Justice for All

Experience the Event

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As you embrace the legacy of a trailblazer who redefined the boundaries of possibility, see how Justice Mary Yu ’93 J.D. champions equality as the first Asian, Latina, and LGBTQ+ jurist on the Washington State Supreme Court. Her wisdom transcends the courtroom, offering a roadmap to vanquish doubt through the power of authenticity and her call to always “stay visible.” Fulfill a profound need for belonging, fueling your own dedication to creating a more inclusive world where every individual feels seen, heard, and at home.

120 Years Later: Asian and Pacific Islander Perspectives at Notre Dame is a commemorative series celebrating the 30th anniversary of the Asian Pacific Alumni group and the long history of this community at the University of Notre Dame. The Asian Pacific Alumni of Notre Dame (APA) is a dynamic and welcoming community that brings together alumni, students, and friends to celebrate Asian Pacific cultures and experiences through alumni programming, student outreach, and lifelong connections.

“Justice For All” is presented in partnership with ARC ND, a Notre Dame Alumni Association group dedicated to bringing together Notre Dame LGBTQ+ alumni and allies.

Thank you to all who joined fellow Asian Pacific Alumni for Reunion 2026 from June 4-7 and reconnected with classmates, explored campus, and celebrated 120 years of Asian and Pacific Islander excellence at Notre Dame!

Meet the Speaker: Justice Mary I. Yu '93 J.D.

Mary Yu ’93 J.D. was appointed to the Washington Supreme Court on May 16, 2014, and subsequently elected in 2014, 2016, and 2022. Justice Yu joined the Supreme Court after more than 14 years as a trial court judge in King County Superior Court where she presided over a wide variety of criminal, civil, and juvenile cases, and presided over hundreds of adoptions and other family law matters.

Prior to becoming a judge, Justice Yu served as Deputy Chief of Staff to King County Prosecutor Norm Maleng and as a deputy in the Criminal and Civil Divisions. Before attending law school, Justice Yu worked in the Peace and Justice Office for the Archdiocese of Chicago first as staff and later as Director of that office following her appointment to the position by Cardinal Joseph Bernardin.

Justice Yu has an extensive record of service both on and off the bench, mentoring young attorneys, law clerks, and students; co-chairing the Court’s Minority and Justice Commission; chairing the Board for Judicial Administration’s Public Trust and Confidence Committee; teaching at Seattle University School of Law and serving as Jurist in Residence; and co-chairing the Washington State Bar Association/University of Washington Law School Leadership Institute. Justice Yu has served on the board of FareStart from 2009 – 2018, and the advisory board for the University of Washington School of Law’s Gates Public Service Program from 2014 – 2018. She was personally devoted to the Seattle Girls’ School Mock Trials, serving as their judge for 17 years. Justice Yu is a member of the American Law Institute. In 2021 Seattle University School of Law established the Justice Mary I. Yu Endowed Scholarship Fund.

Justice Yu was raised in Bridgeport, a South Side neighborhood in Chicago, by immigrant parents; her mother came from Mexico and her father from China. She is the first in her family to graduate from college. She received her B.A. from Dominican University, her M.A. in Religious Studies from Mundelein College of Loyola University in Chicago, and her J.D. from the University of Notre Dame Law School. Justice Yu is the first Asian, the first Latina, and the first member of the LGBTQ community to serve on the Washington State Supreme Court.

