Her Honor: An Afternoon with Judge LaDoris Hazzard Cordell

Join us in conversation with Judge LaDoris Hazzard Cordell (retired) to talk about her recent memoir Her Honor: My Life on the Bench...What Works, What’s Broken, and How to Change It. 

Since graduating from Stanford Law School in 1974, Judge Cordell has devoted her career in the law to creating greater access and equal justice for people of color and low income individuals. In 1982, Governor Jerry Brown appointed Ms. Cordell to the Municipal Court of Santa Clara County, making her the first African American woman judge in northern California. In 1988, Judge Cordell was elected to the Superior Court of Santa Clara County.

After 19 years on the bench, she retired and began employment at Stanford University as Vice Provost & Special Counselor to the President for Campus Relations until 2009. In November 2003, Judge Cordell, accepting no monetary donations, ran a grassroots campaign and won a 4-year term on the Palo Alto City Council.

An author, artist, vocalist and pianist, she resides in California with her partner, and is the proud mother of two daughters.