Calif. Supreme Court Overturns Decision To Deny Chinese Immigrant Law License In 1890

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — The California Supreme Court has reversed a 19th century decision denying a Chinese immigrant's application to practice law in the state.

The court decided Monday to grant Hong Yen Chang a license to practice law. The Chinese immigrant died in 1926.

The unanimous court reversed a decision that is still studied in law schools today as a 19th century lesson in bigotry. The court in 1890 denied the Yale University-educated Chang's application to practice law solely because he was Chinese. The court 125 years ago cited the federal Chinese Exclusion Act and a California law prohibiting noncitizens from practicing law.

Students and two professors at the University of California, School of Law took up Chang's cause last year and petitioned the Supreme Court, which licenses California's lawyers.