https://newsroom.courts.ca.gov/ en https://newsroom.courts.ca.gov/news/commission-confirms-four-appointments-courts-appeal-2 Commission Confirms Four Appointments to Courts of Appeal natalie.l.ston… Thu, 08/20/2026 - 14:54 News Release Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero, chair of the Commission on Judicial Appointments, announced today that the commission confirmed four appointments to California’s Courts of Appeal in Los Angeles, Santa Ana, and San Diego:  Justice Rashida Adams, as presiding justice of the Second Appellate District, Division Three (Los Angeles) Judge Juliet Macaulay, as associate justice of the Fourth Appellate District, Division Three (Santa Ana) Judge Lisa Rodriguez, as associate justice of the Fourth Appellate District, Division One (San Diego) Judge Marsha Amin, as associate justice of the Fourth Appellate District, Division One (San Diego) The appointees were confirmed by unanimous vote of the three-member commission, which includes: California Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero (Chair); California Attorney General Rob Bonta; Presiding Justice Frances Rothschild (for the Second Appellate District hearing); and Presiding Justice Manuel Ramirez (for the Fourth Appellate District hearings). The confirmations of Justice Adams, Judge Macaulay, and Judge Rodriguez are subject to voter confirmation during the general election scheduled for Nov. 3, with terms beginning on Jan. 4, 2027, if voter confirmation is successful. You can learn more in the public documents available for this hearing.  Appointee Biographies Justice Rashida Adams fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Justice Lee Edmon. She has served as an associate justice for the Second Appellate District, Division Three, since 2023 and previously served as a Los Angeles Superior Court judge from 2017 to 2023. Before joining the bench, she served as a senior appellate court attorney at the Second Appellate District, Division Eight from 2008 to 2017 and was in private practice as an attorney from 2005 to 2007 and from 2001 to 2005. She received her Juris Doctor from Yale Law School. Judge Juliet Macaulay fills the vacancy created by the elevation of Justice Joanne Motoike to presiding justice. She has served as an Orange County Superior Court judge since 2022. Before joining the bench, she served in various roles at the California Department of Social Services including as chief administrative law judge from 2020 to 2022; presiding administrative law judge from 2016 to 2020; and administrative law judge from 2012 to 2016. She served at the California Board of Parole Hearings as a commissioner in 2011 and a deputy commissioner from 2004 to 2011. She was in private practice as a sole practitioner from 1997 to 2004. She received her Juris Doctor from the University of Ibadan. Judge Lisa Rodriguez fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Justice Terry B. O’Rourke after he completes his term of office on Jan. 4, 2027. She has served as a San Diego Superior Court judge since 2015 and has worked as an adjunct professor at the University of San Diego School of Law since 2014. Before serving on the bench, she served as a deputy district attorney at the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office from 1998 to 2015 and as a deputy city attorney at the San Diego City Attorney’s Office from 1996 to 1998. She received her Juris Doctor from the University of San Diego School of Law. Judge Marsha Amin fills the vacancy created by the death of Justice Joan Irion. She has served as a San Diego Superior Court judge since 2023. Before joining the bench, she served at the Fourth Appellate District as managing attorney from 2018 to 2023 and as senior attorney from 2011 to 2018. She was a litigation attorney in private practice from 2006 to 2010. She served as a law clerk in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California from 2005 to 2006. She received her Juris Doctor from the University of San Diego School of Law.   View the full photo album on the California Courts Flickr. https://newsroom.courts.ca.gov/news/commission-confirms-four-appointments-courts-appeal-1 Commission Confirms Four Appointments to Courts of Appeal natalie.l.ston… Wed, 08/19/2026 - 11:57 News Release Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero, chair of the Commission on Judicial Appointments, announced today that the commission confirmed four appointments to California’s Courts of Appeal in Sacramento, San Jose, and Ventura: David Sapp, as associate justice of the Third Appellate District (Sacramento) Judge Lauri Damrell, as associate justice of the Third Appellate District (Sacramento) Judge Frederick Chung, as associate justice of the Sixth Appellate District (San Jose) Judge Denise Hippach, as associate justice of the Second Appellate District, Division Six (Ventura) The appointees were confirmed by unanimous vote of the three-member commission, which includes: California Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero (Chair); California Attorney General Rob Bonta; Administrative Presiding Justice Laurie M. Earl (for the Third Appellate District hearings); Administrative Presiding Justice Mary J. Greenwood (for the Sixth Appellate District hearing); and Presiding Justice Frances Rothschild (for the Second Appellate District hearing). The confirmations of