Paul Lo sworn in as nation's first Hmong American judge

Judge Lo takes his spot on the Merced County Superior Court bench



Last week in California, the Merced County Superior Court swore in its newest judge to the bench and made history. Paul Lo is the first person of Hmong descent to become a judge in the United States.

Merced County's Paul Lo becomes first Hmong judge in U.S.

Gov. Jerry Brown appointed Lo, a veteran attorney, to the Superior Court bench in late December.

On Friday, in front of packed audience of family, friends and community members at The Merced Theatre, Lo took the oath of office, put on his official judge's robe, and shared the emotional story of his family and the people who paved the path for him to become the first Hmong American judge:

Nation's first Hmong American judge appointed in California

Paul C. Lo appointed to a judgeship in the Merced County Superior Court

Last week in California, Governor Jerry Brown appointed Paul C. Lo to a judgeship in the Merced County Superior Court. The historic appointment makes Lo the first Hmong American judge in United States history.

First Hmong American judge in U.S. appointed in Merced County

Lo, 45, has been a practicing attorney for twenty years. He says that when he first arrived to the United States with this family at age 11, as refugees from the Vietnam War, he didn't speak any English. He eventually graduated from the University of California at Davis and UCLA School of Law.

Here's some more information from the Office of the Governor's press release: