The official web site of the Lowell Alumni Association

"You be the Judge," said Governors Davis and Schwarzenegger and so it came to pass - David De Alba '73 and Gerald Buchwald 'F65 were appointed to judgeships in the Superior Court. Lowell's Millennium jurists are His Honor, Judge De Alba, Sacramento County (2001) and His Honor, Judge Buchwald, San Mateo County (2005).

In these school-oriented profiles we'll refer to David as the sophomore judge and Gerry the freshman jurist.

This newsletter neglected David when he was appointed way up there in Sacramento, out of the Bay Area Lowell loop, so to speak. Now it is a pleasure to recognize and congratulate him on his distinguished career and appointment.

This writer met His Honor at the LSF Hall of Fame banquet, which he attended with his brothers, Ricardo and Fernando I believe, making him hard to distinguish among his look-alike siblings. They were all charming and a pleasure to talk to.

Judge De Alba earned his law degree from UCLA Law School and has served in a variety of public-service assignments: State Attorney General's office (Special Assistant Attorney General), Calif. Supreme Court Law Clerk, adjunct professor of Law, University of Northern California School of Law and McGeorge School of Law; Arbitrator for the State Bar, President, La Raza Lawyers Association of Sacramento, and in numerous other capacities assisting the Attorney General (20+ years) in upholding the law (both civil and criminal matters) in a fast-growing urban environment. He is especially proud of arguing four cases before the California Supreme Court, especially on litigation arising from the 1986 floods. Most recently he provided policy advice to the state Attorney General in matters dealing with firearms, assault weapons, medical marijuana, drugs and alcohol, and safe schools.

When asked what advice he had for attorneys appearing before him, "preparation, civility, and a little bit of decorum," he replied. In regard to preparation, attorneys should "know their case and know what you want the court to do." Civility means "patience with witnesses, opposing counsel and court staff." Lastly, decorum means showing some deference to court formalities, in part because it reflects on the "integrity of the process. I've noticed it has become a little too complacent and casual in addressing the court and preparing cases. We could use a little tightening up."

David is the son of Mexican immigrants and was raised in the Bayview District. Lucky for Lowell, he (and four siblings, Martha, Fernando, Rachel, and Ricardo) chose to make the trip to the school in the Lakeside to give him a "leg up" on the educational ladder to UCLA and a distinguished legal career. His proud parents still live in the family home. David can be seen in his 1971 Red & White as a member of coach Don Richardson's varsity baseball team.

Lowell proudly welcomes Judge De Alba to the ranks of alumni Superior Court Judges - 32 (past and present) and counting!

David's "freshman" Superior Court colleague, Judge Gerald Buchwald enjoyed his Ceremonial Swearing-In Sept. 16th in the historic Old San Mateo County Courthouse in Redwood City.

Prior to the swearing-in, this writer went to Jerry's yearbook to refresh his memory of the exuberant Head Yell Leader. There he was in his Scroll hat with Chuck Everett and Steve Levin whipping up enthusiasm for Saturday's game: Are...you...ready? His mini-bio under his graduation picture was right on track: Northwestern, ambition: Law.

His Honor has always been a loyal Lowellite, keeping in touch in various ways with the Alumni Association and the school. His latest endeavor is on the reunion committee for the 40th reunion of his class, to be held this fall in the banquet room of the new Clubhouse at the Harding Park golf course.

The Judge has had more than 30 years as a civil litigator. He had been a partner with Ropers, Majeski, Kohn, and Bentley since 1999. Prior to that he worked as an attorney and partner for Severson and Werson for more than two decades. During the year 1973-74, he served as law clerk for California Chief Justice Donald R. Wright.

Gerald earned his Juris Doctorate degree from Northwestern University School of Law and a B.S. degree from the same university.

His public swearing-in was a somber and joyous occasion. Somber because of the presence of his colleagues in their judicial robes validating his appointment to the San Mateo County Superior Court. Somber yet joyous for the new Judge, surrounded by his wife and family, his former law partners and attorneys, myriad friends, and by several of his Lowell classmates in a mini-reunion, of sorts, to celebrate his appointment to the Bench: Alan Mendelson, David Gabriel, Ken Katz, Mo Budak, Adrienne Jacobs Miller, Bill Rae, Gordon Smith, and Walter Scott. Attorney Mendelson attested to Jerry's personal and professional qualities that have underscored their friendship for more than forty years. The children, Julie and Michael, told movingly of the joy it was to grow up with their father's guidance. During the ceremony,

Jerry's mother, and his wife, Janet, were proud observers as he donned the robe of a Superior Court Judge. On behalf of the Lowell community, congratulations to the Honorable Gerald J. Buchwald.

Lowell is twice blessed by the achievements of David and Gerry. Good Luck to Lowell's Judges of the Millennium and their families. - PAL