Judge Edmond E. Chang on Being Appointed as the Youngest Federal Judge in the U.S.

This is an excerpt of a Profiles in Professionalism interview with Judge Edmond E. Chang of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. Our Profiles in Professionalism series provides in-depth conversations with Illinois lawyers and judges who are shaping the culture of the legal profession.

Judge Chang has served on the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois since 2011. At the time of his appointment, he was the youngest serving federal judge, creating unique challenges related to experience and a perceived balance of power.

“I do believe that [my] relative youth at the time did cause some lawyers to treat me differently than other judges; that they would try to navigate around decisions or rulings,” Judge Chang said.

He credits advice from the “incomparable” Judge Ann Claire Williams with helping him navigate situations where lawyers tried to “take advantage” of his position as a new and youthful judge and also for helping him build his professional identity on the federal bench.

“You are relatively young, you’re a lawyer of color,” Judge Chang recalled Judge Williams saying. “There will be those lawyers who try to take advantage of that or see you in a different light, so develop your reputation now and make sure that you’re that no-nonsense judge from the start.”