Meet David Ross

We had the good fortune of connecting with David Ross and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi David, what’s the most important thing you’ve done for your children?
I love this question, because I see the results of my parenting — as good and flawed as it may have been — in the wonderful person my son, Sam, has become. From his very first day — where he stared at me for about two hours before falling asleep for the next 12 hours! — my focus was on trying to see the world through his eyes. What did he experience? Who did he see or talk to? What did that smile really mean? I reveled in how much he enjoyed his food, his friends, and later his discovery and love of music, particularly jazz composition and piano. I let Sam be Sam, and he came out just fine.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I’m a Public Defender, not a Politician. I grew up wanting to be Peter Jennings, not Clarence Darrow. I went straight to Washington, D.C., after college and started working on Capitol Hill as a Legislative Aide to a Democratic Congressman from Indiana. I learned how government works to better society — and how it can come up short sometimes. I covered Congress for PBS as a production assistant and documentary producer, explaining to people how Congress worked. Again, sometimes, government really can help — and then it fails. But everyone learns. I became an on-air television news reporter in Tennessee and later in Kansas. I gathered the facts, interviewed regular people, and told compelling stories about crime, the courts, severe weather — yes, I was one of the original Tornado Reporters — and local, state and national politics. I even covered the Contra War in Nicaragua in 1987. I left the news business because it evolved from news to “infotainment.” I became a deputy public defender because I want to help people with no voice — the kind of clients who are 3 to 5 times more likely to be arrested, thrown in jail, and charged with a crime. For over 30 years, I’ve guided more than 10,000 indigent people through a complicated criminal justice system, which for the most part works. I want to be a judge to continue the through-line of my career, which is public service. I offer a unique blend of life and professional experience you don’t find in a typical lawyer who wants to be a judge. I am supported by numerous unions, Democratic Clubs, 75 judges from across California and east to Wisconsin, and more than 100 elected officials, prosecutors, public defenders, and members of the private bar who know my work ethic, honesty, and proven judicial temperament. I want to earn the trust and support of everyone in the community.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I grew up in Southern California so I’m a great tour guide. We would start by spending two days in the Palm Springs/Desert area, checking out the amazing mid-50s architecture, hiking Joshua Tree, having a daily date shake, and riding the Tram to the top of Mt. San Jacinto. We’d then drive through Idlewild for lunch, and then down to San Diego for two days on Mission Bay. We’d then head back to LA, probably a bit exhausted. But if there’s enough time, lunch atop the Griffith Park Observatory, a hike in Topanga Canyon, and dinner in Venice — if we can get a reservation.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
It has to be my wife, Lisa Gold, who has been my love and partner for…. a long time. She is always supportive, loving and genuinely there for me — while at the same time being an amazing mother to our son, and creative filmmaker and writer.

Website: https://davidrossforjudge2026.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DavidRossForJudge

Image Credits
A pictures owned by me.