Mr. Sapp, Judge Damrell, and Judge Chung are subject to voter confirmation during the general election scheduled for Nov. 3, with terms beginning on Jan. 4, 2027, if voter confirmation is successful. You can learn more in the public documents available for this hearing. Appointee Biographies David Sapp would fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Justice Ronald Robie after he completes his term of office on Jan. 4, 2027. He has served in multiple roles at the Office of Governor Gavin Newsom including as the Governor’s legal affairs secretary since 2022, chief deputy legal affairs secretary from 2021 to 2022, and as a deputy legal affairs secretary from 2019 to 2021. He previously worked at the American Civil Liberties Union Foundation of Southern California as director of education advocacy from 2014 to 2016 and as staff attorney from 2009 to 2014. He served as a law clerk at the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals from 2008 to 2009; worked as a Skadden fellow and staff attorney at the Advocates for Children’s Services, Legal Aid of North Carolina from 2006 to 2008; and served as a law clerk in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Alabama from 2005 to 2006. He received his Juris Doctor from Stanford Law School.  Judge Lauri Damrell fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Justice Elena J. Duarte. She has served as a Sacramento Superior Court judge since 2018 and has worked as an adjunct professor at Lincoln Law School since 2022 and as a visiting lecturer at the University of California, Davis since 2019. Before joining the bench, she was in private practice as partner from 2016 to 2018 and an associate from 2006 to 2016. She served as deputy district attorney at the Sacramento County District Attorney’s Office in 2014 and as a law clerk in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California from 2005 to 2006. She received her Juris Doctor from the University of California, Davis School of Law. Judge Frederick Chung would fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Justice Adrienne Grover after she completes her term of office on Jan. 4, 2027. He has served as a Santa Clara Superior Court judge since 2018. Before joining the bench, he was in private practice as a partner from 2003 to 2018 and an associate from 1996 to 2003. He served as a law clerk in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit from 1995 to 1996. He received his Juris Doctor from Harvard Law School. Judge Denise Hippach fills the vacancy created by the elevation of Justice Tari Cody to presiding justice. She has served as a Santa Barbara Superior Court judge since 2022. Before joining the bench, she served as a senior deputy county counsel at the Santa Barbara County Counsel’s Office from 2018 to 2022; a deputy attorney general at the Idaho Attorney General’s Office from 2015 to 2018; a deputy prosecuting attorney at the Canyon County Prosecutor’s Office from 2016 to 2018; a panel attorney at the California Court of Appeal’s Court-Appointed Counsel Program from 2014 to 2018; a deputy county counsel at the Los Angeles County Counsel’s Office from 2008 to 2014; and a deputy district attorney at the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office from 2004 to 2006. She received her Juris Doctor from the University of Southern California Gould School of Law. View the full photo album on the California Courts Flickr.  https://newsroom.courts.ca.gov/news/photos-groundbreaking-ceremony-new-appellate-courthouse-sunnyvale Photos: Groundbreaking Ceremony for New Appellate Courthouse in SunnyvaleCorren, Blaine Tue, 08/18/2026 - 11:55 Feature SUNNYVALE—Justices and court staff from the Court of Appeal, Sixth Appellate District hosted a special groundbreaking ceremony on August 5 to officially celebrate the start of construction of a new courthouse in Sunnyvale. Attendees comprised California Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero, appellate court justices, superior court judges, attorneys, representatives from various local justice partners and legislative offices, and state and local officials. Upgraded Courthouse Will Improve Services to the Public The new courthouse will improve safety and security with visitor security screening and internal circulation that maintains separate zones for the public and justices and court staff. The new building will also provide more adequate space in the entrance and public waiting areas, service counter, clerk’s office, and mediation rooms. On-site parking will be available for court users, including justices, court staff, and the public. Building to Be Energy Efficient The building’s sustainability features are expected to satisfy the California Energy Code and qualify it for a LEED Silver certification by the U.S. Green Building Council. This is a third-party certification program and the nationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction, and operation of high-performance “green” buildings. The courthouse’s sustainability features will include an all-electric building design, solar energy generation, electric vehicle chargers, drought-tolerant landscaping, efficient irrigation and plumbing systems, and energy-efficient lighting and building systems. Statewide Court Facilities Program The Judicial Council supports the court facilities of California's Supreme Court, Courts