A family which faced challenges—and thrives

Cynthia Leung was born in Northern California and grew up in Palm Desert, California, where her father realized his dream of opening his own architecture firm. Cynthia’s mother is a recognized artist and was an instructor at the College of the Desert in Palm Desert. Cynthia’s older sister went on to earn a bachelor’s and master’s degree from The Julliard School of Music.

Cynthia’s father was born in California and grew up during the Depression. He picked fruit and had a paper route as a child in order to help his family. He put himself through college, and graduated cum laude from UC Berkeley with a degree in Architecture.

Her mother grew up during the Second World War in Shanghai, China. During the tumultuous times which followed, seven of her siblings died of disease and a lack of medicine such as penicillin. Her family relocated to Taipei, Taiwan just before the Communists took control of China. Later, her mother moved to the United States.

A focus on academics—and more

Cynthia’s parents wanted their daughters to have a talent or avocation in addition to success in school. When Cynthia was four, her older sister taught her how to play “Hot Cross Buns” on the piano. She began piano study at age 6 and had her first public performance at age 7. She took classical piano lessons for the next ten years, practicing two hours every day. Her father drove Cynthia to Santa Monica every weekend for a piano lesson. She participated in numerous competitions and concerts and earned scholarships, awards and public acknowledgment in the local papers for her playing.

Cynthia attended parochial school in Palm Desert through grade school before entering public school. She attended Indio High School for her last four years. She continued to play the piano and enter competitive events. She brought home the trophy in 1976 from the Southwestern Youth Music Festival, the second place medal from the Southern California Junior Bach Festival in 1981 and was also awarded a District Winner in 1980 and 81 in the National Piano Playing Auditions sponsored by the American College of Musicians.

By high school, her interests expanded to other areas, and she was an active member of the Junior Statesmen (serving as President in 1985) and a lifetime member of the California Scholarship Federation. She earned academic letters in history, social studies and English, and took the First Place Creative Writing Award in 1982 and again1984. Cynthia was also a member of the Latin Club in high school. Her high school yearbook lists her future goal as wanting to “Pursue a successful career in public service.” She graduated Indio High School in 1985, receiving honors in social studies, humanities and English. She took all Advanced Preparatory classes, and graduated in the top 25 out of class of nearly 500.

Leaving for college—and stepping into the world

At 17, when she graduated from Indio High School, she was accepted to UC Berkeley, her father’s alma mater. The campus at Berkeley was far different from the town of Palm Desert, and Cynthia credits the values of her parents, her years in parochial school, and the discipline she learned in her studies—both musical and academic—in providing her a “clear compass.”

In the final class of the semester her junior year, her English professor urged her to never take short cuts in life. She thought about that advice over the summer and returned to Berkeley to pursue a greater challenge with a new major—rhetoric, the study of persuasion, argument, logic and philosophy. She spent an extra year at UC Berkeley, but left with a degree in rhetoric and an understanding about herself, that taking what she felt were short cuts would never sit well with her conscience.

Following her graduation from UC Berkeley, Cynthia moved back home to Palm Desert and worked at the College of the Desert as a counselor and tutor to special education students.

Two years later, Cynthia entered Southwestern Law School to do what she had wanted since high school—become an attorney. She distinguished herself academically, becoming a Quarter-finalist in the Moot Court Competition and a member of the National Moot Court Competition Team. Even before she entered law school Cynthia knew she wanted to be in the courtroom advocating and practicing criminal law. She took all classes related to criminal and trial work including attending for two years of summer study abroad in comparative criminal law and evidence at the University of British Columbia. In addition to her studies, she served as a research assistant and as a mediator for the Asian Pacific American Dispute Resolution Center.

From law school to the practice of law

After graduation from law school, Cynthia took and passed the California Bar in 1995, and worked at whatever job opportunities she could find. She held a variety of jobs including working at Legal Services in Pasadena, which included handling all types of civil cases for indigent clients, as well as assisting pro per litigants through the Los Angeles Pro Bono Domestic Violence Project. These clients were seeking emergency temporary restraining orders under domestic violence, family and civil harassment laws. She continued to act as a mediator for the Asian Pacific American Dispute Resolution Center in Los Angeles, and she was a member of the Los Angeles County Bar Association, and the Southern California Chinese Lawyers’ Association.

Art and Law—a family tradition

The study of art and law has a tradition in Cynthia Leung’s family. Her grandfather, Ma Shou Hua,was the Taiwanese Supreme Court Chief Justice. His avocation was traditional painting, and he was also well-known as an artist whose work is on display in the National Taiwan Museum.

Cynthia’s uncle, Herbert Ma, who is now in his 80's is also a well-known legal scholar, and law professor who has lectured all over the world. He held the position of Grand Justice. Cynthia’s mother, a well-known artist and art instructor, completed an art exhibition commemorating the 100th anniversary of her father’s birth.

