President's Message
"Remember if you can't be smart, be pretty, and if you can't be pretty, be funny," the father said to his young daughter in the movie Another Simple Favor. When I watched it recently, that line struck me as both hilarious and sad. It reminded me how often we, especially women, are seen as just one thing. Smart. Pretty. Funny. How often we're described in singular terms, as if any one label could possibly hold the full truth of who we are.
Not even our gender and job—woman judge—capture all we are. In our work, we aspire to be fair, ethical, thoughtful, empathetic, wise, hard-working role models. But even those words, as idyllic as they are, still don't tell our whole story.
I'm reminded of a moment from when my daughter was in preschool. One morning, as I was leaving for work, she came out of her room wearing her fanciest dress, her little shoes clicking proudly on the floor, a tiny purse on her arm. She kissed each of her dolls and stuffed animals goodbye. Then she looked at her nanny and said, "I'm going to work now, Miss Malou. Can you take the kids to preschool and pick them up? After work, I'll be home to play with them, have dinner with them, and put them to bed." In that moment, I felt two things at once: The sharp sting of mom guilt and the soft glow of pride. Because she already knew she could be more than one thing—a mom and a professional.
Like many of you, I'm a mom, a wife, a daughter and granddaughter of immigrants, a sister, a friend, a colleague, a person of color, a public servant, a judge, a leader and hopefully still evolving into many more things. I carry all those identities with me every day and bring those perspectives to work.
We're all multidimensional women judges who work to make our courts, our communities and our world more just. We strive to really see and understand the whole person in court. And yet, I wonder: Are we seen in that same fullness? Are we understood beyond our titles?
At CWJ, we see you and understand that being a women judge is just one part of who you are and one moment in your unfolding story. That's why our distinguished speaker series connects our members with national and statewide leaders whose lives remind us that we are never one thing. We're allowed to grow, change, expand.
Our first program featured a conversation between Justice Lee Edmon and former Chief Justice Tani Cantil-Sakauye, the first person of color to hold that role. The Chief led both the California Supreme Court and the Judicial Council while raising a family of four. After two decades as a jurist, she pivoted and became the President and CEO of the Public Policy Institute of California. Her story shows breadth of leadership on public policy issues from both inside and outside government.
In our second program, Justice Teri Jackson interviewed Lesley King, former J.P. Morgan director turned global health leader, board chair of Partners In Health and co-founder of a hospital and medical school in Rwanda. Lesley did all that while raising a family of six and at times juggling a farm, a restaurant and a store. Her story shows the power of reinvention and following your passion and proves that leadership is portable.
On December 18, in our third member exclusive program, Justice Edmon will have a fireside chat with Michelle "Shelley" Curran, the first woman and first LGBTQ person to serve permanently as administrative director of the California Judicial Council. Shelley has over two decades of public policy experience and a career spanning two branches of government and is raising a family of four. Her story shows leadership and subject matter mastery in her many roles as a public servant.
This edition of our newsletter is dedicated to Chief Justice Tani Cantil-Sakauye, Lesley King, Shelley Curran and all the women who inspire us, who show us how to lead and who remind us that we're not just one thing, that we can always be more and that we're still writing our story.
Our First Membership Survey is Here!
Thank you for being a member of California Women Judges! We'd love to get to know you better. Please take a few minutes to complete the California Women Judges Initial Membership Survey so CWJ can understand how best to support you. The survey takes only a few minutes. Thank you for completing it by December 5, 2025.
Learning & Leading Together
The goal of the Education Committee is to help women judges advance in their careers, develop their skills, and support one another as we navigate the judicial system.
We hope that our members think of the Education Committee as a resource hub for women judges across California. The Committee creates and shares programs tailored to challenges women in our field face—managing workplace safety, dealing with gender bias, and juggling work-life balance.
The Education Committee isn't standing still. Over the coming year, we plan to host podcasts, as well as other programs that continue to emphasize the importance of diversity and inclusion. The Committee strongly believes that when women judges have the training, support, and opportunities we need to thrive, everyone benefits.
We understand there are a lot of educational programs out there. Let us add value to your lives. We will be sending out a survey soon so that you have an opportunity to let us know what specific the times and topics you are interested in as well as and what formats you want.
Meeting & Matching Mentorship
Hello from CWJ's Mentoring Committee Co-Chairs! Are you interested in serving as a mentor to other bench officers? Would you like to be matched up with a judicial mentor? If so, we would like to hear from you. Over the next few months, we will be reaching out to CWJ members to determine mentorship interest. Please look out for a survey.