of Appeal, and trial courts by providing a broad range of services. These include facility planning, design and construction, facility operations management, environmental compliance and sustainability, real estate services and asset management, and emergency planning and security coordination. Since the state judicial branch took over responsibility for courthouses in 2002, the judicial branch construction program has completed 39 new courthouse projects and another 14 projects are underway and in various stages. Learn more about the state’s courthouse construction projects https://newsroom.courts.ca.gov/news/memoriam-justice-marsha-slough In Memoriam: Justice Marsha SloughBalassone, Merrill Mon, 08/10/2026 - 15:15 News Release Justice Marsha G. Slough, who served on California's Fourth District Court of Appeal and was a two-decade veteran of the state judiciary, died on Saturday following an illness. She was 68. Justice Slough served nearly a decade on the Judicial Council, where she helped lead the branch through the COVID-19 pandemic and helped shape critical branch initiatives, including court technology and pretrial reform. Said California Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero: "Justice Slough leaves behind a legacy defined by integrity, intellect, and an unwavering devotion to the fair administration of justice. Throughout her career, she brought not only sharp legal judgment but also genuine humanity to her work, qualities that earned her the deep respect of colleagues across the judiciary. Her contributions to the courts will be felt for many years to come.” Justice Slough was appointed to the Fourth District Court of Appeal, Division Two (Riverside) by Governor Jerry Brown in 2015. She made history as the first openly gay justice on that court. Over her tenure on the Fourth District, Justice Slough authored 454 opinions, including 55 published opinions. Before her elevation to the appellate bench, Justice Slough spent more than a decade on the San Bernardino Superior Court, to which she was appointed by Governor Gray Davis in 2003. She went on to serve as presiding judge of the county's juvenile court from 2007 to 2010, and as presiding judge of the entire San Bernardino court from 2012 to 2015. During her time on the Judicial Council, Justice Slough chaired its Executive and Planning Committee and played a key role in drafting emergency court rules during the COVID-19 pandemic. Those emergency rules helped curb the spread of COVID-19 in California jails, reduced evictions and foreclosures, and encouraged the use of remote technology to maintain access to the courts. Justice Slough led a statewide Workgroup on Post-Pandemic Initiatives that examined and promoted innovative practices employed by courts during the pandemic. She also chaired the judicial branch’s Pretrial Reform and Operations Workgroup, which launched pretrial pilots that have since grown to include programs in all 58 counties. “Justice Marsha Slough’s qualities of empathy, intellect, decisiveness, and kindness were apparent to everyone who had the privilege to know and work with her,” said Judicial Council Administrative Director Shelley Curran. “Her public service as a jurist as well as her leadership contributions as a long-serving member of the Judicial Council were rooted in her respect for the humanity of all seeking justice through our court system. Her loss is deeply felt by her friends and colleagues across the branch.” Said former California Chief Justice Tani G. Cantil-Sakauye, under whom Slough served for much of her Judicial Council tenure: “From presiding judge to justice, Justice Marsha Slough combined astute policies with compassionate leadership. She was instrumental in leading and building the most critical, sensitive, and impactful policies of the Judicial Council. In all of her responsibilities, and they were myriad, she brought her analytical brilliance and collaborative nature. Justice Slough worked tirelessly to improve justice in California, and she wildly succeeded in that endeavor.” Justice Slough retired from the Fourth District Court of Appeal in 2023, reflecting at the time that "the past 20 years has afforded me the unique privilege of observing firsthand the importance of the rule of law and the true value in a commitment to justice for all." Justice Slough is survived by her spouse, Jill Sibler. https://newsroom.courts.ca.gov/news/commission-consider-appointments-courts-appeal-12 Commission to Consider Appointments to Courts of AppealKaren.Datangel Mon, 08/10/2026 - 15:11 News Release The live webcasts will begin on Aug. 19 at 1 p.m. and Aug. 20 at 9:30 a.m. Public documents for the Aug. 19 hearing are available to view here. Aug. 20 hearing documents are available here. The Commission on Judicial Appointments will hold in-person hearings in San Francisco on Aug. 19 starting at 1 p.m. and on Aug. 20 starting at 9:30 a.m. to consider eight appointments by Gov. Gavin Newsom. The commission will consider the following appointments on Aug. 19: 1 p.m.: David Sapp, as associate justice of the Third Appellate District (Sacramento) 2 p.m.: Judge Lauri Damrell, as associate justice of the Third Appellate District (Sacramento) 3 p.m.: Judge Frederick Chung, as associate justice of the Sixth Appellate District (San Jose) 4 p.m.: Judge Denise Hippach, as associate justice of the Second Appellate District, Division Six (Ventura) The commission will consider the following appointments on Aug. 20: 9:30 a.m.: Justice Rashida Adams, as presiding justice of the Second Appellate District, Division Three (Los Angeles) 10:30 a.m.: Judge Juliet Macaulay, as associate justice of the Fourth Appellate District, Division Three (Santa Ana) 11:30 a.m.: Judge Lisa Rodriguez, as associate justice of the Fourth Appellate District, Division One (San Diego) 12:30 p.m.: Judge Marsha Amin, as associate justice of the Fourth Appellate District, Division One (San Diego) The hearing webcasts will be streamed live on the California Courts Newsroom. The state Constitution specifies that a gubernatorial appointment to the Court of Appeal is effective when confirmed by the Commission on Judicial Appointments.  