Denny Chin

Denny Chin is a retired United States circuit judge who served on the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. Appointed by President Barack Obama and confirmed by the United States Senate in 2010, he had previously served for over fifteen years as a United States district judge on the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York after being nominated by President Bill Clinton. Throughout his judicial career, Chin presided over numerous high-profile cases involving complex financial fraud, civil rights, and intellectual property, earning a reputation for thoughtful and rigorous jurisprudence. Following his retirement from the federal bench, he joined the private sector as a partner at the law firm Davis Polk & Wardwell.

Early life and education

Denny Chin was born in Hong Kong and immigrated to the United States with his family as an infant, settling in New York City. He was raised in the Hell's Kitchen neighborhood and attended Stuyvesant High School, a prestigious public specialized high school. For his undergraduate studies, Chin enrolled at Princeton University, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1975. He subsequently earned his Juris Doctor from Fordham University School of Law in 1978, where he served as an editor of the Fordham Law Review.

Legal career

After graduating from law school, Chin began his legal career as a law clerk for Judge Henry Werker of the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York. He then entered private practice, becoming an associate and later a partner at the New York City law firm Campbell, Patrick & Chin. His practice focused on commercial litigation and employment law. In 1986, Chin transitioned to public service, joining the United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York as an Assistant United States Attorney. During his tenure there, he prosecuted a variety of criminal cases, including those involving organized crime, public corruption, and financial crimes, working alongside future legal figures like Mary Jo White.

Judicial service

In 1994, President Bill Clinton nominated Chin to a seat on the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York; he was confirmed by the United States Senate and received his commission that October, becoming the first Asian American federal judge appointed to a court within the Second Circuit. As a district judge, he handled a significant docket of civil and criminal matters. In 2010, President Barack Obama nominated Chin to serve on the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, a promotion that was again confirmed by the Senate. He served as an active judge on that court until assuming senior status in June 2021.

Notable cases

Judge Chin presided over several landmark cases that garnered national attention. As a district judge, he oversaw the criminal trial of Bernard Madoff, sentencing the financier to 150 years in prison for operating the largest Ponzi scheme in history. He also ruled on significant civil rights litigation, including a case concerning the New York City Police Department's surveillance of Muslim communities. On the Second Circuit, Chin was part of the panel that heard appeals in high-stakes matters such as the antitrust litigation involving Apple Inc. and e-books, and cases related to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act.

Post-judicial career

Upon taking senior status, Chin retired from active service on the federal bench in 2021. He subsequently joined the international law firm Davis Polk & Wardwell as a partner in its Litigation department, based in its New York City office. In this role, he focuses on appellate advocacy, complex commercial disputes, and internal investigations. Chin also serves as an adjunct professor at Fordham University School of Law and is a frequent speaker on issues related to the judiciary, ethics, and diversity in the legal profession.

Personal life

Chin is married and has two children. He has been actively involved in professional and community organizations, including the Asian American Bar Association of New York, and has received numerous awards for his contributions to the law and civic life. He has spoken publicly about the importance of diversity on the bench and his experiences as an Asian American in the legal profession. Category:American judges Category:United States circuit judges