We know how valuable mentorship is, and what a difference a mentor makes in everyone's lives. We want to hear from you what specific aspects of mentorship are valuable to you and are working on the logistics and location of an in-person mentorship event, (think fun potluck and mingling). We look forward to hearing from and working with all of you. Please reach to us individually if you would like to serve as a mentor or would like to be paired with a mentor.
Member Spotlight – Judge Amy Yerkey
Years of Judicial Service:
10 years with the Los Angeles Superior Court (Commissioner from 2015 to 2017, Appointed by Governor Edmond "Jerry" Brown in 2017); state and federal Administrative Law Judge from 2008 to 2015.
How have you built confidence and/or resiliency over the course of your career?
I'm a New Yorker from a blue-collar community. Both my home and my neighborhood were rough places to grow up. When I first started out, I had no connections in the legal field. The summer before law school, my father handed me a phone book and told me to call every law firm until I landed a job. I cold-called at least 20 different firms before I was hired as a "legal secretary." I worked for two partners in a plaintiff's side personal injury law firm. These two partners happened to be graduates of the law school where I was awaiting admission. By the end of the summer, they were so impressed by my work that they both wrote me letters of recommendation for law school. My confidence began to grow. And that is when I started to understand the power of connection.
At my first job as a young lawyer at a large national law firm in New York City, I felt extremely ill-equipped. I was surrounded by wealth, connections, power and education that I had never been exposed to. Although I had a mentor, I had difficulty relating to her because we were from two different worlds: she was from an elite, privileged life and I from "the other side of the tracks." I did the only thing I knew how to do: work hard. I learned that it was my performance that mattered, much more than I had imagined. And then my confidence soared. So much that I had the courage to become a law clerk for a federal judge in one of the most competitive districts in the country. I worked alongside a legal giant who was brilliant, kind and had high expectations. Looking back, I had never worked so hard, but it showed me that I could hold my own with a great legal mind. Through that process, I evolved from being timid to tenacious.
Today, I can think back to all my different legal jobs – even the ones that weren't so terrific – and glean something positive from each of them. I discovered my likes and dislikes, my strengths and weaknesses, what behaviors I found acceptable and intolerable. Both the good and the less-than-favorable circumstances held valuable lessons for me; and they have led me to a fulfilling job that I very much enjoy.
Best Advice You've Received About Being a Judge:
Trust your instincts. Early on in my judicial career I made witness credibility determinations, and my first mentor observed me struggling internally with my decisions. He reminded me to act on my intuition, which is a skill that takes practice. I think for some women it is challenging to learn to listen to your gut because there are many situations where women are taught to ignore or suppress their instincts. As a judge I make many judgment calls and knowing and trusting myself has been fundamental to my process.
Why CWJ? This is "your" why . . . whatever that is . . .
I thought courts were places of inherent fairness yet my own experience as a judge was sometimes opposite. For me, the idea of CWJ started when I found a small group of women judges and learned that there were commonalities among our experiences. Women judges at times continue to experience unfair treatment and have unmet needs and seemingly little recourse. We wondered if we joined together with other women judges around the state, could we shine a light on and address issues and support each other in a way that no other organization had before. We started with many, many meetings and a lot of grassroots work.
One of the ways that I am most excited to support women in CWJ is through the Judicial Appointments Committee. We plan to assist women in their judicial application process to the Court of Appeal and the federal district court. We also plan to bring transparency to the selection procedure for sitting by assignment at the Court of Appeal. We may also provide mock interviews, which is something I have been doing informally for years with several of my colleagues.
I really enjoy the camaraderie of working together with colleagues from other counties. There is so much more we can accomplish when we join forces. Also, as I mentioned earlier, I strongly believe in the power of connection: especially with a specific focus on supporting women. And that is why I wanted to be a part of CWJ.
Favorite Quote:
Anything by RBG. My favorite RBG quote was spotlighted last month ("When there are nine.") I have an RBG sock collection and that is imprinted on a pair.
My second favorite RBG quote is "Women belong in all places where decisions are being made." That is on a magnet on my refrigerator.
I am also inspired by the words of Helen Keller. One of my favorites is her quote, "Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all."
