Born in San Jose, Erica
Yew graduated from the University of California at Berkeley with
Honors in 1982. She received her J.D. from Hastings College of the
Law in 1985. While in law school, Yew won awards in regional-level
moot court competitions. She also clerked for Justice Marc
Poché.
Yew has tried civil jury trials ranging from wrongful termination to patent infringement to wrongful death and interference with prospective business suits. In addition to trying cases, Yew has argued matters before state and federal appellate courts.
Yew represents local, national, and international businesses in commercial litigation, intellectual property disputes, and premises liability.
In addition to the law, community service is important to Yew. In 1990, the Santa Clara County Bar Association named her Pro Bono Attorney of the Year. The California State Bar gave Yew the Wiley W. Manuel Award for Pro Bono Legal Services in 1991. In 1995, the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors and the Human Relations Commission conferred the Award of Special Merit upon Yew for her service to the community. Also in 1995, the Hon. Zoe Lofgren entered Erica Yew’s name in the United States Congressional Record in recognition of Yew’s volunteer efforts.
Yew is past President of the Asian Pacific Bar Association of the Silicon Valley, past board member of the Legal Aid Society, past member of the Board of Trustees for the Santa Clara County Bar Association, and past member of the American Bar Association Steering Sub-Committee for the Council on Racial and Ethnic Justice. She recently completed terms on the board for Child Advocates of Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties and the County Advisory Commission for the Children’s Shelter. Currently, she serves on the boards for the Pro Bono Project of Santa Clara, the Silicon Valley Campaign for Legal Services, and the Asian Law Alliance. Yew also co-chairs the Judiciary Committee of the county bar association and serves on the Board of Trustees for the County Law Library and for Lincoln Law School.
In addition to serving as a Superior Court Judge Pro Tem for settlement conferences and as a court-appointed arbitrator, Yew has taught for CEB, Defense Research Institute, Association of Defense Counsel of Northern California, and Stanford University Law School.