Discovery with Valerie Garcia Hong
May the odds be ever in Valerie Garcia Hong’s favor
Published in 2017 San Diego Super Lawyers magazine
on January 20, 2017
Updated on October 3, 2019
If you were in my office, you’d … see a dog-eared Bluebook. I’m a stickler for citations.
When I was a newbie lawyer I … was often confused as the court reporter. I still get asked if I am the court reporter, but now, 10 years later, it’s a compliment.
The lawyer I most admire is … retired judge Lillian Lim. She was the first Filipina-American judge appointed to the bench in the United States. She has been a wonderful mentor for me.
The quality I most like in a lawyer is … good judgment.
My pre-trial routine is … dry-clean all my suits and get my shoes shined.
When I started, I wish I knew … Actually, no matter how many years I’ve practiced, I realize how much I still don’t know. I learn something new from every case I work on.
If I weren’t a lawyer, I’d be … a co-host with Anthony Bourdain on Parts Unknown.
When I win a case, I celebrate by … thanking all the people who helped me. No one wins alone.
The SCOTUS justice I’d most like to meet is … the Notorious RBG, because she addresses difficult legal issues in a palatable way that can’t be overlooked as liberal, hyperbolic mumbo jumbo.
The SCOTUS decision I’d most like to overturn is … Citizens United v. FEC.
A different practice area that intrigues me is … civil rights law.
I can’t believe more people haven’t read … Kurt Vonnegut’s short story “Harrison Bergeron.”
My fictional hero is … Katniss Everdeen from The Hunger Games.
My real life hero is … my mom, an immigrant from the Philippines, who worked full time, always prepared a home-cooked meal and raised three girls to be strong women.
I can’t go a day without … checking Facebook.
On weekends I … spend time with my 3-year-old and 1-year-old because time seems to move faster when you’re a working mom.
The talent I wish I had is … to sit at the piano and play any song by Coldplay.
On my best day I … do a great job for my clients, get to the gym, cook dinner for my husband
and two girls, and watch Dateline.
On my worst day I … get through some emails, order Domino’s and call it a night.
The movie line I quote most often is … “You can’t handle the truth!” – Jack Nicholson, A Few Good Men.
The book I just don’t get is … The Catcher in the Rye.
The last TV show I binge-watched was … Breaking Bad, when my first daughter was 1 week old. We were both up in the wee hours of the night. Despite Walter White’s corrupt moral compass, I was rooting for him.
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