Announcements & News

On Friday, December 8, Governor Maura T. Healey nominated Manisha Bhatt and Michelle A. Yee for Probate and Family Court Justices. The nominees will now be considered by the Governor’s Council for confirmation. "AALAM applauds the nominations of Manisha Bhatt and Michelle Yee for these two important positions," said Emily Sy, AALAM President, "both nominees will bring a wealth of experience to the bench and will also increase the diversity of our judiciary to better reflect the communities they serve." 

For more information about the Probate and Family Court, visit its homepage. 

About the Nominees: 

Manisha Hemendra Bhatt has represented indigent clients in probate and family matters for the last 22 years as an attorney for Greater Boston Legal Services. In this role, she worked on divorce, paternity, guardianship and abuse prevention matters, often for limited English-speaking immigrants in communities throughout Massachusetts. Attorney Bhatt has taught and lectured for Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education, Inc. (MCLE) and served on committees for the Trial Court on Probate and Family Court issues. As the daughter of South Asian immigrants, she has been a leader in the South Asian legal community. Attorney Bhatt served as President of the South Asian Bar Association of Greater Boston and continues to serve on its Advisory Board. She was instrumental in creating their award-winning grassroots access to justice initiative, the “Know Your Rights” program. The program is a twelve-session, two semester, legal educational seminar for leaders in the South Asian Community intended to give such leaders the knowledge about fundamental legal rights they need to assist members of their communities. Attorney Bhatt has a B.A. from Boston College and a J.D. from Suffolk University Law School. 

Michelle A. Yee has been a valuable part of the Probate and Family Court system for more than 18 years. She currently is the Senior Program Manager in the Administrative Office of the Probate and Family Court, where she has been instrumental in the implementation of the Pathways Case Management Initiative in all 14 divisions of the court.Attorney Yee was previously the Judicial Case Manager in the Essex divisions, where she was responsible for the management of the daily court operations. Prior to that, she was an Assistant Judicial Case Manager, Massachusetts Uniform Probate Code (“MUPC”) Magistrate, Sessions Clerk, and Judicial Law Clerk in the Essex and Norfolk divisions. She also worked as an associate at a small firm prior to working for the Probate and Family Court. Attorney Yee has a B.S. from the University of Miami and a J.D. from Suffolk University School of Law. She is the daughter of Filipino and Chinese immigrants, and she grew up in Minneapolis, MN. She lives in Peabody with her husband of 22 years and two sons. 

Today, the United States Senate confirmed Boston Municipal Court Judge Myong J. Joun to the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts. Judge Joun will be the first Korean American judge to serve on this court. 

“Judge Joun is an inspiration for those who have come to this country holding little more than the American Dream, and his perspective is underrepresented in the judiciary,” says Emily Sy, AALAM President. “AALAM is thrilled that Judge Joun is now a member of our esteemed federal bench and we congratulate him on this significant achievement.”

Judge Judge has served on the Boston Municipal Court since 2014 and is a past AALAM President, director, and long-time member. Throughout his career, Judge Joun has demonstrated a commitment to public service and access to justice. Judge Joun’s contributions to AALAM have left lasting impressions upon its members and he continues to serve as mentor. Stephen Chow, an AALAM member since the 1980s and a board member since 1996, says, “Judge Joun, in his leadership of AALAM and consideration of community and professional matters that came before it, was consistent in his attentiveness to and due respect for views from all backgrounds. Never loud or strident in his positions, Judge Joun shows the kind of quiet strength that commands confidence that his decisions judiciously apply established law to fairly considered evidence and arguments.” Judge Jason Chan, who was recently appointed to the Massachusetts bench, says, “Judge Joun was one of the first people that I reached out to when I was confirmed to the Massachusetts State District Court last summer. Since I began my legal career in 2007, Judge Joun has served as my inspiration and I would not be where I am today without his steady guidance and mentorship. When I joined the judiciary, he counseled me to be patient, thoughtful and thorough with my decisions and demeanor.” 

Judge Joun was also integral to the establishment of AALAM’s Community Service Committee and its Advocacy Committee. During his term as chair of the Advocacy Committee, AALAM joined the amici brief supporting the plaintiffs in Goodridge v. Department of Public Health, the Supreme Judicial Court case which legalized same-sex marriage in Massachusetts. In addition to his work with AALAM, Judge Joun has held leadership positions with the Massachusetts Bar Association, the National Lawyers Guild, and the American Civil Liberties Union of Massachusetts. 

Judge Joun’s story reflects the aspirations of those who have immigrated to this country. Judge Joun’s mother immigrated to the United States with three small children and only $46 in her pocket. Growing up in New York City, Judge Joun’s future was far from assured. He attended Lane High School, which had at that time a fifty percent dropout rate and a reputation for being among the worst high schools in the country. Despite these challenges, Judge Joun went on to graduate from high school and graduated magna cum laude from the University of Massachusetts Boston and from Suffolk University Law School. While pursuing his degrees, Judge Joun served for six years in the United States Army as part of the Massachusetts National Guard. 

AALAM congratulates former AALAM President and current AALAM Board Member, Peggy Ho, on her appointment by Governor Maura Healey to the Judicial Nominating Commission! 

Today, Governor Healey signed an executive order reestablishing the Judicial Nominating Commission ("JNC") and announced a historically diverse slate of Commissioners, including former AALAM President and current AALAM Board Member, Peggy Ho. 

The role of the JNC is to ensure that judicial candidates in the state of Massachusetts are not only qualified but also represent the diversity of the communities that they serve. Peggy's selection as a Commissioner will further this goal by ensuring that the AAPI community has a voice in these important matters. 

Congratulations to Peggy and the newly appointed JNC! 

