(Sacramento, CA) - The California Judges Association (CJA) is pleased to announce the election of Judge Erica Yew as the new president of the organization. The election was held on May 16, 2023 during CJA's Executive Board Meeting in Sacramento.
Judge Yew's distinguished judicial career spans over two decades. In her appointment to the Santa Clara Superior Court, she made history as the court’s first female Asian American Pacific Islander judge. Her illustrious career has been marked by exceptional leadership roles in various organizations, such as the Judicial Council of California, the California Commission on Judicial Performance, the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association Judicial Council, and the California Asian Pacific American Judges Association.
Currently, Judge Yew continues to make significant contributions to the judicial community through her leadership positions on several committees and organizations, including the California Supreme Court Committee on Judicial Ethics Opinions, the California Access to Justice Commission, the National Center for State Courts, and the California Judicial Mentor Program. Her experience as an attorney also includes serving on the California State Bar Board of Governors, an esteemed position that further demonstrates her commitment to the legal profession.
Judge Yew has won several awards including the Judicial Council’s Distinguished Service Award and the John W. Gardner Leadership Award from the American Leadership Forum Silicon Valley. This summer, she will receive the Rose Bird Memorial Award from the California Women Lawyers.
As president of CJA, Judge Yew will work to advance the interests of the organization and the California judiciary. She will be responsible for leading CJA's efforts to improve the administration of justice in California, as well as ensuring that the organization remains a strong and effective voice for judges throughout the state.
“As the first person in my family to become an attorney and a judge, I am honored to be selected as President of CJA,” said Yew. “My parents left their homeland to give their children opportunities in this country and I have been proud to serve as a member of the legal community and judicial branch. I am the beneficiary of the goodwill and support of so many people… I will do my best to give back and be worthy of the trust of my esteemed colleagues.”
Additional members were elected to the slate of officers for the 2023-24 term: Judge Khymberli Apaloo of the San Bernardino Superior Court and Judge Denise McLaughlin-Bennett of the Los Angeles Superior Court were elected Vice Presidents. Judge Brett Bianco of Los Angeles Superior Court was elected Secretary/Treasurer. All officers will be sworn in at CJA’s Annual Meeting this fall in San Diego.
The California Judges Association has over 2300 members and is one of the largest organizations of judicial officers in the country. CJA is dedicated to promoting judicial excellence to achieve fair, impartial and equal justice for all through education, ethics, inclusivity, outreach and advocacy.
###
