Deputy D.A. Elected Head of State Bar

Los Angeles County Deputy Dist. Atty. Karen S. Nobumoto has been elected the first minority woman president of the State Bar of California.

Nobumoto, 48, is also the first government employee to be elected to the unpaid position, which is usually filled by private-practice civil attorneys.

In announcing Nobumoto’s selection, Dist. Atty. Steve Cooley lauded the prosecutor for the honor she has brought to the D.A.’s office. “Karen’s focus on increasing diversity within the legal profession as a member of the State Bar board is an example worthy of note,” Cooley said.

Nobumoto, a graduate of Southwestern University School of Law, is a prosecutor in the career criminal unit for the district attorney’s office. Nobumoto, who is of African American and Japanese heritage, has been with the D.A.’s office since 1988.

She will begin her one-year term in September.