Judge Eve Cho Guillergan: 1st Korean Filipino American judge takes oath of office in NY
By Marivir R. Montebon
New York – Many people in Queens know lawyer Eve Cho Guillergan as quiet but with a ready smile and a steadfast reputation of helping immigrants. She is the familiar face who shows up in important community events lending consistent support.
On April 8, 2026, Guillergan was sworn in as Judge of the Civil Court Queens, five months after she won in the hard-fought November 2025 election as the first Korean Filipino American judge in New York.
Justice Hom swears into office Judge Eve Cho Guillergan on April 8, 2026 at the Ceremonial Court of the Civil Court Queens.
Even before her inaugural, Guillergan hit the ground running – in 56 days, she has resolved 656 cases and decided 402 motions. “She is doing a very good job already. A very productive judge. Keep that smile on your face,” remarked Administrative Judge for the New York City Civil Court.
The mood at the packed Ceremonial Courtroom was celebratory. NY State Senator John Liu, designated emcee, sustained the joviality of the occasion.
Justice Phillip Hom of the Appellate division of the Supreme Court swore Guillergan into office. The robing followed with her family present – led by husband Harry Andree, brother Jeffrey Cho Baker, Young Sin Ji, and nephew Joseph Fernandez.
Guillergan came to the US at age 12. Her mom is Korean and her father from Iloilo City in the Philippines. The couple met in Korea where Guillergan’s father worked.
She had been volunteering at an early age, mostly interpreting Korean to English. The experience has shaped her to learn and have the heart for immigrants’ stories, the new Judge said. “It began as my way to advocate for others.”
Colleague Bridgette Ahn, past president of the Network of Bar Leaders and Korean American Lawyers Association of Greater New York, said Guillergan does not shy away from protecting the marginalized. “Being an immigrant child living in a trailer with a solo immigrant mom,” she recounted.
Guillergan: I will be a fair and thoughtful judge.
In her closing speech, Guillergan cited a long list of people to thank for. “Thank you for the opportunity to serve. Thank you that I got a lot of help.”
She told her well wishers that her Filipino and Korean heritage taught her the Filipino value of bayanihan (community) and perseverance and care for others from her Korean mother. “As a judge, I’d be thoughtful and fair. In every case, there is a story. Gamsahamnida. Maraming salamat po.”
Assemblymember Steven Raga said Guillergan had demonstrated compassion and integrity in her practice, a valuable asset to the judiciary.
Queens is the largest of the five boroughs of New York City, with communities representing 128 nationalities and over 160 languages spoken. #
