In Memoriam

Judge, 29th District Court, City of Wayne, Michigan

Judge Archbold loved living at Hubbard Lake, Michigan, and frequently traveled Africa and Asia. Beloved to many, Judge Archbold is remembered as a good friend and positive role model.

Judge, Municipal Court, Houston, TX

Judge John Barnich was the first openly gay judge appointed to the city court in Texas. He is remembered by friends as "A wonderful, kind person. A character," while having a "...sense of humor that was very unique." Barnich was also a strong figure in the anti-HIV stigma movement, even serving as former board chairman of the Houston AIDS foundation, Inc.

Judge, Superior Court, Los Angeles, CA

Remembered as a "brilliant judge and lawyer," Judge Daniel Brenner was appointed to the bench by Governer Jerry Brown of California in 2012. In addition to his service as a judge, he was also a lecturer and sat on the faculties of multiple universities.

Judge, Superior Court, San Joaquin County, CA

Most remembered for her pure devotion to children and any type of juvenile injustice, Judge Sandra Butler Smith was a beloved teacher, wife, mother, district attorney, author, writer, artist, speaker, superior court judge and foster parent.

Judge, California Superior Court, San Francisco, CA

An altruist at heart, Judge Donaldson loved being recognized as the first openly gay judge in San Francisco. Also remembered as a “renaissance man,” Judge Donaldson once ventured into a side business in coffee shop ownership and wholesaling.

Justice, New York Supreme Court, New York City

Failla started his legal career in the military, where he served as a lieutenant in the Navy's Judge Advocate General's Corps for five years. While stationed in the Philippines and in Vietnam, he often volunteered to defend sailors who were facing discharge due to their sexual orientation. Judge Failla was the first openly gay person elected to the New York State Supreme Court.

Commissioner, Superior Court, Los Angeles, CA

Remembered for his devoted friendship, there was no task too small nor large for Judge Kohn who served on the Los Angeles bench for the better part of three decades.

Judge, Superior Court, Los Angeles, CA

Co-founder of the world's first gay and lesbian synagogue, Judge Jerold Kreiger was a well-known, openly gay judge most notably remembered for his service as Chairperson of the Sexual Orientation Fairness Subcommittee of the California Judicial Council's Access and Fairness Advisory Committee.

Justice, District Court, Springfield, MA

A true renaissance man, Judge Robert Kumor can be equally remembered for his time as a mayor, marine, judge, and teenage television game show contestant (among others).

Judge, Family Court, Kings County, NY

Judge Cira Martinez, supervising judge of the Bronx Family court, is remembered for her fierce commitment to children.

Magistrate Judge, Superior Court, Lake County, IN

Judge T.E. Page is described as a "well-respected judge, attorney, and resident who will be sorely missed," and was also known as, "a lawyer's lawyer, a very compassionate person and a good man." Judge Page will be remembered as an extrovert with a love for traveling and a knack for getting to know a new person within minutes. He was a car enthusiast but also an avid birdwatcher who loved spending afternoons on his porch watching them fly by.

Judge, Supreme Court, Victoria, BC

A respected counsel in the field of family council and civil litigation, Judge Gina Quijano is remembered as a committed lawyer, judge, birdwatcher, photographer, and bemusing raconteur.

Judge, Superior Court, Los Angeles, CA

Judge Robert Sandoval is remembered as "evanhanded and efficient," and as an advocate for unequivocal fairness in the judicial process. As a Municipal Court commissioner in Hollywood, Sandoval ended the practice of announcing in open court the results of AIDS testing required for people charged with prostitution. Judge Sandoval and his partner were among the first gay male couples to adopt a child in Los Angeles.

Judge, Municipal Court, Los Angeles, CA

Judge Rand Schrader was the first openly gay staffer to work in the Los Angeles City Attorney's office. LA County supervisor appointed Judge Schrader to the Los Angeles County AIDS Commission in 1987 -- he then served as its chairman from 1989-1991. In an attempt increase AIDS awareness and to combat discrimination and misinformation, Schrader publicly announced in 1991 that he was diagnosed with AIDS.

Commissioner, Superior Court, Los Angeles, CA

Judge Matthew St. George is described as, "A true trailblazer...always with a sparkle in his eye." In addition to founding the Gay and Lesbian Student Group at Loyola Law School Los Angeles, Judge St. George was also one of the early leaders of Lawyers for Human Rights (LHR), now the Los Angeles LGBT Bar Association (one of the first two LGBT Bar Associations to be founded). In 2004, Judge St. George also championed a measure in favor of California's early adoption of same-sex marriage.

Judge, Superior Court, Los Angeles, CA

A doting father, grandfather, husband, and brother, Judge Wisot enjoyed nothing more than spending time with his family and large cirlce of colleagues and friends. Judge Wisot was also active in many bar associations including the Lawyers for Human Rights.

Judge, Housing Court, Brooklyn, NY

Judge Jason Worth used his HIV diagnosis as an opportunity to advance HIV/AIDS workers' representation and rights. On days when his illness prevented him from traveling, he used a telephone equipped with a television to handle settlement conferences from home.