Judge Mablean Ephriam

Judge Mablean Ephriam was born to Robert and Mable Ephriam in Hazlehurst, Mississippi. She is no stranger to achievement. Through hard, consistent and dedicated work, she strives to perform and do her God-given best. Since a child, she has always had that “spirit” of excellence and liberality about her. The ninth of ten children, you could always find her somewhere reading, studying, and asking countless questions that could drive you crazy. When she wasn’t doing that, she could be found fighting for the rights of strangers and family members. Her strong thirst for knowledge, equality, and unselfishness, led to a rewarding, challenging and sometimes agonizing career in the practice of law.

In anticipation of her future in law, Judge Mablean began her employment career as a Correctional Officer for the Federal Bureau of Prisons in the Women’s Prison at Terminal Island, San Pedro, California. After about two years, she took a job as a legal secretary in the Law Offices of Eric Parkan, Beverly Hills, California. There, she became skillful in preparing documents for civil litigation and workers’ compensation and gained further practical skills that would be helpful to her in her ultimate career as a lawyer.

In 1974, Judge Mablean decided that it was time to enter law school. She applied and was accepted to Beverly Rubens School of Law (now known as Whittier college school of Law) in Los Angeles, California. While attending law school, at night, she worked during the day, at the Law Offices of Stanley Sanders and Sandy English as a paralegal. There she engaged in researching and drafting contracts and partnership agreements in corporate and business law. In 1976, while still in law school, remaining focused, Judge Mablean became a Certified Law Clerk at the Office of the City Attorney of Los Angeles, where she researched, wrote and argued criminal misdemeanor appeals before the Appellate Court. At Whittier College of Law, she participated in Moot Court. Her team won second place in the California statewide Traynor Moot Court Competition. Judge Mablean received her Juris Doctor degree from Whittier College school of Law in 1978. She was admitted to the state Bar of California in November, 1978, having successfully passed the State Bar examination the first time. Judge Mablean was able to accomplish her goal to be a lawyer, without neglecting her family and making sure that her children did well in school. The completion of law school was just the beginning of an illustrious legal career, heightened by countless awards and recognition.

In October of 1998, Twentieth Television selected this experienced, distinguished law practitioner and mediator to sit as Judge on the newly, revised half hour syndicated show “Divorce Court”, where there was no script, nor actors, just real cases and real litigants with Judge Mablean rendering legally-binding decisions. This all came about by God’s divine will. Judge Mablean did not seek the position. Through word-of-mouth regarding her legal talents and referrals from strangers, Fox executives interviewed Judge Mablean and liked what they saw. Within seven (7) days signed a contract to be the Judge of the television show, Divorce Court. Thus, the beginning of her career in entertainment. Judge Mablean presided as the Judge on Divorce Court for seven seasons, (1999-2006) She is truly grateful to have had this experience.

Additionally, she is working on the mission of her nonprofit foundation, The Mablean Ephriam Foundation, to build stronger families, educate minds, increase economic power among disadvantaged and lower economic persons and thus create better communities. She is most thankful to have been given the opportunity to provide day-to-day care to her mother, Mable Ephriam, until her death, at the age of 98 years, on February 9, 2010.

This hard-working woman is an entrepreneur. She is the co-owner of Jubilane Guest House, a Bed & Breakfast in Johannesburg, South Africa; and founder of an awards program, Honoring Unsung Fathers (H. U. F.) Scholarship and Awards, through her non-profit, the Mablean Ephriam Foundation.

Website: www.judgemablean.com

H.U.F. Awards and Scholarship Brunch: Honoring UnSung Fathers
When: June 15, 2014
Where: Hilton Long Beach & Executive Meeting Center
701 W. Ocean Blvd. Long Beach, CA 90831
Tickets: www.hufawards.com