INTERVIEW WITH UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE RITA F. LIN

Interview Conducted by Christina McCall^*

Rita F. Lin has served as a United States District Judge for the Northern District of California since she was confirmed by the Senate in 2023. Upon her confirmation, Senator Alex Padilla said, "The State of California is now lucky to have a federal district court judge who not only has the judicial qualifications Judge Lin possesses, but also has the voice, the personal experience, and the passion for public service she brings to the table each and every day." Prior to joining the federal bench, Judge Lin served as a San Francisco County Superior Court Judge between 2018 and 2023, after having served as an Assistant United States Attorney for four years, private practice for 10 years, and as a law clerk to Judge Sandra Lynch on the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit. Judge Lin earned her law degree from Harvard Law School and college degree from Harvard College.

In this interview, Judge Lin shares what inspired her to pursue public service full-time, memorable experiences in a key marriage equality case, her love of NFL football, and the transition from San Francisco Superior Court to United States District Court. This interview has been edited for brevity and clarity.

WHO WAS AN IMPORTANT MENTOR OR ROLE MODEL FOR YOU, AND WHAT DID THEY INSTILL IN YOU?