Dondero 7320

Justice Robert Dondero was born in San Francisco, the second generation of his family who had emigrated from Northern Italy. His father worked for the Sunset Scavenger Company, and his mother was a housewife. He was an only child, but had many cousins who lived nearby. He attended St. Peters grammar school in the Mission District, and then Riordan High School. He was involved in speech and debate activities, and his friends from that program went on to become lawyers and judges. He attended the University of Santa Clara, where he majored in history and was involved in student government. He met his wife, Liz Heffernan Dondero, at his law school graduation, and they have two daughters, Alison and Chrissy, who are both involved in the law. He has several grandchildren, and is 6'7" tall.