Rose Hom was born in China’s southern Toishan district. Her parents brought her to the United States when she was only nine months old. Her father had arrived in the United States in the 1920’s and returned to China in the 1930’s to marry “the most educated woman” he could find. Her mother was educated as a teacher. “My father’s plan was to bring the family to the U.S. for an education and access to all of America’s riches and opportunities here.” When the children were grown, he intended to bring everyone back to China. However the political scenery changed with World War II and the rise of communism in China. The family remained in San Diego where her father owned a restaurant and cafeteria. She remembers him working seven days a week. This imbued her with a strong work ethic.
When Judge Hom worked at the cafeteria, she noticed that “Some of the patrons didn’t respect my father, calling him ‘Chinaman’. "I told him, 'You shouldn’t put up with this.' ” He told me “Don’t worry about them.” Judge Hom interprets this as “When people lack the power to make changes, they don’t believe that complaining would serve a purpose.” Eventually, this prejudice motivated the young Hom into a legal career.
Judge Hom worked as a deputy public defender before her appointment to the bench. “A public defender cannot refuse to represent clients and therefore represents those accused of crimes that range from the socially unacceptable to the violent. There is a purity in defense work because it insures that every law is followed.” said Judge Hom. “Our laws protect all of us, from the President to the accused criminal.”
One of her most memorable experiences as a public defender occurred when she was interviewing an uncooperative defendant in the attorney room of the jail. The sheriff in charge called her to the guard area and handed her a phone. On the line was Governor George Deukmejian who then proceeded to congratulate her on her appointment to the bench. “That was one of the happiest days of my life. I promptly told my client, ‘Mr. Smith, I won’t be representing you anymore.’”
Judge Hom states, “I am very proud of the honor of being appointed the first Chinese-American woman judge in Los Angeles and setting an example to other Chinese-American women, so that they too can be attorneys and judges.”
How does Judge Hom view Chinese Americans in the legal field today? “With more Chinese Americans becoming attorneys, judges, and politicians, there is a sense of empowerment that they can be part of America’s social process.” She elaborates, “When I gave the orientation to new jurors, I saw a number of Asian faces light up when they saw me. There was a sense of familiarity and a recognition that the system may not be so foreign if someone who looks like them is part of the judicial process.”
Judge Hom is currently assigned to civil trials and believes that mediation is an important alternative to a trial. “The court is rarely a happy place. People come here because of a perceived wrong, expecting the court to right that wrong. A trial is black or white, with only one party prevailing. I find that in some cases, money damages awarded by a jury, although financially rewarding, are not emotionally satisfying. On the other hand, if parties can agree to a settlement through mediation, a win-win situation is created.” In some cases she likens mediation to psychological counseling.
When asked if she draws on any Chinese culture in solving difficult legal decisions, Hom points out that she has practiced Tai Chi Chuan for almost 30 years. “Tai Chi deals with opposing values, Yin and Yang, light and dark, which is analogous to the two parties in court who have opposing interests. Tai Chi helps me clear my mind and allows me to see all sides. It allows me to see the strengths and weaknesses in each party’s case and helps me view the evidence in an objective manner.”
Does Judge Hom have any advice to Chinese American students considering a legal career, when there may be family pressure to go into another profession? “Take family members to an Asian American lawyer’s association meeting, where the student and their parents can see the sea of Asian faces who are involved in law, and realize that this is an exciting profession with opportunity for advancement.”
Judge Hom recalls that as a relatively young attorney she spoke to a group of law students about her job as a public defender. Surprisingly she said “I told the students that I was never comfortable speaking in front of people. I actually became a trial attorney as a challenge to myself. After the speech a number of students thanked me and admitted that they, too, feared public speaking.”
Aside from being proud of her legal accomplishments, Judge Hom finds being a mother of two teenage sons most rewarding. “It makes me appreciate how important is to raise two human beings to become independent and to make good choices in life.” Judge Hom adds with a little bit of irony, “Sometimes a courtroom is like a kindergarten class; there is the genius, the class clown, the spoiled brat and the mature one. It’s my job to try to straighten them out.”
Judge Hom reiterated her earlier comment about her inspiration for a career in law, by stating “Being a lawyer and judge offers me a great way to affect many people’s lives in a positive way.”
