Judith Clark is the Presiding Judge of the Riverside Superior Court, one of California's busy and growing trial courts. With host M.C. Sungaila, she shares her path to the bench, offers advice for those considering serving on the bench themselves, and underscores how being open-minded about opportunities and the guidance of mentors led her to become a prosecutor and, later, a judge. Listen in for some thoughtful insights from a remarkable judicial leader.

Presiding Judge Kimberly Merrifield of the Butte County Superior Court in California, and a former member of the California Judicial Council and leader of the Trial Court Presiding Judges Association for presiding judges throughout the state, shares how her eclectic, well-rounded career (from a court clerk to a varied private law practice after night law school) led her to the bench. She shares some important lessons: be persistent in seeking what you want (she applied several times under different governors before being appointed to the bench), be open to opportunities you had not previously considered, and be aware of the power of bar and community service (including pro bono work) to open doors to new opportunities. This is a must-listen episode.