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A review by jessicareadsit
Her Honor: My Life on the Bench...What Works, What's Broken, and How to Change It by LaDoris Hazzard Cordell
3.0
In her memoir, Her Honor, Judge LaDoris Hazzard Cordell provides a thought-provoking insight into the black-robed women and men who preside in the state courts. To say I felt a beacon of pride at seeing such a strong, enigmatic woman of color go on to become the first African American jurist in Northern California is an understatement.
Judge Cordell's transformative work throughout the courts is commendable, ranging from areas such as racial bias, family court matters such as marriage, divorce and adoption, and rehabilitation. The case that stood out for me was from the juvenile court trial of Jessica T. not because judge Cordells ruling was controversial but for her ability to take a calculated risk on a young girl with a reduced sentence. This precious gift of a second chance allowed Jessica to reflect on the error of her ways after which she went on to graduate from college and live a crime-free life.
Judge Cordell's greatest accomplishment in my opinion is her steadfast desire towards continuous improvement of the legal system that lives up to the democratic principle of Justice for All.
Judge Cordell gives the good, the bad, and the ugly of the courtroom and gives readers a peek into her innermost thoughts on a multitude of cases showcasing her extensive work within the legal system. For those unfamiliar with the legal system, or if you are a law school dropout such as myself, there is a plethora of knowledge on the internal operations of the bench told with Judge Cordell's sharp satire.
Judge Cordell's perspective offers a healthy dose of pragmatism that is sprinkled with an earnest desire for justice. Despite all the negativity and the media frenzy surrounding some of her prominent cases she has kept persevered. I enjoyed Judge Cordell's writing style that immediately put me at ease and felt as if I were chatting with her friend. Her lessons can serve as inspiration for anyone interested in the legal profession or simply passionate about Justice for All.
Thank you to Celadon Books for providing me with an arc in exchange for an honest review.
Judge Cordell's transformative work throughout the courts is commendable, ranging from areas such as racial bias, family court matters such as marriage, divorce and adoption, and rehabilitation. The case that stood out for me was from the juvenile court trial of Jessica T. not because judge Cordells ruling was controversial but for her ability to take a calculated risk on a young girl with a reduced sentence. This precious gift of a second chance allowed Jessica to reflect on the error of her ways after which she went on to graduate from college and live a crime-free life.
Judge Cordell's greatest accomplishment in my opinion is her steadfast desire towards continuous improvement of the legal system that lives up to the democratic principle of Justice for All.
Judge Cordell gives the good, the bad, and the ugly of the courtroom and gives readers a peek into her innermost thoughts on a multitude of cases showcasing her extensive work within the legal system. For those unfamiliar with the legal system, or if you are a law school dropout such as myself, there is a plethora of knowledge on the internal operations of the bench told with Judge Cordell's sharp satire.
Judge Cordell's perspective offers a healthy dose of pragmatism that is sprinkled with an earnest desire for justice. Despite all the negativity and the media frenzy surrounding some of her prominent cases she has kept persevered. I enjoyed Judge Cordell's writing style that immediately put me at ease and felt as if I were chatting with her friend. Her lessons can serve as inspiration for anyone interested in the legal profession or simply passionate about Justice for All.
Thank you to Celadon Books for providing me with an arc in exchange for an honest review.