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The Judicial Legacy of Denny Chin

An exploration of the distinguished career of Judge Denny Chin, from his early life and education to his impactful service on the federal bench, including landmark cases.

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A Distinguished Jurist

Denny Chin, born Check Kong Chin on April 13, 1954, is a senior United States circuit judge serving on the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. His career is marked by significant milestones, including being the first Asian American appointed as a United States District Judge outside of the Ninth Circuit. He immigrated to the United States from Hong Kong in 1956, laying the foundation for a remarkable journey through the American legal system.

Service and Tenure

Judge Chin's federal judicial service commenced with his nomination by President Bill Clinton to the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York in 1994. Subsequently, President Barack Obama nominated him to the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit in 2009. He assumed senior status on June 1, 2021, continuing his valuable contributions to the judiciary in a senior capacity.

Academic and Professional Foundations

Educational Journey

Judge Chin's academic path began at Stuyvesant High School, graduating in 1971. He pursued higher education at Princeton University, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree magna cum laude in psychology in 1975, where he also contributed significantly to The Daily Princetonian. He further honed his legal acumen at Fordham University School of Law, graduating with a Juris Doctor in 1978 and serving as Managing Editor of the Fordham Law Review. He continues to contribute to legal education as an adjunct professor teaching first-year Legal Writing at Fordham.

Early Legal Practice

Following his legal education, Judge Chin served as a law clerk for Judge Henry Frederick Werker of the Southern District from 1978 to 1980. His early career included roles at the law firm Davis Polk & Wardwell (1980โ€“1982) and as an Assistant United States Attorney for the Southern District (1982โ€“1986). He later co-founded a law firm and specialized in labor and employment law, representing employees and unions at Vladeck, Waldman, Elias & Engelhard, P.C. before his judicial appointments.

Ascent to the Federal Bench

District Court Appointment

President Bill Clinton nominated Denny Chin to the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York on March 24, 1994. Confirmed by the Senate on August 9, 1994, he received his commission the following day. His tenure on the district court concluded on April 26, 2010, following his elevation to the appellate bench.

Court of Appeals Elevation

On October 6, 2009, President Barack Obama nominated Judge Chin to the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. The Senate confirmed his nomination on April 22, 2010, filling the vacancy left by Judge Robert D. Sack. He was officially sworn in as a Circuit Judge on April 26, 2010. Judge Chin transitioned to senior status on June 1, 2021, a testament to his extensive service.

Navigating Complex Legal Landscapes: Key Cases

Landmark Rulings

Judge Chin has presided over numerous high-profile cases, demonstrating his capacity to handle matters of significant public interest and legal complexity. His decisions have shaped discourse and precedent across various domains.

  • WWF v. Parents Television Council (2001): Chin rejected the PTC's motion to dismiss a defamation lawsuit filed by the World Wrestling Federation, finding a sound basis for the suit concerning defamation, business interference, and copyright infringement. The case settled out of court with an apology from the PTC.
  • Fox News Channel v. Al Franken (2003): He denied Fox News Channel's request for an injunction against Al Franken's book, Lies and the Lying Liars Who Tell Them, which alleged trademark violation.
  • U.S. v. Larry Stewart (Martha Stewart Trial): Presided over the perjury trial of the handwriting expert involved in the Martha Stewart case; Stewart was acquitted by a jury.
  • U.S. v. Pak Dong-seon (Oil-for-Food Program): Convicted and sentenced Pak Dong-seon to five years in prison for his alleged involvement in the United Nations Oil-for-Food Program scandal.
  • Sam Sloan v. Paul Truong & Susan Polgar: Dismissed a defamation suit concerning allegations of online harassment related to a United States Chess Federation election.
  • U.S. v. Oscar Wyatt: Presided over the trial of the Texas oil executive accused of kickbacks to the Saddam Hussein regime under the Oil-for-Food Program; Wyatt changed his plea to guilty mid-trial.
  • Google Book Search Settlement Agreement (2009-2016): Chin was assigned this complex case and rejected Google's proposed settlement for digitizing books, citing copyright law violations. He later dismissed the Authors Guild's suit, a decision upheld by the Supreme Court.
  • U.S. v. Anil Kumar (Galleon Group Insider Trading): Sentenced a McKinsey & Company executive to two years of probation in connection with the Galleon Group insider trading investigation.
  • Tom Brady Suspension (Deflategate, 2016): Joined the panel that upheld NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell's suspension of Tom Brady.
  • National Rifle Association of America v. Vullo (2024): While Chin's circuit court decision favored New York insurance regulator Maria Vullo, the Supreme Court unanimously ruled for the NRA, overturning the Second Circuit's decision on First Amendment grounds.
  • U.S. v. Madoff (2009-2020): Presided over the Bernard Madoff Ponzi scheme case. Chin revoked Madoff's bail, sentenced him to 150 years imprisonment, and later denied his bid for compassionate release, emphasizing the severity and scale of the fraud and Madoff's lack of remorse.

Personal Life and Community Engagement

Family and Civic Contributions

Judge Chin is married to Kathy Hirata Chin, a partner at the law firm Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft. Together, they, along with other members of the Asian American Bar Association of New York, annually produce and perform trial reenactments of significant historical cases, such as the trial of Ethel Rosenberg and the Minoru Yasui case. This dedication highlights their commitment to legal history and community engagement.

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References

References

  1.  Fox News Drops Franken Lawsuit, CBS News, August 25, 2003
  2.  Challenge to Google Books Is Declined by Supreme Court New York Times. April 19, 2016.
A full list of references for this article are available at the Denny Chin Wikipedia page

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Important Notice Regarding Legal Information

This page has been generated by an Artificial Intelligence and is intended solely for informational and educational purposes. The content is derived from publicly available data and may not be exhaustive, fully up-to-date, or entirely accurate.

This is not legal advice. The information presented here does not constitute professional legal counsel. It is not a substitute for consulting with a qualified legal professional for advice tailored to specific circumstances. Reliance on any information provided on this page is solely at your own risk. The creators of this page are not responsible for any errors or omissions, or for any actions taken based on the information provided herein.