Atty. Ferdinand Suba: His love for the legal profession he shares with his father, son

For Atty. Ferdinand G. Suba, Esq., fondly called “Dean” by friends and colleagues, the journey into the legal profession began long before he entered law school. It started in his hometown of Santa Ana, Pampanga, where politics, public service, and the law were part of everyday life.

As a young boy, Nanding as his parents called him,  watched his father, Felix Suba, campaign for mayor. He also spent countless hours observing him work as a lawyer. One of his earliest memories was helping his father type legal pleadings on an old Underwood typewriter while his father served as counsel to then-Manila Mayor Antonio Villegas.

“Reading legal documents and observing my father’s work fascinated me,” Suba recalled. “My curiosity eventually turned into a love for the legal profession.”

That fascination led him to pursue law. After earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from the University of Santo Tomas, Ferdie as his classmates called him in UST, enrolled at the Ateneo de Manila University School of Law, where he completed his Bachelor of Laws degree. He passed the Philippine Bar in 1985.

Building a legal career in America

After immigrating to the United States, Suba faced the challenge of establishing himself in a new country and legal system.

He was admitted to the New York State Bar in 1989 and later that year gained admission to practice before the United States District Courts for the Eastern and Southern Districts of New York. Following a stint as a litigation associate at the Wall Street law firm Lichtenberg & Goss, he opened his own law practice in 1989.

More than three decades later, he remains in private practice, concentrating primarily on immigration and nationality law while also handling real estate matters, wills, and estate cases.

Throughout his career, Suba has represented clients from more than 50 countries, helping immigrants navigate one of the most complex areas of American law.

To further strengthen his expertise, he pursued postgraduate studies in Elder Law, Wills, and Trusts at New York University. His professional affiliations have included the American Immigration Lawyers Association, the American Bar Association, the New York State Bar Association, the Association of the Bar of the City of New York, and the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association. He also remains a lifetime member of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines.

Passing the torch

While Dean built a successful legal career, he also unknowingly planted the seeds for the next generation. His son, Ferdinand Jr., grew up hearing stories about his grandfather’s legal battles against corruption and public wrongdoing in Manila.

“I was always proud to see my father on Philippine television being interviewed as he challenged graft and corruption,” Suba said of his own father. “I shared those stories with my son.”

Whether those stories directly influenced his son’s career choice remains uncertain, but the values they embodied—integrity, public service, and justice—clearly left an impression.

Young Ferdinand frequently accompanied his father to the office, witnessing firsthand both the struggles and rewards of legal practice. Suba also deliberately encouraged skills that would prove valuable in the profession.

“I emphasized writing and public speaking,” he said. “Those are essential tools for a lawyer.”

Ferdinand Jr. completed his legal education at Cornell Law School and now works as a litigation associate at the prominent law firm Willkie Farr & Gallagher.

A life of community service

Beyond the courtroom, Dean has distinguished himself as a community leader, philanthropist, and advocate for Filipino Americans.

He has provided pro bono legal services to numerous nonprofit organizations throughout the New York metropolitan area and has served as legal counsel or adviser to several Filipino American institutions, including the Ateneo Association of North America, the Association of Filipino-American Teachers of America, the University of Santo Tomas Nurses Association of New York, Kasamahan ng mga Pilipino sa Westchester, and the San Lorenzo Ruiz Global Ministry.

His community service has earned him numerous recognitions, including The Outstanding Filipino in America (TOFA) Award in the field of Law, the Ten Outstanding Fathers Award from the National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA), the Dona Teodora Alonzo Award from the Association of Fil-Am Teachers of America, and various community leadership honors.

His advocacy extends beyond legal work. He established the Filipino Catholic Award and the Dr. Jose P. Rizal Excellence Awards recognizing achievements in medicine, education, arts and literature, and youth leadership.

A prolific speaker and writer, Suba has lectured on topics ranging from immigration law and nonprofit governance to Philippine nationalism and the life of Dr. Jose Rizal. He also wrote the monthly “Legal Critique” column for The Filipino Catholic publication from 2011 to 2015.

Guided by Rizal’s ideals

A devoted Rizalian, Dean has played a significant role in the international organization Knights of Rizal. In 2021, he was elected trustee of its Supreme Council, the organization’s highest governing body. He holds the rank of Knight Grand Cross of Rizal (KGCR), the highest rank conferred by the order.

“My life has been dedicated to the ideals of Dr. Jose Rizal—integrity, education, patriotism, and service,” he said.

For the Subas, the law has become more than a profession. It is a family tradition powered by a commitment to serve others, following the famous phrase, “Men for Others” a core Jesuit maxim or Dean’s frequent quoted phrase of the Jesuit’s guiding principle, Ad majorem Dei gloriam, translated, “For the greater glory of God.” – Cristina DC Pastor