(Published in San Jose magazine, this article profiles a community hero.)
By Judith Harkham Semas
The wheels of justice grind exceedingly slow-but not in the courtroom of Judge LaDoris Cordell. Donning judicial robes over her preppy slacks, crewneck sweater and saddle shoes, she ascends to the bench. "Time to rock and roll," she cracks under her breath.
Ninety-one cases were scheduled for Judge Cordell's felony sentencing calendar at Department 10, Santa Clara County Superior Court, but her November 14 courtroom session began promptly at 9:00 a.m. and ended exactly 2 hours later. All 91 cases were adjudicated with no-nonsense dispatch.
Like a well-oiled Swiss watch, Judge Cordell metes out appropriate sentences for embezzlement, domestic violence, theft, assault, possession of narcotics and other felony convictions-tick...tick...tick. What's more, she does it without sacrificing sensitivity, fairness or courtesy to everyone in her courtroom.
In Judge Cordell's meetings with legal representatives of the District Attorney, the Department of Parole, the Public Defender and other defense counsel-which precede sentencing-advocates from both sides present aggravating and mitigating circumstances, as well as arguments for a more or less severe penalty. Judge Cordell thoughtfully listens to everyone's views and then shares her own, before finally determining the sentence in each case.
In her courtroom, she gives all victims, defendants and advocates the chance to speak their piece, without exception. Every victim, defendant and advocate in the courtroom-plus the court reporter and her other support staff-receives Judge Cordell's personal thanks. Those courteous phrases don't slip mindlessly from her lips, either. When Judge Cordell thanks you, her dark, sparkling eyes look you full in the face as she declares her appreciation with sincerity and conviction. This judge means what she says and she makes sure you know it.
A dynamic, decisive woman of 48, Judge Cordell has earned a rare blend of admiration from virtually all quarters. Among her peers and judicial superiors, she is respected for her efficiency, effectiveness and the soundness of her decisions. Among the electorate, she is respected for her integrity and commitment to community. Among defendants she is respected as an evenhanded judge-not a lenient one, but someone they can count on for a fair shake.
This is a jurist who hates bureaucratic red tape as much as any small business owner, and when she IS criticized, it is usually for her frustration with what she sees as incompetent or over-regulation. "I'm somewhat impatient," she says. "So I'm lucky to be in a position where I can help create change and right wrongs."
The fact is, Judge Cordell has created change and righted wrongs all her life. This self-professed justice fighter takes pride in her heritage as the great-great-granddaughter of a North Carolina plantation slave named Dolly, who lost her life in a heroic stand against the institution of slavery. Judge Cordell says she draws inspiration from that part of her family history. "My inclination is and always has been to try and improve the system when it's not functioning as it should...to change it and make it better."
After graduating Stanford Law School in 1974, Judge Cordell opened the first law office in the history of predominantly black East Palo Alto. Her costs were partially underwritten by an Earl Warren Fellowship-the first such grant awarded in the Western U.S.
Later, after being turned down for a loan to purchase her law office building, she went door to door surveying East Palo Alto residents on the need for a law firm in their city. Her goal? To convince the bank there was a market for her legal services. Her result? She got the loan. "Don't ever tell me 'No,'" she warns with a wink and a grin.
As Stanford Law School Assistant Dean for Student Affairs from 1978 to 1981, Judge Cordell created and implemented the minority admissions program that vaulted Stanford to national leadership in law school enrollment of students of color-without lowering either academic standards or applicant qualifications.
She made headlines again a few years later when, as the first African-American woman judge in Northern California (1982 - Santa Clara County Municipal Court), she became the first jurist in the state to order convicted drunk drivers (DUIs) to install breath devices in their vehicles. Such devices-now required by law for convicted DUIs-make it impossible to drink and drive by disabling the car if the driver's breath tests positive for alcohol.
In 1988 this single mother of two overwhelmingly won election to the Santa Clara County Superior Court and made history once again: She was the first African-American woman in Northern California-and the first person of her race in Santa Clara County-to become a Superior Court judge.
A spirited activist and volunteer whose judicial innovations and community contributions have been widely honored, Judge Cordell is a woman of diverse talents. Sales of her donated original art and derivative products have raised many thousands of dollars for such important community service organizations as Support Network for Battered Women and Legal Advocates for Children and Youth. Friends and fans alike delight in her musical talents when she performs in public, singing pop standards in her rich, contralto voice to her own piano accompaniment.
These days, Judge Cordell is thinking about the second half of her life. Youthful, with only the odd strand of silver in her close-cropped black hair to hint of approaching middle-age, she'll have 20 years on the bench by 2002 and could retire at 52. But will she? "Maybe," she says. "I'm starting to think about options-including the possibility of teaching at law school-but I love judging so much I'm not interested in rushing off any time soon."
One thing's sure. On the bench or off, Judge LaDoris Cordell continually seeks out opportunities to create change and right wrongs. And whatever her current calling, she'll be doing THAT for a long time to come.
Judith Harkham Semas is a freelance writer based in San Jose, Calif.
