibility for making decisions on hiring outside counsel
or (ii) have significant influence over selection of outside counsel and can arrange for meetings with more senior counsel within their respective organizations.
In-house counsel who are interested can sign up here. Note that submission of this form doesn't guarantee attendance; we will confirm attendance later on.
Gold sponsors and above at the Fall Conference and Platinum sponsors and above at the 2026 Annual Dinner will be invited to attend the Link-Up Reception. Those interested in sponsorship should review our sponsorship packet
here.
AABANY’s Litigation Committee is proud to present the 2026 Trial Advocacy Program (“TAP”) at the Fall Conference this year. TAP offers junior lawyers a unique opportunity to hone their trial skills under the guidance of seasoned trial veterans (former state and federal prosecutors and state and federal trial judges) and receive constructive feedback to help you become a stronger trial advocate. This year, we will conduct TAP as its own track at the Conference, focusing on essential trial skills, including opening statements, direct examinations, cross examinations, and closing statements. Participants will be given a mock trial problem to work through with a partner and then perform the mock trial for a faculty of mentors, who will provide individualized critiques to help participants sharpen their trial advocacy skills.
Experienced judges and trial attorneys will serve as lecturers and/or coaches who will provide feedback in small group settings. Students will have the opportunity to practice in front of them and ask questions on best practices and applicable rules.
The list of confirmed faculty and speakers include the following:
Hon. Christopher Chin (Judge, New York County Supreme Court)
Hon. James R. Cho (U.S. District Court, E.D.N.Y.)
Jacqueline Choi (In-House Litigation Counsel, Red Apple Group, Inc.)
Joe Gim (Chief of Criminal Court, Kings County District Attorney’s Office)
Sarah Khan (Homicide ADA, Manhattan District Attorney’s Office)
Hana C. Kim (Bureau Chief, Financial Frauds Bureau, Queens County District Attorney)
Hugh Mo (Principal, The Law Firm of Hugh H. Mo, P.C.)
Genny Ngai (Partner, Morrison Cohen)
Rodney Villazor (Partner, Clark Smith Villazor LLP)
AABANY’s Career Advancement Committee is hosting its Annual Diversity Career Fair & Expo at the 2026 Fall Conference from 10:30 AM to 4:30 PM. The Diversity Career Fair & Expo will feature selected public sector, corporate sector,
and law firm employers who will host informational sessions, meet and greet interested applicants, and/or conduct first round on-site interviews. In addition, attendees can meet members of AABANY’s Career Advancement Committee and
receive career advice, as well as learn more about other job openings.
The Diversity Career Fair & Expo is free for all registered attendees of the Fall Conference. Registrants can indicate their interest in attending
the Diversity Career Fair & Expo by checking off that box in the registration form.
If you wish to sign up for onsite interviews, the deadline is Friday, Sept. 11; for more details, click here.
The list of current employer participants include: Barclay Damon LLP Bronx County District Attorney’s Office Communities Resist DC 37 Municipal Employees Legal Services Grimaldi Yeung Law Group LLP Kings County District Attorney’s Office Korean Community Services of Metropolitan New York, Inc. National Labor Relations Board - Region 02 New York County District Attorney’s Office NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection Office of the New York State Attorney General Queens County District Attorney’s Office Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP U.S. Army JAG Corps
On August 25, AABANY’s very own President, Varuna Bhattacharyya was featured as one of the 2026 Women in Commercial Real Estate by the New York Real Estate Journal (NYREJ).
We are pleased to announce that applications are now open for mentors and mentees who wish to apply to join the 2026-2027 AABANY Mentorship Program. Mentees will be matched with mentors on a first-come, first-served basis.
The AABANY Mentorship Program provides support, advice, and networking opportunities to aid both mentors and mentees in their professional and personal development. Each mentee is matched to a mentor who will serve as a teacher, role model,
and resource to the mentee. By way of one-to-one relationships and Mentorship Program events held throughout the year, the program will provide the structure to advance professional growth and networking skills of both mentors and
mentees.
Candidates must submit only one mentor or mentee application; dual applications will not be accepted. However, if you are interested in serving as both a mentor and mentee, first submit an application for the primary role you wish to serve
and then contact the Co-Chairs of the Mentorship Program directly to advise of your interest in the other role. Should the opportunity arise, we will use our discretion to assign certain interested candidates to both mentor and mentee
roles in order to further the objectives of the broader Mentorship Program.
