Brooklyn Bar Association Celebrates Asian-American Legal Community

The association recognized the achievements of two prominent Asian-American legal professionals in the borough.

Apr. 2, 2026 at 8:21pm

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A bold, colorful silkscreen print featuring repeated images of a gavel, scales of justice, and law books in a grid pattern, representing the legal profession and the celebration of Asian-American achievements in this field.The Brooklyn Bar Association's celebration of the borough's Asian-American legal community underscores the growing diversity and influence of this group within the local legal profession.NYC Today

The Brooklyn Bar Association held a Lunar New Year celebration on Tuesday to honor the contributions of the Asian-American legal community in the borough. The event recognized the accomplishments of U.S. Magistrate Judge Peggy Kuo and Kin Ng, a trial bureau chief at the Brooklyn District Attorney's Office. The celebration also featured a traditional lion dance performance by the United Chinese Association of Brooklyn.

Why it matters

The event highlights the growing influence and recognition of the Asian-American community in Brooklyn's legal landscape. It underscores the increasing diversity and representation within the borough's legal profession.

The details

The Brooklyn Bar Association used the Lunar New Year celebration to reflect on the contributions of Asian-American legal professionals in the borough. The event honored the achievements of U.S. Magistrate Judge Peggy Kuo, who was the first Taiwanese-American federal judge in New York, and Kin Ng, who made history in 2017 as the first Asian-American prosecutor elevated to the chief of the trial bureau at the Brooklyn District Attorney's Office.

  • The Brooklyn Bar Association held the Lunar New Year celebration on Tuesday, April 2, 2026.
  • Kin Ng became the first Asian-American prosecutor elevated to the chief of the trial bureau at the Brooklyn DA's office in 2017.

The players

Peggy Kuo

U.S. Magistrate Judge for the Eastern District of New York, and the first Taiwanese-American federal judge in New York.

Kin Ng

Trial bureau chief at the Kings County District Attorney's Office, and the first Asian-American prosecutor elevated to this position.

Eric Gonzalez

Brooklyn District Attorney, who spoke about the growing accomplishments of the Asian-American community in the borough's legal field.

Lillian Wan

Appellate Division, Second Department Associate Justice, who commented on the increasing recognition of Asian-American culture and heritage in New York state.

United Chinese Association of Brooklyn

The organization that performed a traditional lion dance at the Brooklyn Bar Association's event.

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What they’re saying

“All of you are part of my community. You made me who I am. And I thank you for it and share the accomplishment with all of you.”

— Kin Ng, Trial bureau chief, Brooklyn District Attorney's Office

“Because I didn't have a playbook or a script, I had to find my own way. That turned out not to be such a bad thing.”

— Peggy Kuo, U.S. Magistrate Judge, Eastern District of New York

The takeaway

The Brooklyn Bar Association's celebration of the Asian-American legal community highlights the growing influence and representation of this group within the borough's legal profession. It underscores the increasing diversity and recognition of Asian-American culture and heritage in New York state.