Alumni in the News

August 2003

McConnell Nominated to Head Appeals Court
The San Diego Union-Tribune, 8/29/03

Gov. Gray Davis has nominated a longtime San Diego jurist to lead the local state appeals court, and a North County judge to fill a vacancy on the appeals panel.

Justice Judith McConnell ['69] would preside over the San Diego-based 4th District Court of Appeal, Division One, to which she was appointed in 2001 after 23 years as a San Diego judge. …

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As Vote Looms, Davis Fills Six Appellate Slots
The Recorder, 8/27/03

Gov. Gray Davis filled the California courts of appeal to near capacity Tuesday with another round of appointments, furthering speculation that the embattled governor will leave no vacancy unfilled before the Oct. 7 recall vote.

In elevating several superior court judges to positions on the Second, Fourth, Fifth and Sixth districts, Davis made little overall impact in the number of vacancies on the state courts. But he did clear the way for handing out lower court appointments to first-timers who are seeking judgeships. …

In San Diego's Fourth District, Davis named Justice Judith McConnell ['69] as presiding justice. He also appointed Superior Court Judge Joan Irion to the court. Davis first appointed her to the bench in 2000. McConnell, 59, is a graduate of Boalt Hall School of Law, while Irion, 50, earned her law degree at the UC-Davis King Hall School of Law. …

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2003 S.F. Mayoral Race: Leal's Acumen is Unquestioned—Political Allegiance Another Matter
San Francisco Chronicle, 8/25/03

Lobbying for a seat on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors in 1993, Susan Leal ['75] convinced then-Mayor Frank Jordan's advisers that she could be counted on as an ally. After all, she reminded them, her name means "loyal" in Spanish.

But, after Jordan named her to the board, Leal committed what political professionals consider a cardinal sin.

Despite owing her job to Jordan, Leal became a frequent foe—and even backed the mayor's 1995 re-election opponent, Willie Brown, earning her a reputation among some observers as an opportunist who burns political bridges to get ahead.

Now, as city treasurer, Leal is making her own run for the mayoral seat. But the candidate with perhaps the strongest resume and demographic appeal—successful businesswoman, daughter of Mexican immigrants and a lesbian—finds herself with few endorsements, and many knives out for her, from within the city's political family. …

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