In collaboration with NFALA, FALA New York hosted the 2023 Pinay Powerhouse, a national conference focused on empowering Filipina attorneys and aspiring attorneys as leaders in law. The 2023 Pinay Powerhouse featured keynote speaker Why Should Guys Have All the Fun? author and businesswoman Loida Lewis, fireside chat speaker NAPABA President Anna Mercado Clark, and our own members as panelists.
FALA New York hosted our annual social events, including Pasko, Halo-Halloween, and Grill 'n' Chill. At FALA New York's 2024 Annual Dinner, more than 50 members and supporters were in attendance, including New York Assemblymember Steven Raga; National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) President Anna Mercado Clark; and Asian American Bar Association of New York (AABANY) Deputy Executive Director Alice Biagini.
FALA New York continued installments of our “Making It” speaker series to help our members develop professionally, including, Making-It in White Collar Practice, with long-time FALA New York member and sponsor, Rodney Villazor.
FALA New York began a speaker series for Asian Pacific American Law Student Associations hosted at their respective law schools in the New York area.
In collaboration with NFALA, AABANY, and APALANJ, FALA New York co-sponsored the film screening of A Long March, a film which tells the story of Filipino Americans who served during World War II.
In collaboration with NAPABA’s New York affiliate AABANY, FALA New York co-sponsored Wellness Day for AAPI Heritage Month and a pre-holiday season multi-bar association gathering.
In collaboration with WilmerHale, FALA New York co-sponsored How to Become an AUSA, featuring attorneys from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District and Eastern District of New York. FALA New York co-sponsored the event along with other New York area bar associations, including AABANY, the Korean American Lawyers Association of Greater New York, South Asian Bar Association of New York, Muslim Bar Association of New York, Metropolitan Black Bar Association, and Hispanic National Bar Association, among others.
In collaboration with the Philippine Consulate, FALA New York co-sponsored the 35th Annual Simbang Gabi sa Konsulado with other New York area Filipino associations.
In collaboration with NFALA Foundation, we awarded Michael Roy E. Ortizo at Syracuse University School of Law and Lallane Guiao-Seng at University of Connecticut School of Law with our law student scholarship – the Robin Mangasar Tizon Scholarship – which will again be awarded at our Annual Meeting this year.
Co-signing an amicus brief in and subsequently releasing a statement in support of affirmative action in response to Students for Fair Admissions, Inc. v. President and Fellows of Harvard College, No. 20-1199 (S. Ct.) and Students for Fair Admissions, Inc. v. University of North Carolina, No. 21-707 (S. Ct.), 600 U.S. 181 (2023).
Releasing a statement in support of our LGBTQIA+ members in response to 303 Creative, Inc. v. Elenis, 600 U.S. 570 (2023).
FALA New York was founded in January 2013 by nine Filipino American attorneys — Annette B. Almazan, Patricia Astorga, Anna Mercado Clark, Rio Guerrero, Melissa C. Lee, Concepcion Montoya, William Panlilio, Vincent Roldan and Noel Vales — with a shared interest in creating a formal professional affiliation group for Filipino American law students, paralegals, lawyers, judges, and other legal professionals in New York. FALA New York celebrated its formal launch on September 10, 2013 with a reception at the offices of Schulte, Roth & Zabel, LLP, attended by approximately 70 supporters. Today, FALA New York boasts approximately 200 supporters, who subscribe to our news and updates, attend events, and share in our professional network. FALA New York continues to find new ways to contribute to and strengthen our community.
FALA New York was incorporated as a not-for-profit corporation in the State of New York in September 2015.