Celebrating Our History: Vincent Chang
5.1.2026
In honor of our 150th anniversary, we asked longtime, involved members for their recollections of the New York State Bar Association.
Vincent Chang recalled serving on the Task Force on Combating Antisemitism and Anti-Asian Hate, and the Task Force on Advancing Diversity.
“There was a lot of anguish in the Asian American community and the Jewish community about the hate crimes that were being perpetrated against both those groups. Being able to do something about it was really fulfilling. To be able to write reports and see some of it actually implemented by the legislature – it was exciting. It was the state bar at its best – advancing proposals for legal reform that addressed major problems in society. And we did it in a rapid timeframe at the orders of then President Richard Lewis. It was one of the most fulfilling activities I’ve had here. At the same time, there was also the Task Force on Advancing Diversity. That was something huge in society. When the Supreme Court handed down the decision (Students for Fair Admissions), nobody knew what to do about it. The state bar association – before almost any other entity in the country – issued a massive and very instructive report. Later on, they adopted it at the American Bar Association because it was such a great piece of work. It was so timely, done so quickly and really addressed a huge issue.”
Do you have a special memory you want to share in honor of our 150th anniversary? Email rmelnitsky@nysba.org and your memory may be featured on our website.
