USD President's Report and Honor Roll of Donors 1995

Perhaps because of his experiences in social work. or maybe because of his feelings about justice and the law. Jones has never strayed far from those who need help the most. As a young lawyer. his first two jobs were for California Legal Rural Assistance and Defenders Inc.. organizations that work on behalf of disadvantaged clients. From there he continued into private practice. forming what he notes was ""the first truly multiracial law firm in San Diego,"' Jones, Cazares, Adler t Lopez. Jones had his own firm for just two years before he was appointed a Municipal Court judge in 1977. From there he ascended to Superior Court with appointments to both the juvenile court division and the criminal department. In September 1994. he was appointed to the U.S. District Court. Southern District of California. by President Bill Clinton. Each of those positions has been a step toward fulfilling the dream that began when Jones was growing up in San Diego's Linda Vista and Logan Heights neighborhoods. His memory of his own childhood dreams may be one reason children have remained so important to him. ''I've always been concerned about treatment of our children. because our society will onl y be as great as our children,"' he says. From his days as a social worker with abused and neglected children to his work as a juvenile court judge, Jones has spent much of his time making sure children have a better future. He currently co-chairs - along with Sharon Kalemkiarian '89 (ID.). supervising attorney of USD's Child Advocacy Clinic - a San Diego County Bar Association group set up to help children at risk. "'We're creating a blueprint to allow attorneys to interv ene in a meaningful way when children are at risk,"' Jones sa ys. Another committee Jones created awards a scholarship of $1,500 each year to an inner-city youth who demonstrates need, leadership potential and academic success. The scholarship is named for Jones' son, Napoleon Ill, who was killed in a ship accident in Greece. Jones also acts as a mentor to law students and serves on the board of directors of the San Diego City College Foundation. "The foundation recruits people from all over the city who have the potential but not the means to go to college,"' Jones says. "Now these people who never thought they could go to college can go."' But Jones also returns the good fortune he has earned by keeping to a very simple philosophy each day he is on the bench. "'When I was at USD, a professor named John Winters told me there is no such thing as a small case. only small judges and small attorneys,"' he says. ""When people come into court. their case isn't small to them. It should never be small tome."'

hen asked about the workload for a United States District Court judge.

Napoleon A Jones Jr. '71 (I.D.) gestures briefly at the wall next to his desk, as if that says it all. There is not much to see, however. but wood paneling and some bookshelves. It is not until you see the other side of the wall, where files stacked floor to ceiling hold the intricacies of some 250 current cases. that you realize the significance of the gesture. "'We're not hurting for work,"" Jones sa ys simpl y. That may be an understatement. but Jones is a somewhat understated man. Soft spoken. quietly reflective about his achievements and quick to smile, Jones is nonetheless a commanding presence. He speaks with the authority of a person who believ es strongl y in justice. and there is no doubt that in court he runs a tight ship. "'No one should have an upper hand in court,"' Jones says. ""My job is to maintain a level playing field and create an atmosphere where justice can be pursued."' Those may seem like lofty ideals. but to Jones they form the basis for a love of the law that began before he was a teen-ager. 'The law piqued my interest as early as junior high,"" he says. "'I can"t put my finger on why, because I didn"t know any lawyers. but it was something that intrigued me. It was more like a dream I had, that one day I could become an attorney."' Jones' dream might never have come true, except for his determination to see it through. After graduating from San Diego State University with an undergraduate degree in social welfare and a master's degree in social work. he worked for two years in foster home placement and child protective services for Santa Clara and San Diego counties. Then he applied for and received a scholarship to attend USD's School of Law. "'I was working full time, was married and had one child with another on the way,"' Jones says. "'Despite all that. my wife's position was. Take advantage of it while you can.' .. The same advice that came from his first wife - she is deceased and Jones is remarried - also came from another important woman in his life. "'My mother used to chide me when I would talk about my job,"' Jones says. "'She would say, 'That's great. but you wanted to be a lawyer.' .. With the scholarship, money from the G.I. Bill and part-time employment. Jones worked his way through law school. Not content to just get by. he helped found the Black American Law Students Association and served as the organization's president, was a member of the San Diego Law Review and was awarded a community service law fellowship. Through the years. he's stayed close to USD. serving on the law school's board of visitors and as director of the USD Law Alumni Association board.

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United States District Court Judge San Diego, California

THE HONORABLE NAPOLEON A. JONES JR.71 Q.D.)