Justice Yu is the recipient of the following awards: 2025 Shero Award, Seattle Chapter of NOW (National Organization for Women); 2025/5785 Anshei Ma’aseh Award of Distinction from the Cardozo Society of Washington (shared with Chief Justice Stephens and Justices Madsen, Owens, and Whitener); 2025 Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters, Honoris Causa, Dominican University, River Forest, Illinois; 2024 “Woman of Influence” Award from the Puget Sound Business Journal; 2024 “Outstanding Judge” Award from the King County Bar Association; 2024 “Champion of Justice” Award from the Washington Association of Criminal Defense Attorneys; 2024 Graciela Olivarez Award, Hispanic Law Student Association, University of Notre Dame Law School; 2022 Loren Miller Bar Association Lifetime Achievement Award; 2022 QLaw Bar Association President’s Award; 2020 Latina/o Bar Association of Washington CZ Smith Trailblazer Award; 2019 Crosscut “Courage in Elected Office” Award; 2019 “Established Leader” Pride Award, Mayor Jenny Durkan, City of Seattle; 2018 “Voice of Social Justice” from the Greater Seattle Business Association; 2017 “Lifetime Achievement Award” from Northwest Asian Weekly; 2016 “Daniel K. Inouye Trailblazer Award” from the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association; 2016 “Imagine Justice” Award from Columbia Legal Services; 2016 Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree from Whitman College, Walla Walla, Washington; 2016 Seattle Women’s Pride, Luminary Award; 2015 Seattle Storm, “Inspiring Women” award; 2015 “Brava! Award” from the Women’s University Club; 2015 “Woman of the Year” from the Seattle University School of Law and Women’s Law Caucus; 2014 “Judge of the Year” from the Washington State Association for Justice; 2014 “Betty B. Fletcher Judge of the Year” Award from Washington Women Lawyers, King County Chapter; 2013 “Public Official of the Year” from the Municipal League Foundation; 2013 Latina/o Amicus Award from Seattle University School of Law Latina/o Law Student Association; 2012 “President’s Award” from the Asian Bar Association of Washington; 2012 “Difference Makers Award” from the American Bar Association Solo, Small Firm and General Practice Division; the 2011 “Judge of the Year” award from the Washington State Bar Association (shared with Justice González); 2011 Seattle Girls’ School Grace Hopper Award; 2009 Norm Maleng Award from the Washington State Bar Association; 2008 “Judge of the Year” from the Asian Bar Association; 2008 President’s Award from Washington Women Lawyers; 2006 “Model of Excellence” Award from the Latina/o Bar Association of Washington; 2005 “Judge of the Year” award from the American Board of Trial Advocates; and 2005 Reah Whitehead Public Leadership Award from Seattle University School of Law.

Justice Yu maintains residency in Seattle and Lacey.

Meet the Moderator: Edward Augustine '87

Edward E. Augustine, Esq. ’87, is a solo practitioner in transactional residential real estate and estate planning law in Manhattan. Previously, Edward held the position of residential real estate associate and bank attorney at a law firm in Manhattan. He served on the Board of the New York City LGBT Bar Association (“LeGaL”) and was appointed to the Board of the New York City LGBT Bar Association Foundation as an officer. Edward also served on the New York City Bar Association’s LGBT Committee and the Committee on Legal Issues Pertaining to Animals. Currently, he is a member of the Board of the Community Scholarship Fund of Teaneck, New Jersey (where he was raised). Prior to the establishment of ARC, Edward served as a Co-Coordinator of Gay & Lesbian Alumni of Notre Dame: “GALA” NYC. As a strong supporter of the Notre Dame Alumni Club of New York (“NDNY”), Edward held various leadership positions, including Intercultural Diversity Co-Commissioner, Vice President, Executive Vice President, and is currently the ARC liaison for NDNY and a member of the Host Committee for the 2025 ARC ND Reunion. In 2024, Edward participated as a panelist at the Notre Dame Alumni Leadership Conference ARC panel on: “Over the rainbow: Reaching “victory” by engaging LGBTQ+ alumni and allies in local club programming.” Edward holds a Juris Doctor from Rutgers University School of Law – Newark, an M.A. from The Graduate School of Arts & Science at New York University, and a B.A. from the University of Notre Dame, where he studied in the Program of Liberal Studies/Great Books Program and lived in Sorin College.  As a law student Edward secured fellowships at the American Civil Liberties Union – New Jersey and the Lambda Legal Defense & Education Foundation, Inc., in New York City.  Prior to going to law School, Edward was an Assistant Dean at The Graduate School of The University of Notre Dame and an Assistant Director of Admissions and Financial Aid at The Graduate School of Arts & Science at New York University.

Meet the Moderator: Rona Reodica ’01

Rona Reodica ’01 previously served on the Asian Pacific Alumni of ND Board as the Director of Alumni Relations for 7 years and as the Intercultural Diversity Co-Commissioner for the Notre Dame Club of New York (“NDNY”). Rona earned a Bachelor of Architecture degree from Notre Dame’s School of Architecture.

Upon graduating, she was awarded a Fulbright Scholarship and spent two years in Manila, Philippines conducting research on “Housing and Community Development for the Urban Poor in Manila.” Rona then served as a volunteer through the ND Puerto Rico Program, where she worked with a non-profit organization and a group of Salesian nuns to build a new school and community center.

Rona returned to the U.S. to pursue a master’s degree in Urban Planning at NYU and began a career in public service at the City of New York’s Department of Housing Preservation and Development (“HPD”), the nation’s largest municipal affordable housing organization. She has worked at HPD for over 18 years in various leadership positions and is currently the Assistant Commissioner for the Division of Building and Land Development Services, where she oversees the architectural, engineering, environmental planning, and construction monitoring services for affordable housing projects throughout New York City.