U.S.-Asia Law Institute and Center for Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging, both at NYU School of Law

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In-person attendance is limited to NYU ID holders. Attendance via Zoom is available.

Harassment and violence directed at Asians and Asian-Americans has surged since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Jennifer Wu (NYU Law 2004) and Lawrence Wee, partners at Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP, have stepped up to provide pro bono legal representation for victims of Asian hate crimes, including some of the most vicious recent attacks. Victims they have represented include Yao Pan Ma, Gui Yi Ma, and Michelle Go. Wu, a patent litigator, and Wee, a capital markets specialist, will talk about the challenges of litigating hate crimes and the relationship of Asian-American immigrant communities to the legal system. They also will share their own experiences as Asian-American lawyers and advice on balancing pro bono work with their commercial practices. This event is co-sponsored by the Center for Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging.

Relevant links:

• Why Paul Weiss Is the Pro-bono Go-To for Victims of Asian Hate

• Asian Hate Crimes: What Is Justice

• Endless Tide: The Continuing Struggle to Overcome Anti-Asian Hate in New York

About the speakers

Jennifer H. Wu is a partner in the litigation department at Paul Weiss with a focus on patent litigation matters. She frequently tries cases in federal district courts and the International Trade Commission. She also argues appeals in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, and represents clients in the U.S. Supreme Court. Ms. Wu is Paul Weiss’s sponsoring partner for the Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund (AALDEF), a regular contributor to Paul, Weiss’s amicus briefs before the U.S. Supreme Court on behalf of the American Bar Association, and the recipient of the “Best Under 40” award from the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA).

Lawrence Wee is a partner in the corporate department at Paul Weiss focusing on capital markets and financial transactions, securities regulation, and restructuring matters. He has been recognized by The Legal 500 as a leading capital markets lawyer as well as by Lawdragon as one of their “500 Leading U.S. Bankruptcy and Restructuring Lawyers.” Mr. Wee has also been deeply involved in providing free legal assistance to the victims of anti-Asian hate incidents and their families.