Fordham Law alumnus Norman Lau Kee ’55, a well-regarded Chinese-American attorney, recently passed away at the age of 90. A tribute to his life and achievements was published in the New York Law Journal.
Recently a prominent Chinese American attorney in New York City quietly passed away at the age of 90, receiving little attention outside the Asian community. However, the passing of Norman Lau Kee represents a significant historic milestone and was a major news event in the city’s Chinese community.
Norman Lau Kee was one of the pioneers of the legal profession in Chinatown. He was a grandson of Chinese immigrants, a successful academic, a World War II veteran and most significantly, was part of a very small vanguard of Asian lawyers who first provided legal representation for Chinatown residents beginning in the 1950s. However, these accomplishments only tell part of the story of the lifelong achievements of Norman Lau Kee and his well-accomplished family.
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During Norman’s early professional life, he gravitated to law. While still working with an engineering firm, he attended Fordham Law School at night from which he received his J.D. degree in 1955. Working full time as an engineer and studying law at night for four years undoubtedly demonstrates a strong and tenacious work ethic. Adding to his responsibilities at the time, Norman and Esther were raising four of their eventual five children.
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Norman has provided the Asian community with the template upon which succeeding generations can follow and in turn provide leadership to yet younger generations. Norman has left an indelible mark on all who were fortunate to have known him. I gratefully count myself among those family members and friends.