Pinay judge receives prestigious diversity award in US

A Filipino-American judge from Connecticut was bestowed the prestigious Edwin Archer Randolph Diversity Award, named after a Yale Law School graduate who in 1880 became Connecticut’s first lawyer of color, by the Lawyers Collaborative for Diversity (LCD).

Judge Nina F. Elgo, a first generation Filipino-American raised in Norwich, Conn., was chosen as the 2013 recipient for her accomplishments dedicated to the advancement of lawyers of colors and/or women lawyers in Connecticut and surrounding legal communities.

Elgo became Connecticut’s first Asian Pacific American judge in 2004.

She initially handled criminal cases, though she’s currently assigned to the civil docket in New Haven Superior Court.

She received the award on May 9 at a ceremony held at the Wadsworth Atheneum in Hartford.

She joins a distinguished list of past recipients such as U.S. District Judge Alvin W. Thompson, former State Supreme Court Justice Lubbie Harper Jr., Xerox Corp. general counsel Don Liu, and Senior Assistant State’s Attorney Toni Smith-Rosario.

Championed children

A graduate of Connecticut College in New London and Georgetown University of Law, Elgo served 14 years working as an assistant attorney general representing the state in child abuse and neglect cases, and other cases involving children.

“I got to argue the case at the Supreme Court, so that was a lot of fun,” she told The Connecticut Law Tribune.

“That’s one of the great beauties of being in the Attorney General’s Office — you have those opportunities to assume a lot of responsibility fairly early on.”

While at the Attorney General’s Office, Elgo found herself in court as often as four to five days a week.

“Being in court that frequently, you understand the mechanics of a trial,” she told The Law Tribune.

“Seeing how a judge operates [and] what it is they do. Handling volumes of cases, being able to juggle a lot of witnesses, facts and evidence...All of those skills, all of that background [and] experience really helped me a lot when I went on the bench.”

Elgo closely observed the judges she appeared before.

For example, she recalled that former Superior Court Judge Jonathan E. Silbert “was someone who had superb intellect and an ability to be objective and even-tempered, yet still had a wonderful sense of humor that was carefully measured.”

“It’s hard to do,” she pointed out, “because you have to maintain your credibility as a judge all of the time, so to be able to walk that line and do it well was something I admired.”

A major milestone in her life occurred at age 10, when she journeyed to the Philippines.

Having spent basically her entire life in southeastern Connecticut, it was the first time she had been exposed to her extended family — and to her roots.

“I’ll never forget getting off the plane and realizing, wow, everybody looks like me!” she recalled.

In March 2005, Elgo was recognized by the Women Consuls General and the Consul General of the Philippines for her outstanding professional achievements.

In May 2005, she was recognized by the Filipino Heritage Foundation for outstanding government service.

In her spare time, she enjoys gardening and playing the keyboard.

She currently lives with her husband and their daughter in West Hartford.

‘Incredible integrity’

Colleagues noted that Elgo “is a person of incredible integrity.”

Amy Lin Meyerson, founder of the Connecticut Asian Pacific Bar Association (CAPABA) and a former Edwin Archer award winner, told The Law Tribune that Elgo “is impartial on the bench and has a good judicial presence. And she has exhibited energy and dedication to public service and the community.”

Appellate Court Judge Christine E. Keller first encountered Elgo when Keller was a juvenile court judge and Elgo argued cases before her.

“I know she has worked very hard,” Keller said, “particularly in the area of promoting the growth of participation by Asian-Americans in the bar. She’s really done an extraordinary job.”

Elgo currently serves on CAPABA’s board of directors and is a member of the Judicial Council for the National Asian Pacific Bar Association (NAPABA).

But much of her outreach is less formal.

She makes herself visible at events where she can interact with attorneys of color and female attorneys, and offer career advice.

She’s also been involved in workshops for undergraduates at the University of Connecticut and Yale.

The goal is to encourage young people of all backgrounds to consider a career in the law, and to help them understand there are a variety of options within the legal profession.

“A lot of times what makes it interesting being a judge is really understanding what’s going on at all levels,” Elgo said.

“Self-awareness assists in keeping yourself in check.”

“Judge Elgo is an excellent example of a Rose City native that understands the importance of giving back to society,” wrote State Rep. Emmett Riley of Norwich’s 46th District in the General Assembly. - Filipino Reporter