In Memoriam: California Supreme Court Justice Joyce L. Kennard (1941–2026)

Joyce L. Kennard, whose perseverance and professional excellence propelled her to become one of the longest-serving justices in the history of the California Supreme Court, has passed away. She was 85.

“Justice Kennard’s life was a testament to resilience, and she brought that same strength to 25 years of service to this court,” said Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero. “She carefully analyzed the law, studied the facts, and strived to protect fundamental freedoms and promote the independence of the judiciary. Her rigor on the bench and her extraordinary personal journey continue to inspire attorneys and judges.”

Justice Kennard was born in Indonesia to parents of Dutch, Indonesian, Chinese, and German descent. As a young child during World War II, she and her family were held in a Japanese internment camp. As a teenager, she had her leg amputated after developing a tumor and wore a prosthetic for the rest of her life. She immigrated to the United States and settled in Los Angeles, where she worked as a secretary while pursuing her education. She earned an associate’s degree from Pasadena City College, then a bachelor’s degree, a master’s in public administration, and a law degree, all from the University of Southern California.

Justice Kennard began her legal career as a Deputy Attorney General in the Department of Justice. Later, she served as a Senior Attorney for Associate Justice Edwin F. Beach at the Second District Court of Appeal. Governor George Deukmejian appointed her to the Los Angeles Municipal Court in 1986, to the Los Angeles County Superior Court in 1987, to the Second District Court of Appeal in 1988, and finally to the Supreme Court in 1989, making her only the second woman and the first person of Asian descent to serve on the state’s highest court.

During her 25 years on the court, Justice Kennard developed a reputation for independence and was known for her rigorous questioning during oral arguments. She retired from the court in April 2014.

At the last oral argument session in which she participated, fellow Associate Justice Marvin Baxter described Justice Kennard’s life as “a successful effort to overcome extraordinary challenge and adversity” and noted her “record of achieving success against all odds.” He offered the following tribute: “ ‘Dedication’ is a word that perfectly applies to Justice Kennard. Whether they agree or disagree with her on particular cases, her colleagues know she has given each and every one her thoughtful, sincere, and scholarly attention. And drawing upon her own remarkable life experience, she has striven always for excellence, fairness, and the correct rule of law. This is her only agenda, and no one works harder to get it right. And for these qualities, she has earned the highest respect of her fellow justices.”

In her letter to Governor Edmund G. “Jerry” Brown, Jr. announcing her retirement, Justice Kennard wrote, “Any success I achieved could have happened only in America, a land that encourages impossible dreams, a land where one can succeed against all odds.”

The court will convene an in memoriam session in recognition of Justice Kennard during its 2026–2027 term.