Jerold A. Krieger ( – ) was a judge of the Los Angeles County Superior Court known for his work fighting for civil rights for gays, minorities and the disadvantaged. As an openly gay judge, he served as Chairperson of the Sexual Orientation Fairness Subcommittee of the California Judicial Council's Access and Fairness Advisory Committee. He was a co-founder of the world's first gay and lesbian synagogue. He served on the 2nd District Court of Appeal by special temporary appointment, and he hoped for a permanent post on that court. Early life and education Krieger was born in Los Angeles, California, the son of an ophthalmologist. After studying astronomy at the Summer Science Program as a high school student in 1960, he graduated from the University of California, Riverside with a bachelor's degree in political science and then from the University of California, Los Angeles School of Law in 1968. Professional career and judicial service As a California Deputy Attorney General, he was elected in 1974 to be president of the Association of Deputy Attorneys General. In private practice starting in 1977, he handled civil cases. Krieger was the chairman and treasurer for 1980 reelection campaign of Mike Roos for California State Assembly. Roos recommended Krieger as a judicial appointee. California Governor Jerry Brown named Krieger to the Los Angeles Municipal Court on December 31, 1982. It was Brown's last day before leaving office at the end of his second term. Krieger was the fifth and final openly gay judge appointed by Brown in his second term as governor, after having appointed none in his first term. Krieger noted that "The importance of my appointment was in the fact that it did not make headlines." Krieger joined the Municipal Court in 1983 and served until 1988, becoming the presiding judge of its Encino branch. In 1988, Krieger successfully ran for an open seat on the Los Angeles County Superior Court, winning by a large margin. He was unopposed for reelection in 1994 and 2000 and served on the Superior Court bench until his death from cancer on February 14, 2002. Krieger said that "the first time I imposed the death sentence" was one of his most memorable cases on the bench. On the other hand, "civil trials are easy. Heck, it's only about money." He regularly received praise from lawyers for his legal knowledge and fair decisions. He kept jurors