OAKLAND — In a ceremony that included her family members, California Supreme Court Justice Tani Cantil-Sakauye, Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf and many other judges, lawyers and elected officials from Alameda County, former Piedmont Mayor Margaret Fujioka was officially sworn in as a judge to the Alameda County Superior Court bench.
Fujioka, who had served as mayor of Piedmont for the past two years and as a member of the Piedmont City Council for eight years, was elected in June 2016 in an uncontested race.
“It is truly an honor and a privilege to join the Alameda County Superior Court and I’m delighted to join their ranks,” Fujioka said at the Jan. 11 ceremony, attended by a crowd of about 300 people at the Rotunda Building in downtown Oakland.
During the swearing in, Fujioka’s mother, husband, children and her many friends and supporters were present as she donned a robe and took the judicial oath.
One of Fujioka’s biggest supporters was Schaaf, who took a moment to address the audience.
“I know that Margaret has navigated tumultuous waters with the wisdom and maturity and competence that I am in awe of,” Schaaf said. “She and I met 18 years ago, when I was a young, scrappy council aide, impatient for change. We worked on projects together and I learned her effectiveness and calm demeanor.”
Schaaf and Fujioka have worked together on numerous occasions over the years, and over the past couple years that the two have been mayors, they have collaborated on issues that affected both Piedmont and Oakland. Schaaf said she credits Fujioka for encouraging her to run for her first position in office.
“Margaret has always been there for me,” Schaaf said. “The quality that struck me most is her judicial temperament, her patience, open-mindedness, firmness and understanding.”
After earning a bachelor’s degree from UC Berkeley and a law degree from UC Hastings College of Law, Fujioka began her career in Oakland as a city attorney. From there, she climbed the political ranks, first as a City Council member of Piedmont, and then as mayor.
She has worked as an administrative hearing officer in both Alameda County and San Francisco for the past six years. Additionally, she has served as president of the Asian American Bar Association’s Bay Area chapter, where she helped fight for Asian American rights.
“I want to illustrate that in the face of intense pressure, heated opinions and great odds, Margaret doesn’t use threats or try to bully people,” Judge Joni Hiramoto of the Contra Costa Superior Court said.
Hiramoto served as vice president of the Asian American Bar Association under Fujioka. She told a story about how many years ago, she and Fujioka won a case against a rapper and recording studio that used racial slurs against Asians in a song.
“It’s her sense of fairness and respect for others that gave her such gravitas,” Hiramoto said.
Fujioka said she hopes she can continue to bring about positive change in her new position.
“I ran for judge so I can continue public service in the community I live and work,” Fujioka said. “Serving the people of Alameda County is the highest honor bestowed upon me in my career.”