Looking for challenge and opportunity—Las Vegas beckons

Although she didn’t know anyone in the Las Vegas area, Cynthia saw Southern Nevada as a place where opportunities can come to those who work hard. Her parents were occasional visitors to Las Vegas and her father had designed a building here some years before. So, in 1997 Cynthia moved to Las Vegas. While studying for the Nevada bar examination, she worked in the legal department of a collection agency where she was assigned to make court appearances. Cynthia saw her daily court work as an opportunity to learn court procedure and become familiar with the court workings and those who work in the courts.

When she passed her Nevada bar exam in 1997, she went to work for a small legal firm, making almost daily appearances in courtrooms across Clark County including Las Vegas Municipal Court, Justice Court in all Clark County townships, and District Court. She served as a Track Attorney for Justice Court and the Eighth Judicial District Court. It was “hands on” legal work, drafting motions and pleadings for all phases of criminal and personal injury litigation involving extensive client contact.

Cynthia also found time to participate in the Trial by Peers Program sponsored by the Clark County Bar Association. There she managed and coordinated cases before Peer Court, which involves young people in all aspects of the trial system and serves as an alternative to Juvenile Court for first time offenders.

Recruited to be a prosecutor

Cynthia’s work was noticed by the Las Vegas City Attorney’s office. She was encouraged to apply for a position of prosecutor and Deputy City Attorney. From 1999 until she was appointed to the position of Municipal Court Judge in February 2008, Cynthia worked as a prosecutor in the Criminal Division of the City Attorney’s office. Her work there was extensive.

She served as a liaison with the various City of Las Vegas departments and law enforcement agencies. She coordinated with the Las Vegas Municipal Court system and the Municipal Court Judges on joint issues.

In addition, she was a lead prosecuting attorney for the city in criminal matters and served as a mentor and trainer for new Deputy City Attorneys. She handled appeal motions and arguments before the Eighth Judicial District Court and appellate motion practice before the Supreme Court of Nevada. She did all this while still prosecuting criminal cases before the Municipal Court.

What impressed Cynthia with the legal system in Las Vegas is it remains not only a place where a bright young attorney has the opportunity to get really involved in the practice of law, but that so many of the of more experienced attorneys act as mentors, which she credits with teaching her how to be an effective advocate.

Becoming a Municipal Court Judge

When long-time judge Toy Gregory passed away, Mayor Goodman and the members of the Las Vegas City Council had the responsibility of selecting a replacement. By a unanimous vote, the Las Vegas City Council asked Cynthia Leung to assume the duties of Municipal Court Judge for Department 1.

Now, as a Municipal Court Judge, Cynthia Leung puts together years of experience in a wide variety of legal work in two states, her work as a criminal defense attorney handling Municipal Court and Justice Court cases, and her significant experience in all aspects of Municipal Court work as a prosecutor, liaison, and mentor. As a prosecutor, she did hundreds of bench trials and hundreds of appeals to District Court.  She's worked on policy issues alongside the other Municipal Court Judges.  This solid record of legal work gave her the ability to step right into the job.

Judge Leung has made a point to use her experience as a criminal defense attorney and as a prosecutor to bring a personal understanding of the effects of crime on everyone involved. She not only applies the rule of law to each case, she is careful to make sure all parties understand the process and the consequences of a court case. As her former supervisor said in a letter of recommendation for her appointment,

“[Cynthia has] confidence without arrogance, a sense of loyalty to the community’s safety, and the integrity not to abuse the authority entrusted to her. She has never let us down. She has performed with exemplary professionalism and vigor.”
As a judge, she continues with the same commitment and values she proved to have as a prosecutor.

As part of her involvement to find more effective and cost-saving ways to deal with repeat offenders, Cynthia was assigned to take over the Women In Need, or WIN Court, originally overseen by Chief Judge Bert Brown. WIN targets repeat prostitution offenders who are also addicted to drugs and/or alcohol. WIN is a problem-solving approach to a chronic issue and its goal is to protect the community by targeting those women who want to change their path in life. It is a tough, intensive program. Those who fail do the maximum jail time. Those who succeed work with Judge Leung, an extended team of counselors, and law enforcement. They go through detoxification, counseling, job training and education to break the cycle.

Judge Leung is active in her profession. She is a member of the Nevada State Bar Association, the Clark County Bar Association, the Southern Nevada Association of Women Attorneys, and the American Judges Association. While no official records have been kept, she is believed to be the first Chinese-American judge to serve in a Nevada state or local position. Judge Leung has the original piano she first played on and still plays occasionally. She reads mystery novels for relaxation and is an avid student of archeology, paleontology, ancient art and jewelry.