Joan Dempsey Klein, a celebrated champion of women’s rights and the first woman to become presiding judge of a California appellate court, died in her sleep at her home in Santa Monica on Christmas Eve. She soon became presiding judge of the Municipal Court, where her accomplishments included supporting the first detoxification center for alcoholics. She co-founded the California Women Lawyers Assn. Klein served a total of 50 years as a judge in California and wrote more than 500 judicial opinions. Klein is survived by her five children, including Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Marc Dempsey Gross, Susan Bruin, Brad Gross and Amy Millard; along with eight grandchildren, two of whom are lawyers.

Source: Los Angeles Times January 03, 2021 21:45 UTC