A First of Many Gatherings
On Sunday, September 14, 2025, CWJ hosted its first members-only reception on the closing afternoon of the Annual CJA conference. Nestled beneath the sun and palm trees in Pasadena, on the fabulous horseshoe lawn of The Langham Huntington, over 40 members enjoyed passed hors d'oeuvres, camaraderie, and shared community. CWJ President Audra Ibarra honored Judge Samantha Jessner of Los Angeles with the first CWJ Inaugural Founders Award and announced the Judge Samantha P. Jessner, California Women Judges Founder Scholarship, for law students who intern for a CWJ member. President Ibarra noted the critical impact Samantha Jessner had in bringing to the table and supporting a network of women across the state to form California Women Judges.
Finding Your Jana Payne
Who's your "Gerald"? Who's your Jana Payne? What the heck am I talking about? A few months back, I was chatting at a conference with a CWJ member who recounted having a health scare at work, a reality as we get older. The paramedics insisted she be transported by ambulance, something this judge was not comfortable with, for a variety of reasons. (Having myself been wheeled out of the courthouse to a waiting ambulance, I would add "embarrassment" to the list.) She preferred, instead, to go to the ER on her own. The challenge, however, was who would take her? She couldn't drive, and union issues prevented her bailiff or other staff from driving her. Her husband, who was at work, would take an hour to get to her. So, she called "Gerald," her colleague down the hall. Without even being asked, he skipped his lunch to take her to the hospital, and, in the process, she avoided having to publicly "drop" the robe and reveal she was human.
A while back, to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment, several of the founders of this organization participated in a speaker series featuring female trailblazers from politics, business, law, and academia. During one of those programs, then State Senator now Los Angeles County Supervisor Holly Mitchell told a story about Jana Payne. When she was running for office, a woman approached Supervisor Mitchell and introduced herself as Jana Payne. Ms. Payne, aware that Supervisor Mitchell was a single mom and recognizing the challenges of raising a child alone while on the campaign trail, volunteered to pick up her son from aftercare and drive him home.
Indeed, every successful woman we spoke with attributed her successes in part to her "village." Some went so far as describing having a personal "board of directors" who offered to help without being asked, who were familiar with both their strengths as well as their weaknesses, and to whom they could expose their authentic, and at times, vulnerable selves.
Whether raising children, or caring for elderly parents or sick pets (or doing all three at once), most of us have faced the dilemma of getting a call about some personal emergency in the middle of our calendar. Maybe we were new to a courthouse, and feared being labelled as "that judge," or our buddy judge was already out and leaving would require finding last-minute coverage for two courtrooms. These are the times when we are reminded that, despite the myriad benefits of being on the bench, the lack of flexibility, especially for those juggling multiple balls on the home-front, is a downside to this job. These are the times when we need our village, or, at least our Gerald.
I count at least five founding members of CWJ who have years of service on my personal board of directors, and I'd like to think I may have played a similar role for them. I was also lucky to have found Amy, who served as my Gerald for the majority of my career until I moved courthouses and switched disciplines. I've already identified who will replace Amy when the need arises (and it will). Not surprisingly, her replacement also happens to serve on this board. We first met at an event 15 years ago, and I served as a mentor early in her legal career. Now she mentors me in my new discipline. It's funny how the same people keep popping up throughout our lives.
Behind every great woman is a Jana Payne. If you haven't already, I would encourage you to identify your Amy (or your Gerald). And if you can't find her (or him) at your courthouse, that's why we're here. Surely, someone among our 200 members (and growing) would be happy to serve on your board of directors. All you need to do is ask.
"Resolute and Resilient": A Window into 175 Years of Women in California Law
On the first floor of the Ronald M. George State Office Complex in San Francisco—within the Archives Room—the California Judicial Center Library hosts a powerful and richly layered exhibition titled "Resolute and Resilient: Celebrating 175 Years of California Women and the Law." This visual and archival journey, supported by illustrated panels and primary source materials, traces the achievements, struggles, and legacies of women in the legal profession in California, including pioneering women attorneys, judges, and justices—from the earliest days of statehood through the present day.
The exhibit's narrative is organized chronologically, weaving together biographical portraits, historical documents, photos, artifacts, and contextual commentary to illustrate how women shaped and were shaped by the evolving legal and social landscape of California.
Origins and Legal Contestation (mid‑19th century onward) – Highlights early instances in which women asserted legal standing, such as María Ruiz de Burton, Mary Ellen Pleasant, and Emma Jane Turner, who were pivotal in early civil rights and property cases, including the women's right to ride on public transit.
