Bio - Honors and Awards - Comments from Jurors

By John Nho Trong Nguyen

Below you will find my Biography, a summary of the honors and awards that I receive. In addition, you will also find excerpts from some of the letters the jurors sent me after having served in my court.

Before becoming a refugee in the U.S. in 1975, Judge John Nho Trong Nguyen was one of the most prominent members of the House of Representatives of Vietnam. He was elected by his colleagues to serve as an Associate Justice on the Constitutional Special Supreme Court of South Vietnam. Prior to his election to the Congress of Vietnam, he served in the Army of the Republic of Viet Nam as an infantry officer in the II Corps in the Central Highland of Vietnam.

As a Congressman, Judge Nguyen dedicated himself to political, economic, and land reform in Vietnam. As the Ranking Member and Rapporteur of the House Committee on Agriculture he advocated for and helped enact into law the most important land reform bill in the history of Viet Nam that was submitted to Congress by then President Nguyen Van Thieu. This law entitled "Land to the Tillers" provided for the mechanism to distribute farm land to farmers who, for generations, lived or farmed on leased land from the French colonialists.

His life in Vietnam was featured on documentary films by the Japanese National Television network (NHK) and the German Television network. He was seen on the PBS Vietnam Television History and on several major news networks and magazines during the war in Vietnam.

Nguyen began his new life in the U.S. as a handyman's helper. Never giving up on his hopes and dreams, while working full time he went to school at night and earned his M.B.A. from California Polytechnic University in Pomona in 1981 and his Juris Doctor from Western State University College of Law in 1988. He passed the Bar that same year.

Before his appointment to the bench, Nguyen served as an advisor or a Director of several non-profit organizations, including the St Anselm Cross Cultural Center, the Catholic Students Association, and the Buddhist Charitable Services. He also gave countless hours of pro-bono service to the poor and victims of human rights abuses in Viet Nam.

In 1980, with help from his wife, brothers and sisters, and friends, he sponsored more than one thousand refugees in Southeast Asia to resettle in the U.S. These refugees have been very successful in their businesses and professions and become a part of Judge Nguyen's extended family ever since.

Nguyen served as a Deputy Attorney General in the California Department of Justice. In that capacity he prosecuted, on behalf of the State of California, people who committed frauds against innocent citizens and consumers. He also represented the State and its agencies in writs and appeals before the various Federal and State trial and appellate courts.

Since July 2000, Judge Nguyen sits as a trial judge at the Orange County West Justice Center (WJC) handling a criminal trial calendar, presiding over thousands of criminal cases, including misdemeanor, serious felony, and three strike cases. When he began his judicial career at the WJC he handled a six month civil trial calendar. During that time he instituted for the first time the posting of tentative rulings on law and motion matters at WJC on the internet and on the front door of his department one day prior to the hearing date. In the civil assignment, Judge Nguyen issued approximately 500 written rulings with detailed factual and legal analysis.

Judge Nguyen has taught at Chapman University School of Law, Whittier College of Law, and Western State University College of Law as an adjunct professor on International Law, Human Rights Law, Trial Practice and Mediation and Arbitration. He gives MCLE lectures to lawyers on Search and Seizure, ethics, and trial techniques.

Regardless of his busy calendar he still finds time to preside over Constitutional Rights Foundation Mock Trials, Peer Courts, Teens Courts, and to speak to students at schools and colleges in the county. In doing so, he tries to give the youngsters of our county a positive outlook in life and to guide them on the road to become good citizens.

In 2002, Judge Nguyen was elected by his peers to serve as President of the California Asian American Judges Association.

In 2005, Judge Nguyen was elected Secretary of the National Asian American Judges Association at its conference in Philadelphia and has served in that capacity to the present.

Honors and Awards

Western State University inducted him into its Hall of Fame in 2001 and set up a scholarship bearing his name for needy Asian American Law Students.

The Korean American Sister Cities Association in Garden Grove presented him with the Lifetime Achievement Award at its annual meeting in 2002.

The West Orange County Bar Association honored him in 2005 with the "Patrick McCray Judge of the Year" award citing his "outstanding contribution to the administration and dispensation of equal justice for all under the law."

Whittier School of Law presented him with the highest honor of "Doctor of Laws" degree at its 2005 commencement ceremony.

The National Pacific American Bar Association, citing his "tenacity, vision, creativity and courage in making substantial and lasting contributions to the Asian Pacific American community", honored him at its national conference in Philadelphia in 2006 with the "Trail Blazer Award" together with Governor Gary Locke of the State of Washington and other distinguished judges and lawyers in the U.S.

The KSCITV International Channel 18 places him among the Asian American Role Models.

The 2007 National Conference of Vietnamese Attorneys held at Chapman University School of Law honored him with its "Trail Blazer Award" for being a pioneer in the legal field and his contributions to the Vietnamese American community.

The Board of Governors of the State Bar of California appointed him in 2007 Commissioner of the Commission on Access to Justice which serves to enhance the dispensation of justice in our court system.

The Mayor and City Council of Santa Ana issued a proclamation to honor Judge Nguyen for his service and the inspiration he provides to the community.

Western State University College of Law will award him on May 17, 2008 the "Honorary Doctor of Laws" at its commencement ceremony in Orange, California.

On May 17, 2008, the Orange County Asian American Business Association will honor him with the "Role Model" award in a ceremony at the South Coast Plaza.

On June 3rd, 2008, the Orange County Women Lawyers Association will present him with the "2008 Judge of the Year" award.

Excerpts from Jurors' Letters to Judge Nguyen:

Letter dated Sept. 11, 2000 from a Members of Congress juror: "You handled yourself with sincerity, conviction, and wisdom. Your words to the jury were inspiring. .... You are a symbol not only to Vietnamese Americans, but to all Americans for the freedom and opportunity of our great country."

Letter dated Nov. 5, 2002: "Wonderful judge. Presented beautifully our duties and related personally to each juror.... Judge Nguyen is an inspiration to all potential jurors and all Americans."

Letter dated Feb. 22, 2003: "I was a court reporter for 20 years.... I can say that I found you to be everything a judge should be. Intelligent, knowledgeable, kind, humorous, very patient to lawyers, and very accommodating to the jurors."

Letter dated December 1, 2004: "Your performance on the bench was excellent. It is quite obvious that your appreciation for our country and the rights and freedoms Americans enjoy is enormous. You have studied our history well and if you ever want to give up `he bench' (which I doubt), you would make a terrific American history teacher."

Letter dated Dec. 5 2005 from a Pastor juror: "You were a fantastic presence on the bench, with questions, observations, patience, and wise understanding of issues. I am thankful for such a man as you who both has the clarity and appreciation for democratic process and values."

Letter dated Jan. 1, 2006: "You were very caring, warm and personable explaining our duties, the court system and your appreciation of our time. You also were a great teacher to the Deputy District Attorney and the Defense attorney."

Letter dated Dec. 7, 2007: "Having served on jury duty numerous times in the past, I was expecting my experience in your courtroom to be much the same. Was I ever wrong! Your unbridled enthusiasm, and overall respect and appreciation for the US justice system were an inspiration to me. The fairness and respect you showed to all individuals in your court room was especially noticeable. It was an honor to serve in your courtroom."

Letter dated March 18, 2008 from a teacher juror: "I write to thank you for the great experience I had in your court. Your instruction to me and the other potential jurors in this case was a college semester of learning in two days. Your teaching skills are exemplary as are those of a judge."