Distinguished Alumni Perspectives with The Honorable Dorothy Chin Brandt
Thursday, November 16, 2017

Please join AVALANCHE (Shearman & Sterling’s Asia-focused inclusion network), Shearman Alumni and AABANY (the Asian American Bar Association of New York) for a program featuring The Honorable Dorothy Chin Brandt – the first Asian American elected official – and the first Asian American female jurist – in New York.

Justice Chin Brandt’s career in public service as Acting Justice of New York State Supreme Court, Queens County, began in 1987, when she was elected as the first Asian-American woman judge in the state of New York. Her highly distinguished time on the bench spanned 30 years. Prior to her career in public service, Justice Chin Brandt served as Assistant Dean of Graduate Legal Studies at Harvard Law School and was an associate at Shearman & Sterling, New York, in the Finance group. She later joined a firm in Washington, D.C. and continued to work in private practice until her election to the Civil Court in Manhattan.

Although Justice Chin Brandt retired in 2017, she continues to inspire and share her experiences as a keynote speaker at universities and organizations across the globe, and through her scholarship fund focused on young people and empowerment. She is the recipient of countless recognitions, and was recently awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Organization of Chinese Americans for her demonstrated sustained service in advocating for and supporting the Asian American Pacific Islander community.

Often referring to herself as a “daughter of New York,” Justice Chin Brandt is a proud graduate of Brooklyn Law School and the New York City public school system. She received her undergraduate degree from the University of Chicago and her LL.M. from Harvard Law School. She is an active member of the American Judges Association, Black and Jews in Conversation, New York State Bar Association, Queens County Bar Association as well as numerous Asian American organizations. 

During her presentation, Justice Chin Brandt will share personal and professional insights on lessons learned and the ways that she carved out her own career path.  The event will include a short video presentation drawing on the Judge’s most memorable interviews, and will conclude with a Q&A session.  To submit a question in advance, please e-mail Shanice Simmons.

Cocktails and hors d'oeuvres will be served.  We hope that you will join us!

The event's schedule is as follows: 

6:00-6:30 PM  Registration and Light Refreshments

6:30-7:30 PM  Program 

7:30-8:00 PM  Networking Reception