About this episode

The episode discusses the importance of diversity and representation in the court system, featuring guests who share their experiences and advocate for inclusivity in the legal field.

Our court system tends to draw in a diverse mixing pot of “customers.” Many of us will end up in a courthouse for some reason, a civil or criminal proceeding, a hearing, a deposition, a divorce, jury duty, even a marriage license. That’s why diversity and representation of all of us matters for those working inside the courthouse. Guest Belinda Handy is a commissioner in the Superior Court of Riverside County, California. She says the mix of people working inside the courthouse should reflect those who use the services, that means diversity in race, sex, economic background, professional experience and more. Since the public using the courthouse is made up of everyone, so should the staff and leadership. Handy herself rose to the bench from a non-traditional pathway: the public defender’s office. Our other guest, Terri Walters, shares her experience growing up as a person of color in a predominantly white community, then went to work in law firms that were predominantly white. It took effort to shake an “imposter syndrome” and understand she belongs and that she excels at her job. “Never did I have the opportunity to work with people that look like me,” she says. “Representation…

People in this episode

Guests: Belinda Handy, Terri Walters

Topics covered

• diversity
• representation
• legal system
• courthouse
• underrepresented communities

Keywords

• diversity
• representation
• courthouse
• legal field
• imposter syndrome
• underrepresented communities
• California

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Superior Court of Riverside County

Places: California

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