Candidate for
Judge of the Superior Court; County of Los Angeles; Office 97

A native of Los Angeles and a UCLA School of Law graduate, Songhai's unique perspective on the criminal justice system stems from over a decade of experience working both within the courtroom as a prosecutor and in the community initiating programs to improve neighborhoods, prevent crimes and reduce recidivism.

Prosecuting crimes in some of the toughest neighborhoods in Los Angeles, she has been a Neighborhood Prosecutor for the Southwest and Central Divisions of the LAPD and a trial attorney in the Central Trials Unit of the Los Angeles City Attorney. In these positions, Songhai prepared, settled or tried hundreds of cases on issues ranging from petty theft, to domestic violence and battery. She was promoted to Supervising Deputy City Attorney and now oversees several programs.

Songhai believes in a holistic approach to public safety. She was instrumental in creating and implementing the City's Homeless Alternatives to Living on the Street (HALO) program designed to address the recidivism of Los Angeles's mentally ill, drug addicted and homeless populations. She also initiated the City's Veterans' Alternative Legal Options and Resources (VALOR) and runs the Los Angeles County Homeless Court program. Without these programs, many members of these populations would have ended up cycling in and out of our jails. Songhai also manages the City Attorney's highly regarded Dispute Resolution Program.

She is a staunch believer in restorative justice and smarter ways to address non-violent offenders, especially in light of the over-crowded jails--a situation that will only get worse under AB 109. She believes accountability and long-term rehabilitation is possible and necessary for non-violent offenders. All of the programs she has initiated include acceptance of responsibility as a given--a component not required under the traditional system when these offenders are sentenced only to jail (and are often released the same day.)

Los Angeles needs judges like Songhai who have broader perspectives and experiences. In bestowing her the Los Angeles Police Commission's Distinguished Service Medal, the LAPD Police Chief Charlie Beck commended her for her "outstanding contributions" and for addressing "many quality of life concerns plaguing the community."

RECOGNITION & AWARDS

• Named one of the Los Angeles Wave's "2013 L.A.'s Most Influential People Under 40 To Watch", Oct. 2013
• Certification as Faculty, Association of Prosecuting Attorneys, Sept. 2013
• Distinguished Service Medal, Los Angeles Police Commission, (the highest civilian honor awarded), May 2013
• Certificate of Congressional Recognition, Congresswoman Karen Bass, May 2012
• Certificate of Recognition, California State Assemblywoman Holly Mitchell, May 2012
• Certificate of Commendation, City of Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and Ninth Council District, May 2012
• Certificate of Recognition, Los Angeles Police Department and Chief William J. Bratton, October 2009
• Certification as Faculty, National District Attorney's Assoc., Oct. 2009
• Commendation, Weingart Center Association, Oct. 2009
• Certificate of Appreciation, Americorps, Oct. 2009
• Certificate of Appreciation, Office of the City Attorney, Los Angeles, Jan. 2008
• "In Recognition of your Service to the People of Los Angeles", City of Los Angeles, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and Councilmember Herb Wesson, Jan. 2008
• Honorary Gold Record, Recording Industry Association of America, April 2008
• Certificate of Appreciation, AmeriCorps, Sept. 2008

• U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
• U.S. District Court Central District of California
• California State Bar
• Los Angeles County Bar Association
• UCLA School of Law Alumni Board Member
• UCLA Alumni Association
• Black City Attorneys Association
• UCLA Black Alumni Association (past Vice President)
• Langston Bar Association
• Food for the Hungry
• Black Women Lawyers Association
• Oasis Christian Center
• International Coaching Federation
• UCLA School of Law Annual Fund Co-Chair

Built partnerships with various agencies and programs to provide instruction in critical areas of community concern, in an effort to support outreach, advocacy, and community improvement goals. Contributed as an instructor and community leader to the following organizations (2007-2013):

