May marked Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, and the Kings County Family Court celebrated with the inaugural event of its newly formed AAPI Heritage Committee. Held in the court’s boardroom, the program, titled “A Celebration of Asian Americans in the New York State Courts,” was well-attended and focused on the achievements of Asian American judges and court professionals across New York State.

The event featured notable speakers, including Associate Justice Lillian Wan of the Appellate Division, Second Department, and New York County Civil Court Supervising Judge Ally Shahabuddeen. 

Justice Wan, a trailblazer in her own right, is recognized as the first Asian American elected to the State Supreme Court in Brooklyn and the first Asian American woman appointed to the Appellate Division, Second Department. Judge Shahabuddeen, another pioneer, holds the distinction of being the first Muslim man elected to the bench in New York State and the first person of South Asian descent to serve as Supervising Judge in the New York State Courts.

Also speaking was Kwok Ng, a court attorney in New York City Family Court and a volunteer Small Claims Court arbitrator. Ng’s diverse career includes roles as a Cantonese and Mandarin interpreter, an assistant law clerk, and a court attorney in both Family and Civil Courts in New York City.

The speakers emphasized their commitment to the AAPI Heritage Committee’s mission of promoting diversity, inclusion, and equity within the New York State Courts. They highlighted the importance of such programs in raising awareness and celebrating the cultural diversity within the Kings County Family Court and the broader court system.

The event, which allowed for both in-person and virtual participation, featured a lively discussion and food from Han Dynasty on Flatbush Avenue, courtesy of the Asian American Judges Association of New York (AAJANY). Throughout May, the AAPI Heritage Committee spotlighted the contributions of AAPI judges and employees in New York City courts, acknowledging their significant impact on the city, the state, and beyond.

The AAPI Heritage Committee, including members such as Judges Nisha Menon and Jessica Sin, court attorney referees Vanessa Kong and Jamila Cha-Jua-Lee, and court attorneys Mary Cheng and Tina Sahgal, looks forward to continuing its efforts to promote awareness of AAPI traditions and history through future programs and initiatives.