Queens Supreme Court Justice Karen Lin has made New York history by becoming the first Asian American woman to serve on the appellate bench in the second, eleventh and thirteenth judicial districts, the New York State Unified Court System shared in a press released. She was appointed as an associate justice of the Appellate Term, Second Department by Chief Administrative Judge Joseph Zayas on Feb. 25. Presiding Justice Hector D. LaSalle of the Appellate Division, Second Department consented to Lin’s appointment. She fills the vacancy created after Lisa S. Ottley was elevated to the Appellate Division, Second Department. “Justice Lin is widely regarded for her legal acumen, fairness, humility and integrity,” Zayas said, adding that her “broad legal and judicial experience and thoughtful, equitable approach to justice will be of great benefit to the Appellate Term bench and the residents of Kings, Queens and Richmond Counties.” First Deputy Chief Administrative Judge Norman St. George echoed that praise, citing Lin’s “sound judgment, collegiality and passion for the law and justice.” The Appellate Term hears appeals from the New York City civil and criminal courts in Brooklyn, Queens and Staten Island. In accepting the appointment, Justice Lin emphasized how important the Appellate Term is to county constituents and her dedication to them. “In hearing appeals from the New York City civil and criminal courts, the Appellate Term may be the only appellate tribunal many everyday New Yorkers will ever encounter,” she said. “I will endeavor to serve diligently, with justice, mercy and humility.” Justice Lin’s appointment marks a historic first for Asian Americans in New York, who remain underrepresented in the judiciary relative to their share of the population, according to the Unified Court System’s latest judicial demographics report. In Queens, for example, AAPI residents comprise more than a quarter of the county’s population, but less than 10% of its judiciary. According to bar leaders, Justice Lin’s elevation is an important step toward a judiciary that more closely reflects the communities it serves. "Justice Lin is a trailblazer and an inspiring role model for Asian Americans,” said Benjamin Hsing, president of the Asian American Bar Association of New York. “It is critical that Asian Americans are properly represented in the New York State judiciary to strengthen public confidence in our courts and to help ensure justice and fairness for Asian American communities across the city and state.” Justice Lin’s career in the Unified Court System has spanned 27 years. Most recently, she served as a Queens County Supreme Court justice, where she presided over contractual disputes, residential foreclosures, labor law, motor vehicle and Article 75 proceedings. She has also served on the New York City civil court and was a court attorney-referee in Kings County Surrogates Court. Before she joined the judiciary, Justice Lin was a litigation associate at Lansner & Kubitschek and served as chief of staff and district counsel to then–State Senator Catherine Abate. In addition to her duties, Justice Lin is an active community member and supporter of the state's Asian American community. She is a host judge of the Sonia and Celina Sotomayor Judicial Internship Program, co-chairs the Joint Eleventh Judicial District’s AANHPI Heritage Month Celebration and serves on the boards of the Asian American Law Fund of New York and the Asian American Judges Association of New York.