On March 31, Hon. Lorna G. Schofield, United States District Judge for the Southern District of New York, presented the 15th Annual Korematsu Lecture at New York University School of Law. 

The Korematsu Lecture was started in 2000 by a group of NYU law students who wished to create “a unique forum … to recognize Asian Americans whose work challenges legal boundaries and serves as an inspiration to all people of color.” The lecture is named after Fred Korematsu, a civil rights crusader who challenged the American government’s internment of Japanese Americans in World War II. Mr. Korematsu and his attorney, Dale Minami, were the inaugural speakers of this lecture series.

Judge Schofield was confirmed as a United States District Judge unanimously by the U.S. Senate on December 13, 2012. She is the first Filipino-American Article III judge in the United States.

Judge Schofield’s lecture, entitled “A New Judge and an Old Problem: A View of Bias from the Bench,” touched on the challenge of bias in judges and juries. She spoke about the importance of having a diverse jury to help attain impartiality in trials. 

Judge Schofield also shared her personal history of growing up in a place and time of less diversity and then coming to New York to study law and experiencing a vastly diverse city. In the process of becoming a judge, Judge Schofield developed a stronger appreciation for her own cultural heritage and background as a Filipino-American.

We congratulate NYU APALSA for organizing such an informative and insightful lecture from Judge Schofield and look forward to future Korematsu Lectures that will continue to recognize the achievements of Asian Americans whose work makes a positive impact on law and society.