CALIFORNIA’S FIRST LAWYERS

By proxy, because California was part of Mexico, Mexicans were the first California lawyers and judges. Prior to statehood, in1830s there were perhaps four trained, capable lawyers in California. Lawyers during this period did not make their services available to the public. They were called asesores, and were legal advisers to governors. The first reference to anything akin to California judging occurred in 1837 when Jose Sepulveda settled legal disputes as if he were a judge. [IMAGE OF JOSE SEPULVEDA HERE] The Sepulveda family came to San Gabriel from Sinaloa, Mexico making their first roots in California the same year the Pueblo, Los Angeles was established in 1781. The Sepulveda family, the namesake of Sepulveda Boulevard that runs from Long Beach to Sylmar, 42.8 miles and reputed to be the longest street in the County, grew over the years settling in several parts of Los Angeles County. In 1863 Jose Andres Sepulveda was admitted to the bar. He later became a judge.Manuel Clemente Rojo was a Peruvian law student who came to California for the Gold Rush. However, by the end of 1848 he was in Los Angeles after a vessel he was merchanting goods on sank near Rosarito Beach. Manuel Clement Rojo established an unusual commercial practice, for the era, in Los Angeles, but left California for Baja in 1854.