Candidate for
Superior Court Judge; County of San Mateo; Office 6

For more than 20 years, the courthouse has been my second home. Iʼve spent all of my professional life in a courtroom. I consider it a privilege to step beyond the bar, allowed entry into the courtroom, and advocate for my client. On many occasions, I have caught myself thinking of how grateful I am to have such a job. I am honored that I am in the greatest legal system in the world everyday of my professional life.

Although an attorney by profession, at my core however, I am a community servant. If I am not in the courtroom, I am in the community trying to make a difference. I believe that I have a responsibility to serve and an obligation to make a difference. I have a record of service by my non-profit work and civic engagement. As Mayor of Daly City last year, I led Daly City through some of the toughest economic times. As a Councilmember, I continue to serve the community in pursuit of making a difference in peopleʼs lives.

For me, becoming a judge would be the ideal marriage of community servant and experienced trial attorney.

I consider serving as a judicial officer to be "in service" to the community. It is a service to the community that has the heaviest of responsibilities, one that I am eager to bear and hold with great humility.

I believe in the greatness of our legal system, our Constitution, and the need to maintain fairness in society. I have a deep respect for the law and the court as an institution. After more than 20 years of service, I am eager to be a part of the administration of justice.

As a judge, I want to struggle with the law and grapple with her issues. I want to make decisions that affect people lives but only after exhaustively mastering their issues. I want to listen to people's arguments, understand their concerns, and administer fair and just rulings under the law. I will be a judge to all the people, no matter who they are, no matter what their interests.

I will seek to preside over a system that fosters open and honest debate. Iʼd offer an atmosphere that is not intimidating but rather welcoming. I will make decisions based on sound legal reasoning. I would not make decisions based on the "roar of the crowd" or the popularity of issues. I would make sure that people are treated fairly and given time to make their arguments. I will offer my patience, respect and courtesy to everyone. I will seek transparency and be inviting of the public.

In making decisions, I will offer my life experience as a community servant. I will draw from my own life experiences to look at issues through various different and diverse lenses. I will work hard toward understanding unfamiliar issues and will do my own research and homework. I enjoy reading and understanding the law. I believe that my hunger for knowledge, together with my research and writing skills, will enable me to fully master any subject matter. I believe that in order for litigants to have confidence in the court and the judgeʼs rulings, they must believe they have a judge who not only understood their arguments, but has mastered their issue as well.

I will seek to bring integrity to the bench as someone who is fair, ethical, trustworthy, and beyond reproach. I will volunteer for the toughest of courtroom assignments. Conversely, there will be no assignments I will not undertake. I believe I can manage a courtroom. I am aware of how easily a courtroom's calendar can build to the point of non-efficiency. I believe that with proper management cases, should move along with all due expediency but without compromising justice. I believe I can focus and identify those cases that should be expedited and reserve time for those needing further litigation.

I will continue to be out in the community but will be mindful of the limitations a judge may have. I will never do anything that may show partiality to any group or individual. I will endeavor to be a role model to children and young adults. I will continue to speak on issues of Diversity in the Legal Profession, Community Service, and improvements in the Legal System.

That's why I have the support of Congresswoman Jackie Speier, State Senators Mark Leno and Jerry Hill, Assemblymembers Phil Ting, Kevin Mullin, and Rich Gordon, Supervisors Dave Pine, Warren Slocum, and Don Horsley, among hundreds of legal professionals, mayors and city council members, and community leaders.

Find out more at BuenaventuraForJudge.com.

Thank you for consideration. I hope to earn your vote on June 3rd.