Legal News

Goodwin Liu Tackles Asian-American Stereotypes
Download PDF
1 Star2 Stars3 Stars4 Stars5 Stars (No Ratings Yet)
Loading...

Goodwin Liu

Summary: California Supreme Court Justice Goodwin Liu is one of very few Asian-Americans in top positions in the legal industry throughout the country and he explains some reasons why.

Asian-Americans hold very few top legal jobs in the country. Of the top positions on state supreme courts, other state courts, federal benches, and as top prosecutors, there are very few of Asian-American descent. There is just a handful serving on state supreme courts.

  
What
Where


Goodwin Liu became the fourth sitting member of Asian descent in 2011 on the seven-member California Supreme Court. In a study done by Liu and Yale law students, the grasp on how few there are is understood better. The highest positions are lacking even though Asian-Americans are well-represented among the country’s attorneys.

Liu said, “They have a foot in the door in virtually every sector of the legal profession. The question now is how wide that door’s going to swing open for them.”

He accredits his success to two mentors: U.S. Rep Bob Matsui and former Yale Law School Dean Harold Koh. With these two Asian-American leaders to look up to, Liu became a law professor and then associate dean at the University of California, Berkeley. President Barack Obama nominated him to the federal appeals court in 2010. California Gov. Jerry Brown swore Liu into the state Supreme Court soon after.

Get JD Journal in Your Mail

Subscribe to our FREE daily news alerts and get the latest updates on the most happening events in the legal, business, and celebrity world. You also get your daily dose of humor and entertainment!!




As of 2015, of the 97 appellate court judges only two were Asian-American. The California Supreme Court currently has three Asian-American justices since one retired in 2014.

Asians are the fastest-growing racial group in the country, making up over 5 percent of the population. They make up an even larger percent of law school students, with many of them graduating from top institutions. Even with these large numbers, there are very few in leadership positions.



In the survey, they asked over 600 Asian-American lawyers. The responses showed several points that may be serving as barriers. One of those points was the lack of parents or mentors in the legal field. As a way of countering the lack of mentorship providing Asian-Americans with the motivation to take on leadership roles, Liu suggests that law students seek out public speaking opportunities and to “break from what came” before them.

On a final note, Liu urges Asian-Americans to not let stereotypes hold them back. He said, “I think for people who feel like they are going into places that are unfamiliar to them and who defy what perhaps is conventional expectation, you always feel like you’re an imposter. There’s always that feeling like, ‘Oh, one day they’re going to find me out.”

Do you think Asian-Americans face unfair barriers in the legal industry? Tell us in the comments below.

To learn more about stereotypes in lawyers, read these articles:

Photo: inlandpolitics.com



 

RELEVANT JOBS

Legal Assistant

USA-GA-Douglasville

Our busy legal firm is looking for an efficient, organized legal assistant to help our attorneys and...

Apply now

Associate Attorney

USA-VT-Burlington

Job details Salary From $80,000 a year Job Type Full-time Qualifications Civ...

Apply now

Legal Assistant

USA-FL-Boca Raton

Law firm in Boca Raton looking for full-time Legal Assistant. Responsible for performing general cle...

Apply now

Bilingual/Paralegal/Legal Assistant

USA-NY-Garden City

Job details Salary $40,000 - $50,000 a year Job Type Full-time Part-time Qualifica...

Apply now

BCG FEATURED JOB

Locations:

Keyword:



Search Now

Associate Attorney

USA-CA-Woodland Hills

Woodland Hills office of a BCG Attorney Search Top Ranked Law Firm seeks an associate attorney with ...

Apply Now

Associate Attorney

USA-MA-Braintree

Braintree office of our client seeks associate attorney with 1-5 years of experience in civil litiga...

Apply Now

Litigation Associate Attorney

USA-CA-Sacramento

Sacramento office of a BCG Attorney Search Top Ranked Law Firm seeks a litigation associate attorney...

Apply Now

Most Popular

SEARCH IN ARCHIVE

To Top