FALA New York

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FALA New York FALA New York promotes the professional development, interests, and success of Filipino-American legal professionals in the Metro New York area.

On October 1, 2026, FALA NY board director and co-chair of the Foreign Trained Lawyers Committee Mark Julius Estur share...
10/09/2026

On October 1, 2026, FALA NY board director and co-chair of the Foreign Trained Lawyers Committee Mark Julius Estur shared his experience as a Filipino-American at PiNoise: Building our Phuture in America. This celebration featured panelists sharing their unique Filipino-American stories to kick off Filipino American History Month! Thank you to all who attended 🫶

Meet the firsts. ⚖️🇵🇭 In 1981, Judge Mel “Red” Recana became the first Filipino American judge in the country. In 1986, ...
10/08/2026

Meet the firsts. ⚖️🇵🇭 In 1981, Judge Mel “Red” Recana became the first Filipino American judge in the country. In 1986, Judge Lillian Lim became the first Filipina American judge. Continue to join us as we spotlight trailblazers in law throughout Filipino American History Month.

FALA NY is proudly partnering with the Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund (AALDEF) to bring you this timely...
10/08/2026

FALA NY is proudly partnering with the Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund (AALDEF) to bring you this timely presentation on election protection work

📍October 20th, 5:30 PM, CBIZ (730 Third Avenue, 11th Floor, New York, New York)

🍽️This free event will have dinner served

🫂Lawyers and non-lawyers are welcome!

Meet one of FALA NY's directors Caitlin! Caitlin is a judicial law clerk for the Eastern District of New York and previo...
10/07/2026

Meet one of FALA NY's directors Caitlin! Caitlin is a judicial law clerk for the Eastern District of New York and previously practiced as a Brand Reputation, Management, and Litigation Associate at Brown Rudnick LLP. A Fordham Law graduate, she gained wide‑ranging experience through internships with Judge Denny Chin, the Lincoln Center Legal Services criminal defense clinic, and research roles supporting faculty and legislative work.

Active in leadership and advocacy, Caitlin served as vice president of the Asian Pacific American Law Students Association and competed nationally in environmental moot court. She has been a member of FALA NY since 2022 and the 2022 recipient of FALA New York’s Robin Mangaser Tizon Scholarship.

Introducing FALA NY's director Raphael Briones! Raphael is Counsel at Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner (BCLP), where he handl...
10/05/2026

Introducing FALA NY's director Raphael Briones! Raphael is Counsel at Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner (BCLP), where he handles complex product liability and commercial litigation as part of the Class Action and Mass Torts practice group.

Beyond his legal practice, Raphael is committed to uplifting underserved communities. He has volunteered with the LGBT Bar Association of New York Legal Clinic and is a fellow in the NFALA Leadership Academy’s 2026–2027 class.

Outside of work, Raphael is an avid runner, theater and film enthusiast, and active member of New York Frontrunners. He’s currently on a mission to complete all six Abbott World Marathon Majors, fundraising along the way for organizations like the National Brain Tumor Society and the Herren Project.

Don't forget to join FALA NY for our annual Halo-Halloween! 🕕Thursday, October 29, 2026, 6:00pm - 9:00pm 📍Chapman & Cutl...
10/02/2026

Don't forget to join FALA NY for our annual Halo-Halloween!

🕕Thursday, October 29, 2026, 6:00pm - 9:00pm

📍Chapman & Cutler LLP - 1270 6th Avenue, 30th Floor, New York

💸Free Entry!

This year's Halloween Party is getting even sweeter:

Learn about Filipino American History

👾Participate in the inaugural Costume contest (5$ entry fee)

🍧Make Halo-Halo

🫂Connect with your fellow Fil-Am lawyers and students

Link in bio to register!

Thank you to our sponsors!

Join FALA NY at our virtual General Board Meeting!💻📌October 13, 2026, 6:45PM - 8:30PM Learn about major updates with FAL...
10/01/2026

Join FALA NY at our virtual General Board Meeting!💻

📌October 13, 2026, 6:45PM - 8:30PM

Learn about major updates with FALA NY, membership benefits, our newly minted committees, and this year's newest board members. Feel free to pitch questions to us and let us know what you want to see!

All members, prospective members, and community partners are welcome!

Meet FALA-NY's director Cyrus R. Montesa, Esq. – a dual-qualified New York and Philippine attorney with more than a deca...
10/01/2026

Meet FALA-NY's director Cyrus R. Montesa, Esq. – a dual-qualified New York and Philippine attorney with more than a decade of experience in securities regulation and corporate governance.

Cyrus previously spent almost seven years at DFNN Inc., a publicly listed company in the Philippines, as its Chief Legal Counsel, Chief Compliance Officer, Data Protection Officer, and Assistant Corporate Secretary.

Before DFNN, he was with the Securities and Exchange Commission (Philippines), where he drafted legal opinions and adjudicatory decisions for the Commission involving violations of securities regulation laws, including insider trading and investment fraud. He also served as a quasi-judicial officer and represented the Commission at Congressional hearings.

He is currently Of Counsel to De la Paz Castillo Ilas Herrera & Co., where he advises on corporate governance, corporate and securities regulatory compliance, online casino regulation, and cross-border commercial transactions.

Born in Queens, NY, he earned his J.D. from San Beda College of Law (Philippines) and his Bachelor of Science from St. John’s University (Queens, NY).

FALA NY members held it down and showed up strong for this year's AABANY conference! Despite the storms and rain, our me...
09/30/2026

FALA NY members held it down and showed up strong for this year's AABANY conference! Despite the storms and rain, our members shared their insights and knowledge for this year's CLEs 💪🧠

Thank you to AABANY for hosting an engaging and intensive conference ✒️

Today's featured board member is Membership Secretary Kenneth Chiarella — a New York and New Jersey licensed attorney an...
09/28/2026

Today's featured board member is Membership Secretary Kenneth Chiarella — a New York and New Jersey licensed attorney and Shareholder at Capehart Scatchard. He represents employers, self‑insured companies, and insurance carriers in workers’ compensation defense matters and brings a sharp understanding of how to navigate complex claims. Before joining his firm, he clerked for Judge Craig L. Corson in the New Jersey Superior Court.

Kenneth is also a proud Cohort Fellow of NFALA’s Leadership Academy and leads FALA New York’s newly formed New Jersey Affairs Committee, helping build community and representation across state lines. Outside the office, he loves reading, traveling, and cooking up different cuisines.

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556 5th Ave
New York, NY
10036

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