Honorable Barbara Jane Miller's Obituary
Judge Barbara Miller passed away far too soon on November 6, 2009. She was the beloved daughter of Mary M. Miller and the late Lawrence M. Miller of Louisville, Kentucky, sister of James, Richard, Ronald, Thomas, Debra, and Elizabeth, and aunt of thirteen nieces and nephews. Barbara was a devoted aunt who adored her nieces and nephews, cherished friend, and greatly-admired jurist. She enjoyed walking around Lake Merritt with her friends, eating at new restaurants, going to the movies, discussing politics, and had a fondness for oversized purses and high-heeled shoes. Barbara always spoke fondly of the wonderful times she spent with her siblings on family fishing trips. An avid Oakland A’s fans, she could frequently be found at an A’s game with one of her friends enjoying a hotdog. Her family, friends, and colleagues will miss her kind spirit, warm personality, keen intellect, and companionship.Born in 1951, Barbara lived in Louisville, Kentucky until she moved to San Francisco to attend the University of San Francisco School of Law where she graduated cum laude with a Juris Doctorate in 1978. During law school, she received the prestigious Am Jur award for both Civil Procedure and Estate Planning and was a member of the McAuliffe Honor Society. After graduating from law school, she was admitted to the California State Bar.Shortly thereafter, Barbara began her career as an attorney specializing in probate and estate planning with the law firm of Thelen, Marrin, Johnson, and Bridges. Starting in 1987, she served as the probate commissioner in Alameda County Superior Court and subsequently presided over a family law department. In 1996, Barbara was elected to the Alameda County Superior Court where she served as a judge for the remainder of her career. In addition to serving as the Assistant Presiding Judge, Barbara was the first women to be elected by her peers as the Presiding Judge of the superior court. Barbara was very active in the legal community and served in a number of leadership positions. Because of her strong interest in family law, she served as chair of the Family Law Committee of the California Judges Association. She was also a member of the California Judicial Council and vice-chair of the Judicial Council Advisory Committee on Conservatorships and Guardianships which compiled and published the statewide “Handbook for Conservators.” Barbara convened the first education forum in Alameda county which brought together judges, legislators, law enforcement, and other community groups to begin a community education system on the judicial system. Significantly, she started the first Unified Domestic Violence Court in Alameda County.In 2002, the Alameda Contra Costa Trial Lawyers Association recognized Barbara’s judicial skills, temperament, and work ethic by naming her “Alameda County Trial Judge of the Year.” She was also recognized by the Alameda County Bar Association in 2005 which awarded her the Judicial Distinguished Service Award.
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