A football scholarship brought Jenkins to SCU, where head coach Pat Malley ’53 pointed the defensive back toward a different bench. Malley introduced Jenkins to a few African American lawyers who demonstrated how large an impact he could make in law. So, after a brief time playing in the NFL with the Seattle Seahawks, Jenkins enrolled at the University of San Francisco, earning his J.D. in 1980.
“Over a distinguished career that spans more than four decades, Judge Jenkins has worked at every level of our vaunted legal system: a civil rights attorney, a county prosecutor, a municipal, superior, and a federal court judge,” Newsom said. “Now his career culminates in a seat on the California Supreme Court.”
At the virtual nomination ceremony in October, Jenkins thanked his mentors and parents, for “they taught us the value of public service.” Acknowledging the challenges he’s faced as a gay man, he insists he has not made it this far in spite of the struggle. “I am here because of the struggle … Living a life of authenticity is the greatest gift you can give yourself.”