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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.
A JUDGE'S TALE | Kirkus Reviews
"Kintner does an excellent job of personalizing her story by weaving in details from her personal life; it's...an important and inspiring look at the role of women in the legal profession."
PRAISE FOR A JUDGE'S TALE:
"This courageous memoir recounts Kintner's fight for fairness in a system stacked against her and her relentless belief that justice belongs to everyone. Bold, unflinching, and inspiring, her story is a testament to the power of resilience—and the price of being a female trailblazer."—Wendy B. Correa, author of My Pretty Baby
Kintner is a trailblazer all women can admire. She never shrank in the face of gender discrimination, had a strong ethical compass, and an unyielding drive to succeed in a male-dominated world. Her heartwarming stories of helping the needy left me wanting to turn the pages faster. Truly inspiring.-- Leslie Johansen Nack, author of Fourteen and Nineteen.
"Kintner's portrayal of her struggle for acceptance in the legal community and election campaign for the bench is a tour de force. The challenge she faced as a young, pregnant mother in combating the subjugation of women at that time was extraordinary, and her narrative of those times is compelling." —Anne Russell, retired justice of the Alberta Court of Appeal, Canada
"If you're looking for inspiration to make a difference in the world, read this book. Kintner describes her struggles to become a lawyer in the 1960s and a judge in 1976. Her words will uplift you when you need a smart, ethical, and indomitable woman by your side." — Judy Lev, author of Bethlehem Road: stories of immigration and exile
"Now we see many 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." — Elizabeth Baron, retired justice of the California Court of Appeal.
"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." — Laura Hammes, retired judge of the California Superior Court
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.
"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
Kintner's rise to success came despite the constant string of men trying to hold her down. For every woman who's benefitted from the glass ceilings she's broken and every man who thinks there are no more glass ceilings, this inspiring story is a must read.-- Lori B. Duff, author of the Fischer at Law Series and Municipal Court Judge
A fascinating read! Fans of Sandra Day O'Connor and Ruth Bader Ginsb will love this book. Kintner fought discrimination and harassment to give women fairness and equality in the legal system. Thoughtful and inspiring! –- Liz Kitchens, author of Be Brave. Lose the Beige: Finding Your Sass After Sixty