Drinks and Diversity – January 2023

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This Zoom Meeting is Open to All AAML Fellows
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A VIEW FROM THE BENCH
Moderator, AAML Fellow Ronique Bastine Robinson will lead an open discussion with members of the judiciary about how cultural competencies impact their rulings. We are offering a peek behind the robe to gain more insight of what jurists consider when they rule, if they consider the impact their ruling makes on the gallery present when ruling from the bench, and if the public at large plays a role in the consideration of cultural nuances that are present.

JUDGE PANEL

     Judge Daniel Flores was the first in his family to be born in the United States.  His parents met in El Salvador and later immigrated to the US. The majority of both sides of their families followed in the years to come. He grew up surrounded by relatives that couldn’t speak English, exposing him to discrimination and teaching him the importance of advocating for oneself. As he learned, dignity and justice must be fought for to achieve and maintain.
Judge Flores was elected to the San Francisco Superior Court in 2014.  He has been a member of the Unified Family Court, hearing both family law and delinquency matters.  Before becoming a judge, he was a lawyer representing clients in both civil and criminal cases.

     Judge Dianna Gould-Saltman sits in a direct trial family law court in the Los Angeles Superior Court. Prior to her 2010 appointment she practiced family law for 25 years. She is a Judicial Fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Law, the International Academy of Family Law and served as 2018-2019 President of the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts. She received the Pasadena Bar Association Family Law Section 2013 Family Law Judge of the Year award, the AAML, Southern California Chapter 2014 Don Mike Anthony Award as Los Angeles County Family Law Judge of the Year, the Levitt and Quinn Family Law Center 2015 Outstanding Community Service Award and the 2015 Association of Certified Family Law Specialists Hall of Fame Award.

     Judge Germaine J. Tanner was elected as the Presiding Judge of the 311th District Court on November 6, 2018 and was sworn in on January 1, 2019. Licensed since 2003, Judge Tanner presides over a wide range of family law issues including contested and uncontested divorces, child custody disputes, child support matters, post-divorce modifications and enforcements, adoptions and CPS cases. Prior to her election to the bench, Judge Tanner had a 15 year legal career practicing family law exclusively. Since her election, Judge Tanner has provided FREE Brown Bag CLE seminars for practicing attorneys out of the 311th District Court. Additionally, Judge Tanner has given presentations at continuing legal education seminars for attorneys and paralegals in the area of Family Law, through various organizations.
On November 8, 2022, Judge Tanner was re-elected to her second term as the Presiding Judge of the 311th District Court. Judge Tanner is a single mother of 1 daughter, Gabrielle. Judge Tanner received her undergraduate degree in Political Science from the University of Illinois-Champaign/ Urbana and her law degree from Thurgood Marshall School of Law. Judge Tanner is a member of several legal and public service organizations; namely Jack and Jill of American Inc.-Greater Channel Chapter and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc.. When not working, Judge Tanner enjoys spending time with her daughter, cooking, gardening, and giving back to her community.