Dear AALAM Community,

I hope you and your families enjoyed the Lunar New Year this weekend. My family and I gathered in Denver to celebrate with several generations of cousins. We traded stories about our recent travels, ate peanuts while my dad and uncle talked about their love of soccer, and I got to meet my cousin’s kids for the first time!

However, the recent horrific tragedies in Monterey Park and Half Moon Bay have placed a dark cloud over what should have been a time of celebration. While we are still learning all the facts and circumstances that led to such senseless acts of violence, it is clear that the loss of life is overwhelming and that no community is immune from the impact of gun violence.

Please consider donating to the Monterey Park Lunar New Year Victims Fund, organized by a coalition of AAPI community organizations, including our national affiliate, NAPABA, and the Half Moon Bay Strong Fund, organized by Ayudando Latinos A Soñar, a non-profit that supports the affected farmworker community. In addition, click here for a list of resources compiled by AAPI Equity Alliance, an LA based organization.

On Saturday, January 28 from 4-5 pm a candlelight vigil will be held at the Lion Gateway in Boston's Chinatown, co-sponsored by AALAM. 

Please take care,

Emily Sy, AALAM President 

AALAM proudly applauds President Biden’s nomination of Boston Municipal Court Judge Myong Joun to the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts!

As a past AALAM president, director, and long-time member, Judge Joun is a highly experienced trial attorney – who throughout his career – has demonstrated a commitment to public service and access to justice. Judge Joun was nominated to the Boston Municipal Court bench by Governor Deval Patrick in 2014. In support of Judge Joun's nomination to the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts, U.S. Senators Elizabeth Warren and Ed Markey said in a joint statement, “A veteran of the U.S. Army and Massachusetts National Guard, Judge Joun dedicated his career to criminal defense and civil rights litigation prior to his appointment as an Associate of the Boston Municipal Court.” Judge Joun administered the oath of office when Mayor Michelle Wu took office in 2021.

Judge Joun’s life and career experiences will provide him with a perspective shared by many of those who call the Commonwealth home. Congratulations Judge Joun!

AALAM Congratulates Jason Chan!

AALAM applauds the appointment of Jason Chan by Governor Charlie Baker to the position of Associate Justice of the District Court. 

Jason served on the AALAM board for over 10 years from 2011 to 2021. During his time on the AALAM board, Jason volunteered his time to mentor students, build community through programming, and helped educate the community by organizing panels on hot topics. Jason is also involved in several other community non-profits that are focused on the AAPI population, including the OCA-Asian Pacific American Advocates of New England, AAPI Civil Rights Conference and Kwong Kow Chinese School.

The appointment of a uniquely qualified judge, like Jason, is a significant step towards  shaping our court system to better reflect and meaningfully serve the diverse population that makes up the Commonwealth.

Jason will be sworn in on August 8, 2022. 

2022 Special Edition of the Boston Bar Journal 

Check out the 2022 Special Edition of the Boston Bar Journal which features articles highlighting AAPI voices and written by AALAM members: 

How You and I See Me by Hon. Catherine Hyo-Kyung Ham

Fighting Anti-Asian Hate: Community-Based Solutions Beyond Prosecutions and the Cycle of Violence by Senior Attorney at Greater Boston Legal Services-Asian Outreach, Janet H. Vo

Affinity Bar Spotlight: Representation Matters by AALAM President, Emily Sy 

Affinity Bar Spotlight: Reflections on Efforts at Promoting Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the Profession by SABA GB Co-President, Payal Salsburg & Darshana Indira

Interview with Attorney Alexander Chen by Sophia Hall & Bill Gabovitch 

The Boston Bar Journal (BBJ) is peer-reviewed, online publication of the Boston Bar Association. The BBJ began as a monthly, hard-copy publication in 1957, and moved online in 2009. Additional articles from this special edition can be found here. 

AALAM Congratulates AALAM Board Member, and former AALAM President, Sarah G. Kim, on her appointment as Interim Chair for the Cannabis Control Commission! 

On May 9, State Treasurer Deborah Goldberg announced that Sarah G. Kim was sworn in as Interim Chairman for the Cannabis Control Commission. 

“Sarah has extensive leadership experience and knowledge about the standards, goals, and operations of the Commission, as well as perspective on necessary steps as we progress in the implementation of good policies in Massachusetts,” said State Treasurer Deborah B. Goldberg. “We are proud to appoint her as the Interim Chair, and strongly support her efforts in this new role.”

Click here to read the full press release announcing Sarah's appointment. 

And click here to read a recent article in the Boston Globe reporting on Sarah's first meeting as the Interim Chair. 

Sarah is a current AALAM Board Member and previously served as AALAM President from 2010 to 2013.  

AALAM congratulates current Board member and former AALAM president, Christina Chan, on her promotion to Deputy Chief of the False Claims Division of the Massachusetts Attorney General's Office (AGO). 

Christina formerly served as an Assistant Attorney General in the AGO's Medicaid Fraud and Trial Divisions, as a Special Assistant District Attorney in Suffolk County, and a litigation associate at the law firm Bingham McCutchen LLP (now Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP).  Christina was named a "Best Under 40" Lawyer by the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA), an Up & Coming Lawyer by Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly, and one of the Top 50 Most Influential Attorneys of Color by Get Konnected.  Christina has also received the Attorney General Francis X. Bellotti Award for Excellence and Attorney General Martha Coakley Award for Outstanding Teamwork. 

Christina graduated from a joint degree program between Northeastern University School of Law and Tufts University School of Medicine leading to a J.D. and Masters in Public Health. She attended Cornell University where she received a B.S. in Policy Analysis and Management.

Congratulations to AALAM Board Member, Sophie Wang, on her election to equity partner at Choate Hall & Stewart LLP (effective January 1, 2022).