The pending confirmations of Mr. Sapp, Judge Damrell, Judge Chung, Justice Adams, Judge Macaulay, and Judge Rodriguez are subject to voter confirmation during the general election scheduled for Nov. 3, with terms beginning on Jan. 4, 2027, if voter confirmation is successful. The commission members who will consider the appointments are California Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero (Chair); California Attorney General Rob Bonta; Administrative Presiding Justice Laurie M. Earl (for the Third Appellate District hearings); Administrative Presiding Justice Mary J. Greenwood (for the Sixth Appellate District hearing); Presiding Justice Frances Rothschild (for the Second Appellate District hearings); and Presiding Justice Manuel Ramirez (for the Fourth Appellate District hearings). Appointee BiographiesDavid Sapp would fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Justice Ronald Robie after he completes his term of office on Jan. 4, 2027. He has served in multiple roles at the Office of Governor Gavin Newsom including as the Governor’s legal affairs secretary since 2022, chief deputy legal affairs secretary from 2021 to 2022, and as a deputy legal affairs secretary from 2019 to 2021. He previously worked at the American Civil Liberties Union Foundation of Southern California as director of education advocacy from 2014 to 2016 and as staff attorney from 2009 to 2014. He served as a law clerk at the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals from 2008 to 2009; worked as a Skadden fellow and staff attorney at the Advocates for Children’s Services, Legal Aid of North Carolina from 2006 to 2008; and served as a law clerk in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Alabama from 2005 to 2006. He received his Juris Doctor from Stanford Law School.  Judge Lauri Damrell would fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Justice Elena J. Duarte. She has served as a Sacramento Superior Court judge since 2018 and has worked as an adjunct professor at Lincoln Law School since 2022 and as a visiting lecturer at the University of California, Davis since 2019. Before joining the bench, she was in private practice as partner from 2016 to 2018 and an associate from 2006 to 2016. She served as deputy district attorney at the Sacramento County District Attorney’s Office in 2014 and as a law clerk in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California from 2005 to 2006. She received her Juris Doctor from the University of California, Davis School of Law. Judge Frederick Chung would fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Justice Adrienne Grover after she completes her term of office on Jan. 4, 2027. He has served as a Santa Clara Superior Court judge since 2018. Before joining the bench, he was in private practice as a partner from 2003 to 2018 and an associate from 1996 to 2003. He served as a law clerk in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit from 1995 to 1996. He received his Juris Doctor from Harvard Law School. Judge Denise Hippach would fill the vacancy created by the elevation of Justice Tari Cody to presiding justice. She has served as a Santa Barbara Superior Court judge since 2022. Before joining the bench, she served as a senior deputy county counsel at the Santa Barbara County Counsel’s Office from 2018 to 2022; a deputy attorney general at the Idaho Attorney General’s Office from 2015 to 2018; deputy prosecuting attorney at the Canyon County Prosecutor’s Office from 2016 to 2018; a panel attorney at the California Court of Appeal’s Court-Appointed Counsel Program from 2014 to 2018; a deputy county counsel at the Los Angeles County Counsel’s Office from 2008 to 2014; and a deputy district attorney at the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office from 2004 to 2006. She received her Juris Doctor from the University of Southern California Gould School of Law. Justice Rashida Adams would fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Justice Lee Edmon. She has served as an associate justice for the Second Appellate District, Division Three, since 2023 and previously served as a Los Angeles Superior Court judge from 2017 to 2023. Before joining the bench, she served as a senior appellate court attorney at the Second Appellate District, Division Eight from 2008 to 2017 and was in private practice as an attorney from 2005 to 2007 and from 2001 to 2005. She received her Juris Doctor from Yale Law School. Judge Juliet Macaulay would fill the vacancy created by the elevation of Justice Joanne Motoike to