even if the lawsuit were completely frivolous, it would ruin someone's life (also consider the implied racial elements, which would affect any court decision even if they don't want to admit it).

If I defended some Chinese woman against a harasser of any other race, be they white or black or Mexican, I would be labeled the racist in this case, and probably spend more time in jail than Bro Kham did if I were convicted of assault/battery (and I would likely be convicted, because the court would likely be biased against me to begin with).