The Circle of Belonging: From the Coast of Karnataka to the King County Bench Judge Monica Shetty Kaup Cary
- Bana Membership
- 4 days ago
- 3 min read
Updated: 3 days ago
How Judge Monica Cary Transformed a Legacy of Community Support into a Lifetime of Public Service
The Arrival
In the autumn of 1997, a young woman stepped off a plane in Seattle, leaving behind the familiar horizons of the American Midwest. She arrived with little more than a commitment to service, joining the AmeriCorps VISTA program to help fight food insecurity through local food banks. For any young adult in a sprawling new city, the future can feel vast, exciting and deeply uncertain.
But Monica Shetty Kaup Cary was not truly alone.
Waiting for her at the airport was a familiar face from the Bunt community. In the weeks that followed, others stepped forward opening their homes, offering professional mentorship and weaving an immediate safety net of belonging around her. Their kindness softened the uncertainty of a new beginning and gave her parents back home an invaluable gift: peace of mind.
For Monica, it was a defining lesson in the power of community. It sparked a realization that would shape the next three decades of her life: when you are given a place to stand, your responsibility is to build a bigger platform for others.
An Inherited Resilience
This deep understanding of community did not begin in Seattle, it was carried across oceans.
In 1968, Monica's parents, Dr. Chandra and Vinod Kaup, immigrated to St. Louis, Missouri, from the Tulunadu region of coastal Karnataka, India. They brought with them the enduring values of their ancestors from Udupi and Kaup, values rooted in education, integrity, leadership and hard work.
Her parents lived those values every day through decades of volunteer service, eventually earning recognition from Rotary International. As extended family members later joined them in the United States, the Kaup household became a living testament to resilience, generosity and mutual support.
Growing up in that environment, Monica learned that true success is measured not by personal achievement alone, but by lifting others along the way.
Championing the Vulnerable
When Monica entered the legal profession, she carried those lessons into the courtroom.
For 18 years in private practice, she represented everyone from Fortune 500 executives and professional athletes to teachers, first responders and everyday families, the people who form the backbone of every community.
Yet some of her most meaningful work happened quietly, beyond public attention, through countless hours of pro bono representation for immigrants and refugees. In their stories, she recognized echoes of her own family's journey and the universal human desire for safety, dignity, and opportunity.
Her exceptional legal ability, paired with deep empathy, naturally led her to the bench. After serving with distinction for two years as a Family Court Commissioner, she was appointed by Governor Jay Inslee to the King County Superior Court in 2024.
Upholding the Law with Compassion
Today, Judge Cary wears the judicial robe not as a symbol of distance from the public, but as a commitment to serve them. Her courtroom is a place where the rule of law is administered with fairness, respect and compassion.
Her leadership extends well beyond her courtroom.
She was Co-Chair of the Color of Justice project one year and have been Co-Chair of the CSEC committee since 2024. Through these leadership roles, Judge Cary has continued her unwavering commitment to supporting some of the most vulnerable young people in our justice system
The young woman who once arrived at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport seeking a sense of belonging has become a leader in creating it for countless others.
The Grounding Roots
Away from the solemnity of the courtroom, Judge Cary remains deeply grounded by the people and traditions that shaped her.
Whether hiking the trails of the Pacific Northwest or spending cherished time with family, she finds joy in the simple moments that connect generations.
And if you happen to catch her on a quiet evening, you'll likely find her enjoying her favorite comfort food, her Amma's traditional Rava Fish. More than a beloved meal, it is a taste of coastal Karnataka, a reminder of home and a beautiful symbol that no matter how high a branch reaches, it is forever nourished by the strength of its roots.
Exploring the Pacific Northwest and a van trip to the Southwest
The circle of belonging is completed when those who are supported become those who support others. Judge Monica Cary's inspiring journey is a powerful reminder that the greatest legacy we leave is the opportunity we create for those who follow.
