The Asian American Attorneys Association Holds Its Inaugural Ceremony in New York
- May 20, 2023 · the Association is formally founded
- Founded by 10+ attorneys · nearly 200 professionals attended
- Keynote by Founding Chair Yanfei Ran
- Vision: Asian Leadership, Global Vision
On May 20, 2023, the Asian American Attorneys Association (AAAA), founded by more than a dozen attorneys, was formally established at an inaugural ceremony in Great Neck, New York. Nearly 200 attorneys, entrepreneurs, physicians, accountants, and other professionals attended to witness the occasion.
Founding Chair Yanfei Ran, a core founder of the Association, delivered the keynote address. She traced the discrimination Asian Americans have long faced — from the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 to the present day — and noted the recent rise in anti-Asian hate incidents and discriminatory legislation. At the same time, she observed, while Asian Americans have achieved a great deal professionally and economically, they have long been underrepresented in the political and judicial arenas. The community — and especially the first-generation immigrant community — has professional associations of every kind, yet had never had an attorneys’ association of its own: a network of lawyers who share a common cultural background, understand one another and one another’s needs, and can stand together for mutual support.
For precisely these reasons, Attorney Ran said, the community needs a strong attorneys’ organization more than ever — one that can speak out before discrimination takes root, respond forcefully when rights are violated, and ensure that there are Asian faces among the stewards of fairness and justice. The founding of AAAA, she noted, reflects the growing diversity of American society; through its work, the Association hopes to advance the development of Asian American attorneys, increase their participation in the legislative, judicial, and law-enforcement arenas, and contribute to the standing of the Asian American community.
Attorney Ran also paid special tribute to those already at the forefront of the fight for civil rights — among them Haipei Xue, President of United Chinese Americans, who has made outstanding contributions to civil rights and social progress for the community; and leading Chinese American attorney Ying Cao, together with her trusted advisor Xiaopeng Zheng. It was thanks to the tireless efforts of Attorney Cao and several other attorneys, she noted, that Chinese Americans can still use WeChat without barriers in the United States today; the Chinese American civil-rights alliance she leads had also filed suit in Florida to challenge a newly passed discriminatory law.
The Association, she explained, will foster exchange and cooperation among Asian American attorneys and build a strong professional network; take part in advocacy on legislation affecting the community; provide free legal consultations and promote pro bono work; and pass on to the next generation the importance of civic engagement — working with partners across the community to defend the interests of Asian Americans as a whole.
Remarks followed from Vice Chair Michael Tang and Secretary General Xin Miao, as well as iLead Law Group Chairman Mingli Chen, CEO Colin Miao, Director Joe Zhou, and COO Siemson Yang. Held under the theme “Asian Leadership, Global Vision,” the ceremony marked the official launch of the Asian American Attorneys Association.