2021 SDCBA Service Award Recipients
Name and title: Hon. Randa Trapp (Ret.), Supervising Judge, San Diego Superior Court
Undergraduate and law school: San Jose State University, Georgetown University Law Center
Years in practice: 35 years; 17 yrs lawyer, 18 yrs bench
Why do you serve?
I have been richly blessed due to the sacrifices made by others. I serve as a way of giving back and to help those coming behind me.
What/Who inspires you to serve?
Young people inspire me to serve.
What advice would you give others to inspire them to serve?
Serving is good for the soul. And as a bonus, you sometimes receive more than you give.
Please list three noteworthy people (living or dead) you’d want to have dinner with and why.
Martin Luther King, Jr. I would ask him if this how he envisioned his dream at this point in time.
Vice President Kamala Harris. It would be fun to have dinner at the White House (assuming she has access now or I can wait until she gets there). She is my sorority sister — Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., — lots to talk about there. How does it feel to be the first woman vice president of the United States? When do you think we will have a woman Chief Justice?
James Taylor. I love his music, am intrigued by his life, and would love to sit and listen to him tell me life stories and the inspiration for his songs.
What is one item on your bucket list?
Attend all five grand slam tennis tournaments.
What is your favorite quote?
That which doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.
Favorite place on earth?
My room.
Favorite place in San Diego?
My room.
Cherished advice that you have received from a loved-one, mentor or colleague?
My mother advised me to never give up.
If you could magically change one thing about the world, what would it be?
End all the ‘isms which, in turn, would solve most of our problems.
How can others make giving back part of their daily lives?
When you wake up every morning, think of something that you are grateful for — like waking up. That simple act of gratitude should be motivation to do some good for others.
In what ways does serving the wider community benefit the legal profession?
The more we do to maintain a positive reputation for the legal profession by serving the wider community, the more we instill confidence in our system of justice thereby benefiting the legal profession.
The SDCBA Law Day theme this year is “Advancing the Rule of Law Now.” What does this theme mean to you in your work and in your daily life?
It means access to justice. We cannot advance the rule of law if we leave out any segment of our society. In my work and daily life, the goal is to do what I can to make access to justice a reality for everyone.
As a recipient of a 2020 Service Award, who would you like to thank?
The SDCBA Board and nominating committee, the kind soul(s) who thought enough of me and my work to nominate me for this prestigious award, my colleagues on the San Diego Superior Court and the legal community who make me better every day, and the people of the State of California for allowing me the awesome privilege to serve.