About Jodie
At nineteen, Jodie Bell took a deli clerk job at a Safeway in Lafayette, California — a union job her mother celebrated, though she didn’t yet understand why. Looking back, that job allowed her, a first-generation college student, to put herself through school and ultimately discover her calling.
While attending San Francisco State University, Jodie interned at the San Francisco Public Defender’s Office — the experience that sparked her drive to pursue law and fight for fairness in the justice system.
Why She’s Running
Jodie’s early experiences as a public defender intern and as an Assistant Public Defender in Nashville opened her eyes to the uneven distribution of privilege and the generational impact of poverty. She saw how race, resources, and random luck shape the course of a person’s life — and how the justice system must account for those realities with fairness and compassion.
Her mentors modeled patience, professionalism, and belief in people’s potential. Those lessons shape her approach today.
As Judge, Jodie will bring:
Fair and impartial decision-making
Patience, empathy, and respect
A commitment to improving court accessibility
Thoughtful listening and clear communication
Experience
Decades of Experience
Handled thousands of cases in state and federal court, representing both indigent and private clients.
Lifelong Learner
Understands that judges must continually learn and adapt — the core of “the practice of law.”
Commitment to Justice
Dedicated much of her career to indigent defense to ensure everyone has access to representation.
Leadership & Mentorship
Mentored young attorneys and law students; helped launch the IDEA Pilot Project; managed litigation teams.