E721 - Janet Kintner - A Judge's Tale - A Trailblazer Fights For Her Place on the Bench

EPISODE 721 - Janet Kintner - A Judge's Tale - A Trailblazer Fights For Her Place on the Bench

In this episode of Living the Next Chapter, host Dave sits down with Janet Kintner, a retired judge, attorney, and newly published author whose journey from the courtroom to the writer’s desk reveals a life committed to justice, courage, and reflection. Speaking from her homes in San Diego and Victoria, Canada, Janet offers a look into her groundbreaking career as one of the youngest female judges in California and the personal transformation that came with writing her memoir.

Janet opens up about her early motivation to pursue law in a system historically dominated by men. Facing bias, skepticism, and immense pressure, she navigated the courtroom with determination, earning a reputation for sharp intellect, integrity, and fairness. Her experiences as both advocate and judge shaped her understanding of justice as empathy balanced with objectivity. She shares that maintaining emotional distance was a necessity in law—essential for fair judgment but challenging when faced with tragedy. Writing her memoir forced her to reconnect with those long-suppressed emotions, creating both healing and honesty in her storytelling.

The process of writing, Janet admits, was as demanding as any legal trial. From juggling hundreds of drafts to conducting years of research, she learned to stay organized and rely on professional editors who matched her style. Classes in memoir writing also helped her transition from legal precision to emotional clarity, teaching her to articulate feeling rather than just fact. Her advice to new authors is practical: take writing classes, choose your editor wisely, and date every document to track progress.

Janet reflects on her groundbreaking appointment to the bench at age thirty-one—then the youngest judge in California—and the isolation that often comes with being a pioneer. Over time, she found solidarity with younger judges entering the system, helping to reshape a once insular profession. Through her career, she remained guided by fairness, objectivity, and a commitment to giving every voice—especially women—a chance to be heard.

As she discusses her memoir, Janet shares that she wrote not only for her generation of women but for younger readers who can learn from the struggles of the past. Her humor, warmth, and optimism shine throughout her story, softening even the hardest experiences. She’s proud of weaving strength with vulnerability, showing that compassion is never a weakness in leadership.

Looking ahead, Janet hints at her next project: a work of fiction that lets her explore imagination and “say all the things I wish I’d said.” With clear joy, she notes that writing has become an uplifting addiction—another chapter in a life defined by purpose and perseverance.

Key takeaway:
True legacy is not built on authority alone but on integrity, empathy, and resilience. Janet Kintner’s journey reminds us that even after years of reasoned judgment, rediscovering emotion and sharing our stories can be the most liberating act of all.

https://www.janetkintner.com/