Vietnamese Judge to Be Honored
The first Vietnamese American appointed to the California judiciary will be honored today at a Westminster reception hosted by the Vietnamese American Bar Assn.
Judge Thang Nguyen Barrett of San Jose was appointed to the Santa Clara County Municipal Court last February by Gov. Pete Wilson.
“Barrett will bring sensitivity to ethnic issues and cultural understanding in the court system,” said Lan Nguyen, a board member of the 150-member bar association based in Westminster.
“His achievements also will give confidence to aspiring Vietnamese American students and young lawyers.”
Before taking the bench, Barrett, 36, was a prosecutor in the Santa Clara County district attorney’s office.
During his eight years there, he gained recognition as a trial and appellate lawyer in sexual assault and major felony cases, including a 1991 homicide case that ended with a death sentence.
After graduating from the University of California, Hastings College of Law in 1988, Barrett also worked in the San Francisco County Superior Court as a research attorney and taught law at several Northern California institutions.
About 400 professionals and dignitaries are expected to attend tonight’s engagement at the Seafood World Restaurant.
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