Rising Up to Serve: Leveraging Bar Associations for Community-Centered Lawyering

This panel examines how attorneys and advocates—particularly through bar associations like AABANY—can serve as a critical bridge between legal professionals and the unique legal needs faced by AANHPI and immigrant communities in New York City. Drawing on experiences across immigration, housing, employment, and community advocacy, the program will explore how attorneys can leverage AABANY and allied bar associations to engage in community-centered lawyering, respond to emerging issues through coordinated advocacy, and build partnerships with grassroots organizations. The panel will highlight practical strategies for using bar association participation, not only for professional development but also as a vehicle for collective action, leadership development, and meaningful community impact.

The program will include practical frameworks, real-world scenarios, and actionable strategies that attorneys can apply in their own practices.