Judge Wendy Li has been an active and an influential member of the Civil Court of the City of New York during the past six (6) years, issued thousands of and published more than 70 judicial decisions in civil and criminal cases in Brooklyn, Queens and Manhattan. A firm believer in the principles of fairness, compassion, and equal treatment for all under the law, she is passionate about serving our community as our next Surrogate’s Court Judge in the County of Queens.

A graduate of Oxford, Peking and Southern Methodist Universities, Judge Li won election to the court in 2018 after a long and illustrious career in private law practice. She has also long been active in professional and civil affairs, and continues to be so as a judge. She mentors both students and professionals. Many professional and civic organizations have invited her to come speak. Judge Li has also earned seats on the executive boards of many prestigious civic and professional organizations, such as the New York Chapter of National Association of Women Judges and New York City Civil Court Judges Association. Judge Li also served as a Board Director/Secretary of the Asian American Judges Association of New York from 2020 to 2023.

Judge Li grew up in China to a family of modest means. Her parents sacrificed so that the dream of their children building a better life could be realized. It was because of their hard work and commitment to family that she was able to attend Peking University, where she obtained her first law degree. Wendy immigrated to the United States for law school when she was young adult with the hope of one day utilizing her legal experience and expertise to better the lives of others. After receiving her second law degree in the United States, Wendy went on to attend Oxford University, where she obtained her Masters of Science in Law and Finance degree, and then Harvard University where she received a graduate certificate in International Relations.

Judge Li offers the Queens Surrogate's Court more than 25 years of legal experience at some of the most prestigious law firms in New York. She has also taught at renowned universities, including St. Catherine’s College at the University of Oxford. 

Judge Li has seen first-hand how our courts can make a difference in people’s lives and understands the struggles and hopes of the rising immigrants of New York. An immigrant herself, she has been building a successful life in the United States for the past few decades. She eagerly looks forward to continuing to serve the community that has given her so much. The heart and soul of her campaign is built on the belief that a diversified bench is essential to people receiving impartial treatment, principled judgment, and sound justice. The values of fairness, compassion, and equal treatment for all have guided Judge Li’s entire life, and they are the values she will proudly bring to the bench as our next Surrogate’s Court Judge.

Let's make history together to elect Judge Wendy Li as the first women, the first minority, and the first Asian American Surrogate’s Court Judge in the County of Queens, and the first Asian American Female Surrogate’s Court Judge in the City of New York, and in the entire State of New York!