Editor’s note: This article has been updated to correct some information on Anna Gregorian’s background and areas of specialties.
LAKE COUNTY —Upcoming this March during the primary election Superior Court Judge Department 4, Judge Shanda Harry is up for re-election and is being challenged by local lawyer Anna Gregorian.
Incumbent Judge Harry has lived in Lake County for the past 20 years and has been in her elected position for the last five years. Prior to her election she worked for the county as Deputy County Counsel sharing “I have practiced for many years and many different types of law.”
Graduating both undergrad and law school from UCLA, Harry practiced law all over the state from Los Angelas to Lake County. Harry noted her extensive background with the county and recent experience in the elected position which has given her a strong foundation for continuing her role stating that the fact that she has been doing it the past five years” makes her a rather qualified candidate.
According to Harry others have commended her for her “judicial temperament and patience in working with people.” Being in her position Harry has gained an internal perspective sharing ” A lot of issues face Lake County, but one that the courts can have the most impact on is we have set aside a specific mental health court, and care court is coming.” Harry elaborated explaining “The homeless have an impact on the judicial system” continuing, “It is an access to justice issue. The homeless community is not able to travel to receive resources where the court can often step in to help.” Harry is seeking re-election in hopes of carrying on her mission of “Doing the best you can with what you have to make sure everyone gets the level of justice they deserve.”
More information on Harry’s campaign can be found on her website reelectjudgeshandaharry.com and also her Facebook page by the same name.
Gregorian is an attorney based in Lakeport and has lived in Lake County since 2008. She studied undergrad at UC Berkeley and obtained her law degree from Northwestern California School of Law. Gregorian has practiced many different types of law with a current focus on family law, false accusations, and child abuse. She worked for two years with the county’s public defense team and has gotten many dismissals stating, “I am a fighter, and as a judicial candidate, about to hit my 60s, I have gotten to a point where I can see issues and their solutions.”
Gregorian describes herself as very passionate stating “I’m not your average attorney” continuing “I just go out there and I fight for my people and I am excited to serve our county.” Regarding her work as an attorney Gregorian shared, “I bond with my clients. I do false allegations, I get all the facts and I get them results.” Gregorian noted that California has some of the highest incarceration rates She commented, “I hoped someone else was going to step up, but now that’s me and I’m setting us up for a better future.”
Gregorian hopes to earn this vote sharing, “It’s a tough job to judge people, so I am working on me. I’m just going to follow the law and be patient. I’m excited for change and what it means to the county.”
She added, “If elected, I would like to address delays in getting cases heard, and delays in getting orders out. I worked on prison reform, but this has nothing to do with being a judge, I was inspired to become an attorney to address these conditions.” Gregorian encourages those interested in her background to read her online reviews and can find more information on her campaign on her Facebook Page Elect Anna Gregorian For Judge.
