#kalagny

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On August 14, 2018, AABANY's Real Estate, Solo & Small Firm Practice, and Labor & Employment Law Committees, KALAGNY, Flushing Bank, and Littler Mendelson, P.C. presented a CLE program entitled "Diversity and Inclusion in the Workplace: Respecting and Embracing It." The CLE program was held at Flushing Bank’s branch at 99 Park Ave.

The event was attended by forty-five attorneys and focused on the new New York State CLE requirement mandating attorneys to take at least one CLE course in diversity and inclusion during their biennial reporting period. The program was both interesting, engaging, and informative. It was moderated by Margaret Ling, Co-Chair of the AABANY Real Estate Committee, and was presented by AABANY's very own William Ng, of Littler Mendelson, P.C. (AABANY's former VP of Finance and Development, Recording Secretary, and Founding Co-Chair of AABANY's Labor & Employment Law Committee) and Kevin Yam, Esq. of Littler Mendelson, P.C. They defined what diversity and inclusion really means within the confines of the work environment and focused on understanding what implicit and unconscious bias is. Many thanks to Steven Villaran, Flushing Bank Branch Manager; Andrew Knoll, Flushing Bank Business Specialist; and Rose Lui, Flushing Bank Relationship Specialist, for hosting and sponsoring the event. Additional thanks to Karen Kim, President of KALAGNY for KALAGNY's continued support and partnership on these important and relevant CLE and networking events.

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On June 19, 2018, AABANY Real Estate Committee, Solo & Small Firm Practice Committee and KALAGNY hosted a CLE and networking event entitled “1031 Exchange: Representing an IRC 1031 Exchange Client,” at the Flushing Bank in Bayside, Queens. David J. Fesser, Esq, Exchange Director for Legal 1031 Exchange Services, Inc, spoke and presented a comprehensive and excellent presentation on this important subject. Also present was Matthew K. Scheriff, CPA, Executive Vice President of Legal 1031 Exchange Services, Inc. Matt addressed the accounting aspects of the 1031 Legal Exchange.  

Thank you to the CLE Sponsors: Lincoln Land Services, LLC and Ling Xu, Vice President and Branch Manager of Flushing Bank.

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On June 21, the Korean American Lawyer’s Association of Greater New York (KALAGNY) celebrated its 32nd Anniversary Gala at Gotham Hall under the theme, “Stepping into the Spotlight: Our Story, Our Time.” AABANY congratulates KALAGNY on hosting a successful gala.

Among the Trailblazer Honorees at this year’s gala was Susan L. Shin, former President of AABANY. In accepting this award, Susan eloquently dedicated her address to her family members, many of whom were present at the gala. In particular, she spoke about the challenging journey her parents underwent as immigrants to the US, as well as the endless ways in which their stories of adversity and resilience have shaped her own aspirations. Susan’s words, in many ways, embody the unique experiences of APA individuals, both in and out of the legal profession.

Also honored alongside Susan were Ho Shin, Executive Vice President and General Counsel at Yext Inc. and Steven Choi, Executive Director at the New York Immigration Coalition, for their noteworthy contributions to the Asian American community.  AABANY also extends its congratulations to KALAGNY’s scholarship recipients. 

Among the AABANY officers in attendance were President James Cho, President-Elect Brian Song, VP of Programs and Operations Jeff Ikejiri, VP of Programs and Operations Charles Chen, and Director of Development Margaret Ling.

Please join us in congratulating all the honorees for their achievement and KALAGNY for hosting a memorable and meaningful event.

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On Tuesday, May 22, 2018 AABANY 's Military and Veterans Affairs Committee and NYCLA's Asian Practice Committee and KALAGNY collaborated  to present an evening celebrating Asian Americans in Public Service.  Thank you to our distinguished panelists and their families for their service:

Hon. Randall T. Eng, former Presiding Justice, New York Supreme Court, Appellate Division, Second Department; Retired Colonel, New York Army National Guard;

Brigadier General Richard C. Kim, Deputy Commanding General, Army North, U.S. Army; and

Joon H. Kim, Esq., former Acting U.S. Attorney for Southern District of New York.

Sung Hwang, Co-Chair of the AABANY Military and Veterans Affairs Committee and Co-Chair of the NYCLA Asian Practice Committee moderated the Panel.

Judge Eng, General Kim, and Joon Kim shared their experiences of being in government and public service. They inspired everyone to give back and care about their community.

The event concluded with Sung Hwang and Jimmy Kang, Co-Chairs of the AABANY Military and Veterans Affairs Committee and Margaret Ling, AABANY Development Director presenting Judge Eng, General Kim, and Joon Kim with award plaques in honor of their contributions to their country and community.

Thanks to Sung Hwang (KALAGNY member, AABANY’s Military and Veterans Affairs Committee Co-Chair and NYCLA’s Asian Practice Committee Co-Chair) and Jimmy Kang (AABANY’s Military and Veterans Affairs Committee Co-Chair) and Margaret T. Ling ( NYCLA’s Asian Practice Committee Co-Chair and AABANY’s Development Director) for organizing and Venable LLP for hosting.