• Americorps -Taught civics, government, self-empowerment, and "Understanding Your Rights".
• MCLE Substance Abuse, Mental Health & Legal Topics - Provided instruction in the areas of substance abuse, mental health and issues regarding the law for judges, city attorneys and public defenders.
• Los Angeles Police Department - Trained on the Safer Cities Initiative (SCI), tobacco violation enforcement with the CA State Board of Equalization, methods to combat piracy and counterfeit practices, scalping and illegal vending enforcement, and new officer/SCI officer orientation.
• Chicago School of Professional Psychology - Instructed Psy.D. students on topics that include testifying in court, court structure, working with service providers and Skid Row.
• Yes In My Back Yard (YIMBY) - Educated providers on programs and other government resources available to them and their client base. YIMBY is a Hollywood, CA - based group comprised of several organizations and service providers that work with the homeless, mentally ill, drug addicted, youth, veterans, low-income, disabled, and special needs individuals.
• AEG, LA Live, Staple Center Security Officers - Taught in the areas of law enforcement techniques, report writing, testifying, and trial preparation, particularly for crimes / violations which concern their organizations (public drunkenness, illegal vending, ticket "scalping", panhandling, and prostitution).

Miguda-Armstead, S., Krahn, S., Warner, D., Hill, L. M. and Bae, R. (2012). The Examination of Religious Affiliation and Substance Abuse Relating to the Los Angeles Homeless Population. Poster presented at the annual convention at the American Psychological Association, Orlando.

LECTURES & SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS

• Panelist - Association of Prosecuting Attorneys Conference, Philadelphia, PA + How to Improve Community Engagement (In Restorative Justice Programs), Sept. 2013
• Keynote Speaker - Latino Business Association Annual Conference, UC Santa Barbara, April 2013
• Panelist - Judge/Attorney Panel at the For People of Color Conference at UCLA, Feb. 2013
• Panelist - UCLA School of Law "Surviving the First Year of Law School", Aug. 2013, Aug. 2012, Aug. 2011, Aug. 2010 & Jan. 2009
• Panelist - Promoting Wellness: An Integrated Approach to Homeless Service Delivery Conference, California Endowment, Aug. 2011
• Panelist - UCLA School of Law "Conversations with Alumni", Jan. 2011
• Presenter - "Just Like You" Program, May 2010 & June 2007
• Moderator - Chicago School of Professional Psychology Crisis Intervention Training Conference, Mar. 2010
• Featured Commentator - "Martin Luther King and the Politics of Respectability", sponsored by USC Law and HoA, Jan. 2010
• Key Note Speaker - Weingart Center Epic Program Graduation, Dec. 2009
• Panelist - Association for Criminal Justice Research CA, Oct. 2009
• Presenter - Intro Remarks for then current LAPD Chief William Bratton before Closing Remarks at NDAA (National District Attorneys Association) Conference, Oct. 2009
• Plenary Session Panelist, NDAA Annual Community Prosecution Conference, Oct. 2009
• Panelist - UCLA School of Law New Student Orientation, Aug. 2009
• Lecturer - Chicago School of Professional Psychology, June 2009 & July 2009
• Presenter - Department of Public Social Services Employees on HALO Program, July 2009
• Presenter - LA Transition Center 25-Year Anniversary, July 2009
• Key Note Speaker - Weingart Center Women's Day Event, May 2009
• Panelist - Association of American Law Schools - L.A. Law Forum, Feb. 2009
• Panelist - Homeless Conference with Public Defender and CA Dept. of Correction and Rehabilitation, Los Angeles, CA, Feb. 2009
• Presenter - LA Police Commission - Topic: Skid Row Safer Cities Initiative, Nov. 2008
• Presenter - LAPD Senior Lead Officer Meeting, Nov. 2007
• Presenter - Fashion Business Improvement District Operations Meeting, Sept. 2007
• Presenter - Toy and Downtown Industrial Business Improvement Districts' Annual Meeting, Sept. 2007

• Executive Coach * Professional Life Coach * Certified Social and Emotional Intelligence Coach * Certified to Administer and Facilitate Social and Emotional Intelligence and DiSC Assessments * Conflict Management Consultant