In the News: New York Law Journal Publishes Front-Page Article on Historic Appointment of Justice Karen Lin to Second Department, Appellate Term

On March 3, 2026, in a front-page article, the New York Law Journal reported on the historic appointment of the Honorable Karen Lin as an Associate Justice of the Appellate Term of the Supreme Court, Second Department. Justice Lin is the first Asian American woman to serve on this appellate bench in the Second, Eleventh, and Thirteenth Judicial Districts, marking an important milestone for New York’s judiciary.

Her appointment represents an important milestone for Asian American representation in New York’s judiciary, where AAPI judges remain underrepresented relative to the communities they serve. 

“Justice Lin is a trailblazer and an inspiring role model for Asian Americans,” said Benjamin Hsing, President of the Asian American Bar Association of New York. “It is critical that Asian Americans are properly represented in the New York State judiciary to strengthen public confidence in our courts and to help ensure justice and fairness for Asian American communities across the city and state.”

Justice Lin’s appointment marks an important moment for representation in New York’s courts and reflects her longstanding commitment to public service. Click to view the full article here (subscription required).

Hon. Doris Ling-Cohan’s Letter to the Editor Featured in the New York Law Journal

The New York Law Journal featured “Child Care Must Be a Men’s Issue for True Equality,” a letter to the editor by Doris Ling-Cohan, AABANY member and Associate Justice for the Appellate Term, First Department.

Hon. Doris Ling-Cohan recalls the time she and her husband had to juggle child care responsibilities and their professional responsibilities. She notes what Judge Ruth Bader Ginsburg once said, that in order for there to be true equality for women child care cannot just be viewed as a women’s issue by society.

To read the full article, click here.

Congratulations to Hon. Doris Ling-Cohan

Justice Doris Ling-Cohan, a member of AABANY’s first Board elected in 1991, has been appointed to the Appellate Term of the First Department. This court hears appeals from New York’s Civil and Criminal Courts.

Justice Ling-Cohan is the first APA woman to serve on an appellate panel in New York state. In 2002, she became the first APA woman elected to New York State Supreme Court. In 2005, she authored the groundbreaking decision in Hernandez v Robles, becoming the first New York state trial judge to rule in favor of same sex marriage.

Please join AABANY in congratulating Justice Doris Ling-Cohan on this major milestone in her judicial career.