My career is very straightforward. I always knew that I wanted to be a public defender, and that's what I did for 29 years. My entire career was with the Alameda County (CA) Public Defender's Office. I started there as a law clerk in 1980 after I moved to California and passed the bar. I was waiting for a new civil service list to open up. Because the policy at the time was that you couldn't be paid as a law clerk if you had passed the bar, I ended up volunteering for 18 months. Since leaving the office in 2011, I have continued with criminal defense work, taking paying cases, but primarily doing pro bono work.
The highlight of my career was getting a not-guilty verdict in my first felony trial. If you are a public defender, you know that not guilty verdicts are few and far between, so that one was sweet. My client was so happy, and the jury loved her.
I don't think I would have done anything differently at the beginning of my career, but I would have done different things in college. I would have taken more languages. I am an inveterate traveler (of the 195 countries of the world, I have visited 126) , and that would have been helpful. I also would have learned to play a musical instrument - something I really regret not doing. I am still considering taking koto lessons. It's a Japanese plucked half-tube zither instrument, and the national instrument of Japan. I love the sound of it and have seen it played by the jazz group Hiroshima, but it has movable bridges and is difficult to learn. Maybe I will still give it a try!
I would tell someone considering law school today to finish the degree even if you have no intention of practicing. A law degree is so valuable in so many areas. If you are intent on practicing, consider a governmental position such as city attorney, public defender, or district attorney. I realize that the salaries are not competitive with the private sector, but it is such rewarding work.
For me the biggest change has been the huge advances in technology. I am a Luddite! I find dealing with new technology difficult and I am not very patient when things don't work for me. My late husband was my technology guru and I miss his help and guidance every day.
I first became a law student member of the ABA in 1976. I was very active in my district, and I loved meeting students from other schools. It was a natural progression to join the Young Lawyers Division. I made many friends there with whom I keep in contact today, including our own Marvin Dang. When I 'graduated' to the big ABA, I was one of the few who considered the Criminal Justice Section my primary home. However, I had friends throughout the ABA, and we have shared our lives and experiences over the years. We travel together, celebrate together and meet together.
The biggest advantage of my ABA membership is the ability to keep up with emerging legal issues and leaders in the field. Without the ABA, this would be difficult. I have met and heard from leaders in the area of criminal justice, civil rights, ethics, and public law. I have learned about innovations in technology, trial tactics, and legal theory. Where else could I get this in one package?
Without a doubt, the highlight of my ABA career was being elected as Secretary in 2020. I had run twice and lost to other candidates and didn't think I'd run again, but a group of ABA members came to me and asked me to run. They were racially diverse and I was touched that they considered me a suitable candidate. I decided to run (the only person to run for the ABA office three times), after consulting with my husband, and I won. I loved the work, including serving ex officio on Rules and Calendar and the BOG Executive Committee, and I learned to appreciate even more the complexities of the organization. Having served as Chair of the California Bar's Conference of Delegates, I always thought that Chair of the House would be a next step, but it is viewed as a stepping-stone to the ABA Presidency, and I had no interest in doing it. I will soon be returning to the Board of Governors as the General Practice and SLD representative.
When I was quite young, I thought being a bus driver or truck driver would be a great way to see the world! I quickly dropped that idea. When I was in high school, I was seriously considering becoming a flight attendant. I have travelled so much that I think I qualify! However, my younger sister became a lawyer first, and I spent 5 years with an advertising agency. After she talked about it, I decided to apply. The University of Memphis gave me a great legal education, and I will always be grateful to the school. I have tried to 'pay it forward' by funding two scholarships for racially diverse students interested in criminal law.
