In high school, a seed was planted in Troy Nunley's mind that one day he would become a judge. Although he came from a modest background, Nunley, who was appointed to the Sacramento Superior Court in July, never doubted that he had what it took to be an effective judge. Growing up, Nunley learned patience and resilience, respect and hard work. Nunley and his three siblings were raised by their mother in public housing projects in San Francisco. Nunley's mother was adamant that her children obtain a good education, and her son did not let her down.

While attending Sacred Heart High School in San Francisco, Nunley played on his school's basketball team. The father of one of Nunley's teammates was a superior court judge and encouraged Nunley to become a judge. Nunley's mother was a probation officer and she often introduced Nunley to the judges she worked with and appeared before. Nunley was impressed with the wisdom and intellect that these judges demonstrated and he made the decision that he too would someday be a judge. So, with a dream in hand and role models to follow, Nunley began his pursuit of the bench.

After graduating from St. Mary's College, Nunley obtained his juris doctorate degree from the University of California's Hastings College of the Law. Nunley began his legal career as a deputy district attorney for Alameda County. After about four years in Alameda County, Nunley chose to expand his legal experience by opening his own law firm in San Leandro. Nunley had a general litigation practice that encompassed criminal defense, personal injury, employment defense and federal civil rights cases.

In 1996, Nunley became a deputy district attorney for Sacramento County. As a prosecutor, Nunley tried 50 felony jury trials and even more juvenile and misdemeanor cases. Don Steed, Principal Criminal Attorney with the Sacramento District Attorney's Office, said that Nunley's broad base of experience gives him a strong foundation to be an excellent judge.

Throughout his career Nunley has tried to do things that would help him to achieve his dream. Nunley felt that he needed appellate experience, so in 1999 he joined the Criminal Division of Attorney General's office. While in the Attorney General's Office, he defended the State in criminal appeals and writs of habeas corpus and served as a member of the Attorney General's Hate Crimes Task Force.

Nunley expects that the most challenging aspect of serving on the bench will be the necessity of making tough decisions that will impact the lives of others and standing behind those decisions. In the same vein, Nunley expects that actually dispensing justice will be the most fulfilling aspect of his new role. Committed to the fair treatment of all people, Nunley said that he has always sought to treat opposing parties, victims and witnesses with respect because if you respect those in the system then, in turn, those same individuals will respect the system itself.

Nunley is mindful of the fact that other African Americans have gone before him to pave the way for him and others to take on such honorable roles. Nunley credits the Honorable Martin J. Jenkins of the United States District Court for the Northern District of California as one who has served as an inspiration and role model throughout the years. Nunley said that Alameda County Superior Court Judges Joan Cartwright, Judith Ford and Gordon S. Baranco are just a few of the other judges who have encouraged him, conveying their confidence in his abilities. Nunley knows that he has substantial shoes to fill but he is confident in his ability to serve as a role model for other African Americans who come from humble beginnings and aspire to the legal profession.

Deputy Attorney General Clayton Tanaka believes that Nunley is an excellent choice for judge: "When I consider Troy's humble beginnings and the neighborhood in which he grew up, I think his incredible success is due in no small part to the influence his mother had on him. Hunter's Point hasn't changed much over the years and I'm sure there aren't too many judges that have come out of the 'Point.' Like many of his childhood friends, he could have easily taken a wrong turn but for his mother's continual vigilance. He is a very bright guy whose personality and affection for everyone truly makes him a man of the people."

Nunley's own perseverance in obtaining his career goals stems in part from the many different jobs he has held. From working as a vendor in Candlestick Park ("I was a vendor at Candlestick Park selling drinks and in Candlestick Park you never sell a drink because it is so cold out there"), to working as a busboy, to serving as a counselor to inner-city youth, each of Nunley's experiences and opportunities have served as important building blocks.

In commenting on Nunley's appointment, Attorney General Bill Lockyer praised Nunley's "tireless devotion to the law and (commitment to) evenhanded justice," calling him an "extraordinary choice" for the bench.

Nunley strives to put as much into his family as he does into his career. Nunley and his wife, Susan Lawrence, have three children. Nunley and his wife have been together since he was in undergraduate school, and they are very active with their children. Nunley coaches his daughter's sports teams, he is on the board of directors for his daughter's gymnastics team. He also spends a lot of time at his children's school. As a judge, Nunley will continue to be an active and guiding force in the life of his family just as he will be in lives of those who appear before him.