Julia P. Kuan is one of New York City’s leading trial and appellate attorneys with over 30 years of experience litigating criminal, civil rights, and damages cases in federal and state courts. Prior to joining the firm, Ms. Kuan founded and ran a highly regarded and diverse litigation practice at Romano & Kuan, PLLC where she obtained high value settlements and verdicts on behalf of her clients in civil rights and damages actions and obtained acquittals, appellate reversals, and post-conviction relief for clients charged with and convicted of homicide and other serious criminal charges. Many of Ms. Kuan’s civil and criminal cases have been high-profile matters that have garnered considerable media attention, including wrongful conviction and police and prison guard abuse cases.
Ms. Kuan began her career as a staff attorney at the Legal Aid Society Criminal Defense Division and the Office of the Appellate Defender where she tried numerous jury and bench trials and argued appellate cases before the Appellate Division and Court of Appeals in the State of New York. Prior to entering private practice, she was a supervising attorney at the Bronx Defenders where she trained and supervised a team of criminal attorneys, investigators, and social workers while continuing to try cases and carry a significant felony caseload.
Ms. Kuan is a former adjunct clinical professor of criminal law at CUNY School of Law. She received her law degree from NYU School of Law in 1991. She regularly teaches civil rights law for the criminal practitioner to students and criminal defense organizations. Ms. Kuan also speaks Mandarin.
Education
New York University School of Law, J.D., 1991
New York University College of Arts and Sciences, B.A., 1988
Admissions
U.S. Court of Appeals, Second Circuit
U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York
U.S. District Court, Eastern District of New York
New York
Memberships
Indigent Defense Oversight Committee, Appellate Division First Department
Assigned Counsel Central Screening Committee, Appellate Division First Department
Honors
Lawdragon’s “500 Leading Civil Rights & Plaintiff Employment Lawyers” (2023)
Super Lawyer (2018 – 2024)
Super Lawyer, “Top Women Lawyers in New York”
Attorney News
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ECBAWM files Wrongful Conviction claim for Carlton Lewis following 31 years of incarceration
December 9, 2024
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ECBAWM files suit against New York City seeking accountability for Donny Ubiera’s death on Rikers Island
November 18, 2024
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16 ECBAWM Attorneys Named to 2024 Super Lawyers List
November 1, 2024
Representative Cases
Education
New York University School of Law, J.D., 1991
New York University College of Arts and Sciences, B.A., 1988
Admissions
U.S. Court of Appeals, Second Circuit
U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York
U.S. District Court, Eastern District of New York
New York
Memberships
Indigent Defense Oversight Committee, Appellate Division First Department
Assigned Counsel Central Screening Committee, Appellate Division First Department
Honors
Lawdragon’s “500 Leading Civil Rights & Plaintiff Employment Lawyers” (2023)
Super Lawyer (2018 – 2024)
Super Lawyer, “Top Women Lawyers in New York”