Remarks of NYCLA President Vincent T. Chang, Fourth Annual Reception Honoring Hong Yen Chang

Remarks of NYCLA President Vincent T. Chang at Annual Reception Honoring Hong Yen Chang, Co-Sponsored By NYCLA Asian Practice Committee

It is truly a pleasure to speak at this Fourth Annual Reception in honor of 1886 Columbia Law School Graduate Hong Yen Chang, the First Chinese American Lawyer. Thanks to Margaret Ling for organizing a great event as she always does.

Well, two of the co sponsors of this event are near and dear to my heart.  I’m the President of the New York County Lawyers Association and previously served as President of the Asian American Bar Association of New York.

But at the same time, I recognize that I am an interloper here. I admit that unlike most of you I did not, did not attend Columbia university. 

But don’t feel sorry for me.  I have plenty of ties to Columbia.   I’ve had two sisters– a nephew – a niece — and brother-in-law who attended Columbia.  My sister won the John Jay award a few years ago.

And my son took classes at Columbia when he was in high school. After I paid 30,000 dollars of tuition for that handful of Columbia classes I feel that in all meaningful ways I deserve to be known as a Columbia parent.

Well, we are pleased to salute Yen Chu. Ms. Chu is the General Counsel of Tailored brands and a great trailblazer, fully deserving of this award.  She stands in the great tradition set by the other recipients of this award, Kathy Chin, Kevin Kim and Hyung Bak, all giants of our profession.   

Thanks for having me tonight and thanks for a great event and a great award.