Judge Bumatay, a Fil-Am Benchmark
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Judge Patrick Joseph Bumatay being sworn in
Bumatay recognizes the academic achievements, sweat, and personal sacrifices that brought him to the federal bench by age 41, but that’s not all. About to turn 44 on St. Valentine’s Day, he pays tribute to his family and Filipino heritage as the other factors in his success.
He confides that “the American Dream struck my family at least three times,” starting with his grandfather. “My grandfather came to the United States in the 1920s with nothing but the luggage in his hands. He eventually earned a college degree and Ph.D. while supporting himself by picking fruits and vegetables. He then returned to the Philippines to start his family and career.”
Bumatay’s parents lived in Secaucus, N.J. when he was born. “My parents immigrated to this country in the 1970s with not much more than their education, faith, and hard work,” he says of his father, Joseph Bumatay, a retired doctor born in Ilocos Sur, and his mother, Cristina Bumatay, born in Manila and also a retired doctor. “They were able to build a wonderful life for me and my sister (a Long Island pediatrician).”
He beat long odds to become one of the first Filipino American as well as openly gay federal judges. According to Pew Research, only 16 percent of President Trump’s federal judge appointees were non-white. “I’ve always been proud to be Filipino and have never considered it a barrier. If anything, I felt lucky to come from such a rich and unique heritage.”
When asked to identify beneficial Filipino traits, he replies, “I think being Filipino has been a strength to my career. My upbringing has taught me to value education, to work hard, to be respectful of others, and to enjoy family and friends. All of these have been keys to my career successes.”
What an Expert Says
It’s already established that Judge Bumatay isn’t an ordinary federal judge. Here are the praises sung by mutual friend David Lat, a lawyer turned journalist who founded the Above the Law legal news website and now writes Original Jurisdiction, a newsletter about law and the legal profession:
"Judge Bumatay is a trailblazer on the federal bench. Yes, it's great that he's the first Filipino American to serve as a federal appellate judge, as well as the first openly gay judge on the Ninth Circuit, but he's a leader on the bench because of his jurisprudence. He's been a judge for only two years, but he's already made a name for himself in legal circles as the author of powerful and persuasive opinions that embody the judicial philosophy known as originalism, which argues that the Constitution and laws should be interpreted based on their original meaning.”
Judge Bumatay’s first time sitting on the bench
Bumatay is philosophical when acknowledging that some people will express a difference of opinion when assessing his legal decisions. “All my life, I’ve believed in the importance of reaching out and creating bonds with people from different backgrounds and with different viewpoints. As a judge (and in life), I’ve always believed that disagreement is fine, even beneficial at times, as long as we remain respectful to one another.”
David Lat goes on to explain the potential edge of being a federal judge with his various attributes in a future presidential administration. “If Republicans take back the White House in 2024, I think Judge Bumatay would be a strong contender for the Supreme Court. He's young and he's conservative, which is what Republicans look for in their nominees. But he would also be hard for Democrats to oppose, given how much they talk about diversity, since he'd be the first Asian American justice and the first openly gay justice; those are two historic firsts in one nominee."
Judge Bumatay at a Department of Justice event
Beginning His Tenure as Judge and Parent
The above is entirely David’s analysis. Bumatay is too busy with work and family to entertain conjectures, however flattering. He and his husband, Alex Bumatay, recently became fathers of two-year-old twin daughters.
“Federal Appellate Judge Patrick Bumatay proves that anything’s possible with perseverance and a Filipino heritage.”
“I’ve started the girls early on Filipino food,” says the proud dad. “One of my daughters loves chicharon. I hope to bring them to the Philippines when they are old enough. Also, when I was young, I learned the tinikling (bamboo dance). I hope to teach them that as well.”
Federal judges don’t normally open up to reporters to discuss their personal life. “I have great affection for the Filipino community. That’s why I couldn’t pass up an opportunity to speak with Positively Filipino.”
He is particularly committed to ensuring more Filipinos can attain fulfilling careers in law. “I try to speak to as many Filipino lawyer groups as possible. For young Filipino Americans interested in legal careers, I would say work hard, get a great education, and pursue a career that’s meaningful to you. The rest will fall in place.”
Anthony Maddela is a Staff Correspondent based in Los Angeles. He and wife Susan are the parents of Charlotte, a sophomore at Humboldt State University, and Gregory, a high school senior. Anthony completed radiation treatments in December. He is cancer-free! Thanks for your prayers and support.
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