In 1924 when my father You Chung Hong began the practice of law in Los Angeles, California, there was no reason for an organization of Chinese ancestry lawyers; he was a committee of one. Moreover, there was no local bar association that would admit him to membership. The Los Angeles County Bar rebuffed him because of his ethnic origin. Thirty-seven years later, when I began the practice of law, there were a few more “Chinese” lawyers here and many more in San Francisco. We still were not particularly welcome by the local county bar. The Los Angeles Lawyers’ Club did extend a warm hand that I accepted. Years later when Al Lum, Hiram Kwan and George Lee mentioned to me the idea of getting an organization together, it was a rather radical thought. We all belonged to various family and community organizations and there was a serious question over the need for just a lawyers’ group. It is my recollection that the genesis of a legal organization may have been in good part from Del Wong, the one and only Chinese origin member of the local bench for some time.

However, the common bond of food did seem to be as good a reason as any to get together and a chance to see each other as well. Al and the first board of directors did a valiant job of getting our group off to a start. What we should call ourselves was the subject of some early debate. My election as the second president of the Chinese Lawyers was not by acclamation but rather, conscription. I believe it was Al and George Lee who convinced me there really wasn’t much to do and that they would help me. Help me they did but there was plenty to do. Just writing and sending out a newsletter was quite a task. Thank God for my secretary and the firm postal meter. I did extract my revenge on everyone by sending out long and boring monthly notices.

The big event was the “annual” installation dinner. One of the benefits of being an officer and on the board was guarantying that there would be enough tables sold. George Lee was the master of ceremonies for my installation and many more. Since Al Lum and I both had our offices at 333 South Hope Street, that address was the subject of many of George’s jokes throughout the years. The dinner soon became an affair that was extremely popular because of the food, collegiality and George’s outrageous jokes. Friends, politicians, judges and other lawyers considered themselves fortunate to be invited. My senior partners looked forward to the dinner so much that one year, even though it was questionable if I would get back from New Orleans from settlement negotiations for what was then our largest client, they assured me that my absence was no problem.

The Chinese Lawyers Association spawned many other ethnic bars who frankly, wanted to imitate us. I became a member of the Japanese American Bar, the Italian American Bar, the Irish Bar and several more bars over the years. I have made many lasting friends as a result of those memberships because of being part of our association. As our organization grew, so did its importance. The L.A. County Bar offered us membership as part of their organization. We debated the loss of our autonomy and individual recognition. By this time, we had influence in recommending judges; political figures sought our endorsement and we played a role in the greater Los Angeles community. The State Bar and American Bar Association also solicited our participation and input. After much consideration, we did, along with several other “minority” bar associations, join the County Bar. For my father in spirit and for me, things ironically had come full circle.

The Southern California Chinese American Lawyers Association has grown into an organization that is more than the eating club we started out with. It has, because of the sincere efforts, the social conscience and concern of those members who have followed my generation, become an association with an objective for service to both the community and its members. As the State Bar, the County Bar and even the American Bar Associations, struggle for their very existence in these changing times, our association remains vibrant and vigorous as ever. I send my heartfelt thanks to all the past presidents, the boards of directors, the committee chairmen and members for what SCCLA has become and will be more so in the future.