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On March 22, AABANY co-sponsored with KALAGNY and CAPABA a fundraiser to stuff backpacks for kids fighting cancer and to raise money for the Han Choi Scholarship Fund. Many caring and generous attorneys from the tri-state area convened at Ichi Cellar in K-town to fill 100 backpacks with supplies and gifts. All attendees were asked to give a suggested donation of $50 (in advance) or $60 (at the door). The event co-sponsors covered food and drink. Backpacks, supplies and gifts were donated. Additional money was raised through a silent auction for dinners with prominent Asian American GCs. By the end of the evening, more than $7500 was raised.

Among the AABANY leaders present were President Dwight Yoo, Membership Director Tristan Loanzon, Board Directors Jung Choi, Marianne Newman, Brian Song and Irene Tan, SOC Co-Chair Edwin Kim, GSPI Committee Co-Chair Kevin Hsi, and past YLC Co-Chair Gabriel Arce-Yee.

Donations to the Han Choi Scholarship Fund are still welcome. Go here to the NAPABA Law Foundation website make an online donation.

Thanks to everyone who took part in this wonderful fundraiser and for making it a success. Thanks to Cardozo Law School student Bo-Ah Lee for the terrific shots from the evening. Read more about the event on KALAGNY’s LinkedIn post.

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On January 17, 2018, AABANY, KALAGNY, and APALA-NJ presented “Reverse Section 1031 Exchange” and “Blockchain & The Real Estate Industry: Game Changer?” This 1.5 Credit CLE and Networking Event was attended by over 60 Attorneys and was hosted by McCarter & English, LLP at its Four Gateway Plaza Office in Newark, New Jersey.  Speakers included: Steven M. Vajtay, Partner at McCarter & English LLP; James Thanasules, Senior Vice President and New York State Counsel at Am Trust Title Insurance Company, Martin Brennan, Vice President, Bank of America, and James Highes, Managing Director, Merrill Lynch. Thanks to Bank of America/Merrill Lynch Wealth Management for its sponsorship.

Pictured above from left to right (front) are:

Michael Lomio, Cheryl Davis, Martin Brennan of Bank of America; Margaret Ling, Co-Chair of the AABANY Real Estate Committee and Asia Practice Committee; Christine Kim Neeman, President of APALA-NJ; Gene Kang, Board of Governors, KALAGNY; James Thanasules, Am Trust Title Insurance Company.

Pictured above from left to right (back) are:  

Brian Yarzab, VP of Membership, KALAGNY; Jack Chen, President-Elect of APALA-NJ; Steven Vajtay, Partner, McCarter &  English LLP; James Hughes, BofA/Merrill Lynch.

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On December 6, the AABANY Real Estate Committee and the Solo & Small Firm Practice Committee, along with the Korean American Lawyers Association of Greater New York (KALAGNY), co-hosted the CLE program “Building a Taller Flushing: Zoning, Air Rights & Development” at the Flushing YMCA. Over 40 attorneys, bankers and real estate industry members attended the event.

AABANY Real Estate Committee Co-Chair Margaret Ling (Senior Underwriting Counsel, MacGregor Abstract Corporation) and Brian Strout (Senior Vice President, City Center Real Estate Inc.) elaborated on developmental rights and other zoning considerations for building high-rises. Christina Ying (Partner, Herrick Feinstein LLP), Gary Hoeni (Vice President, Chase) and George Xu (President, Century Development Group) shared their practical insight working with high-rise developments from the ground up, and subsequently showcased their projects in Flushing and other neighborhoods.

Attendees received 1 CLE credit in Areas of Professional Practice. We would like to thank the Flushing YMCA and its staff for hosting us for the evening.

(Thanks to former AABANY Legal Intern Quentin Wong for the write-up and the photos. Group photo courtesy of Karen Kim.)

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Happy Veterans Day!

AABANY, along with a number of other bar associations, co-sponsored KALAGNY’s inaugural Veterans and Military Networking Event on November 8 at Lee Anav Chung White Kim Ruger & Richter LLP. The speaker for the event was the Honorable Randall T. Eng, Presiding Justice of the Appellate Division, Second Department. Justice Eng has served as Colonel, Judge Advocate General's Corps, New York Army National Guard, State Judge Advocate, retired. Presiding Justice Eng is also recipient of NAPABA’s Sen. Daniel K. Inouye Trailblazer Award last year and AABANY’s Norman Lau Kee Trailblazer Award this year.

Brian Song, Partner at Baker Hostetler LLP, founder of AABANY’s Military & Veterans Affairs Committee, and co-chair for NAPABA’s Military & Veterans Network Committee, engaged Presiding Justice Eng in a conversation about his service. Justice Eng recounted several challenges of his time in the military and his current work, including his experience as a responder after the events of 9/11. Brian had served on active duty in the U.S. Army Judge Advocate General’s Corp and currently serves as a Major in the Army Reserves.

Andy Hahn, past AABANY and NAPABA President and Chairman of the Board of KALAGNY, served on the U.S. Army Judge Advocate General’s Corp from 1986 to 1990 and asked all the veterans in the room to stand up and be recognized. He also issued a call to action for attorneys to volunteer for pro bono service in support of our veterans and military personnel who face many legal issues and hurdles in returning to civilian life after their military service.

Thank you to Lee Anav Chung White Kim Ruger & Richter LLP for hosting the event, to KALAGNY President Karen Kim for spearheading and organizing the event, and to our military members and veterans for their service.

(Thanks to AABANY intern Nikki Datta for the write-up.)