Day at Work: Superior Court Judge

Summary

Leslie Landau, a Superior Court judge, shares her journey from law school to clerkship and private practice. She discusses the underrepresentation of women in law firm partnerships despite their growing numbers in law school and practice. Judge Landau emphasizes the importance of critical reading, thinking, and persuasive writing in law. Her daily responsibilities include managing trials, ensuring fairness, and maintaining patience and humor. She finds her job deeply satisfying, even in the face of challenging cases.

Takeaways

• 👩‍⚖️ Leslie Landau is a judge in the Superior Court for Contra Costa County.
• 🎓 After college, she attended law school for three years and then served a clerkship.
• 🏛️ She worked in private practice for 19 years before being appointed to the bench by Governor Gray Davis.
• 🚺 During her law school years, about a third of the students were women, but the number of female partners in large firms remained low.
• 🌐 She served on the board of California Women Lawyers, an organization aimed at advancing women in the legal profession.
• 🤔 It's important for women to support each other in the profession.
• 🧐 The judge emphasized the importance of critical reading, thinking, and persuasive writing in law.
• 📚 There is no specific undergraduate background required for law, highlighting the versatility of the field.
• 👥 Her daily tasks include managing trials, selecting juries, instructing them on the law, and ruling on matters that arise.
• 🌟 She loves her job and finds it satisfying to make a difference in people's lives, even if it can be heartbreaking at times.
• 😄 She possesses a strong sense of humor and patience, which are essential for maintaining fairness and ensuring everyone feels heard in her courtroom.

Q & A

What is Leslie Landau's current position?

Leslie Landau is a judge in the Superior Court for the Contra Costa County.

How long did Leslie Landau attend law school for?

Leslie Landau attended law school for three years.

What is a clerkship in the context of Leslie Landau's career?

A clerkship refers to the period Leslie Landau spent working in chambers, writing opinions and reviewing records to help a judge decide cases.

How long did Leslie Landau practice law in a private firm?

Leslie Landau practiced law in a private firm for 19 years.

Who appointed Leslie Landau to her position on the bench?

Leslie Landau was appointed to her position on the bench by then governor Gray Davis.

What was the proportion of women in law school when Leslie Landau attended?

When Leslie Landau went to law school, about a third of all students were women.

What was the proportion of women among new lawyers in the firm where Leslie Landau worked?

When Leslie Landau went into law practice, about half of the new lawyers employed by the law firm were women.

Why did Leslie Landau serve on the board of California Women Lawyers?

Leslie Landau served on the board to advance women in the profession and to provide support and advancement for women in law.

What does Leslie Landau believe is foolhardy for women in the legal profession?

It would be foolhardy for women in the legal profession to believe that they can retroactively alter their initial perceptions of cases without questioning.

What is Leslie Landau's typical daily work as a judge?

Leslie Landau's typical daily work involves trying cases, picking juries, instructing the jury on the law, ruling on matters that arise, and taking verdicts.

What personal qualities does Leslie Landau believe are necessary for a judge?

Leslie Landau believes that a judge needs to be patient, maintain a sense of humor, and ensure fairness in the courtroom so that everyone feels heard.

How does Leslie Landau feel about her job?

Leslie Landau loves her job and would continue working even if she won the lottery.

What emotions does Leslie Landau associate with her work as a judge?

Leslie Landau associates her work with a mix of emotions, including heartbreak and amusement, and finds it satisfying to make a difference in real-world issues.