Victoria Kolakowski

Victoria Kolakowski

Adjunct Professor

Part-Time Faculty
Socials

Biography

Judge Victoria Kolakowski became the first openly transgender trial court judge of general jurisdiction when she was elected in Alameda County, California in 2010. She is passionate about ensuring access to justice and is the California Council of Churches' appointee to the California Access to Justice Commission. She is a former president of the International Association of LGBTQ+ Judges (2015-2017), and she has spoken widely internationally on LGBT issues, especially transgender legal issues.

Education

  • Pacific School of Religion, M.Div., 1997
  • University of New Orleans, M.S. in Electrical Engineering, 1990
  • Louisiana State University, J.D., 1989
  • Louisiana State University, M.P.A., 1989
  • Tulane University, M.S. in Biomedical Engineering, 1987
  • New College of Florida, B.A. in Natural Sciences, 1982

Awards & Distinctions

  • State of California, 18th Assembly District Woman of the Year, 2019
  • Alameda County Bar Association's Distinguished Service by a Judge Award, 2015
  • California Women Lawyers Pioneer in the Law, 2014
  • Pacific School of Religion Distinguished Alumna, 2013
  • Equality California's Equality and Justice Award, 2011