Applications will be open from August 17, 2026 to September 11, 2026. Mentor-mentee matches will be sent out via email in late September.
Questions? Please direct them to Emily Chen (echen@mcdermottlaw.com) and Gary Yeung (gary.l.yeung@gmail.com), Co-Chairs of the Mentorship Program.
The AABANY Legal Referral and Information Service (LRIS) invites both current panelists and interested practitioners to participate in our referral network for the 2026–2027 term. AABANY’s LRIS is an ABA-recognized program that serves
as a trusted bridge connecting the public with experienced and qualified legal professionals. While our mission has a particular focus on serving the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community, our referral services are available
to the public at large, generating a broad and diverse range of client inquiries across numerous practice areas.
We welcome qualified attorneys from all practice concentrations to join — or continue their tenure on — our
distinguished panel of practitioners.
Looking
for an easy way to connect with other AABANY members? The new AABANY
CIRC Program brings members together in small pods to connect, stay
involved, and engage with AABANY as a group.
Pods earn points for
things like meeting up, attending events, recruiting new members,
sharing about AABANY on social media, and more! Each month, top pods are
eligible for prizes (plus bragging rights).
The program is open to everyone—new and longtime members alike.
Represent your community by purchasing AABANY merchandise from our brand-new Blinkswag online store.
Through your purchase of AABANY merch, you are directly supporting our mission of advancing diversity and inclusion through professional development, legal scholarship, advocacy, and engagement of the AAPI community.
When: Thursday, September 17, 2026, 1pm - 2pm Where: Zoom
Join the Asian American Bar Association of New York (AABANY)’s Issues Committee for our monthly meeting, where we come together
to discuss, respond to, and take action on the most pressing legal and social issues impacting our communities.
When: Thursday, September 17, 2026, 5:30pm Where: Hybrid; Chinese-American Planning Council, Inc. 45 Suffolk St. New York City, New York 10002 & Zoom
Major changes to the federal government’s public charge policies take effect on September 18, 2026, and will significantly affect how immigration officers evaluate whether an applicant is likely to become a public charge. The new USCIS
framework expands the range of public benefits that may be considered and places greater emphasis on an individualized “totality of the circumstances” assessment, including an applicant’s age, health, family circumstances, financial
resources, education, and skills. USCIS has also issued new guidance concerning public charge bonds and the evidence
officers may consider in adjustment-of-status cases.
For more details and to register by September 15, please click here.
When: Friday, September 18, 2026, 12:30pm Where: Virtual - Link will be sent to registrants
Join the Asian American Bar Association of New York (AABANY)’s Trusts & Estates Committee
for our monthly meeting of AABANY members and non-members who are focused on or interested in the practice of Trusts & Estates law, which spans from trusts, estates, and tax planning to Surrogate’s Court practice and litigation.
The Trusts & Estates Committee is dedicated to providing a platform for networking, mentoring, professional development, and public service.
For more details and to register by September 16, click here.
When: Friday, September 18, 2026, 12:30pm - 2:15pm Where: NYS Supreme Court, 60 Centre Street, 7th Floor, New York, NY 10007
Join us for the 19th Anniversary of the Caren Arnowitz Unity
in Diversity Program, hosted by the NYS Supreme Court on Friday, September 18th, 2026, from 12:30-2:15 p.m. in the rotunda of the New York County Courthouse (60 Centre Street). This beloved annual celebration brings together Bar and
Court Organizations, Unions, and members of the legal community to share appetizers and desserts representing diverse customs and cultures. The afternoon will include musical performances, welcoming remarks from Administrative Judge
Hon. Suzanne J. Adams, and a slide show honoring diversity within the Court.
When: Wednesday, September 23, 2026, 6:00pm - 7:30pm Where: Fordham Law School 150 W 62nd St (By Columbus Circle) New York, New York,10023
We're balancing out the career-talk atmosphere to discuss mid-sized / small law firms and public-interest careers. Law schools are back in session, and the job-search market is undergoing lots of changes, so we invite NYC-area law
students to chat about how lawyers have navigated the job market.
