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A Judge's Tale

A Trailblazer Fights for Her Place on the Bench

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Pub Date Dec 02 2025 | Archive Date Oct 11 2025

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Description

For fans of The Good Wife and Suits, the true story of a passionately principled young female judge in the man’s world of the ’60s and ’70s who is forced to defend her judgeship against two male challengers in a grueling election—while pregnant with her second child.

Janet Kintner could have ended up just another victim of the system. After a traumatic childhood, and being sexually assaulted as a young woman, the odds were not in her favor—but instead of letting these experiences destroy her, she used them as fuel in pursuit of her dreams. By twenty-four, she was a newly minted lawyer determined to secure justice for everyone, regardless of their gender, race, religion, or income.

In 1968, the District Attorney’s office told Kintner, “We will not hire a woman lawyer.” Men dominated the legal system. Undaunted, she established herself as a lawyer who represented low-income people and, eventually, as a high-profile prosecutor specializing in consumer fraud. San Diego lawyers elected her the third woman ever to the County Bar Association Board of Directors. In her private practice, she continued to help everyone she could, often pro bono.

In 1976, when Kintner was thirty-one and pregnant, Governor Jerry Brown appointed her the third female judge in history in San Diego—a move that didn’t sit well with some men in her field. Two years later, two men challenged Kintner, a mother pregnant with her second baby, in the nastiest judicial election of the year. In the coming months, Kintner struggled to balance her time between her children, working full-time in a stressful job, and campaigning. She didn’t want to let other women, present and future, down. But was San Diego ready to elect a female judge?
For fans of The Good Wife and Suits, the true story of a passionately principled young female judge in the man’s world of the ’60s and ’70s who is forced to defend her judgeship against two male...

A Note From the Publisher

JANET KINTNER grew up as a small child in Fairborn, Ohio, then moved to Tucson, Arizona. She was an early female trial lawyer in the 1960s and 1970s. She supported new legal organizations dedicated to promoting equality for women. Kintner taught judges all over the U.S. and Canada. Now she is devoting herself to writing, as well as being the mother of three grown children and four "perfect" grandchildren. A JUDGE’S TALE is her first book. She lives with her second husband, a Canadian, part-time in Victoria, Canada, but mostly in San Diego, California.

JANET KINTNER grew up as a small child in Fairborn, Ohio, then moved to Tucson, Arizona. She was an early female trial lawyer in the 1960s and 1970s. She supported new legal organizations dedicated...


Advance Praise

“All women should read this story of outrage, optimism, and humor.”–Marjorie Hansen Shaevitz, author of The Superwoman Syndrome

“If you’re looking for inspiration to make a difference in the world, read this book….Her words will uplift you when you need a smart, ethical, and indomitable woman by your side.”—Judy Lev, author of Bethlehem Road

“An important and inspiring look at the role of women in the legal profession.”—KIRKUS REVIEWS

“…a tour de force….The challenge she faced was extraordinary. Her narrative of it is compelling.”—Anne Russell, retired justice of the Alberta Court of Appeal, Canada

“This courageous memoir recounts Kintner’s fight for fairness in a system stacked against her and her relentless belief that justice belongs to everyone. Bold, unflinching, and inspiring, her story is a testament to the power of resilience—and the price of being a female trailblazer.”—Wendy B. Correa, author of My Pretty Baby

“I love the incredible way Janet demonstrates the trials and tribulations of women breaking the glass ceiling. Her memoir is personal yet universal. It’s horrifying but not self-pitying or vengeful or hateful. It’s incredibly thoughtful and good natured.”—Laura Hammes, retired judge of the California Superior Court

“…. The story of Judge Kintner’s struggle fifty years ago to become a judge seems unbelievable today. But if it wasn’t for her efforts and women like her, today’s legal world would be unthinkable. Read her gripping behind-the-scenes account.”— Elizabeth Baron, retired justice of the California Court of Appeal


“All women should read this story of outrage, optimism, and humor.”–Marjorie Hansen Shaevitz, author of The Superwoman Syndrome

“If you’re looking for inspiration to make a difference in the world...


Available Editions

EDITION Paperback
ISBN 9798896360162
PRICE $17.99 (USD)
PAGES 344

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