Judge Holly J. Fujie graduated from the University of California Berkeley in 1975 with dual A.B. degrees in Political Science (with highest honors) and Economics (with honors). She went on obtain her J.D. from Berkeley School of Law in 1978, and was admitted to the California State Bar that same year. After passing the bar, she worked as an associate at Adams, Duque & Hazeltine from 1978-1980, at Morgan, Lewis & Bockius from 1980-1981, and Rogers & Wells from 1981-1985. She then became an associate and then an equity shareholder at Rosen, Wachtell & Gilbert from 1985-1991. Thereafter, she was an equity shareholder at Buchalter Nemer from 1991-2011, at which point she was appointed to the bench by Governor Edmond G. Brown Jr. She was re-elected in 2014 and 2020. While in private practice, she served as the President of the State Bar of California from 2008-2009, and focused her practice on complex litigation and insurance litigation. She is a democrat.
Author
Co-author of “Effective Introduction to Evidence in California, 2d Ed.” – CEB
Co-author of “California Client Communications Manual: Sample Letters and Forms” – CEB
Co-author of “California Trial Practice: Civil Procedure During Trial” – CEB
Co-author of “Jefferson’s California Evidence Benchbook” – CEB
“Twenty ‘Don’t Say-Ems’” – Advocate Magazine – Consumer Attorneys of Los Angeles – July 2017
Awards
2019 Honoree – Judges’ Night Reception – Japanese American Bar Association
2019 “Joan Dempsey Klein Honoree of the Year Award” – National Association of Women Judges
2017 Diversity Award – San Fernando Valley Bar Association
2017 Honoree – Annual Judges’ Dinner Night – Armenian Bar Association
2016 “Joan Dempsey Klein Distinguished Jurist Award” – California Women Lawyers
2004-2010 “Super Lawyer” – Southern California Super Lawyer’s magazine
2008 & 2009 “Top 100 Lawyers” – Los Angeles Daily Journal
2007-2010 “Southern California Super Lawyer” – Corporate Counsel Edition
2010 Nominee for the Asian Heritage Award in Legal Affairs
2010 “Outstanding Leadership Award” – Bay Area Asian Pacific American Law Students Association
2009 “Breaking the Glass Ceiling” Award – Leadership Institute for Women of Color Attorneys in Law and Business
2009 Leadership Award – California Bench-Bar Coalition
2009 Elected – American Law Institute
2008-2009 “Alumna of the Year Award” – California Law Review
“Public Service Award” – Japanese American Bar Association of Los Angeles
“M. Ashley Dickerson Diversity Award” – National Association of Women Lawyers
“Difference Maker’s” Award – ABA General Practice, Solo and Small Firm Division
“Spirit of CEB” Award – California Continuing Education of the Bar
“Distinguished Service Award” – WLALA
“Distinguished Advocate for Diversity” Award – Philippine American Bar Association
Presentations
Panelist– “Demystifying the Judicial Appointments Process” – Pathways to Justice 2019
Speaker – Judges’ Night – RISE and SCCLA – August 8, 2018
Keynote speaker – “Paralegal Day Mixer” – Los Angeles Paralegal Association – June 7, 2017
Presenter – “Super Secret Insiders Guide to Becoming a State Court Judge” – 2017 NAPABA Convention
Keynote speaker – “Paralegal Day Mixer” – Los Angeles Paralegal Association – June 4, 2015
Address at the Annual Citation Awards Dinner – Boalt Hall Alumni Association – April 30, 2010
“Becoming a Judge” – Multi-Cultural Bar Alliance – April 22, 2010
“Diversity and Gender Issues in the Practice of Law” – UC Irvine School of Law – April 6, 2010
Panelist – “Women and the Law” – Hastings College of the Law – February 4, 2009
“Career Perspectives of Minority Women Lawyers: Life at the Firm” – National Asian Pacific American Bar Association Convention – November 15, 2007
“Law Firms, Community Service and Non-Profits” – Greenlining Institute – October 29, 2007
“Race and Gender Issues in the Practice of Law” – Southwestern University School of Law – March 28, 2007
“Retention of Women by Law Firms” – Women Lawyers Association of Los Angeles – March 14, 2007
Links
Los Angeles Superior Court - Courtroom Rules
The Robing Room - Hon. Holly J Fujie
Holly Fujie ’78 Joins L.A. County Superior Court - Berkeley Law
WLALA Board of Governors - Hon. Holly Fujie