HER HONOR

A retired California trial judge looks back over her two-decade career.

When former California Gov. Jerry Brown appointed Cordell to the Santa Clara County Municipal Court in 1982, she became “the first African American woman judge in all northern California.” Cordell accepted eagerly, knowing from past experience as a judge pro tem that she liked “being in charge” but not fully understanding how judging was “not for the faint of heart.” The author divides the book—which delves not only into her in-court experiences, but also specific cases and American judicial history—into four sections. In the first, Cordell details her experiences adjudicating difficult, often heartbreaking criminal cases involving minors—e.g., a 15-year-old boy who murdered his brother. The drama of domestic matters, including divorces, adoptions, custody battles, and contested wills, makes up the subject matter of the second section. In the third section, the author describes the history and function of juries and her love of interacting with and educating potential jurors. She also turns her attention to judgeship issues like judicial elections, including her own contested 1988 election to the Santa Clara Superior Court. In the final section, Cordell discusses the especially difficult types of cases judges may be called upon to adjudicate, such as those involving mental health and those that may require a judge to seek legal—though controversial—alternatives to punishment. The memoir often reads like a collection of tales from the bench rather than a truly personal, in-depth reflection on a life and career, and with its extended explanations of legal terms and precedents, the tone sometimes verges on academic. Though highly informative about judicial issues and the judiciary, the book’s appeal may be limited to readers with an interest in legal affairs or those considering a career as a judge.

A well-intentioned project rendered in a largely dull manner.