By Elijah T. Gaglio
Aguirre & Severson LLP
Judge Pamela M. Parker, Supervising Judge for San Diego Superior Court’s North County Division, was born and raised in Long Island, New York. Judge Parker’s childhood ignited her passion for public service, as her parents were public school teachers who never missed a teachable moment. Two notable lessons she remembers are the importance of public service and respecting all aspects of humanity. Her parents were vocal advocates during the 1960’s civil rights movement, and she spent a lot of time with them at civil rights marches. Thus, her judicial philosophy is guided by the principle that all humans have self-worth and an equal right to justice.
Judge Parker became fascinated with the legal process while attending State University of New York at Binghamton. Thereafter, she graduated from Harvard Law School in 1982 and clerked for the late Honorable Frank Battisti for the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio. Judge Parker spent much of her practice dedicated to public interest litigation. In 1990, she moved to San Diego, California, and became a litigator at Robbins, Geller, Rudman & Dowd, LLP. There, she handled environmental litigation, such as representing fishermen and Native Alaskans in litigation regarding one of North America’s worst oil spills, the Exxon Valdez oil spill. Judge Parker encourages others who want to make a change to be “ever vigilant because a need is always there and every little bit helps.”
Although many women inspired Judge Parker, she attributes her strength first and foremost to her mother’s strong beliefs and willingness to put herself on the line for them. Judge Parker was also inspired by courageous political figures in the Women’s Liberation Movement such as Shirley Chisolm, the first African American woman in Congress and the first woman and African American to seek the United States presidential nomination from a major political party. Trailblazers like Supreme Court Justices Sandra Day O’Connor and Ruth Bader Ginsburg also inspired Judge Parker. Particularly, she reveres the seminal cases Justice Ginsburg litigated as an attorney establishing protections for women’s rights.
Although many women inspired Judge Parker, she attributes her strength first and foremost to her mother’s strong beliefs and willingness to put herself on the line for them. Judge Parker was also inspired by courageous political figures in the Women’s Liberation Movement such as Shirley Chisolm, the first African American woman in Congress and the first woman and African American to seek the United States presidential nomination from a major political party. Trailblazers like Supreme Court Justices Sandra Day O’Connor and Ruth Bader Ginsburg also inspired Judge Parker. Particularly, she reveres the seminal cases Justice Ginsburg litigated as an attorney establishing protections for women’s rights.
Lessons from Judge Parker’s experience as a family court judge
In 2012, Judge Parker became a senior appellate attorney for California’s Fourth District Court of Appeal, Division One. On August 29, 2013, Judge Parker was appointed to the bench, where she served as a judge for San Diego Superior Court’s Family Division through 2017. She opted for the Family Division because she saw a great need there while working at the Fourth Appellate District. Accordingly, Judge Parker uses all available resources to provide families with the tools they need to create solutions for the family’s best interest. For example, Judge Parker is an advocate for Kids’ Turn San Diego, a program that helps families transition through family separation. In January 2021, Judge Parker became the Supervising Judge for the North County Division.
Challenges Judge Parker Faced in Her Career as a Woman
Judge Parker quickly remarked: “We don’t have that much time.” Judge Parker remembers when she started as an attorney, it was still a male-dominated profession. She recalls being the subject of sexual harassment before she knew that was the word for it. For example, a wealthy client felt the need to comment on her red nail polish because according to him, “only women of a certain character wear red nail polish.” Male colleagues would discount her ideas, and judges would call her “Pammy” instead of Pamela. Judge Parker eventually developed the courage to stand up to male clients, colleagues, and judges. She advises others: “You must stand up for what is right and should never stifle your voice to try to fit in.”
Advice for Women in the Legal Field
Judge Parker offers two pieces of advice. First, only enter the legal field if it is something you really want to do, because it requires a significant amount of time and effort. Second, find employment or an area of the law that is right for you. If you bring passion to your career, it will show no matter where you are. Judge Parker discussed how her two daughters are currently in their twenties and are incredibly brave as they deal with harassment and discrimination as women in their professional careers.
For those interested in pursuing a judicial career, she recommends attending sessions on applying to the judiciary. Judge Parker states political connections are not necessary to become a judge. She advises: “If this is a career you want to pursue, you have to be patient and stick it out, but it is worth the wait.”