[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 119 (Wednesday, July 12, 2023)]
[Senate]
[Page S2349]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                      Nomination of Myong Jin Joun

  Mr. DURBIN. Madam President, today, the Senate will vote to confirm 
Judge Myong Jin Joun to the U.S. District Court for the District of 
Massachusetts.
  Judge Joun is a long-serving State court judge with extensive 
experience as a litigator. And with his confirmation, this Senate will 
take another important step forward in building a Federal judiciary 
that reflects the personal and professional diversity of America and 
the legal profession.
  Born in South Korea, Judge Joun received his J.D. from Suffolk 
University Law School in 1999. Prior to law school, he served for 6 
years in the U.S. Army Massachusetts National Guard as an E-4 
specialist. He even served throughout his undergraduate studies at the 
University of Massachusetts, where he earned a B.A. and graduated magna 
cum laude. After earning his law degree, Judge Joun began his legal 
career at a civil rights law firm, where he worked for 6 years before 
starting his own firm in 2007. During his 15 years in practice, Judge 
Joun tried approximately 20 cases to verdict, including 17 jury trials. 
In 2014, Judge Joun was appointed as associate justice of the Boston 
Municipal Court. Over the past 8 years, he has presided over 
approximately 140 trials, including 98 jury trials, for both criminal 
and civil matters. Importantly, if confirmed, Judge Joun would make 
history as the first Asian-American man and first Korean American to 
serve on the District Court for the District of Massachusetts.
  With his extensive trial experience on and off the bench, Judge Joun 
will make an excellent addition to the district court. He enjoys the 
strong support of Senators Warren and Markey. And the American Bar 
Association has unanimously rated him ``well qualified'' to serve on 
the District of Massachusetts.
  I support this outstanding nominee, and I urge my colleagues to join 
me in doing so.