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).

Brooklyn Law School APALSA Honors Alumni at Annual Alumni Dinner

Francis Chin, Susan Leung, Hon. Karen Lin, Hon. Christopher Chin, Karen Kim

Brooklyn Law School’s APALSA honored 3 alumni at their annual Alumni Dinner held on March 22, 2023 at the school’s Forchelli Conference Center.

Hon. Karen Lin, Queens Civil Court Judge, received the AAPI Community Service Award. She emphasized studying unsung but pivotal Asian Pacific American cases in legal history, such as U.S. v. Wong Kim Ark, and Yick Wo vs. Hopkins. Judge Lin is an AABANY member and past Co-Chair of the Pro Bono and Community Service Committee.

Hon. David K.S. Kim, U.S. Immigration Judge, received the Public Service Award. He remarked that you should think about what kind of person you want to be before thinking about what kind of career you want, and that there is always something new that you can learn every day.

Ona Lu, Product Lead Counsel at Meta, received the Achievement Award. She talked about the support she received from friends and family during the pandemic in making a career change, and in giving yourself the grace to believe in yourself. Ona is a former AABANY Legal Intern, and we congratulate her on her career achievements.

AABANY board members and Brooklyn Law alums Karen Kim, incoming President, and Francis Chin, Technology Director, joined in the celebration, which featured food from Nom Wah Tea Parlor.