APALSA, SALSA, and MENALSA are pleased to welcome you to our Academy for the 2025-2026 school year. Our Academy program helps students through resume reviews, mock interviews, and panels covering a wide range of topics to set them up for success. It also helps them connect with Cornell alumni and build a strong network with a community in which they already find support

Friday, February 6, 2026

6:00 – 6:15 PM

Check In

Location: The Statler Hotel, Park Atrium

6:15 – 8:00 PM

Cocktail Reception

Location: The Statler Hotel, Park Atrium

Students will be able to network with different Asian and Middle Eastern attorneys in a less professional setting to learn more about the attorneys’ life experiences and career journeys. Drinks (alcoholic and non-alcoholic) will be provided by the Statler Hotel.

Saturday, February 7, 2026

9:00 – 10:00 AM

Registration and Breakfast

Location: Myron Taylor Hall, The Gallery

Hot breakfast will be provided.

10:00 – 11:00 AM

Cultural Differences in the Workplace

Location: Myron Taylor Hall, Room 184

Panelists will speak about their experiences in the workplace as Asian/South Asian/Middle Eastern individuals and discuss how to address cultural differences.

Panelists:

  • Kylee Nguyen (J.D. ’25) Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP
  • Chris Mao (J.D. ’22) Associate, Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP
  • Alizah Charaniya (J.D. ’21) Associate, McGuireWoods LLP
  • Renqiu Chen (B.S. ’21, J.D. ’24) Associate, Debevoise & Plimpton LLP
  • Andrew Hahn (B.A. ’83, J.D. ’86) Adjunct Professor of Law
  • Omkar Mahajan (J.D. ’21) Associate, Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz P.C.

11:00 – 11:15 AM

Coffee Break

Location: Myron Taylor Hall, The Gallery

11:15 AM – 12:15 PM

Navigating Relationships in Big Law

Location: Myron Taylor Hall, Room 184

Panelists will discuss the different dynamics within a big law firm office and how to manage these relationships as a person of color.

Panelists:

  • Neil Chitrao (B.A. ’17) Associate, Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP
  • Kylee Nguyen (J.D. ’25) Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP
  • Chris Mao (J.D. ’22) Associate, Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP
  • Jenny Li Associate, Fried, Frank, Shriver & Jacobson LLP
  • Alan Wen (J.D. ’19) Associate, Dorsey & Whitney LLP
  • Pam Wang (J.D. ’15), Partner, DLA Piper
  • Kaleem Shahzad (J.D. ’25) Covington & Burling LLP

12:15 PM – 1:25 PM

Lunch

Location: Myron Taylor Hall, The Gallery

Lunch from Taste of Thai Express will be provided.

1:30 – 2:30 PM

Success as a Summer/Junior Associate

Location: Myron Taylor Hall, Room 184

Panelists will discuss how to build meaningful relationships when first starting out, and what makes an outstanding and reliable associate.

Panelists:

  • Neil Chitrao (B.A. ’17) Associate, Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP
  • Alizah Charaniya (J.D. ’21) Associate, McGuireWoods LLP
  • Renqiu Chen (B.S. ’21, J.D. ’24) Associate, Debevoise & Plimpton LLP
  • Jenny Li Associate, Fried, Frank, Shriver & Jacobson LLP
  • Juzhi Zheng (J.D. ’23), Associate, Fried Frank, Shriver & Jacobson LLP
  • Nitin Nainani (J.D. ’23) Law Clerk, U.S. Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit

2:30 – 3:00 PM

Closing Remarks from Associate Dean for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, Michelle Whelan and the Academy Planning Committee

Location: Myron Taylor Hall, Room 184

Leadership from APALSA, SALSA, and MENALSA will make closing remarks.

3:00 – 5:00 PM

Mock Interviews

Location: Hub Rooms

Students have the opportunity to be interviewed by attorneys.

Sponsors

If you want to get involved or sponsor our student Career Days, please email cls_studentactivities@cornell.edu.