ANIMAL-LOVER ON JUDGE-HOPEFUL LIST MITCHELL IS ON BALLOT FOR L.A. SUPERIOR COURT.

Byline: Carol Rock Staff Writer

CANYON COUNTRY - A degree in zoology might be just the thing a judge-hopeful needs to tame a courtroom full of feisty participants.

Daviann Mitchell knew from the age of 11 that she wanted to work with animals. She convinced a pet shop owner to give her a job cleaning the store, a job that grew into grooming and caring for dogs and a degree in handling wild things.

But on the long and winding road that followed school, littered with stops as a police officer and litigator, the Canyon Country resident has set her sights on a Los Angeles Superior Court seat vacated by Judge Michael Knight. Mitchell is one of six candidates for the office on the June ballot.

``It's one thing to be an advocate, but quite another to determine if there is enough to file a case,'' she said.

Like many students, Mitchell discovered after college that what she studied wasn't all she wanted to do. She knew animals and liked police work, so she joined the Sacramento Police Department, working with narcotics-enforcement dogs.

``I knew than that I didn't want to become a veterinarian or work in zoology,'' she said. ``I couldn't tell people that their dog had passed away.''

While working with the Police Department, Mitchell spent her spare time learning how to show dogs, taking her focus off the day-to-day grind of working with the public.

In 1982, she established Nighthawk Rottweilers, named after one of her police dogs, Hawk. Over the past 23 years, she has bred and shown dogs all over the world, including the Rottweiler named Best of Breed at the prestigious American Kennel Club Westminster Show in 2003.

``Coming out on that green carpet (at the show) was one of the most exciting things that ever happened to me,'' she said.

If getting up at the crack of dawn to make the morning bus to downtown Los Angeles isn't enough, Mitchell rises even earlier to feed and exercise the dogs that share her rambling home.

Part of her passion is dispelling the misconception that Rottweilers are vicious dogs.

``It used to be one of the top breeds in the American Kennel Club,'' she said, as her 5-year-old daughter Mary Ann cuddled Smoochy, a black-and-brown 100-pound bundle of affection. ``They were bred to herd cattle and are a big, powerful, strong breed. They are loyal, loving, have a good work ethic and are willing to make their owners happy. But you don't leave children unattended with a dog like that. People have to be responsible owners, too.''

After graduating in 1992 from Southwestern Law School, Mitchell clerked for Judge E.M. Gunderson, chief justice of the Nevada Supreme Court. She was the only woman picked for a Department of Justice honors program and realized that she'd found a home in the justice system. Her mentors encouraged her to become a trial lawyer.

Mitchell joined the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office in 1994, working on domestic violence, child abuse and sex crimes, and is currently part of the Hardcore Gang Division, which prosecutes the most difficult gang violence cases. Her current conviction rate is 94 percent.

``I truly believe that the way we handle people in court can make a difference in the outcome,'' she said. ``I've worked with some of the worst people in the world, but I treat everyone with respect. I see a judge as someone who can influence civil rights.

``Many of the victims I see are immigrants or people of color who are disregarded by the system. Their voices go largely unheard in the community. My job is to help them be heard.''She also has a strong sense of community service and was honored by Theater of Hope for Abused Women, and was appointed by the governor to the state board of Guide Dogs for the Blind.

Her family is deeply involved with the Guardians, a Jewish organization that helps the aging population, as well as the City of Hope.

``It was instilled in me as a young person,'' she said. ``Grandpa never had a day off because he was always doing something. When you have the benefit of a good life in a good community, you need to give back.''

carol.rock(at)dailynews.com

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2 photos

Photo:

(1 -- color) Daviann Mitchell and daughter Mary Ann show off their new litter of purebred Rottweiler pups. Mitchell is a Rottweiler breeder and a deputy district attorney, and is a candidate for Los Angeles County Superior Court judge.

(2) Daviann Mitchell cuddles with her Rotweilers Trix, left, and Smoochy. A professional breeder, Mitchell works as a county prosecutor who is seeking a judgeship.

Gene Blevins/Special to the Daily News