LawCat Alumni Hold Strong Presence on the San Diego Bench

University of Arizona College of Law alumni are making their mark in California’s judiciary, particularly in San Diego, where an impressive number of graduates now serve on the bench. From the trial courts to the appellate level, their leadership reflects the strength of the Arizona Law community and the far-reaching influence of its alumni across the country. 

In the past several years, Judges Lilys McCoy (’91), John Pro (’01), and Sherry Thompson-Taylor (’95) were appointed to the San Diego Superior Court Bench, expanding the strong contingent of Arizona Law alumni in the region. They serve alongside Judges Joan Weber (’80) and William Wood (’88), both longstanding members of the San Diego judiciary. 

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Judge Lilys McCoy (’91) 

Before joining the bench, Judge McCoy served as a Deputy City Attorney in the San Diego City Attorney’s Office and prior to that as Program Director and Adjunct Professor at the Thomas Jefferson School of Law. She is a past president of the San Diego County Bar Association and Lawyers Club of San Diego and has held numerous other leadership roles in the legal community. Recognized as a Super Lawyer and recipient of multiple professional honors, Judge McCoy currently presides over juvenile dependency matters. 

Judge John Pro (’01) 

At the time of his appointment, Judge Pro was the Team Leader in the Major Narcotics Division at the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office, where he served as a Deputy District Attorney. Prior to that role, he served as a staff attorney for the Center for Community Solutions. Judge Pro’s current assignments include criminal felony disposition calendars and sentencings. He remains active in legal education and mentorship through programs such as Judges in the Classroom, Justice 101, and the National Institute of Trial Advocacy. 

Judge Sherry Thompson-Taylor (’95) 

Prior to her appointment, Judge Thompson-Taylor spent more than 25 years as a prosecutor with the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office, including service as Chief of the Insurance Fraud and Workplace Justice Division. Prior to that she served as Vice President of Business and Legal Affairs at Angelic Entertainment. She now serves in the Family Law Division, handling dissolution, child custody, child and spousal support, and domestic violence matters. Judge Thompson-Taylor has been recognized for her service and leadership, including receiving the Thurgood Marshall Award and the Legal Trailblazer Award from the Earl B. Gilliam Bar Association. She is Secretary for the Association of African American California Judicial Officers and sits on the Board of Directors for Girl Scouts of San Diego.  

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Judge Joan Weber (’80) 

The longest-serving Arizona Law alum on the San Diego Superior Court, Judge Weber has been a trial judge in San Diego since 1990. She sits as a trial judge for primarily criminal trials. Judge Weber has served as President, Vice President and Board Member of the California Judges Association and served a one-year term as an advisory member of the California Judicial Council. She is a frequent instructor of California Judicial Education programs with an emphasis on death penalty trials and how to preside over high-profile cases. Judge Weber has earned many professional honors, including the ABA’s Pursuit of Justice Award and the Distinguished Alumni Award from Arizona Law. After 35 years of service, Judge Weber is retiring this year. 

Judge William Wood (’88) 

A double Wildcat, Judge Wood earned both his law and undergraduate degrees from the University of Arizona. Before beginning his legal career, Judge Wood served as a U.S. foreign service officer at the U.S. Department of State. Prior to his appointment to the San Diego Superior Court, he served as a Deputy District Attorney at the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office. He was cross-designated as a Special Assistant U.S. Attorney at the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Southern District of California and served as a San Diego Superior Court commissioner. 

Justice Julia Kelety (’82) 

Beyond the Superior Court, University of Arizona alumna Justice Julia Kelety (’82) serves on the California Court of Appeal. She previously presided over probate and juvenile dependency matters in the San Diego Superior Court and served as Presiding Judge of its Appellate Division. Earlier in her career, she worked as a federal prosecutor in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of California, where she received the Department of Justice’s Director’s Award. 

Trailblazing Alumni 

Arizona Law’s legacy in the San Diego judiciary also includes trailblazing judges such as Judge Irma Gonzalez (’73) and Judge Janet Kintner (’68). Judge Gonzalez became the first female Mexican American U.S. District Court Judge in the nation and served as Chief Judge of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California. Judge Kintner was the third woman in San Diego history to be appointed to the bench, the youngest judge in California at the time, and the first pregnant woman appointed to a California judgeship. 

These judges and justices are among nearly 900 University of Arizona College of Law alumni living in California, a network that includes leaders across the legal profession, public service, and business. Their presence on the San Diego bench highlights the broad impact of Arizona Law graduates and the school’s continued connection to the state’s legal community.