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Meet Rhonda
Get to know your next LA County Superior Court Judge
For more than 26 years, Rhonda Haymon has dedicated her career to public service as a Criminal Defense Attorney. She began her work at the Orange County Public Defender’s Office in 2001 and continued at the Los Angeles County Public Defender’s Office in 2004, where she has represented individuals who did not have a voice, who were unfairly charged, and who sought fair and just resolutions under the law.
She has defended adults and juveniles in cases ranging from petty theft to homicide, and nearly every type of criminal case in between. Her unwavering commitment to enforcing both the spirit and the letter of the law earned her a reputation for winning cases — and the nickname “Ms. Acquittal.” When the law was not properly followed, she fought diligently and successfully secured reversals in the Appellate Court.
Rhonda is a member in good standing with the State Bar of California. The State Bar of California has never taken any disciplinary action against her.
Born to parents who were pioneers, Rhonda was raised with a spirit of courage and determination. Her parents, who grew up in the South, moved to California driven by vision and opportunity. That willingness to move forward despite uncertainty became part of her foundation and continues to shape her leadership approach today.
Raised in Southern California, she graduated with honors from Gardena High School and earned her Bachelor of Science degree from Tuskegee University, graduating Summa Cum Laude with an emphasis in Social Work, Political Science, and Mathematics. She later earned her law degree from Willamette University College of Law and is licensed to practice law in both California and Oregon.
Beyond the courtroom, she has served as an Adjunct Professor at Southwestern Law School, teaching Criminal Procedure and Litigation. She has coached and led winning trial advocacy teams and legal organizations, helping develop disciplined and prepared advocates. She serves as a Board Member of the Women in Leadership program at Southwestern Law School, a certificate program designed to prepare and empower women from all professions to step confidently into leadership roles. She has also mentored young girls, guiding them toward confidence, education, and purpose.
In 2006, she was elected to the California Young Lawyers Association of the State Bar of California, where she represented young lawyers admitted to the bar within their first five years and served for four years.
Fighting for life — both figuratively and literally — has always defined her journey. Diagnosed with pneumonia two weeks after birth, she survived what she calls “her first case.” That perseverance, combined with discipline, preparation, and integrity, continues to guide her work.
For Rhonda Haymon, healing, transformation, and progress are not campaign slogans. They are the principles that have shaped her life and career and the foundation of how she continues to serve.