APPOINTMENT OF MORE AAPI JUDGES & GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS
Georgia's 2 elected AAPI Judges
Currently in Georgia, there are only two elected AAPI judges in the entire state court system. The first, Judge Alvin T. Wong, broke barriers when he was elected in 1998 to the State Court of DeKalb County, becoming the first AAPI elected judge in the Southeast. More than a decade later, in 2010, the number of AAPIs in Georgia has increased exponentially by 83%. However, despite the tremendous growth of the AAPI population, it took as many years to have only the second AAPI , Judge Carla Wong McMillian, appointed to a trial court by former Governor Sonny Perdue. Judge McMillian was appointed to the State Court of Fayette County in 2010. She won her reelection in July 2012.
To the delight of AAPIs in Georgia, in January 2013, Governor Nathan Deal appointed her as the very first AAPI female judge to the Georgia Court of Appeals. We applaud the Governor's decision, and this is a wonderful beginning to build the momentum for appointment of more qualified AAPI judicial candidates in our great state. This year, the Georgia Asian Pacific American Bar Association (GAPABA) celebrates its 20th Anniversary. There are more qualified AAPI attorneys now than ever before practicing in Georgia. The first Korean American elected to the Georgia General Assembly, Rep. BJay Pak, is a practicing attorney and former Assistant U.S. Attorney.
Why do we need more AAPI Judges and government appointees? Following the reasoning of the National Women's Law Council, which has been strongly advocating for more female representation, when minorities are more fairly represented on our legal system and government administration, then it become more reflective of our racially and ethnically diverse populations. When a minority party or defendant appears before a judge that shares his or her same heritage, then the party feels more confidence that the court can understand the real-world implications of its rulings. The increased presence of qualified minority judges and government officials will improve our quality of justice. Having more AAPI judges and government officials can improve an understanding of the impact of the law on the lives of AAPIs in our Georgia community, and enrich the courts' understanding of how best to apply the intended purpose and effect of the laws.
Read about why we need more diversity in our Judiciary:
To the delight of AAPIs in Georgia, in January 2013, Governor Nathan Deal appointed her as the very first AAPI female judge to the Georgia Court of Appeals. We applaud the Governor's decision, and this is a wonderful beginning to build the momentum for appointment of more qualified AAPI judicial candidates in our great state. This year, the Georgia Asian Pacific American Bar Association (GAPABA) celebrates its 20th Anniversary. There are more qualified AAPI attorneys now than ever before practicing in Georgia. The first Korean American elected to the Georgia General Assembly, Rep. BJay Pak, is a practicing attorney and former Assistant U.S. Attorney.
Why do we need more AAPI Judges and government appointees? Following the reasoning of the National Women's Law Council, which has been strongly advocating for more female representation, when minorities are more fairly represented on our legal system and government administration, then it become more reflective of our racially and ethnically diverse populations. When a minority party or defendant appears before a judge that shares his or her same heritage, then the party feels more confidence that the court can understand the real-world implications of its rulings. The increased presence of qualified minority judges and government officials will improve our quality of justice. Having more AAPI judges and government officials can improve an understanding of the impact of the law on the lives of AAPIs in our Georgia community, and enrich the courts' understanding of how best to apply the intended purpose and effect of the laws.
Read about why we need more diversity in our Judiciary:
- Raise the Bar on Judicial Diversity, Daily Report, Sept. 24, 2012, Justice Leah Sears, the first female African American Supreme Court Justice in Georgia's history, and her clerk, Kimberly Bourroughs
- The Case for Diversity is Not Yet Won, Daily Report, Aug. 15, 2012, Justice Leah Sears and Kimberly Bourroughs
- We Should Codify the State's Pursuit of Judicial Diversity, Daily Report, Oct. 4, 2012, Suzanne Wynn Ockleberry and Charles S. Johnson
- Examining Diversity on State Courts: How does the Judicial Selection Environment Advance—and Inhibit— Judicial Diversity? American Judicature Society, Malia Reddick, Michael J. Nelson, and Rachel Paine Caufield
APPOINTMENTS BY THE GOVERNOR
The Georgia Secretary of State provides the current LISTING of all state authorities, boards, commissions and councils for which the Governor of Georgia has appointment power. As new legislation is signed, new authorities, boards, commissions and councils could be created. If you are interested in serving as a member of one of these state authorities, boards, commissions, or councils, you will need to contact the Office of the Governor at the following address:
Office of the Governor
Director of Appointments
245 State Capitol
Atlanta, GA 30334
Phone: 404-656-1784
Office of the Governor
Director of Appointments
245 State Capitol
Atlanta, GA 30334
Phone: 404-656-1784