We will focus on brief opening remarks from our guest speakers, and then devote the majority of time for attendees to mingle and speak to the individual guests.
We will provide pizza.
Cost is free to AABANY members (sign in to register) and $10 for non-members.
When: Thursday, September 24, 2026, 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM Where: 347 W 36th St. #1003 New York, New York, 10018
Tap into your creative side with a relaxing, hands-on Chinese ink painting workshop tailored for beginners led by Sharon Li. All art materials will be provided, along with light bites and refreshments.
Sharon Y. Li is an oil
and Chinese ink painter based in Brooklyn who teaches introductory creative art workshops in her free time across New York and China. She recently moved back to New York from Beijing, where she practiced figure ink painting. Sharon
holds a BA from Yale University and an MA from Tsinghua University. To learn more about her work or attend more of her workshops you can find her on Instagram @sharonli.studio.
Co-sponsoring Committees: Litigation Committee; Career Advancement Committee
Cost: $20 per person upfront payment required to secure your spot. $10 will be refunded to members. No refunds for non-members or no-shows.
When: Thursday, September 24, 2026, 6:00 PM Where: Maurice A. Deane School of Law at Hofstra University, Kushner and Koppelman Hall,121 Hofstra University, Room 238, Hempstead, New York, 11549
Bring your unique perspective, legal skills, and commitment to serving children in your community. Join us and learn how to become an attorney for the child.
When: Saturday, October 3, 2026, 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM Where: Blue Cliff Monastery, 3 Mindfulness Rd, Pine Bush, New York 12566
The AABANY Membership Committee and Wellness Committee invite
you to join us for a rejuvenating Fall Wellness Retreat at Blue Cliff Monastery in upstate New York, designed exclusively for AABANY. With the stress and demands of the legal profession, nurturing our mental and emotional well-being
is essential.
This event aims to create a space for relaxation, reflection, and connection within our vibrant legal community. Prioritize your self-care and join us for a day of mindfulness and connection. The retreat is
open to all AABANY members, family and friends.
For more details and to register by September 30, click here.
AABANY, in partnership with the Asian American
Law Fund of New York (AALFNY), is pleased to announce the Turning the
Tide (T3) Project. Following the February 10, 2021 publication of AABANY
and Paul, Weiss’ report, A Rising Tide of Hate and Violence against Asian Americans in New York During COVID-19: Impact, Causes, Solutions,
AABANY established an Anti-Asian Violence Task Force
to advance the proposals outlined in the report and consider other
solutions to address the surge of anti-Asian hate and violence in the
community. The Task Force advances the T3
project, which aims to incorporate a three-pronged
approach encompassing education and communication, advocacy, and
research, to address anti-Asian hate and violence.
Please stand
together with AABANY and AALFNY in turning
the tide against anti-Asian hate and violence. We
are now accepting donations to support the T3 Project. Donations can be
made to AALFNY and will be tax deductible to the extent permitted by
applicable law.
For more details
about the T3 Project, please click here.
Did you clerk for a judge? Have you
served as a court attorney? If so, please fill out our AABANY law
clerk/court attorney survey!
The Judiciary Committee has created a
clerkship directory to gather information about our members
who may be willing to act as future resources and/or
ultimately want to become a judge. If you've ever clerked for a judge,
please take a minute to fill out this survey and forward to others here. We appreciate your help!
Interested in future speaking
opportunities? Join the confidential AABANY Speakers Bureau if you're
open to raising your profile and sharing your expertise. Click here to access the form.
AABANY
regularly receives requests from
AABANY Committee Chairs and other bar associations for
speakers to speak on various legal topics. This form is designed to
collect information from our membership and engage those who are most
interested in sharing their knowledge and
expertise with various legal audiences.
We respect your privacy. All information disclosed will be treated with the utmost confidentiality. Email main@aabany.org if you have any questions.
Applications are now being accepted for the Broadridge AABANY Legal Internship Program. Open to college students, law students and law grads, AABANY is looking for a few talented, energetic and
motivated interns to help plan and organize AABANY programs and events, provide research and administrative assistance and perform other tasks and assignments to advance and promote AABANY’s mission. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis. For full details and information
on how to apply please click here.
Please direct any questions to Executive Director Yang Chen at yang.chen@aabany.org.
