She was appointed to the San Francisco Immigration Court in 1995 and became the youngest female appointed to the immigration bench and the first trilingual judge in this position.
HOUSTON, TX, November 26, 2024 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Judge Yam has been selected for inclusion in Marquis Who's Who. As in all Marquis Who's Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected on the basis of current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process.
Judge Yam, an esteemed jurist and attorney, has dedicated her career to the legal profession for over 35 years. She was appointed to the San Francisco Immigration Court in 1995 and became the youngest female appointed to the immigration bench and the first trilingual judge in this position. In 2016, she took an early retirement to focus on writing her memoir, mentoring aspiring lawyers, law students and college students, and consulting lawyers in private practice.
Before graduating from Tulane Law School in 1987, Judge Yam clerked at the Hong Kong office of Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP where she excelled as a trilingual team member. She then joined Monroe & Lemann in New Orleans, Louisiana where she practiced law and continued to utilize her trilingual skills to serve the Chinese-speaking community in the U.S. from 1987 to 1995.
Prior to launching her legal career, Judge Yam was a special educator and a school administrator. At just 20, she became a school principal at Kwai Fong Morning Light School between 1978 and 1981. She then became the principal at Chai Wan Morning Hope School from 1981 to 1983. During her tenure as principal of special school for the mentally challenged, Judge Yam served as an adjunct professor at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University between 1979 and 1983.
Born and raised in Hong Kong, Judge Yam graduated high school at age 15 and moved to Nashville, Tennessee, to attend Belmont University. Initially majoring in business administration, she later transferred to George Peabody College of Education at Vanderbilt University after being inspired by students with mental and physical disabilities. She graduated with a degree in elementary education and special education. Continuing her studies, Judge Yam received a Doctor of Jurisprudence from Tulane University.
Judge Yam's civic contributions have included serving as a facilitator for the Cub Scouts for the Mentally Handicapped in Hong Kong and co-chairing the Special Olympics program. Additionally, she has become a motivational speaker since 1996 encouraging law students and young women to overcome barriers and pursue their dreams and goals. In light of her success, Judge Yam received numerous awards, including recognition as the Most Influential Woman in Houston in 2013 and recognition as a lawyer of distinction for excellence in immigration law in 2024.
Among her most notable accomplishments as a judge, Judge Yam's ruling in the Matter of R-A-, a landmark asylum case, broadened the legal understanding of asylum to include women who have experienced or are at risk of domestic violence. As a lawyer, she was involved in a significant case involving 300 illegal Chinese immigrants smuggled into the U.S. on board the freighter "Golden Venture". Taking on the case pro bono at the request of the district director of the Immigration and Naturalization Service in New Orleans, Judge Yam's successful handling of this case garnered recognition from the judges who subsequently recommended her for a position on the U.S. Immigration Court.
Judge Yam has established herself as a compassionate advocate for women's rights in a predominantly male legal field, earning a reputation as a leader in immigration law. Eager for the future, she aims to raise awareness about immigration and advocate for a better understanding of the contributions made by legal immigrants. She also aspires to continue her work as a motivational speaker, inspiring young women and minorities to pursue their dreams while advocating for vulnerable children who need protection.
About Marquis Who's Who®:
Since 1899, when A. N. Marquis printed the First Edition of Who's Who in America®, Marquis Who's Who® has chronicled the lives of the most accomplished individuals and innovators from every significant field of endeavor, including politics, business, medicine, law, education, art, religion and entertainment. Who's Who in America® remains an essential biographical source for thousands of researchers, journalists, librarians and executive search firms around the world. The suite of Marquis® publications can be viewed at the official Marquis Who's Who® website, www.marquiswhoswho.com.
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