John Tran, 1st Asian American Judge in Virginia

John Tran, 1st Asian American Judge in Virginia

By Jennie L. Ilustre

John M. Tran, a former state and federal prosecutor in Alexandria, made history on April 4 when the Virginia General Assembly elected him Circuit Court Judge for Fairfax County. He is the first Asian Pacific American to be elected judge in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

His nomination was notable for originating from a bipartisan group of state senators and delegates of Fairfax.

Currently a partner in the firm of DiMuroGinsberg, P.C., Tran, 53, will start his term on July 1. His investiture will take place on July 12 at 4 p.m. at the Fairfax County Circuit Court.

“I am happy beyond belief to have been elected to the bench,” he said in a lengthy email interview April 15. He announced he was “excited to take on the challenging work that awaits me.”

He added: “I am humbled at the thought of joining a long line of distinguished jurists who serve on the bench today and have served on the Fairfax bench in the past. I hope I can contribute to the well-deserved reputation of Virginia judges in general, and the Fairfax bench in particular.

“My election does, however, confirm my long held belief that in the United States of America and especially the Commonwealth of Virginia, we are given countless opportunities to achieve our dreams, regardless of where we may come from.

“I am an American, I am a Virginian and I was born in Vietnam – three things of which I am equally proud.”

The son of a South Vietnamese diplomat, Tran lived in Arlington and graduated from Yorktown High School in 1977, according to a Washington Post report. He earned his J.D. in 1984 at  the George Washington University, where he graduated with a B.A. degree in 1981. He is married with one daughter.

“I thought there was a chance I might one day become a well-regarded small town lawyer,” he remarked. “Today, I have the unexpected and wonderful privilege of making a difference in my community as a judge. I am glad to have this opportunity to return to public service.”

Tran expressed optimism in the future and faith on the youth. “I would like to add – especially to all the young people who may be reading this article, that society needs you. Today’s problems are more urgent and complex than ever before. But I believe that if the young people in this nation continue to lend their considerable talents and creativity to solving those problems, that we will overcome the challenges that we face.”

“There is much work to be done, and I encourage all of us to do what we can to improve the lives of those around us,” he stressed.

 

Elation

Tran’s historic election has been greeted with elation in the community and Mainstream America. Sharon Bulova, chairman of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, told Asian Fortune on April 15: “I am very, very  pleased with Mr. Tran’s appointment. He is an outstanding choice. The Asian American community makes up Fairfax County’s largest minority population. It’s especially nice to have this representation reflected in the judiciary.”

Nhon H. Nguyen, president of the Asian Pacific American Bar Association, Virginia (APABA-VA), broke the news in their website on April 4: “With this distinction, John becomes the first full-time Vietnamese American judge in this Commonwealth, as well as the first Asian American judge in a court of record. To say this is a proud moment for our membership would be an extreme understatement. John has shown us that through hard work and perseverance, anything is possible.”

“On behalf of our membership, I want to extend the warmest of congratulations to John and his family. John, you have made all of us proud,” Nguyen said. He noted “the moment has been in the works for some time now,” and became official as of the April 4 vote.

In a telephone interview on April 13, Nguyen commented from Richmond: “John has always been very smart, hardworking and very involved in civic activities – traits that most successful people have. He’s also extremely humble. We are very proud of him. This is a great moment in the history of the Commonwealth.”

Tran himself was the past president or APABA-VA. He is currently a member of the Advisory Steering Committee.

Among the first to congratulate Tran right after his election was State Senator J. Chap Petersen of Vienna, “who encouraged me to be a judicial candidate.” Tran said he was told “Senator Janet Howell and Delegate Toddy Puller were instrumental in presenting the budget amendments needed to fund the position.”

He added Delegates David Albo, Scott Surovell, Mark Keam and Charniele Herring “were all kind to me throughout the process. ”

Remarked National Chairman Ed Navarra of the National Association of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA), based in the nation’s capital: “John Tran has all the personal qualities and professional qualifications to serve as a judge in the Commonwealth of Virginia. By ascending to this esteemed position, he has proven that anyone regardless of race, national origin, creed or color, can sit on the bench. We need a judiciary that reflects the county that it serves. John Tram’s election is an occasion for elation and celebration.”