All Fellowship announcements can now be found on AABANY's website under Career Center, in the sub-menu item "Fellowships." To see current announcements for Fellowships, click here.
If you are aware of any Fellowships that the AABANY community may be interested in, please email these opportunities to main@aabany.org.
AABANY is thrilled to announce a member benefit: discounts with Working Advantage! Enjoy up to 60% off movie tickets, Broadway and local shows, theme parks, sporting events, hotels, car rentals, electronics, and more.
To access
your discounts:
Sign in to your AABANY account to view our Member ID code on this page, or email main@aabany.org to receive it
directly. Then visit www.WorkingAdvantage.com, enter your email and create your free account using the AABANY code to start saving immediately. (The reference on the page to "Employee
Discounts" applies to AABANY's members.)
Members of AABANY are eligible to receive a 50% discount on their NAPABA membership! NOTE that this discount is a change from prior years, and the Affiliate Membership is no longer free, as it had been in the past.
As NAPABA
grows and broadens its offerings, it has adopted an updated membership model that aligns with national best practices and strengthens the long-term sustainability of the programs and services our community relies on.
Even
with this update, members of AABANY continue to enjoy significant savings and full access to NAPABA’s robust suite of benefits—including complimentary and discounted CLEs; more than 30 practice committees and affinity networks; national
visibility and leadership pathways; structured mentorship and leadership development programs; access to NAPABA’s national advocacy infrastructure; preferred pricing and stipends for key events; nationwide community and networking
opportunities; career advancement tools and resources; and continued investment in strengthening the AANHPI legal community.
If you wish to redeem this benefit, contact main@aabany.org to get the discount code. You will be prompted to enter this code when you join or renew your membership with NAPABA.
PLEASE NOTE: NAPABA's membership works on the calendar year, meaning that it runs from Jan. 1, 2026 and ends on December 31, 2026. To maximize your benefit, consider joining or renewing your NAPABA Affiliate Membership now.
For assistance or questions regarding your NAPABA membership, please contact membership@napaba.org.
September 9: AABANY Board Meeting. The registration deadline has passed. For more details, click here.
September 12: AABANY Bi-Monthly Brooklyn Pro Bono Legal Clinic. For more details and to register by September 10, click here.
September 16: AABANY Monthly Manhattan Pro Bono Legal Clinic. For more details and to register by September 14, click here.
September 17: AABANY's Issues & Immigration Committees Present: Public Charge: What We Need to Know [CLE]. For more details and to register by September 15, click here.
September 17: AABANY Issues Committee Monthly Meeting. For more details and to register by September 16, click here.
September 18: Trusts & Estates Committee Monthly Meeting. For more details and to register by September 16, click here.
September 18: AABANY Co-Sponsors:The Caren Aronowitz Unity In Diversity Program. For more details, click here.
September 23: AABANY's LGBTQ Committee Presents: Table Talk: Careers Beyond Big Law. For more details and to register by September 18, click here
September 24: Solo & Small Firm Practice Committee Presents—Ink & Inspiration: A Chinese Ink Painting Workshop. For
more details and to register by September 22, click here
September 24: AABANY Co-Sponsors: Nassau County Attorneys for Children Recruitment Event. For more details and to register, click here.
September 26: 2026 Fall Conference. For more details and to register by the early bird deadline of September 11, click
here.
October 3, 2026: AABANY Presents: Fall Wellness Retreat at Blue Cliff Monastery. For more details and to register by September 30, click here.
Agency Attorney, Department of Consumer and Worker Protection, New York City, New York
Special Assistant Attorney General - No. MFCU_HAU_SAAG_3907, New York State Office of the Attorney General (Division of Criminal Justice), Hauppauge (Suffolk County), New York
Special Assistant Attorney General - No. MFCU/CED_NYC_SAAG_3906, New York State Office of the Attorney General (Division of Criminal Justice), New York City, New York
Assistant Vice President & Assistant General Counsel - Position ID AGC 1711, Princeton Legal Search Group LLC, Princeton, New Jersey
Senior Staff Attorney, New York Civil Liberties Union Foundation, New York, New York
For more
information on these listings and other open positions go to the AABANY
Career Center. Members must be signed in to have access to the Career
Center. Either search by keyword or just hit "Search" at the bottom of
the form to see a
complete listing of jobs.
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