Judicial Profile: Department 1
Presiding Judge Honorable Diana Becton
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- Biographical Information
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- Date of Birth:
- August 16, 1951
- Place of Birth:
- Oakland, CA
- Education:
- B.A. in economics, San Francisco State University, 1974
Golden Gate University Law School, 1985 - Pre-bench Legal Experience:
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- Attorney, Sole Practitioner (1994 – 1995)
- Attorney/Partner (Private Practice) (1987 – 1994)
- Housing Finance & Development Supervisor
- City of Richmond (1979 –1987)
- Judicial Experience
- Judge Superior Court
- Contra Costa Superior Court (1998 – Present)
- Assistant Presiding Judge 2009 – 2010
- Presiding Judge-Elect 2011 – 2012
- Presiding Judge 2011
- Civil Fast Track (December 2004 – present)
- Supervising Judge/Civil (2007 – present)
- Felony Criminal Calendar (2002 – 2004)
- Supervising Judge/Criminal Calendar (2003 – 2004)
- Judge Municipal Court
- Contra Costa County (1995 – 1998)
- Supervising Judge Richmond Branch (1998 – 1999; 2002)
- Attorney, Sole Practitioner (1994 – 1995)
- Attorney/Partner (Private Practice) (1987 – 1994)
- Housing Finance & Development Supervisor, City of Richmond (1979 – 1987)
- Pre-bench Civic & Professional Activities
- Contra Costa County Bar Association Board of Directors, Conference of Governors; State Bar Ethics Committee; Charles Houston Bar Association; Black Women Lawyers; City of Oakland Landmark Preservation Board ; West County Bar Association Vice President.
- Current Civic & Professional Activities
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- “Judge of the Year” 2007 Alameda-Contra Costa Trial Lawyers Association
- Judicial Council Advisory Committee on Civil Jury Instructions (2008 – )
- Judicial Council Access & Fairness Advisory Committee (2007 – )
- New Judge Education Committee (2007 – )
- California Judges Association, Executive Board Member (1999 – 2002)
- CJER Governing Committee Liaison (1999 – 2002)
- CJER Civil Education Committee, Chair (2002); Vice Chair (2000 – 02)
- Executive Committee, Contra Costa Superior Court
- Strategic Planning Committee, Superior Court (Chair)
- Technology Committee, Superior Court (Chair 2007)
- Lick Wilmerding High School, Board of Trustees (2000 – 03)
- State Bar Committee Professional Responsibility/Conduct (1992)
- City of Oakland, Landmarks Preservation Board (Appointee 1991)
- Continuing Legal Education Faculty
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- California Judicial College Seminar Leader (2008)
- California Judicial College, Faculty (1999 – 2002)
- Civil Law & Procedure Institute (Jan.2001, April 2002, and Jan. 2009)
- Continuing Judicial Studies Program (1998; 2000; 2002)
- “So You Want To Be a Judge, California Women Lawyers (1999 & 2001)
- Faculty/Lecturer, UNIVERSITY OF SAN FRANCISCO PARALEGAL STUDIES. Real Estate/Landlord Tenant (1993)
- Panelist, CEB, Representing Residential Landlords/Tenants (1993)
- Panelist, Gender Bias in the Legal Profession, JFK University (1991)
- Speaker, Landlord/Tenant, Community Law School (1991/1993)
- Speaker, Association of Housing Management Agents (1990)
- Panelist, Winning the Drug War, Association of Housing/HUD (1991)
- Participant, Alumni Career Day, Castlemont High School (ongoing)
- Teleconferencing
- Telephone appearances are available upon written request.
- Motions
- Judge Becton appreciates well-researched and written motions, with courtesy copies brought to chambers.
- Briefs
- Judge Becton likes briefs to be short and on point.
- Settlement Conferences
- The judge likes all parties to be present and prepared.
- ADR
- She strongly favors exploration of various methods to resolve cases.
- Jury Instructions
- The judge prefers for written instructions to be submitted.
- Sanctions
- Judge Becton finds that sanctions are seldom necessary.
- Documents
- The judge likes exhibits to be premarked, with a list provided to the clerk.
- Computers in the Courtroom
- Judge Becton accepts laptops in the courtroom.
- Audio-visual
- There is no special equipment on hand in her courtroom.
- Cameras in the Courtroom
- Advance approval is required.
- Advice
- The judge expects courtesy and civility.
