by Assunta Ng
Northwest Asia Weekly
Judge Janet Chung’s mother, Helen, helps Chung get dressed in the judge’s gown. (Photo by Assunta Ng)
The path Judge Janet Chung has blazed for herself on the bench has never been traditional. Her story provides inspiration for immigrants and women, no matter how improbable the barriers may seem, anything is possible.
Chung, 53, is the first Korean-American woman to serve on an appeals court among 22 judges in Washington state. Unlike many judges who started their careers in lower courts, Chung was never a judge. However, she was appointed by Gov. Jay Inslee to the appeals court, just one step away from the Washington state Supreme Court. A three-person appellate court has the power to vacate (overturn), remand, modify, or affirm lower court decisions.
Justice Mary Yu sworn in as Justice Janet Chung (photo by Assunta Ng)
Chung’s immigrant parents, both physicians, were one of the few privileged doctors who were allowed to enter the United States from South Korea in the early 1960s to help fill the then shortage of medical professionals in the United States,” Chung’s brother Donald said at the swearing-in ceremony Aug. 25. Wing Luke Asian Museum.
But Chung didn’t follow in his parents’ footsteps to become a doctor. Donald joked that his parents’ attendance at the swearing-in ceremony “proved that they finally forgave Janet for not entering the medical profession.”
Chung’s life adventure began at the age of 11. She wrote in her notebook: “My greatest ambition…in my life, is to be a lawyer…I like to stand up for what I think is right, and what other people think. …In this way, I can help Others,” Donald said.
Justice Mary Yu sworn in as Justice Janet Chung (photo by Assunta Ng)
How many of us know what we want to do in life at that age? Maybe when we get a lot older. If we knew what to do, the obvious choice would depend on financial returns? As early as she was young, Chung thought about the impact she would have.
That same year, Zhong became an entrepreneur. She started her own biweekly magazine covering her family history and neighborhood events. As a publisher, editor, and reporter, she even hired her older sister and younger brother to write.
Judge Janet Chung’s siblings Susan and Donald share Janet’s childhood story (Photo by Assunta Ng)
Although Chung didn’t go into medicine, she drew inspiration from the stories of her parents, especially her maternal grandmother Harmony, who was widowed at 27. Donald said she “raised her daughter as a single mother”. “She had to rely on her wit and perseverance to fight through two wars” and “eventually sent our mother to medical school.”
“She carries on a tradition of being dedicated to creating opportunities,” said Chung’s sister, Susan.
In fact, Legacy creates possibilities not only for marginalized people, including immigrants, women of color, and LGBTQ, but also for herself. “I’m interested in helping people get through this system,” she said.
Judge Janet Chung’s family (Photo by Assunta Ng)
Not the usual career path
Born in Maryland and raised in Houston, Texas, Chung earned her bachelor’s degree from Yale University and her law degree from Columbia Law School.
Most judges follow traditional moves by running for lower courts (such as municipal and high courts) or by being appointed.
Justice Janet Chung’s parents Oliver and Helen help Chung get dressed (photo by Assunta Ng)
Chung agreed that she didn’t take the traditional route to get to where she was.
“I never thought about going through the upper courts,” Chung said. She said appeals courts require different skills than trial experience such as jury picking and sentencing.
Although this is not a requirement. “Most justices are not trial judges,” said Washington Supreme Court Justice Mary Yu, a former King County Superior Court judge. “Only recently have governors realized the importance of having judges at the appellate level” and other types of experience.
From law professor to nonprofit legal counsel, Chung’s experience spans the private and public sectors. But she has spent most of her career in the nonprofit sector serving the public interest. She is Legal and Legislative Advisor for Legal Voice (formerly Northwest Women’s Law Center). Its mission is to promote and defend the rights of women and LGBTQ+ people in the Northwest Territories, courts and legislatures.
Justice Janet Chung’s parents Oliver and Helen help Chung get dressed (photo by Assunta Ng)
“Janet has left her mark on the law in many ways,” said attorney David Ward, who worked with Chung at Legal Voice. “She created regulations and won lawsuits to protect the rights of pregnant women and parents. She helped strengthen anti-discrimination protections and ensured more workers were entitled to paid time off when needed. She protected Washington, Idaho and the Northwest Reproductive rights of people in other states.”
In an article for the Bar Bulletin, Jamila Johnson described Chung as a “policy expert” who has been an advocate for disadvantaged groups and “has been a regular in the cutting-edge policy-making room.”
