[2] In CAPEEM v. Noonan, he extended the right of educational entities to use the n-word with immunity from challenges under the Equal Protection Clause to school textbooks adopted by the State Board of Education, a right that had been granted to the Board of Education for use in literary works due to the ruling in Monteiro v. Tempe Union.

Born in Modesto, California, Damrell received a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of California, Berkeley in 1961 and a Bachelor of Laws from Yale Law School in 1964.

Damrell was a deputy in the Office of the State Attorney General of California from 1964 to 1966.

Damrell was nominated by President Bill Clinton on July 24, 1997, to a seat vacated by Edward J. Garcia.

When he was appointed to the court, his connections to the Gallo family generated controversy.