‘Her transition to the bench has been seamless’

Judge

Continued from Page A1 and overcome obstacles and stereotypes. I’d like to pay it forward and be that kind of support and encouragement for other young women of color.”

The power of the moment was not lost on then-Presiding Judge Gustavo Lavayen when he administered to her the oath of office.

“Denise will be making long overdue history today,” he said at the time. “It has been a long time coming.”

He expanded on his comments in an interview with the NewsPress.

“I don’t think it’s a question of whether she should be considered a role model,” he said. “Judge Hippach is and has been a role model for all. I know many attorneys looked to her when she was an attorney for guidance and education.

“And Judge Hippach is a thoroughly good person. I sincerely mean all the nice things I’ve said about her, so I have no doubt about her being a great role model for all, including young girls and people of color.”

During her News-Press interview, Judge Hippach embraced the idea of serving as a role model for young people of color.

“My appointment is not just an incredible moment for me, but also for society as a whole because it really shows the strides that have been made to make the bench reflect the community it serves,” she said. “When a person walks into a courtroom and sees someone who looks like they do, it changes the way he/she/they may feel about the process and fairness of the hearing. I hope my appointment represents to other people of color that the glass ceiling they are staring at is just that — glass! And it can be shattered.”

The transition from practicing attorney to sitting judge, which overall has gone smoothly, has brought some challenges as well.

For one thing, Judge Hippach came from spending years advocating for individual clients in dependency cases, which involve matters related to child abuse and neglect.