Women Lawyers and Firsts – Tracks the breakthroughs of women entering the legal profession in California, including Clara Shortridge Foltz and Laura de Force Gordon, two of California's first women lawyers, with Foltz a pioneering advocate for the establishment of a public defender system in California. Also, Georgia P. Bullock the first women to serve as a superior court judge in California in 1931 and Annette Abbott Adams, who was California's first female appellate justice in 1942.
Breaking Judicial Barriers (1960s–1980s) – Showcases pioneers such as Vaino Spencer and Frances Muñoz, and other judges of color, demonstrating how women of diverse backgrounds contended with both gender and racial barriers upon ascending to the bench. The exhibit's inclusion of Rose Bird, California's first woman Chief Justice reminds us that women in high judicial office often confront heightened political scrutiny and backlash. Chief Justice Bird remains instructive for judges today about the fragility and strength of institutional legitimacy for women in positions of power.
Contemporary Reflections and Legacies– Honors current and recent California Supreme Court justices including Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero, Carol Corrigan, Leondra Kruger, and Kelli Evans all of women help underscore how later generations of women judges stand on the shoulders of earlier ones.
The "Resolute and Resilient" exhibit is more than a historical show — it is also a living tribute to the women jurists whose efforts reshaped California's legal landscape. This narrative tapestry places women judges at the intersection of struggle, transformation, and institutional change. The exhibit deepens our understanding of how California's women judges emerged, evolved, and persist as agents of justice today and helps remind us of the rich history that supports the foundation of California Women Judges.
Uplift-Her
Please join us in celebrating and honoring our CWJ members.
Hon. Samantha Jessner (Los Angeles County)
Aranda Access to Justice Award (2025)
The Judicial Council of California
Hon. Jessica Kronstadt (Los Angeles County)
The Women in Law Trailblazer Award
WLALA Annual Installation & Awards Gala (September 2025)
Hon. Leanne Le Mon (Fresno County)
Annette La Rue Award
Fresno County Women Lawyers (October 2025)
Hon. Monica Wiley (San Francisco)
President's Award For Outstanding Service to the California Judiciary
California Judges Association Membership Luncheon & Awards Program (September 2025)
Here We Grow
Our Membership Recruitment and Engagement committee co-chairs, Judge Wendy Behan (San Diego County) and Judge Adrienne Rogers (San Francisco County) have been hard at work. There's a good chance, if you're new to the bench or new to CWJ, or both, you have heard from one of them. As of this Newsletter 2025, CWJ has grown its membership to over 230 and counting. We are thrilled to welcome the following new members:
Judge Olga Alvarez (San Diego)
Judge Dina Amani (San Bernardino)
Judge Katherine Bacal (San Diego County)
Judge Lara Bazán (Los Angeles County)
Judge Marissa Bejarano (San Diego County)
Judge Carolyn Caietti (San Diego County)
Judge Rachel Cano (San Diego County)
Judge Julia Cervantes (San Francisco County)
Judge Shereen Charlick (San Diego County)
Judge Gina Dashman (Contra Costa County)
Judge Cindy Davis (San Diego County)
Judge Ana Espana (San Diego County)
Justice Stacy Boulware Eurie (Court of Appeal, Third Appellate District)
Judge Kelvin Filer (Los Angeles County)
Judge Daniel Flores (San Francisco County)
Judge Dianna Gould-Saltman (ret.)(Los Angeles County)
Judge Denine Guy (Santa Cruz County)
Comm. Jennifer Hamilton (Fresno County)
Judge Katherine Hansen (Santa Cruz County)
Comm. Alicia Hartley (Sacramento County)
Judge Catherine Hohenwarter (Yolo County)
Judge Misha Igra (Sacramento County)
Judge Nadia Keilani (San Diego County)
Judge Sara Kirby (San Diego County)
Judge Victoria Kolakowski (Alameda County)
Judge Leanne Le Mon (Fresno County)
Comm. Michelle Lim (Los Angeles County)
Judge Devon Lomayesva (San Diego County)
Judge Jihan Maloney (San Diego County)
Judge Adrianne Marshack (Orange County)
Judge Chrishna Martinez (San Joaquin County)
Judge Linda McFadden (Stanislaus County)
Judge Marcella McLaughlin (San Diego County)
Judge Pennie McLaughlin (San Diego County)
