In part two of our two-part celebration of Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month (part one is here!), we get to know more about Hon. Peter Tom. Originally interviewed by Society President, Hon. Albert M. Rosenblatt, for our 2017 gala film Get to Know the Four Presiding Justices of the NYS Appellate Divisions when he served as Acting Presiding Justice of the First Department, Justice Tom spoke about his upbringing and burgeoning interest in a law career.
Justice Tom currently serves as Associate Justice of the Appellate Division, First Department. He began his career as a judge in the Housing Court of the City of New York over 30 years ago, where he was the first Asian-American appointed to the court. Justice Tom is also the first Asian-American to win the New York City Golden Gloves Boxing Championship.
In this film, Justice Tom talks about his years as a young immigrant in tough NYC neighborhoods, his amateur boxing career, and his career trajectory to the First Department. This mini-oral history offers an insightful look at a prolific member of New York State’s bench.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qKMnhwtgejQ&w=560&h=315]