Reasonable Efforts from a Judicial Perspective--

Judge Edwards

Judge Leonard Edwards is a retired Superior Court Judge now working as a consultant and teacher.  In his work he provides technical assistance to the courts of California and courts across the country, particularly in areas involving children and families. Judge Edwards served for 26 years as a Superior Court Judge in Santa Clara County, California.  He sat as a domestic relations judge and as a juvenile court judge.  He also served for six years as Judge-in-Residence with the Center for Families, Children & the Courts, a division of the California Administrative Office of the Courts.

 

During his judicial career, Judge Edwards founded and was the first president of the Juvenile Court Judges of California, was founder of the Santa Clara County Domestic Violence Council, was founder of Kids In Common, and founder of the Child Advocates of Santa Clara County.  Judge Edwards was the President of the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges in 2002-2003.  Judge Edwards has taught at the University of Santa Clara Law School, Stanford Law School, and the California Judicial College.  He has provided judicial trainings in over 48 states and 12 foreign countries. Judge Edwards has written widely including recent books entitled The Role of the Juvenile Court Judge: Practice and Ethics and Reasonable Efforts: A Judicial Response.  Judge Edwards has received many awards. He was the recipient of the 2004 William H. Rehnquist Award for Judicial Excellence.  Many of his articles and videos can be seen on his website: judgeleonardedwards.com.