Why I want to be a judge?

By Elizabeth Moreno

A brief summary of my pre-law school years that prompted me to be a candidate for judge.

My father was born in Hawaii, but three years later my grandfather moved his family to the Bay area, a place where he thought he could use his architectural skills. Unfortunately my grandfather only understood Spanish so he faced barriers in practicing as an architect. My grandfather's experience caused him to impress upon his children to learn English, obtain an education and work hard.

My father followed in his father's footsteps by working hard in canneries and fruit packing houses and eventually earning enough to become the owner of land in Madera, California. My father was not only fluent in Spanish, but in English, Portuguese and Italian. He married my mother, an elementary school teacher, and impressed upon his children the principles of hard work and an education. We all received graduate degrees and are dedicated to serving the public with my oldest brother working for NASA and my sister as a teacher with Fresno Unified School District.

Growing up in the Madera/Fresno areas, I earned money for my education by packing fresh fruit and working in a winery. This was an invaluable experience because I gained insight from those working in agribusiness. At an early age, I was exposed to individuals with lifelong challenges. My older brother was born developmentally disabled and I have taken an active role, as his conservator, in addressing his special needs. I became fascinated with the law and the importance the justice system is to our society and our lives.

Hardwork is not a stranger to me. When I am elected to be a judge, I will work hard to serve the people of Los Angeles County.