Suzanne Young

Ms. Young has a longstanding dedication to improving the lives of others.  As a public interest attorney for over 35 years, with almost 23 years at Community Legal Services of Philadelphia, where she has been a Supervising Attorney for many years.  She has litigated numerous cases in administrative proceedings as well as in state, federal, and appellate courts, representing indigent individuals in a full-spectrum of employment matters, and previously, in child welfare proceedings.  She has led efforts in conducting outreach to underserved communities, including the growing Asian American immigrant community in Philadelphia, and advocated for the need for interpreters in legal proceedings. 

This year also marks Ms. Young’s 25^th anniversary of her first involvement with APABA-PA.  In 2005, Ms. Young served as President of APABA-PA, and she continues to serve on its Executive Committee.  She has chaired several committees, including chair of the Board Governance/Nominations Committee for a decade, and co-founder of the Marutani Fellowship Committee.  She has also held leadership positions with the Philadelphia Bar Association, the Pennsylvania Bar Association, and National Lawyers Guild. 

Ms. Young is tremendously active in the community, having served as a board member and officer of the Defender Association of Philadelphia, the Asian American Women’s Coalition, Asian Americans United, and National Clearinghouse for the Defense of Battered Women.

Ms. Young may be best appreciated for her supervision and mentoring of countless individuals, including younger attorneys, paralegals, and law students, even beyond those at Community Legal Services.  Ms. Young has a gift for recognizing people’s tremendous potential, then providing the guidance and advice that assists them in reaching their professional goals and dreams.

Ms. Young has been previously recognized in 2009, when she received the Equal Justice Award for Outstanding Leadership from Community Legal Services.  In 2008, she was recognized by the Rutgers-Camden School of Law APALSA Chapter for her outstanding commitment and service to Asian communities.  She also received the “Friend of Social Work” Award in 1996 from the National Association of Social Workers, in “Appreciation for Her Advocacy On Behalf of the Children of Hawaii.”  Ms. Young is licensed and has practiced in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Hawaii. 

Ms. Young will be honored at APABA-PA’s Annual Banquet on November 13, 2015, at the Sheraton University City, 3549 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104. 

The Annual Banquet will also feature keynote speaker The Honorable Cathy Bissoon of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania, and a ten-course banquet catered by Sang Kee.