The DiMuroGinsberg website notes “the diversity of Tran’s 25-year career as an experienced trial lawyer is reflective of trial dockets found in state and federal courts throughout the country…After returning to private practice, his practice broadened to include the representation of civil and business litigants in matters ranging from contract disputes to complex commercial litigation, family law actions and multi-jurisdictional proceedings.”

Tran’s clients include international companies, small businesses, and individuals and they “benefit from the diversity and depth of his experience in complex litigation cases.”

 

In His Own Words

Tran promptly and graciously replied to the interview by email, instead of an in-person interview, citing his busy schedule. Excerpts from the interview follow.

When you were elected, did you know at that point that you were making history?

I did not consider my election as being a historic-making event. In going through the process, I was fortunate and grateful the legislators found me qualified to serve and eventually elected me to the position.

Why did you choose law as a profession? Was that your dream even as a child?

I chose the law as a profession because I wanted to make a difference in the lives of the people who lived in my community. I read books about great lawyers, real and fictional. All dedicated lawyers have read “To Kill a Mockingbird” and hope to one day replicate themselves as Atticus Finch or perhaps Perry Mason from TV.

I thought there was a chance I might one day become a well-regarded small town lawyer. Today, I have the unexpected and wonderful privilege of making a difference in my community as a judge. I am glad to have this opportunity to return to public service.

Who are your role models in the legal profession?

I have three sets of role models. First, my role models in the legal profession include the federal judges who sit in the federal courts throughout Virginia and Maryland before whom I appeared; the state court judges in Fairfax, Alexandria, Arlington, Loudoun, Prince William County and Richmond, and all judges who took the time to intelligently and impartially apply the law to the facts presented before them. It is because they were my role models that I have tried to follow their footsteps.

Second, my role models include the lawyers from all walks of life who selflessly gave their time, their family and themselves for their clients and to improve community. The lawyers who built a successful practice and selflessly gave their time and energy to the various bar associations so that the legal profession can improve itself and be a beacon of hope to those in needs. I was fortunate to be in a profession where I saw the good works of those roles models on a daily basis and up close.

And lastly, and perhaps somewhat ironically, my role models include many of the people who tell me they regard me as a mentor, because I find myself admiring the great things they achieve in the face of such difficult times. It is they who we have to rely on to keep this country as great as it always has been.

You are an Asian and an American. How does this background help you become a better judge?

I cannot say at this moment (or perhaps ever) that I’m a better judge compared to others. I do hope that some of the lessons I’ve learned from my parents, my family and friends will help me be a good judge. But this I can say, that I’ve found the common virtues of a good judge exist throughout our judiciary and cuts across all diverse upbringings, regardless of the diversity of the judges in terms of their life experiences.

What is your advice to young Asian Americans to inspire them to succeed?

Believe in yourself and be kind to yourself. We are blessed to have come from families where certain characteristics are expected of our children. If we remember our roots, then we can work on developing other strengths to help us to succeed.

My father always said – whatever labors you undertake, be the best you can at it. My mother taught me endurance and generosity. My brothers, cousins and in-laws have taught me that you can be good at your job while raising a family and conducting yourself as a good citizen.

Life is difficult and often unfair. But if you believe in yourself, your country and your community, you will survive the unfairness and overcome the difficulties that stand in your way. On April 23, 1910, President Theodore Roosevelt gave a speech before the Sorbonne in Paris that included a comment about what it means to be “The Man in the Arena.” Read that speech and include the women in the arena, and perhaps you’ll be inspired to keep doing the right thing.

(Note to readers: Here’s “The Man in Arena” excerpt from the “Citizenship in a Republic” speech: “It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.”) 

Asian Fortune is an English language newspaper for Asian American professionals in the Washington, DC metropolitan area. Visit fb.com/asianfortune to stay up to date with our news and what’s going on in the Asian American community.