presiding justice. She has served as an Orange County Superior Court judge since 2022. Before joining the bench, she served in various roles at the California Department of Social Services including as chief administrative law judge from 2020 to 2022; presiding administrative law judge from 2016 to 2020; and administrative law judge from 2012 to 2016. She served at the California Board of Parole Hearings as a commissioner in 2011 and a deputy commissioner from 2004 to 2011. She was in private practice as a sole practitioner from 1997 to 2004. She received her Juris Doctor from the University of Ibadan. Judge Lisa Rodriguez would fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Justice Terry B. O’Rourke after he completes his term of office on Jan. 4, 2027. She has served as a San Diego Superior Court judge since 2015 and has worked as an adjunct professor at the University of San Diego School of Law since 2014. Before serving on the bench, she served as a deputy district attorney at the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office from 1998 to 2015 and as a deputy city attorney at the San Diego City Attorney’s Office from 1996 to 1998. She received her Juris Doctor from the University of San Diego School of Law. Judge Marsha Amin would fill the vacancy created by the death of Justice Joan Irion. She has served as a San Diego Superior Court judge since 2023. Before joining the bench, she served at the Fourth Appellate District as managing attorney from 2018 to 2023 and as senior attorney from 2011 to 2018. She was a litigation attorney in private practice from 2006 to 2010. She served as a law clerk in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California from 2005 to 2006. She received her Juris Doctor from the University of San Diego School of Law. Testimony and CommentRequests to testify or written comments on the appointment must be received by the commission no later than 5 p.m. on Aug. 17 for the Aug. 19 hearings and Aug. 18 for the Aug. 20 hearings. Anyone wishing to testify before the commission must state that request in writing and include a summary of the facts on which any testimony or opinion will be based.   Submissions via email to coja@jud.ca.gov are strongly encouraged. Hard copies are not required.  If you would like to mail your request, you may also reach the commission at:  Commission on Judicial Appointments  c/o Chief Justice of California   Supreme Court of California   350 McAllister Street   San Francisco, California 94102   Attention: Secretary to the Commission   Guidelines for the Commission on Judicial Appointments are published in the appendix to the California Rules of Court and are posted on the California Courts website. https://newsroom.courts.ca.gov/news/commission-confirms-four-appointments-courts-appeal Commission Confirms Four Appointments to Courts of Appeal natalie.l.ston… Thu, 08/06/2026 - 10:42 News Release Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero, chair of the Commission on Judicial Appointments, announced today that the commission confirmed four appointments to California’s Courts of Appeal in Ventura, Los Angeles, Fresno, and San Jose:  Justice Tari Cody, as presiding justice of the Second Appellate District, Division Six (Ventura) Judge Nicholas Daum, as associate justice of the Second Appellate District, Division Four (Los Angeles) Judge Sonny S. Sandhu, as associate justice of the Fifth Appellate District (Fresno) Judge Charles Adams, as associate justice of the Sixth Appellate District (San Jose)  The appointees were confirmed by unanimous vote of the three-member commission, which includes: California Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero (Chair); California Attorney General Rob Bonta; Administrative Presiding Justice Elwood Lui (for the Second Appellate District hearings); Administrative Presiding Justice Brad R. Hill (for the Fifth Appellate District hearing); and Administrative Presiding Justice Mary J. Greenwood (for the Sixth Appellate District hearing). You can learn more in the public documents available for this hearing. Appointee Biographies Justice Tari Cody fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Justice Arthur Gilbert. She has served as an associate justice for the Second Appellate District, Division Six, since 2023. She joined the bench in 2000, serving as a Ventura Superior Court judge until her appointment to the Court of Appeal in 2023. Before joining the bench, she was an associate and partner in private practice from 1985 to 2000. She received her Juris Doctor from Loyola Law School.  Judge Nicholas Daum fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Justice Audrey B. Collins. He has served as a Los Angeles Superior Court judge since 2022. Before joining the bench, he was an associate and partner in private practice from 2004 to 2022. He received his Juris Doctor from Yale Law School.  Judge Sonny S. Sandhu fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Justice Rosendo Peňa, Jr. He has served as a Stanislaus Superior Court judge since 2018, and as presiding judge for the last year. Before joining the bench, he worked in the Stanislaus County Public Defender’s Office, including as the public defender from 2017 to 2018, as chief deputy public defender from 2015 to 2017, and as deputy public defender from 2003 to 2015. He received his Juris Doctor from The Ohio State University College of Law.  