Judge Esmeralda Zendejas, Class of ’06

Judge Esmeralda Zendejas ’06 is the first graduate of the King Hall Outreach Program (KHOP) known to have become a judge. After being appointed by Governor Gavin Newsom in February 2023, she serves on the bench of the San Joaquin Superior Court in Stockton, California. In 2024, she administered the State Oath at King Hall’s annual swearing-in ceremony. Before her appointment, she had most recently served as an attorney at the Department of Industrial Relations since 2022 and as a Deputy Attorney General at the California Attorney General’s Office from 2020 to 2022. She spent most of her legal career at California Rural Legal Assistance Inc., beginning as a staff attorney in 2006 and leaving as Agricultural Worker Program Director in 2020.

(KHOP prepares high-potential undergraduates and recent graduates from underrepresented communities for law school and the law school admissions process.)

What was your experience with KHOP, and how did it contribute to your education and career?

I had a wonderful experience with KHOP. When I attended the program, it was very immersive, where we participated in the program for several weeks. There was time to socialize with other participants in the program. We got exposure to law students, to faculty members. The experience was very helpful, especially with my background. I’d had zero experience with anyone in the legal profession and zero experience with what law school entails and what to anticipate. For me, it was definitely an asset to have gone through the program. And I also made friendships there. When I went to law school, a few of my colleagues attended UC Davis with me. It was just really great to see them and already have a feeling of comfort, knowing that they were attending as well.

What does it mean to you to be a judge in your hometown?

It's an honor. I'm humbled by the fact that I'm in this position. It's such a huge responsibility. I grew up in a neighborhood where there weren’t a lot of resources and there wasn't a lot of opportunity for exposure to different things. And so being a judge, one of my goals is to really be engaged with the community. That way everyone can have the sense of having at least some access to what the justice system is, what it entails—not being afraid of it, being comfortable in the setting. Being able to serve my community in that way and trying to bring that comfort within the courtroom is something I strive to do because I realize that a lot of people are unfamiliar with what a legal process entails. And when someone's unfamiliar with something, there tends to be, for whatever reason, negative ideas and perceptions. I hope to break that wall down so it's not as uncomfortable a process and it may be something that’s seen as more positive. 

What kinds of ways do you engage with the community?

For example, I just recently attended a First Impressions program where we do civic engagement with fifth graders. We went to a local elementary school to have the students prepare to put on a mock trial of the story of the three little pigs and the wolf. It is a criminal case that they’re trying. I also help facilitate the Just The Kids program on a seasonal basis. There are migrant labor camps at French Camp, which is a small city that neighbors Stockton. And volunteers from the legal profession go out there and bring activities to the kids. I'm also part of the Women Lawyers Section Executive Committee for the local bar association, and I try to be involved in going to events and help plan social and educational engagements. I really try to keep rooted in the community and build those ties and, again, to build those relationships and hopefully be welcoming to individuals.

Did you see yourself as a future judge when you were in law school?

Absolutely not. I didn't think about it, honestly. I knew I wanted to choose a profession where I could help the community. I was always community driven, and I thought the legal profession would be able to do that. How, I didn't know, because I didn't know enough about the legal profession. A TV program that I really liked growing up was Matlock. I used to watch him as a kid, and I was like, oh, this guy takes on cases of people who usually—I want to say about 99% of the show—were wrongfully accused. I think it was rare that his client actually did something. Even when they did, he got them to have remorse and say, “Okay, I did it.” I thought that was kind of a neat component about providing that service and representing people who were wrongfully accused and who maybe didn't have the means. I think he took some cases pro bono. As a kid, I was just trying to interpret this and just seeing it as a tool that I could use.

That’s what interested me in going to law school. So for me, my goal had always been just to be an attorney. Accomplishing that was already something that I thought wasn't achievable, and I achieved it. Being a judge actually didn't cross my mind until I was actually in the practice of law.

I worked for a nonprofit for most of my legal career. The individuals I provided services to were low-income individuals and often, aside from financial difficulties, they had other barriers like a disability or language limitations. Things that would probably impede them from gaining access to justice and having attorneys take their cases. And then going into courtrooms, I felt that there was a need to have representation on the other side of the bench. I think that the stereotype people have when they think of a judge is still a prosecutor or public defender. It's usually the criminal background. It's usually not someone that looks like me or has my experience. Even to this day, when people see me, the first thought that comes to mind isn't a judge. So it's also breaking down that stereotype. I thought becoming a judge would be a way to do it. I didn't know if it was possible, but I'm very thankful that I'm here.

By the way, do you like the new Matlock, too?

I haven't had time to watch Kathy Bates. I'm sure she's killing it. I'm excited to catch up.

What is your favorite King Hall memory?

They had a co-op where you would help watch other students’ children, and so I would volunteer in the program. The reason I really liked it was that it was a break from the wear and tear of just being in law school, because it's a challenging experience. Being able to have that time that I'd go and play with the kids, I loved it. And I loved that I was able to help out my peers.

How have you stayed involved with King Hall?

I definitely try to do outreach events. I try to keep in touch with law students. I currently have a mentee. Our relationship came about informally. I try to keep engaged that way. If they invite me to events, I definitely try to make time to be part of anything that I can. I really enjoyed King Hall. Had I gone to a different law school, I don't know how the outcome would have been. At King Hall, I felt like I had support, and I think that was very important to me. Again, coming from a background where I was very unfamiliar with the process.

What do you do when you aren't working?

If I'm not working, I usually like volunteering for different events, like the ones I've already talked about. I have a dog, so she takes up a lot of my time as well. We go on walks, and we hang out at home. I do enjoy structure, so I usually start my day off at the gym. I get some exercise in, and I really like walking. Any time I can get some good walks in, I will do that. If I'm being extra ambitious and there's time to do some reading—not legal reading—I fit that in. And the other thing is sleep. It’s so important, so I'm trying to be better about having a more consistent sleep routine.

Of what are you proudest?

I'm proudest of being able to represent my family, for my parents. They're both deceased. They both actually didn't see me become a judge. I do regret that, but I am very proud that I was able to achieve this. Because I do my job also holding the values and the foundation they provided, so that gives me a lot of pride. And my siblings. I'm the youngest of four, so them being able to see this—the support they give me and the praise—I cherish that.

Do you have any advice for current law students?

One thing I wish I would have been better at when I was a law student is self-care. I know it's hard to build that in because there are already a lot of demands on law students, as far as the curriculum, getting internship or externship experience, being involved in law review, campus clubs, and whatnot. Those that are parents, that’s another thing that they have to balance. But I think self-care is a huge component because one thing that often comes up in the profession, in the legal field, is individuals who struggle with finding that balance and being able to set boundaries and honor those boundaries. I would tell students, start implementing that now, even if it's in simple ways. Even if it's taking a walk. If it's working out at the gym, having dinner with a friend, going to the movies. Try to do it consistently, where it just becomes a habit, second nature, so you're not compromising that time. Because I think we're quick to see where we can cut down time, and it’s usually our own time to relax and our leisure. Students should be prioritizing that as much as time for studying. If you're worn out and you're mentally exhausted, it can affect your performance anyway. I would say try to fit some self-care in.