Conversations with Anna Slotky Reitano

Today we’d like to introduce you to Anna Slotky Reitano.

Hi Anna slotky, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My story really begins with an unconventional path into the law.

When I was younger, I worked as an actor. At the time, it didn’t feel like a big deal, but looking back, it was transformative. That experience opened doors for me- it made college and law school possible- and it taught me how to connect with people, adapt quickly, and stay grounded under pressure. Just as importantly, it exposed me to community service work, which is where I first realized that what truly motivated me wasn’t performing, it was helping people.

That realization led me to a career in public service, where I’ve spent nearly two decades working in Los Angeles County. I’ve had the rare opportunity to see the legal system from multiple angles, clerking at the DA’s office during law school and post-bar as a certified clerk, handling criminal defense, then labor and administrative work for public safety officers, and starting in 2014, serving for over a decade as a Deputy Public Defender. Now, I am a Deputy County Counsel in the Justice and Safety Division at the office of the County Counsel. I’ve worked in courtrooms representing people from all walks of life, and I’ve seen firsthand how much the system impacts real families and communities. I’ve seen the system from every angle- standing next to individuals in court, and now working within government- which has given me a well-rounded and practical understanding of how it functions for our county and the individuals passing through it.

What has stayed constant throughout my career is a commitment to fairness and dignity.

As a deputy public defender, I stood next to people at some of the hardest moments of their lives, ensuring their rights were protected and their voices were heard. That experience shaped how I think about justice, not as an abstract concept, but as something that plays out in very human ways, every single day.

I’m also a mother of three boys, and that perspective deeply informs how I see the role of a judge. I think a lot about the kind of system we are modeling for the next generation- whether people feel respected, whether they understand what’s happening, and whether they leave the courtroom believing they were treated fairly.

Running for judge is both a professional and personal decision for me. I’m running because I believe our courts should reflect the communities they serve, and because experience matters- but so does perspective. I bring a uniquely broad range of experience across the legal system, along with a grounded understanding of the people involved that will only serve to further constitutional principles like due process.

At the end of the day, I want to be the kind of judge who listens carefully, treats everyone with respect, and makes decisions that are fair, thoughtful, and rooted in both the law and real-world understanding.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It hasn’t been a completely smooth road, but those challenges are what shaped me.

Breaking into the legal field as the first person in my family to go to law school meant learning everything from the ground up- not just the law, but how to navigate a profession that can feel very established and, at times, hard to break into. I didn’t have the traditional background so I felt like I had to work harder. I had to build confidence and credibility over time.

As a public defender, the work was incredibly meaningful but also demanding. I carried high-volume caseloads and handled serious matters where the stakes were real and immediate. That experience pushed me to become a strong, efficient trial attorney and taught me how to make thoughtful decisions under pressure.

I’ve also experienced moments where I was underestimated. Early in my career, I was consistently mistaken for a secretary or a paralegal when I was actually in court to make an appearance. Instead of stepping back, I used that as motivation to be even more precise and confident in my advocacy.

Balancing that work with raising three children added another layer of challenge, but it also gave me perspective. It made me more efficient, more empathetic, and more grounded in what really matters.

Even running for judge requires persistence and vulnerability. But every challenge along the way has reinforced my commitment to public service and why I’m ready to take this step.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
What sets me apart, ultimately, is experience. I know that my strength is that I have diverse experience on different sides of the court working for and within the County.

I’ve worked across criminal, civil, and administrative law. I have seen criminal law from different perspective- prosecution and defense- handling misdemeanors to serious felonies and juvenile cases. I have also supervised high-profile civil cases and advised County departments as a Deputy County Counsel. That range is uncommon, and it matters because judges can be assigned anywhere, to any court, civil or criminal.

As a public defender, I gained extensive trial experience in a high-volume environment, which means I’ve handled the kind of real-world courtroom challenges that many attorneys don’t see for decades in private practice just because of the sheer volume of cases and time I spent in court.

In my current role at County Counsel, I’ve expanded my perspective by evaluating cases from a different vantage point that is more structural than personal, and hopefully has a positive effect on many people instead of just one at a time.

What I’m most proud of is not just the work I’ve done, but how I’ve done it. I’ve always focused on making sure people feel heard and respected, even in difficult situations. That consistency matters in a system that can feel impersonal and intimidating.

This combination of depth of experience and perspective is unique and valuable for the bench. I’ve worked on different sides of the courtroom, I understand how the system impacts real people, and I bring the kind of practical courtroom experience that translates directly to the bench. This experience illustrates that I am less likely to succumb to bias because I can and have switched roles, proving I can see legal arguments from different perspectives.

I’m known for being treating everyone with respect and being prepared, thoughtful, and steady. I’m ready to bring that to the role of judge.

Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
I actually try to avoid work-related content in my spare time. The job can be all-consuming, so I’ve made a conscious effort to create space away from it and recharge in ways that feel completely different.

For me, that’s usually through music. I love discovering new artists, going to smaller live shows when I can, and just getting lost in music that’s creative and a little off the beaten path. I love going to shows at Pappy and Harriet’s in the desert when I can because the atmosphere is so intimate. I am looking forward to taking my older boys to see Belle & Sebastian at the Palladium in June, and Weird Al in September.

Comedy is another fun distraction- I think being able to laugh and not take everything so seriously is essential, especially in a profession that deals with heavy issues every day, so I am always looking out for new comedians. I am a huge fan of Robby Hoffman, she is never not funny.

As far as podcasts, lately I’ve really enjoyed listening to Good Hang with Amy Poehler. It’s light, funny, and thoughtful at the same time, and it’s a great reminder of the importance of humor and connection. I still love listening to the Another Not Guilty podcast though, even though it breaks my “no law related media” rule, as well as the Moth and This American Life. I am a fan of good storytelling generally, and those three always tell a great story.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.reitanoforjudge.com
• Instagram: Reitanoforjudge