Dec. 2, 2009

Roxanne K. Song Ong, chief presiding judge of Phoenix Municipal Court, received a 2009 Trailblazer Award from the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA), the national association of Asian Pacific American attorneys, judges, law professors and law students.  Song Ong received the award, the group's highest honor, at a ceremony Nov. 20 at NAPABA's 21st Annual Convention in Boston.  The Trailblazer Award recognizes the outstanding achievements, commitment, and leadership of NAPABA lawyers who have paved the way for the advancement of other Asian Pacific American attorneys.

Each year, NAPABA honors a member from each of its nine membership regions who meets these criteria. Awardees are selected by the regional governors and the affiliates of each region and represent diverse paths and achievements. Each of the award recipients has demonstrated vision, courage, and tenacity in their careers, and has made substantial and lasting contributions to both the legal community and the broader Asian Pacific American community.

Song Ong has served as a judge for the Phoenix Municipal Court since 1991 and was appointed as the court’s chief presiding judge in 2005. She served as a judge for the Scottsdale City Court from 1986 to 1991. Before her career on the bench, Song Ong practiced in the areas of criminal prosecution, defense and immigration law.

NAPABA represents the interests of more than 40,000 attorneys and 61 local Asian Pacific American bar associations. The organization’s members represent solo practitioners, large firm lawyers, corporate counsel, legal service and nonprofit attorneys, and lawyers serving at all levels of government.

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