CUPERTINO, CA, March 19, 2025 /24-7PressRelease/ -- The Honorable Risë Jones Pichon has been included in Marquis Who's Who. As in all Marquis Who's Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected on the basis of current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process.

Drawing on nearly 50 years of experience in judicial services, Judge Pichon has distinguished herself in many prominent positions and currently serves as a mediator and arbitrator with Judicial Arbitration and Mediation Services (JAMS) Inc. Founded in 1979, JAMS resolves business and legal disputes by utilizing advanced technology and offering virtual, hybrid and in-person resolution services to those in need. The company's clients are aided by over 300 associates and bring decades of experience to every issue they bid to resolve.

In her role at JAMS, Judge Pichon specializes in handling business commercial matters, employment law, estate probate trusts, and personal injury. Thanks to decades of experience, she holds a longstanding reputation for fairness, consistency and integrity, allowing her to lead representatives to a case resolution from a neutral standpoint.

Judge Pichon's current role follows a celebrated judicial career that spanned more than three decades. She began serving the County of Santa Clara as an attorney for the Public Defender's Office in 1976 before moving on to the Office of the County Counsel in 1979. Five years later, she became a judge for the Santa Clara County Municipal Court and served with distinction for 14 years, then ascended to the role of superior court judge for the County of Santa Clara for more than two decades. After completing her tenure, she expanded her judicial career to include her current role as a mediator and arbitrator in 2019.

Before embarking on her professional journey, Judge Pichon pursued a deep education beginning with coursework at Xavier University. Over a span of seven years, she obtained a Bachelor of Science in mathematics and a Juris Doctor from Santa Clara University. To expand her contributions to the school, she currently serves on the Santa Clara University Board of Trustees as well as the School of Law Advisory Board and the Markkula Center for Applied Ethics Advisory Board. She has served on the Board of Regents. Santa Clara University has since recognized her achievements with several accolades. In addition to an honorary doctorate in 2020, she received the Thurgood Marshall Achievement Award from the Black Law Students Association in 1992, and the Certificate of Achievement from the African American Reunion Committee in 1996, the Santa Clara Law School Social Justice and Human Rights Award in 2011, and the 1994 Santa Clara University School of Law Owens Lawyer of the Year Award.

Known for her dedication to civic advocacy, Judge Pichon served on the board of directors of Catholic Relief Services and is a member of Class XVIII of the American Leadership Forum - National, a nonprofit entity that aims to strengthen diversity in leadership roles. To expand her service to the community and her professional field, she served on the board of the California Judges Association and in the Judicial Division of the American Bar Association. She is also recognized as a fellow of the American Bar Foundation.

Judge Pichon has been honored with numerous awards for her accomplishments and contributions to her society, alma mater and the judicial field. She also received the Outstanding Jurist Award from the Santa Clara County Bar Association in 2011, was named among Silicon Valley Business Journal's Women of Influence in 2012 and was presented with the Gideon Lifetime Achievement Award by the Santa Clara County Black Lawyers Association in 2015. Two years later, the Charles Houston Bar Association recognized her with the Exemplary Service Award. In 2018 she was inducted into the Black Legends Hall of Fame, Silicon Valley and received the Women's Leadership and Policy Summit's Lifetime Achievement Award in 2024.

Though her judicial career has seen many highlights and commemorations, Judge Pichon is especially proud to have been elected by her peers on the bench, both on the municipal court and the Santa Clara County Superior Court to lead the Courts as Presiding Judge.

Judge Pichon attributes her vast success to her mother, who provided constant encouragement and gave her the belief that she could do anything she set her mind to. She is also an avid reader of self-help books and is grateful for the guidance they provide while instilling a mindset of perseverance.

Despite accomplishing a great deal in improving her community and society through the law, Judge Pichon looks to the future with continued determination and optimism. In the coming years, she plans to contribute further to various judicial and charitable organizations throughout the County of Santa Clara and the State of California. With her expertise, drive and compassion, she is uniquely positioned to continue making a lasting positive impact on everyone she works with.

About Marquis Who's Who®:
Since 1899, when A. N. Marquis printed the First Edition of Who's Who in America®, Marquis Who's Who® has chronicled the lives of the most accomplished individuals and innovators from every significant field of endeavor, including politics, business, medicine, law, education, art, religion and entertainment. Who's Who in America® remains an essential biographical source for thousands of researchers, journalists, librarians and executive search firms around the world. The suite of Marquis® publications can be viewed at the official Marquis Who's Who® website, www.marquiswhoswho.com.

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