ABAW extends its condolences to the family and friends of the late former King County Superior Court Judge Warren Chan, the first Asian American to be elected to the bench in Washington in 1968. Judge Chan passed away on June 15, 2015 at the age of 92, leaving behind a distinguished legacy as a community leader and trailblazer in Washington's Asian community. The first Chinese-American graduate of the University of Washington School of Law, Chan graduated fourth in his class in 1950. Chan clerked for Supreme Court Justice Frederick Hamley and then entered private practice, eventually becoming senior partner with the law firm of Chan, Uhlman and Callies. Chan was appointed to serve as a Seattle Municipal Court pro tem judge in 1956, the first Chinese American to occupy a US judicial post. Judge Chan was then elected to the Superior Court in 1968, later serving as Presiding Judge in 1975. Judge Chan cofounded the Wing Luke Museum to honor his friend, Seattle City Councilman Wing Luke. Judge Chan also helped establish the Seattle Chinese Garden and its educational center at South Seattle College. A public memorial service was held July 3rd 2015, at 1:00 pm at the South Seattle College, Seattle Chinese Garden, 6000 16th Ave SW, Seattle. In lieu of flowers, gifts can be made to Seattle Chinese Garden. Learn more about Judge Chan’s amazing life at http://bit.ly/1NvftPz (Seattle Times) or http://bit.ly/1Iqyinq (obituary).

Archived from 6/30/2015 front page post.