Eve Cho Guillergan: Filipino-Korean lawyer aspiring to be NYC civil court judge

By Catherine Espejo

Born in Korea to a Filipino father and a Korean mother, Eve Cho Guillergan is charting a path in New York City toward Law and Justice.

Most recently, she won the Democratic primary for Civil Court judge. It was an outstanding accomplishment that, she acknowledged, boosted her confidence.

Guillergan, 61, told The FilAm that if she wins in the general election in November, she will be the first Filipino woman to be elected to the civil court bench in New York City, and the first Korean to be elected to the civil court bench in Queens.

“There could be historical implications for the Asian community, particularly Asian women,” she said. “Being both Korean and Filipino means I carry the stories, resilience, and hopes of two immigrant communities. It shapes the empathy I bring to my work and fuels my drive to ensure everyone has a fair shot at justice.”

Civil Court judges handle a variety of cases with the public along the lines of financial disputes and consumer debt. She explained how she is determined to dig deeply into the facts, research the law thoroughly, and prepare meticulously once elected.

Guillergan migrated to the United States when she was 12 years old when her mother married an American soldier. Her website states that “her mother grew up during the Japanese occupation of Korea, and her stepfather was a Vietnam War veteran.” Eve was raised in Missouri and Dutchess County, New York.

She went to New York University for college and earned her law degree from Rutgers School of Law in Newark, New Jersey.  

Her childhood was a blend of two rich cultures that exposed her to the individuality of each in the arts, politics, cuisine and traditions. She learned early on to appreciate diversity, not just her own, but also of others which, she said, helped her connect with people from all walks of life. She said she was raised in a hardworking immigrant household where perseverance, integrity, and education were core values.

She chose to pursue immigration law because of the immigration inequities she had witnessed in Missouri. It wasn’t until having represented immigrant cases that she considered being the person who stood in their corner. She visited a law firm with the intent of learning how to use the justice system to “help those without a voice.”

“I chose immigration law to help people navigate a complex system, protect their rights, and keep families together,” she said.

In one memorable case, she aided in the trial of an asylum seeker that hadn’t made any progress over the years. She described it as one of the most meaningful moments of her career and reaffirmed why she wanted to become a lawyer.

Guillergan has persevered and stayed steadfast in her legal career. Her accolades include serving on the Leadership Advisory Council of the Korean American Lawyers Association of Greater NY (KALAGNY). She also sat on the board mentoring young Korean American attorneys, promoting diversity, and strengthening connections between the bar and the community.

“Advocacy means fighting for my clients’ interests with both skill and heart,” she said. “Empathy ensures that I see my clients not just as cases, but as people with lives and dreams.”

Guillergan is slowly climbing the political ladder as she takes her dreams with her to the general election. She’s been reaching out to local leaders, immersing herself into community, and hoping to make things better for their lives.

“I hope to increase voter engagement, especially among communities that historically have not had a strong voice in judicial elections,” she said.