Class of 1991
Deborah Coe Hood’s (Law ’91) love of the law began early. Her mother worked in the courthouse before she was born, and Deborah grew up sharing her respect for the legal system. While in law school, Ms. Hood won the Hopper Moot Court Best Brief, and an Outstanding Scholastic Achievement award two years in a row. She graduated from SJCL with high honors and served as valedictorian for her graduating class.
Ms. Hood began her legal career as a paralegal, and then a law clerk at Parichan, Renberg, Crossman, & Harvey. Upon graduating from law school she was promoted to associate attorney and later a shareholder in the firm. Ms. Hood has been with Baker, Manock & Jensen since her move there in 1999, where she is also a shareholder. Her focus is on construction law, product liability, business litigation, and personal injury. This year, Ms. Hood was selected as a Northern California Super Lawyer in the area of construction.
In addition to her commitment to excellence in the courtroom, Ms. Hood is a tireless advocate in her community. She serves as a judge pro tem for the Fresno County Small Claims Court, and has been on the SJCL Board of Trustees for over 10 years. She is a member of the Fresno County Bar Association Board, the Fresno County Women Lawyers, the State Bar of California, American Bar Association, Federal Bar Association, Defense Research Institute, Association of Defense Counsel, and Association of Business Trial Lawyers.
Ms. Hood’s philosophy on the legal profession reflects her wish to “put the civil back into litigation.” As a result of her interest in helping women overcome domestic violence, she led the process to develop Project First Step, which her leadership has helped to thrive.
Ms. Hood has a daughter, Catherine, and a grandaughter, Hope who just started the first grade. Her husband, Greg, and their dog, Mulligan, round out the family, whom she says, are all a delight.
Ms. Hood is active in the Fig Garden Rotary, and she enjoys art and entertaining. She is also an avid golfer, in her own words “to the point of obession.”