The Honorable Randa Trapp will retire on March 17, 2021, after serving 18 years on the bench. Judge Trapp, a native San Diegan, proud graduate of Lincoln High School, and a veteran of the United States Navy, earned a B.A. in Political Science from San Jose State University before going on to earn her law degree from Georgetown University Law Center.

Prior to her appointment to the San Diego Superior Court bench, she practiced law for nearly 20 years, first as a prosecutor with the State Attorney General’s Office, civil litigator, and finally inhouse counsel with San Diego Gas & Electric/Sempra Energy where she also served as Assistant Corporate Secretary.

During her tenure on the bench, Judge Trapp remained active in all aspects of her community. She is a past president of the Earl B. Gilliam Bar Association, past Regional Director of the California Women Lawyers, was formerly a member of the Board of Directors of the California Association of Black Lawyers, and Lawyers Club of San Diego. For the last five years, she served as president of the J. Clifford Wallace Inn of Court while also serving as chair of the Association of Business Trial Lawyers Judicial Advisory Board. Additionally, Judge Trapp was treasurer of the National Association of Women Judges and chaired the National Bar Association’s Judicial Council. She continues to serve on the Lawyers Club Advisory Board and Governor Newsom’s Judicial Selection Advisory Committee.

“I have had the good fortune of working with some of the most competent, professional, and caring judges in the nation,” said Judge Trapp. “I have fond memories of my time on the bench and will carry those memories with me throughout my retirement, along with the lasting friendships formed with so many of my colleagues.”

Judge Trapp has enjoyed teaching, working with young people and frequently opened her courtroom to primary and high school students for a special mock trial program. Through that exposure, Judge Trapp believes many students of color became interested in pursuing a career in the law. In keeping with her love of teaching and encouraging students, Judge Trapp was an Adjunct Professor of Law at the University of San Diego School of Law for nearly 20 years. She has also been an active participant in the Judicial Council’s California Center for Judicial Education and Research. Judge Trapp has served as faculty for New Judge Orientation, seminar leader for Judicial College, and with Sonoma County Superior Court Judge Nancy Shaffer (ret.), she developed a course on implicit bias which she taught throughout the state. In addition to other statewide court committees, Judge Trapp served on the Civil Law Curriculum Committee and chaired the committee beginning in 2019.

Judge Trapp’s service to the San Diego Superior Court was highlighted in her work on several committees, including the Court’s Alternative Dispute Resolution Committee, which she chaired. She also was elected by her colleagues to be a part of the Court’s leadership as a member of the Executive Committee.

“Judge Trapp is an incredible example of trailblazing leadership on the San Diego Superior Court bench,” said San Diego Superior Court Presiding Judge Lorna Alksne. “She made an imprint as this Court’s first-ever Black supervising judge in the Civil division and her legacy will continue to be seen through the many youth who she inspired throughout her tenure to follow in her footsteps.”

Family Court was Judge Trapp’s first assignment, where she presided over some of the most emotional cases in her career. She firmly believes she was able to help the litigants through a most difficult time in their lives. She will never forget the couple who credits her “patience and real talk” with their decision to keep their family together and renew their vows. Judge Trapp also presided over criminal cases before her final assignment in the Civil Division, where she went on to become the supervising judge – the first African American judge to join the Civil Division and first to become the supervising judge.

After a couple of years in Civil, the courtroom staff began an annual Judge Trapp Appreciation Day. Of the courtroom staff, all of whom worked with her for 10 years, Judge Trapp remarked, “Erin Gee, Anthony Shirley, Scot Parriott, Ernestine Castenada, and Marla Villegas are simply the best – they are the A Team. I greatly appreciate their professionalism, loyalty, and dedication to providing everyone who entered our department with exceptional service.”

Judge Trapp has received many awards and tributes over the years including “Woman of the Year” for the 79th Assembly District, the California Association of Black Lawyers’ “Bernard S. Jefferson Judge of the Year Award,” the National Bar Association’s prestigious “Sankofa Award,” the “Unsung Hero Award” from the San Diego Voice & Viewpoint Newspaper, the Lawyers Club “Belva Lockwood Award,” and the Earl B. Gilliam Bar Foundation “Excellence Award.” On March 21, 2021, Judge Trapp will be inducted into the San Diego County Women’s Hall of Fame and on April 30, 2021, the Girl Scouts will celebrate her as a “Cool Woman.”

Judge Trapp has plans for an active retirement as she enters the world of private mediation and arbitration. She also plans to spend time with her adorable grandson, exercise like she’s training for the Senior Olympics, travel, and attend all of the grand slam tennis tournaments at least once.