Hon. Peter Tom Speech at NYCLA Dinner on Dec. 13, 2016
Hon. Peter Tom Speech at NYCLA Dinner on Dec. 13, 2016
The Appellate Division, First Department was honored as an institution by the New York County Lawyers Association (NYCLA) on December 13, 2016 at the Grand Ballroom of the Waldorf Astoria. The First Department was recognized for its illustrious history and for its court work including the development of precedential legal principles for lower courts to follow, especially in the field of commercial litigation.
The gala was attended by over 100 judges and over 800 attorneys and guests.
Acting Presiding Justice Peter Tom accepted the award on behalf of the First Department. In his remarks, he observed:
In so many respects, we reflect this great city that is our home. We live amidst its blessings and
its problems, and above all, among its people. Our staff and our bench reflect the cultural
diversity of the City. In my earlier years on the First Department bench, I have been joined by
judges having the more traditional Irish, Italian and Jewish backgrounds – and Leo Milonas
proudly represented the Hellenic tradition – but increasingly, up to present, by judges and staff
who have African-American and Hispanic backgrounds and, as is obvious as I stand here now,
also Asians. I think that it is especially remarkable at this point in our city’s history that my
good friend Justice Randy Eng is the Presiding Justice of our sister-court in Brooklyn while I am
Acting Presiding Justice of the First Department. This is the first time in the history of New
York State that two Asians preside over two of the four judicial departments. After a century in
existence, this court is beginning to reflect the diverse population of the city.
AABANY congratulates the First Department on this honor from NYCLA and shares in Justice Tom’s observation that the court, after 100 years, is “beginning to reflect the diverse population of the city.” We hope that it continues to do so.
For the full text of Acting Presiding Justice Tom’s acceptance speech, follow the link in the title. To read more about the event in the New York Law Journal, click here (subscription required).
Photo of Justice Eng (l.) and Justice Tom (r.) at the NYCLA Annual Dinner courtesy of Justice Tom.
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On January 31, AABANY’s Judiciary Committee co-organized a community celebration in New York’s Chinatown in honor of the Hon. Randall T. Eng to recognize his historic elevation to Presiding Justice, Appellate Division, Second Department, the first Asian American to be appointed to this position. About 250 attendees filled Delight 28 located at 28 Pell Street in Manhattan’s Chinatown, next door to the building that Presiding Justice Eng and his family first moved into upon arriving in the United States from Hong Kong.
Many AABANY members were present, including President Jean Lee, Immediate Past President Linda Lin and past presidents James Chou, Vincent Chang, Yang Chen and Glenn Lau-Kee. The Prosecutors’ Committee also turned out in force, having honored Presiding Justice Eng as a trailblazer in 2011. Rosemary Yu, ADA from the New York County DA’s office, was one of the organizers of the event, together with Mark Fang, who came to know Justice Eng through the JAG Corp.
Presiding Justice Eng’s parents, wife, sister and in-laws also came out to celebrate along with many community members and leaders, not just in Chinatown but from Westchester as well.
We thank everyone who attended for making this a truly memorable and special occasion.
Press Release: AABANY Celebrates the Appointment of the Hon. Justice Randall T. Eng
The Asian American Bar Association of New York (AABANY) and the AABANY Judiciary Committee celebrate the historic appointment of the Honorable Justice Randall T. Eng as Presiding Justice of the New York Supreme Court Appellate Division, Second Department with a celebratory community dinner.
Justice Eng will be the guest of honor at a celebratory dinner to be held Thursday, January 31, 2013. The dinner will bring together Asian American organizations from all over New York, including Chinatown-based civic groups, Asian Americans in law enforcement, lawyers, judges, law students, and friends. The dinner will be held at 6:30P.M. at Delight 28 Restaurant, 28 Pell Street New York, New York 10013.
Justice Eng is the first Asian American to serve as a Presiding Justice in New York State’s history. With this appointment, Justice Eng adds to his long list of notable ‘firsts,’ such as being the first Asian Pacific American Assistant District Attorney in the State of New York, for which the AABANY Prosecutors’ Committee honored him at its third anniversary reception in 2011.
“Justice Eng has demonstrated strong leadership and exceptional jurisprudential skill at every level in our court system and will do so as Presiding Justice. Moreover, as an Asian American trailblazer, Justice Eng is an inspiration to the Asian American bar and the Asian American community at large,” said Vincent Chang, Co-Chair of AABANY’s Judiciary Committee.
To read the full text of the press release go to: http://aabany.org/associations/6701/files/PR%20-%20AABANY%20-%20Randall%20Eng%20dinner_final.pdf
Congratulations to Justice Hinds-Radix and Justice Clark
AABANY joins the MBBA in congratulating Justice Hinds-Radix and Justice Clark on their elevation to the Appellate Division.
Dear MBBA Members and Supporters:
On behalf of the Officers and Directors of the Metropolitan Black Bar Association (“MBBA”), we are pleased to announce that the Honorable Sylvia Hinds-Radix has been appointed to the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court, Second Department.
It is our pleasure to have the opportunity to extend our sincere congratulations to Justice Hinds-Radix, who is currently the Administrative Judge for Civil Matters in Kings County and a member of the MBBA’s Board of Directors. We are certain that she will bring to the bench a wealth of experience as a committed and active jurist and legal practitioner. She has repeatedly demonstrated a strong commitment to the principles of fairness and justice, the improvement of the legal system, and the advancement of the members of our diverse community. Justice Hinds-Radix’s record of achievement shows that she possesses all of the attributes necessary to succeed in this position and her reputation is widely respected by us all.
We also extend our congratulations to the Honorable Darcel Clark, Past President and Chair of the Board of the Black Bar Association of Bronx County, who has also been appointed to the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court, First Department. Justice Clark has served a Supreme Court Justice in Bronx County since 2006. She too has demonstrated a commendable record of achievement, public service, and dedication to the pursuit of justice duly warranting her appointment.
We offer our best wishes to both justices for their accomplishments and the continuation of their exemplary legal careers.
For additional information, please see Governor’s Andrew M. Cuomo’s press release at https://www.governor.ny.gov/press/10012012-appointments
Best regards,
R. Nadine Fontaine
MBBA PresidentHonorable Alvin M. Yearwood
Chair of the Board
AABANY Applauds the Appointment of Randall T. Eng as Presiding Justice, App. Div., 2nd Dept.
AABANY Applauds the Appointment of Randall T. Eng as Presiding Justice, App. Div., 2nd Dept.
NEW YORK – October 3, 2012 – The Asian American Bar Association of New York (AABANY) welcomes and applauds the news that New York State Governor Andrew M. Cuomo has appointed Randall T. Eng to serve as the Presiding Justice of the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court for the Second Judicial Department. Justice Eng will be the first Asian American to serve as a Presiding Justice in New York State’s history. “Justice Eng is a distinguished jurist and respected leader in both the legal and Asian Pacific American communities and AABANY applauds Governor Cuomo’s historic appointment. With this appointment, Justice Eng adds to his long list of notable ‘firsts,’ such as being the first Asian Pacific American Assistant District Attorney in the Queens County District Attorney’s office, for which AABANY’s Prosecutors’ Committee honored him at their third anniversary reception last year,” said Jean Lee, President of AABANY. Read more here.