New York County Lawyers Association Statement on Recent Remarks by President Donald J. Trump about Federal Judiciary
On January 27, 2017, President Donald J. Trump issued an Executive Order, which among other things, bars individuals from seven named countries with significant Muslim populations from entering the United States. Over the past week, President Trump has made statements to the effect that the courts, in exercise of their duties and obligations under Article III of the U.S. Constitution, are interfering with national security while a challenge to his Executive Order is sub judice. The President has further stated that the judges hearing his challenges to his Executive Order are influenced by ‘politics’ or ‘political views’ and that recent proceedings on the issue and that recent proceedings on the issue before the U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals were ‘disgraceful.’ In addition, the President referred to one judge, the Honorable James Robart, a United States District Court Judge in the Western District of Washington, as a ‘so-called’ judge. These statements are ill-considered, are without any evidentiary support, and are destructive of our society and system of law.
For the full text of the statement, click on the link in the title.
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.
At the NYCLA-AABANY Reception for Glenn Lau-Kee, NYSBA’s 117th President and the first Asian American President of NYSBA, Past AABANY President Vince Chang, Margaret Ling, Chair of NYCLA’s Asian Practice Committee and Director on AABANY’s Board, and Norman Kee, Glenn’s father, introduce Glenn to present his speech to all who gathered for the celebration. Thanks to Francis Chin, Director on AABANY’s Board, for the video.
(Source: https://www.youtube.com/)
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On July 16th, NYCLA and AABANY honored Glenn Lau-Kee for his historical accomplishment of becoming the 117th President of the New York State Bar Association and the first Asian-American to hold this position.
Margaret Ling, Chair of NYCLA’s Asian Practice Committee and co-chair of AABANY’s Real Estate Committee, began the program by introducing Presiding Justice of the Second Department, Hon. Randall T. Eng, to present the first remarks of the evening.
Margaret then introduced representatives from the many organizations Glenn has impacted or been part of, many of whom shared personal stories of their work with or connection to Glenn. Among the speakers were Lewis Tesser, President of NYCLA, Bridgette Ahn, Vice President of Programs and Committees for KALAGNY, Nadine Fontaine, Immediate Past President of the Metropolitan Black Bar Association, Rosevelie Marquez Morales, Co-Chair of NYSBA’s Committee on Diversity and Inclusion, Alex Lee, Vice President of Finance and Development for NAPABA, and Clara Ohr, President of AABANY.
NYCLA’s Solo and Small Firm Committee was a co-sponsor of the event, and Co-Chairs Tsui Yee and Paige Zandri offered remarks on behalf of that committee. Tsui also co-chairs AABANY’s Immigration and Nationality Law Committee. Vince Chang, a Past President of AABANY, presented remarks on behalf of NYCLA’s Federal Courts Committee, another co-sponsor of the event.
Representatives from Federal, State and City government were on hand to honor Glenn. The Governor’s Office, represented by Mecca Santana, Chief Diversity Officer, presented a greeting letter from the Governor to Glenn. Sandra Ung, Chief Legislative Assistant for Congresswoman Grace Meng, presented a commendation to Glenn from Congresswoman Meng’s office. Jimmy Yan, Chief Deputy General Counsel for New York City Comptroller Scott Stringer, offered congratulations on behalf of the Comptroller.
All of the speakers extolled Glenn for his outstanding record of leadership and status as a significant role model for Asian American, minority and under-represented groups.
After all the speeches were given, Glenn’s father, Norman Kee, a trailblazer in his own right, introduced Glenn. Glenn expressed his gratitude for the honors bestowed upon him at the reception. He urged everyone, especially young lawyers, to get involved in bar associations – any bar association – as a way to develop as lawyers and serve the profession.
Congratulations to Glenn on his historic achievement, and thanks to Margaret Ling for organizing the reception and NYCLA for hosting it. Thanks to all the government officials, bar leaders, friends and family who came out to celebrate.