Chung is also the advocacy director for Columbia Legal Services (CLS), a statewide agency. “Janet was an exceptional person, smart, hardworking, and committed to social justice,” said Blanca Rodriguez, her former colleague and associate director of advocacy at CLS.
“She has always supported me and other female lawyers.” According to Rodriguez, she believes “diversity is important.”
How women can get what they want
From left: Judge Linda Lee (Court of Appeals), Mary Yu (Supreme Court), Janet Chung (Court of Appeals), Judge Linda Coburn (Court of Appeals), Judge Tana Lin (Federal Court – Western District of Washington), Judge John Chun ( Federal Court – Western District of Washington). (Photo courtesy of Marie Yu)
The study found that “women of color generally do not hold positions unless they are asked or encouraged,” Chung said. Women are less likely to ask for a promotion, according to a study by Professor Danielle Lee at MIT.
In another study, Professor Kelly Shue and co-authors found that “women have higher performance ratings than men but are consistently misjudged as having lower leadership potential.
Lack of confidence is a problem for women, Zhong said.
From left: Janet Chung, Tana Lin and Justice John Chun (photo by Assunta Ng)
“If young lawyers can apply, why not me?” Chung said, although some women will respond, “I’ll never be able to.” She knows what her goal is and pursues it. She has set her sights on the Court of Appeals for a few years and is preparing for an appointment herself.
“Listening, asking questions,” Zhong said, is important for women to get what they want.
“Don’t be afraid to ask questions and learn how to be taken seriously,” she said. “Reliable, always learn. No need to pretend (you know everything). You have to put yourself out there. Get information.”
You might be surprised that others might not have an answer to everything, Zhong said.
“A shared vulnerability is a connection.
“Find a mentor to support you,” she said. “I have many (mentors) … my colleague, Judge Yu, is one of them.”
The timing was right for Chung this year. Having opened several positions this year due to retirement, Chung is confident of winning support and referrals to beat her competitors. The governor’s office typically does not disclose the number of applicants competing for the position, and Zhong guesses there are a dozen other candidates. The results couldn’t have been more satisfying, as she went unopposed in November’s election, saving the pain of the campaign and introducing her name to voters. Chung is serving the term of retired Judge Marlin Appelwick. Two years later she had to run again. Earlier, Chung said she was worried she might run into a rival because “women, especially women of color, are considered vulnerable.”
Mr. Zhong
What kind of teacher was Zhong when he was a law professor of legal writing at Seattle University School of Law (SULS)?
A former student and immigrant woman of color, Yoo Chung. “The time Judge Chung and I spent together was an affirmation of life.”
Chung’s job is to supervise interns and interns, developing them into lawyers.
“Judge Chung is a successful litigator and lobbyist; a passionate advocate for social justice…a teacher, mentor and role model,” said Mimi Samuel, Associate Professor of Lawyer Skills at SULS.
“She helped give [students] The tools they need to be successful in legal research,” Samuel said.
unconventional oath
It wasn’t a typical swearing-in ceremony for Chung and the audience. It’s not in the courthouse, it’s in the international district of Chinatown.
As Supreme Court Justice Mary Yu was sworn in, Zhong’s entire family, including her parents, helped her put on the robe, while her son, siblings and partner shared the stage.
I have never seen so many judges (closer to 20) attending the oath-taking ceremony of their colleagues. Several of them are from the Supreme Court, and Asian American judges are well represented in the room. It was an empowering experience for viewers and journalists alike.
“Where do I want to (let people) know about my journey?” Chung said. The Wing Luke Museum flashed before her eyes. Many people have never visited the Wing before.
“Let people see our community,” Zhong said, and “pay back the community” is why she chose Wing.
Chung “couldn’t have found a better location for her inauguration, a museum dedicated to Asian Americans fighting for civil rights and social justice,” Rodriguez said.
Chung’s official swearing-in was much earlier. Wing’s ceremony was designed for her family, colleagues and community. From the venue to the catering, from the powerful and mundane diverse guest list, from the serious speeches to the funny and heartwarming anecdotes, it is all indicative of Chung’s personality and approach to work. If so, we can expect her to have a very different perspective, contributing to the Court of Appeals with humanity, lessons, and insight for generations to come.
Assunta can reach assunta@nwasianweekly.com.
