Going above and beyond is something Pauline Yeung-Ha has been doing just about all her life.
Yeung-Ha’s parents immigrated to the United States from China, settled in Brooklyn, got jobs in the garment industry, and started a family, all “with very little English capability,” she says.
“None of my parents nor their families went to school beyond the elementary school level,” the Woman of Distinction says. “I was the first to graduate from high school and college.”
She graduated from Edward R. Murrow High School and received a Bachelor of Arts degree at Vassar College, and her personal “firsts” didn’t stop there.
“My parents were extremely proud of me as I was the first to go to law school, at St. John’s University School of Law,” said Yeung-Ha, who concentrated on the field of elder law and, shortly after graduating from St. John’s, decided to make helping elderly clients her life’s work.
Ever since then, she has gone above and beyond to serve her community. In addition to her legal work, she contributes to pro bono work in both Asian and non-Asian communities. Ten years ago, she helped established a charitable organization to provide information and enhance awareness about dementia in the Chinese senior citizen community.
Currently, Yeung-Ha serves as a co-chairwoman of the pro bono committee of the Asian Bar Association of New York, as well as the secretary and a member of the Board of Directors of Caringkind (formerly the New York chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association). She is also a co-chairwoman of both the diversity and membership Committees of the Elder Law Section of the New York State Bar Association, as well as a member of the board of trustees of the Brooklyn Bar Association. In addition, she has been named one of New York’s “Best Lawyers,” “Super Lawyers,” and “Best Under 40” by the National Asian-Pacific American Bar Association, and one of New York’s “Women Leaders in the Law.”
But she says she’s most proud of the help she has been able to give the elderly, and says personal experience has shaped her work.
“My grandfather suffered a stroke during my law school days,” said Yeung-Ha, who explained that when Medicare coverage for his rehabilitation care ran out and he had not fully recovered, family members were forced to step in to care for him. At that time, Yeung-Ha and her family didn’t know about elder care attorneys who could have helped with Medicaid and home care benefits.
“This experience left me determined to ensure that elders and their families receive proper information and guidance during these most difficult times,” she says.
Partner Judith D. Grimaldi, Esq. says Yeung-Ha is a “dynamic attorney who shares her knowledge of estate planning, tax and elder law, both through the law firm and in her generous volunteer efforts. She is kind, gracious and very smart and I’m proud to be partners with her.”
Neighborhood: Park Slope.
Occupation: Elder law and estate planning lawyer.
Company: Grimaldi & Yeung LLP, started with my partner, Judith D. Grimaldi, in 2008.
Claim To Fame: First Asian elder law attorney.
Favorite Brooklyn Place: Park Slope.
Woman I Admire: My mentor and now my partner, Judith D. Grimaldi. I wouldn’t have been where I’m at without her continuous support.
Motto or Life Saying: Often when I meet people, they’ll say “I wish I’d known you earlier.” And I think, “I wish I could have helped you earlier.”
