On May 12, 2022, the Asian Pacific American Bar Association of Silicon Valley (“APABA Silicon Valley”) hosted a celebration reception for Judge Lucy H. Koh following her confirmation to the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. Judge Koh is the first Korean-American woman to serve as a federal appellate judge. Judge Koh is a lifetime member of APABA Silicon Valley and previously held positions as a Board member and as a Co-Chair of our Civil Rights Committee.

Several hundred APABA Silicon Valley members, friends, and VIP guests joined together at an outdoor venue in Palo Alto, CA to celebrate Judge Koh’s recent appellate confirmation and years of public service. Members of the APABA Silicon Valley Board and Strategic Advisory Committee attended. VIP guests included approximately two dozen current and retired federal and state court judges, as well as Consul General Sang Soon Yoon of the Republic of Korea. In addition to remarks from the honoree, Judge Koh, we heard from Judges Erica Yew and Hanley Chew of the California Superior Court for Santa Clara County; Connie Chan, a partner at Altshuler Berzon LLP and a former law clerk of Judge Koh’s; past APABA Silicon Valley Presidents Hogene Choi, Christine Wang, and Jennifer Murakami; and current APABA Silicon Valley President, Deanna Kwong. We also heard a heartfelt congratulatory video message from Attorney General Rob Bonta, who could not join us in person, which is linked here.

APABA Silicon Valley President, Deanna Kwong, wishes to extend a special thank you to APABA Silicon Valley Past President Christine Wang and Board member Lindsey Pho for taking the lead on management and execution of event site and day-of logistics, to APABA Silicon Valley Past President Hogene Choi for organizing the speakers, to APABA Silicon Valley Past President Jennifer Murakami for securing the gavel award presented to Judge Koh, and to APABA Silicon Valley External Vice-President, Jennifer Gossain, for arranging the slide show and video montage that brought many, including Judge Koh, to tears. We are also grateful to the many other volunteers who helped with other event details as well. Photos from the event can be found here.

We are thankful to have had the chance to safely celebrate together, and APABA Silicon Valley is proud to be Judge Koh’s home bar association.