First to the bar: Chinese immigrant granted posthumous law licence

First to the bar: Chinese immigrant granted posthumous law licence

Lauren Gambino in Los Angeles
Monday 16 March 2015


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The California Supreme Court righted what it called a “grievous wrong” on
Monday, posthumously granting a law license to Hong Yen Chang, a
Chinese immigrant whose application 125 years ago was denied solely
because of his race. Photograph: AP
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A California court has overturned the decision to grant Hong Yen Chang the right to practice in the state 125 years after refusing him admission on grounds of race

In a sweet ending to an American dream denied, a Chinese immigrant will posthumously receive a California law license 125 years after the state bar refused to admit him because of his race.

On Monday, the state’s highest court unanimously agreed to grant Hong Yen Chang admission to the state bar, overturning a 1890 court decision that denied the Columbia law school graduate the right to practice in the state.

“Even if we cannot undo history, we can acknowledge it and, in so doing, accord a full measure of recognition to Chang’s pathbreaking efforts to become the first lawyer of Chinese descent in the United States,” the unsigned ruling said.

More:
http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/mar/17/chinese-immigrant-granted-posthumous-law-licence