My name is Adam Yang, and I am an attorney with the Office of the Public Defender-Hennepin County, where I am proudly serving the children who come through the court system. Prior to my seventeen years with the public defender’s office trying cases, I was an attorney with Neighborhood Justice Center, Inc., a non-profit criminal defense organization in St. Paul, MN. In my current position within the Juvenile Unit, I represent children who are involved in child protection and delinquency cases. I have spent the bulk of my career representing the most vulnerable populations in Hennepin County.
My commitment to community exemplifies my life’s pursuit of an engaged, civic-minded citizen. I am a founding member of the Hmong American Bar Association and still a board member, I am the Secretary on the Board of Directors of Minnesota Hmong Chamber of Commerce, and I was the Vice-President of the Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota. These are just some of the community organizations, among others, that I am dedicating my time to. These organizations have granted me access to diverse experiences and individuals across the different sectors of our society.
I am married to Theresa Thao-Yang, and we have three children: Alexander (19 years old), Aaron (18 years old) and Audrey Yang (13 years old). My wife is a kindergarten teacher. She has taught for 13 years and she enjoys her students and loves teaching them the joy of learning. She is pursuing her Doctorate of Education at Concordia University. Alexander, my oldest, just finished his first year at the U of M-Twin Cities, studying Fisheries and Wildlife. Aaron will attend the University of Minnesota-Duluth in the Fall, majoring in Microbiology. Audrey is going into the 8th grade, plays the clarinet and tenor saxophone, and enjoys writing, with hopes of being a writer one day. It is one of my great joys to be Theresa’s husband and Alexander, Aaron, and Audrey’s father.
One of the things I am most grateful to America for is the excellent education I have received. I attended St. Patrick’s Grade school and graduated from St. Bernard’s High school in 1989. I graduated from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities with a Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering and Mechanics and a Master in Aerospace Engineering and Mechanic. In 1998, I graduated from Hamline University School of Law, which is now Mitchell Hamline School of Law.
I immigrated to the United States of America and settled in Minnesota from a refugee camp in Thailand in 1980. My parents, siblings, and I left Laos due to the wars in Southeast Asia in 1975. I am honored to be here today as a citizen. This is my home, the place I’ve grown up, and am actively contributing to in every capacity.
Fair. Passionate. Value-Driven
I have decided to campaign to be a judge in Ramsey County because I am passionately engaged in the work of building a more equitable, just, world; I am committed to the hard work of ensuring that everyone in our community has access to the resources and support systems that they need in order to live their best lives; I believe that my life and my work embody core values of Ramsey County’s justice system: that each and every person do their part in making this community safe and successful, a healthy place to live and work, to grow up and grow old.
Fair.
Every individual is entitled to fair treatment. The court system is not easy to navigate and sometimes people feel lost, voiceless, and unseen. Individuals and communities deserve to be treated with respect, dignity, and fairness. As a judge on the bench, I will ensure fair treatment and just results.
Passionate.
It is my passion to help the less fortunate and to serve the public. For almost 20 years, I have advocated for the under served population by defending their rights. Every day, I am making a difference in someone’s life by helping the person to understand the legal process, to protect that person’s rights, and to present that person as a human being and not as a number.
Value-Driven.
A judge should not be easily persuaded, but stay to the principles, law and rules. A judge should be open-minded, a good listener, patient, and consider all aspects before judgment. I believe I have these traits and the judicial temperament to help the people who will come through the court system in Ramsey County.
For these reasons, I believe I am the right person to be a judge in Ramsey County, to serve its people.
You can learn more about Adam Yang here.