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Kashoua “Kristy” Yang

Biography Kashoua “Kristy” Yang is a Hmong American politician who serves as the Branch 47 judge on the Milwaukee County Circuit Court in Wisconsin. Yang won the open seat in the general election on April 4, 2017. Overall, she is the second Hmong-American judge in the United States, and the first female Hmong-American judge in the United States. Early Life Yang was born in Thailand. Her family and her had fled to the United States after the Vietnam War when she was six years old. Upon arrival, they immigrated to Sheboygan, WI, where her parents sought to find work to provide for Yang and her 12 brothers and sisters.

When Yang lived in Thailand, her family and her had lived in a refugee camp which was common among the Hmong people who had been displaced during the war. Yang’s best childhood memories were in the refugee camp where she had very little but felt the most stress-free. She played in the rain and ran up and down the dirt roads where she made many new friends with other Hmong children in the camp. Family Yang married her husband, Long Thao, and has three daughters ages 18, 7, and 2. On October 9th, 2017, her husband was a victim in a vehicle crash in Ozaukee County of Wisconsin where he was the the sole occupant of an SUV that struck a limousine. Education Yang earned her undergraduate degree from Lakeland College located in Plymouth, WI, graduating Summa Cum Laude. Yang also holds a juris doctorate from the University of Wisconsin Madison Law School where she graduated Cum Laude.

Yang became interested in studying law in high school when one of her fellow classmates expressed interest in the legal field. She made the decision to study law when her brother was killed in a car accident and her parents, nor her, knew how to receive justice for her brother’s tragic death. Campaign Wisconsin held local judicial elections in 2017. Forty-eight circuit court seats were up for election on April 4, 2017. Yang defeated her opponent, Scott Wales, in the general election for the Branch 47 seat on the Milwaukee County Circuit Court. Out of 85,987 total votes, Yang received 57.32% of the votes, or 49,288 votes. Scott Wales received 42.68% of the votes or 36,699 votes.

During candidacy, Yang participated in a Ballotpedia 2017 survey of local judicial candidates. The following sections display her response to the survey questions.

Question: What non-judicial legal experience qualifies you to be a judge? Response: “After achieving a summa cum laude undergraduate degree, I worked for and traveled the world for many years for the Kohler Company before attending law school. I attended the University of Wisconsin Law school. I have been recognized not only by my clients but by my colleagues and judges for my hard work, and importantly, the quality of my work. For 2013, 2014, 2015, and 2016, I have been nominated and selected as a Super Lawyer Rising Star. I am a family law mediator and have experience being in the role of a neutral third party. Currently, less than 10% of cases go to trial; my skills as a mediator will serve me well as a circuit court judge. Additionally, I have been recognized by the Milwaukee Bar Association and the Association of Women Lawyers for my pro bono work. After all, it is not the number of years or the quantity but the quality of what we as community members contribute to improving our community.

Question: Why are you running for Branch 47 Circuit Court judge? Response: “The reasons I am running for circuit court are multifaceted. I will bring a fresh, valuable perspective to our circuit courts. I have the depth and breadth of non-legal professional experience, legal experience, and community knowledge to serve as circuit court judge.”

Question: Identify one judge, past or present, who you admire. Response: “Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor.”

Question: What is your primary concern regarding today’s judicial system in Wisconsin? Response: “Public trust and confidence in the legal system.” Views on… Hmong community: Yang seeks to break down the socio-economic barriers that many Hmong face. She is determined to rebuild the infrastructure to support the growth and progress of the Hmong. Misc. Yang’s favorite lawyer joke is, “What kind of lawyer are you?” Her response, “I am a good lawyer.