Distinguished Lawyer Memorial Honoree

Hon. Anthony Joseph

Judge Anthony “Tony” Joseph was born in San Francisco in 1936. Following graduation from UC Berkeley Boalt School of Law, he joined the CA Attorney General’s office in Los Angeles, specializing in investment fraud and anti-trust law. In 1975 he transferred to the San Diego Attorney General’s office, where he joined the Natural Resources section and advised the CA Coastal Commission. 

He was appointed to the Superior Court in San Diego in 1979. He began hearing family law cases and taught family law extensively at judicial colleges and was as an adjunct professor at the University of San Diego School of Law. During this period, honors received included the Belva Lockwood Award from the Lawyers Club of San Diego and the Madge Bradley Award from the North County Lawyers Club, both feminist bar organizations that were a high priority of his. 

Judge Tony retired from the bench in 1999 and joined the private alternative dispute resolution firm ADR Services, Inc. in San Diego, which included arbitration, mediation, and settlement conferences in all civil proceedings.

His life was filled with devotion to his family. His favorite extracurricular activity was spending time in the water, surfing, and swimming in the ocean and pools. Probably his favorite swim, done twice, was the relay team swim across the Catalina Channel.

He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Joyce, and two children, Jennifer and John, as well as his granddaughter, Jazmine. Throughout his long legal career, Judge Tony was committed to legal excellence in each new part of his chosen law.