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On June 18, 2014, the Prosecutors’ Committee celebrated its 6th Annual Reception at the New York County Lawyers Association with over 100 state and local prosecutors, law enforcement partners, and friends. The Committee was pleased to honor two Asian American women trailblazers in law enforcement: Wen Ting Cheng, NY ICE Chief Counsel, US Department of Homeland Security and Belle Chen, Assistant Special Agent in Charge NY FBI, US Department of Justice. Congratulations to these extremely deserving recipients.
Some of the city’s best prosecutors and law enforcement agents gathered to honor their fellow colleagues. US Attorney Preet Bharara, Bronx District Attorney Robert Johnson, Richmond County District Attorney Daniel Donovan, New York County District Attorney Cyrus Vance, Special Narcotics Prosecutor Bridget Brennan and Queens Executive Assistant District Attorney Jesse Sligh also attended and delivered uplifting and inspiring remarks. Each speaker delved into the importance of having a diverse staff, one that reflected the community of which they had dedicated their lives to serving. We were also grateful that The Honorable Pamela Chen, The Honorable Doris Ling-Cohan and The Honorable Gilbert Hong were among the dignitaries to join us for this joyous occasion.
Thank you to Co-Chairs Rosemary Yu & Brian Lee, Monica Huang, Sabrina Thanse, and the rest of the Prosecutors’ Committee for organizing this wonderful event.
Meet AAJANY: Asian American Judges Association of New York
(Pictured above, left to right: Hon. Gilbert Hong, Hon. Marilyn Go, Hon. Denny Chin, Hon. Pamela Chen, Hon. Lillian Wan, Hon. Lorna Schofield, Hon. Doris Ling-Cohan, Hon. Kiyo Matsumoto, Hon. Toko Serita, Hon. Lydia Lai, Hon. Laurie Lau, Hon. Leslie Purificacion (seated), Hon. Dean Kusakabe)
On April 23, 2014, the newly formed Asian American Judges Association of New York (AAJANY) met with their Asian American colleagues on the federal bench and were hosted by the Honorable Denny Chin, Second Circuit Judge, for a tour of the courthouse. They later convened for dinner at Forlini’s to discuss common issues.
AAJANY was formed to address issues affecting Asian American judges, staff, and litigants in the state courts, to promote more diversity amongst the bar and the judiciary, and to advance the inclusion of judges of Asian descent at all levels of the state court system.
Three of those attending are also officers of the NAPABA Judicial Council (a national organization of state and federal judges of Asian descent): Hon. Doris Ling-Cohan (President), Hon. Denny Chin (Treasurer), and Hon. Marilyn Go (Secretary).
AAJANY is sponsoring the event, “How to Become a State Court Judge – from an APA perspective,” on April 29, 2014, 6pm, at the New York County Lawyers’ Association (NYCLA), 14 Vesey Street. Registration has closed but feel free to attend as a walk-in. Click here for more info.
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.