Judge Diane Meier (Alameda County)
Judge Kimberly Menninger (Orange County)
Judge Rosy Meyerowitz (San Diego County)
Judge Laura H. Miller (San Diego County)
Judge Jessica Morgan (San Bernardino County)
Judge Doris Ng (Alameda County)
Judge Marlo Nisperos (Solano County)
Judge Cathy Ostiller (Los Angeles County)
Judge Pamela Parker (San Diego County)
Justice Ioana Petrou (Court of Appeal, First Appellate District)
Judge Mickie Reed (Riverside County)
Judge Chandra Reid (San Diego County)
Justice Anne Richardson (Court of Appeal, Second Appellate District)
Judge Catherine Richardson (San Diego County)
Judge Diane Ritchie (ret.)(Santa Clara County)
Judge Brenda Comer Robinson (Los Angeles County)
Judge Karen Robinson (Orange County)
Judge Jeffrey Ross (San Francisco Superior Court)
Comm. Wendy Shapero (Los Angeles County)
Justice Therese Stewart (Court of Appeal, First Appellate District)
Comm. Caitlin Taylor (Los Angeles County)
Justice Alison Tucher (Court of Appeal, First Appellate District)
Judge Mary A Vasquez (Fresno County)
Judge Allison Zuvela (Sacramento County)
Raise Your Hand
CWJ is in our building era and we're excited about what we hope to build together. We want to help match your skills and talents with your passion and find your place at CWJ. Where would you like to contribute? Podcasts? Website redesign? Authoring articles for our newsletter? Matching law student interns with CWJ judges? Planning a retreat or trip? Developing CWJ policies for our future? Teaching? Hosting a local gathering?
Our committees are seeking members to come alongside as we create programming, connect virtually and in person, and support each other. Want to get involved but not exactly sure where you might fit, just send us an email and we'll brainstorm along with you. But know this, there's a place for you here.
Email: [email protected]
Our 2025-2026 Committees & Co-Chairs
Annual Events
Judge Monica Wiley & Judge Connie Quinones
San Francisco County Superior Court & Orange County Superior Court
Distinguished Speaker Series
Justice Lee Edmon & Judge Audra Ibarra
Second District Court of Appeal & Santa Clara County Superior Court
Education
Judge Jayne Lee & Judge Joyce Hinrichs (ret.)
San Joaquin County Superior Court & Humboldt County Superior Court
Judicial Appointments
Judge Nicole Bershon & Judge Leila Sayar
Los Angeles County Superior Court & Santa Cruz Superior Court
Law Student Internships and Scholarships
Commissioner Jennifer Baronoff & Judge Holly Fujie
Los Angeles Superior Court
Membership Recruitment and Engagement
Judge Wendy Behan & Judge Adrienne Rogers
San Diego County Superior Court & San Francisco County Superior Court
Mentorships
Judge Jessica Kronstadt & Judge Sonia Cortés
Los Angeles County Superior Court & Yolo County Superior Court
Newsletter
Judge Wendy McGuire Coats & Judge Amy Guerra
Contra Costa County Superior Court & Fresno County Superior Court
Policy
Judge Michelle Court & Andi Mudryk
U.S.D.C., Central District & Sacramento County Superior Court
Strategic Partnerships
Judge Elizabeth Macias & Judge Michelle Ialeggio
Orange County Superior Court & San Diego County Superior Court
Website and Virtual Technology
Judge Valerie Navarro & Judge Dina Amani
Riverside County Superior Court & San Bernardino County Superior Court
See You There
Distinguished Speaker Series (Member Only Access)
December 18, 2025 (5:15-6:15 PM)
Shelley Curran, Executive Director of the Judicial Council, in conversation with Justice Lee Edmon, Second District Court of Appeal
"Demystifying the Pro Tem Process"
Presiding Justice Teri L. Jackson, First Appellate District, Division Five; Presiding Justice Mary J. Greenwood, Sixth Appellate District; Justice Natalie P. Stone, Second District, Division Seven
Moderator: Judge Nicole Bershon, Los Angeles Superior Court
Wednesday, January 14, 2026, from 12:15 p.m. to 1:15 p.m. on Zoom
Have you ever wondered about sitting by assignment on the Court of Appeal? In this program, we take a look behind the curtain as we will speak with those responsible for selecting pro tem justices as well as those who've sat as a pro tem. We will address such questions as: What is the process to get there? What happens to your workload while you're there? Join CWJ for a lunchtime panel discussion to understand the path to becoming a pro tem and find out the answers to these questions and more.