Judges and Judiciary
Aug. 15, 2002
Litigator Teri Jackson Joins S.F. Bench
SAN FRANCISCO - Veteran prosecutor and litigator Teri L. Jackson has become San Francisco's first black female judge following her appointment Tuesday by Gov. Gray Davis.
Jackson, 45, of San Mateo, is currently with San Francisco's Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe, where she handles complex civil litigation, including cases involving employment, trade secrets, bankruptcy, white-collar defense and intellectual property.
Before that, Jackson spent 17 years as a prosecutor, first as a San Mateo County deputy district attorney from 1981 to 1984, and later as an assistant district attorney in San Francisco from 1984 to 1997. She has handled approximately 300 criminal cases, including many murder trials.
Calling her appointment "a remarkable addition to the bench," San Francisco Assistant District Attorney Linda Klee, now chief of the criminal division, supervised Jackson when she was with the misdemeanor and domestic violence unit.
"We need people with common sense," Klee said. "Teri has an understanding of what a case is worth and how to approach it so both sides can see that value."
Chief Assistant District Attorney Paul Cummins said he was "ecstatic" about her appointment, noting that Jackson, former head of the homicide team, was "viewed with respect by both sides in the courtroom."
"She's her own person. She brings a lot of talent and enthusiasm, experience and wisdom to her judgeship - all the qualities to be an outstanding judge," he said.
"I'm excited and honored," Jackson said. "It still hasn't sunk in."
She was also stunned to learn she has the distinction of being San Francisco's first black female jurist.
"It's surprising in 2002," Jackson said, adding, "I may be the first, but I hope I'm not the last and there are many more after me."
Jackson cited prominent black female attorneys including Eva Patterson, director of the San Francisco Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights, and Shelly Jackson, a staff attorney for the Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law, as among her mentors who also are worthy of consideration for judicial appointments. "Surely there were many before me who were qualified," she said.
San Francisco Superior Court Judge John Dearman, one San Francisco's three black jurists, called her appointment "long overdue."
"Years ago we tried to get a black woman on the bench," he said. "It's been a long time coming, and I hope it's just the beginning, not the end. There are other qualified minority women who need to be on the bench."
Gillian Small, president-elect of the California Association of Black Lawyers, said she was surprised it has taken so long.
"I think it's wonderful that more and more African-Americans are being honored and appreciated for their talents and contributions over the many years," she said.
Jackson, former head of the San Francisco district attorney's misdemeanor, domestic violence and homicide units, has been recognized statewide as an expert in the prosecution of domestic violence cases. In 1988, she obtained California's first conviction by a jury for felony elder abuse.
Jackson has been a frequent lecturer on trial advocacy skills for the National College of Prosecutors and the California District Attorneys Association. She has also given lectures for the Arizona and New Mexico prosecutors associations, San Francisco Law School, the Rutter Group and Hastings College of the Law.
Orrick partner Jeffrey White, who hired Jackson, described her as a "very, very charismatic person who lights up a room," lauding her as a "fine trial lawyer and a very intelligent person" who is also "patient, upbeat and positive in everything she does."
Jackson previously served as chairwoman of the State Bar's Committee of Bar Examiners and the California Court Reporters Board, and as president of the Northern California Black Women Lawyers Association. She also served on the boards of the California District Attorneys Association and the California Association of Black Lawyers.
She earned her law degree from Georgetown University and succeeds former San Francisco Superior Court Judge Stuart Pollak, who was elevated to the Court of Appeal. Jackson will receive an annual salary of $139,476.
Donna Domino
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