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A Judge's Tale--A Trailblazer Fights For Her Place on the Bench
After seven years practicing law including as a prosecutor and defense attorney, Kintner was appointed a trailblazer female judge in 1976 when she was 31 and pregnant. Two years later two men challenged her in an election for her seat. They had lots of time and money. She had a two year old and another baby on the way. Could she win?
This will be published Dec 2, 2025, by She Writes Press and distributed by Simon and Schuster.
"Obstacle after obstacle, Janet Kintner refused to take no for an answer. A Judge's Tale is the inspiring portrait of a young lawyer and mother who broke the glass ceiling to become the third female judge in San Diego. It's a story that needs to be remembered." --Andrea Leeb, attorney and author of Such A Pretty Picture, A Memoir.
"I couldn't put this book down. Janet is an amazing writer and I love her sense of humor that converts disasters into triumphs. This hit home. It is a personal story and yet familiar to all women seeking positions of power. A must read!" Tamila Ebrahimi Ipema, Judge, California Superior Court (ret.) and former president of National Association of Women Judges
"Now we see multiple women judges. But it wasn't always like that. The story of Judge Kintner's struggle fifty years ago to become a judge seems unbelievable today. But if it wasn't for her efforts and women like her, today's legal world would be unthinkable. Read her gripping behind-the-scenes account."- California Court of Appeal Justice Elizabeth Baron (Ret.)
"I love the incredible way Janet demonstrates the trials and tribulations of women breaking the glass ceiling. Her memoir is personal yet universal. It's horrifying but not self-pitying or vengeful or hateful. It's incredibly thoughtful and good natured, as is she." – Laura Hammes, retired judge of the Superior Court
"Kintner, as a student, was a victim of sex crimes in a male-dominated legal system. Kintner tenaciously became a successful lawyer and in 1976 was the youngest judge in California at age 31. Several men worked to remove her. All women should read this story of outrage, optimism, and humor." –Marjorie Hansen Shaevitz, author of The Superwoman Syndrome