Risë Jones Pichon

Risë Jones Pichon is a retired California Superior Court judge of Santa Clara County with 35 years of judicial service, having retired in 2019. She currently serves as a panelist with JAMS (Judicial Arbitration and Mediation Services) and holds the position of Distinguished Jurist in Residence at Santa Clara University School of Law since 2019. She is an active member of the Santa Clara University Board of Trustees and the SCU Law School Advisory Board, contributing to academic governance and legal education.

Her academic credentials include a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics (1973) and a Juris Doctor (1976) from Santa Clara University, complemented by an Honorary Doctorate Degree awarded in 2020. These qualifications underpin her expertise in legal theory and practice.

Her professional focus centers on law and ethics, with specialized emphasis on judicial ethics, diversity and inclusion initiatives, mediation techniques, and arbitration processes. Her work bridges theoretical legal frameworks with practical courtroom experience, promoting integrity in judicial systems and fostering inclusive practices within legal institutions through advisory roles and community engagement.

Her distinguished career has been recognized with multiple honors:

• California Judges Association 2020 President’s Award
• Lifetime Achievement Award from the Santa Clara County Trial Lawyers Association (2019)
• California Association of Black Lawyers Legendary Champions of Justice Award (2018)
• St. Thomas More Award
• Induction into the Silicon Valley Black Legends Hall of Fame (2023)

In her capacity as Distinguished Jurist in Residence, Judge Pichon provides mentorship to law students and faculty, sharing insights from her extensive judicial career. She actively participates in curriculum development related to ethics and professional responsibility, though specific student advisees are not documented in available sources. Her leadership extends to university governance, having chaired the SCU Board of Regents (2021-2023) and served on the Presidential Blue-Ribbon Commission on Diversity and Inclusion.