Judge F. Dino Inumerable ’94: First Filipino American Judge appointed in Ventura County

October 26, 2016

In celebration of Filipino American History Month in October, we would like showcase the profile interview of the first Filipino American judge appointed in Ventura County, 1994 alum Superior Court Judge F. Dino Inumerable.
 

• What year did you graduate? May 1994

• Please describe your journey from law school to where you are now.  I took the bar exam in July 1994, drove around for 5 months with my Barpassers workbooks in my trunk because I thought I would have to take it again.   Fortunately, I passed and worked  for 8 months doing civil in LA.  In  October 1995, I was hired by the Santa Barbara Public Defender’s office and remained there until 2000.  From 2000-2010 I worked at the Ventura County Public  Defender’s office.  In my 10 years there I handled everything from driving on a suspended license cases to special circumstance homicides.  In 2005, I was promoted to Senior Deputy Public Defender.  In 2010 I was hired as a Ventura County Superior Court Commissioner assigned to traffic, misdemeanor arraignments, unlawful detainers, small claims,  preliminary hearings and criminal trials. In 2014, I was appointed Judge in the Ventura  County  Superior Court by Governor Jerry Brown to fill the vacancy created when the Honorable Gay Conroy retired.

• What is the most exciting / rewarding part of your job?Conducting my courtroom in a style that fits my personality.   A courtroom is a very stressful environment for all parties involved.  I like to think I promote a professional and cordial atmosphere.

• What advice would you give to students who have recently graduated and have passed the bar?  I will gear this towards graduates who want to practice criminal law.   Try to work in a District Attorney’s Office or Public Defender’s Office.  The experience is fantastic.  It is a very competitive market and you may not be hired in a major city.   Don’t let that dissuade you if you are serious.    If needed, work in a smaller county and transfer in a few years to a “bigger city” or  who knows, you may like it there.  Your lifestyle and priorities at 25 years old may not be the same as when you are 35.

• Any fond memories that stand out for you about your time at Thomas Jefferson School of  Law?  I had great professors.  They made very difficult bar subject  concepts  understandable.  Professor Herald for Contracts, Constitutional law, Professor Slomanson for Civil Procedure, Professor Markey for Real Property,  Professor  Cohn for  Criminal Procedure, and Professor Berger for Evidence were all fantastic.   I still use Professor Berger’s example that a “piece of gum” could be used as an item to “refresh a recollection.”

• Anything else you would like to add? I would like to send best wishes to all of the Class of 1994 Graduates!