Richard M. Mendoza

Richard graduated in 1996 as a Valedictorian of Colton High School and an active champion in speech and debate and a member of the swim team. After high school, Richard attended Pomona College, one of the premier American liberal arts colleges, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics, Magna Cum Laude.

Spending significant daytime with his grandmother while young, Richard was fascinated by courtroom TV shows at the early age of seven, and through his school life connected that interest to multiple subjects. He was drawn, too, toward mathematics and found math and law closely related intellectually. From early moments in college, Richard knew he would aim for law. His academic successes and strong encouragement from faculty moved further his interest in law and he applied to the top American law schools, receiving offers from Stanford, Boalt (UC Berkeley), UCLA, Georgetown, Columbia, New York University, Harvard and Yale.

Richard earned his Juris Doctor degree from Yale Law School in 2003 where he was elected editor of the Journal on Regulation. He also served as an editor of the Yale Law Journal. After graduation from Yale, Richard subsequently served Judge Ferdinand F. Fernandez in the coveted position of law clerk in the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. After completing his clerkship, Richard joined the Los Angeles based international law firm, O'Melveny & Meyers. He later served the Norton Museum in Pasadena s lead attorney and tax manager.

Richard enjoyed a number of outside pursuits, some developed while in law school, which included his interest in good food, whether consuming or making. He appreciated a number of opportunities to travel to many parts of the United States and Europe. Richard also enjoyed opportunities to work to tutor children in mathematics and recently was appointed a Court Appointed Special Advocate, serving as a representative for children invovled in family and children's court. And, since childhood, he always had a special affection for dogs.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Christ the Redeemer Catholic Church, 12745 Oriole Avenue, Grand Terrace, CA 92313, 909-783-3811

Arrangements under the direction of Montecito Memorial Park & Mortuary, Colton, California.