Judge Charles Adams fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Justice Patricia Bamattre-Manoukian. He has served as a Santa Clara Superior Court judge since 2018. Before joining the bench, he served as an administrative law clerk at the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California from 2011 to 2018. He was a staff attorney and legal research attorney at the Santa Clara Superior Court from 2006 to 2011. Adams was also an associate in private practice from 2003 to 2006. He received his Juris Doctor from Pepperdine University School of Law.    View the full photo album on the California Court's Flickr. https://newsroom.courts.ca.gov/news/judges-sixth-district-courts-convene-power-democracy-workshop Judges From Sixth District Courts Convene for Power of Democracy WorkshopMartin.Novitski Tue, 08/04/2026 - 09:23 Feature SAN JOSE — Judges and court executives from across the Sixth Appellate District met on July 22 for an outreach workshop organized by Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero’s Power of Democracy Civic Learning Initiative (POD). The regional convening brought together representatives from the Monterey, San Benito, Santa Clara, and Santa Cruz superior courts alongside Sixth Appellate District justices. The workshop was devoted to back-to-school regional planning, capacity building, and sharing strategies for engaging K-12 educators and students. Similar workshops of this kind have been held for courts in the Third, Fourth, and Fifth Appellate Districts.  Civics Builds Confidence in the Judiciary Sixth Appellate District Administrative Presiding Justice Mary Greenwood opened the workshop reminding participants of the stakes at hand, that to sustain public trust in the judiciary, and that one of the duties of being a judge is public education.  "As judges, we play a role in developing local education programs and finding an active part of life in the community to increase public understanding of political intelligence," Greenwood said. "That is part of our job." Her remarks aligned with California Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero’s vision for the branch, and commitment to outreach. Soon after her 2023 appointment, Chief Justice Guerrero named workshop co-host Santa Clara County Judge Julia Alloggiamento to help lead her civic learning and outreach effort alongside Administrative Presiding Justice Judith McConnell of the Fourth Appellate District — a longtime fixture of judicial outreach and civics work. Programs Already in Motion Serve as Models The workshop doubled as a showcase for programs already succeeding across the region. Starting with court-hosted programs, Santa Clara County Presiding Judge Julia Emede pointed to the success of established initiatives like Color of Justice, a mentoring program, and the Young Women's Power Lunch, which drew more than 90 attendees this year. Both court programs began as small pilots. Santa Cruz County Assistant Presiding Judge Erika Ziegenhorn credited "Cookie Court" for giving local 5th graders the unique opportunity to visit the courthouse. Others in attendance reflected positively on their use of similar scripted mock trials that allow students to take on roles like prosecutors, defense attorneys, court clerks, and bailiffs.  Kristina Ravo, a longtime education partner attending as an ally of the initiative, gave a presentation on trends in civic learning. She suggested several tips for courts to connect students and told judges they had a strength others can’t bring to a classroom: impartiality.  "Students can form their own opinions about things, which is what we want," she said. "We want to empower them to come up with their own thoughts and learn how the system and the law can support them. They can see themselves in places that they maybe wouldn't have seen before." The Rural Access Gap After reflecting on efforts to travel to classrooms, mainly through the Judges in the Classroom program, judges from counties with large rural populations raised the challenges they face reaching schools that don't respond to their outreach efforts. "Distance, we can overcome that. We need to get the attention from teachers. We are saying, we’re here to help you. Let us show up with our robes and talk to your students about civics," said Monterey County Presiding Judge Rafael Vazquez, whose county is nearly 97% rural.  San Benito County Presiding Judge Omar Rodriguez — one of only two judges on that bench — described similar challenges reaching unincorporated communities located up to an hour from the courthouse. He reminded the group that while these communities may be small, and their students are often the hardest to reach, it is important to renew the commitment to reaching them in the new school year. A Challenge for Constitution Month The workshop closed with a call to action ahead of Constitution Month in September. With 2026 marking the nation's 250th anniversary, Justice Greenwood and Judge Alloggiamento introduced the Power of Democracy's 250-Student Challenge, inviting judges and courts across the district to pledge classroom visits, courtroom visits, or both — reaching 250 students each before the end of the year. This is the fifth consecutive year the California courts prepare to celebrate Constitution Day, September 17, the full month. The expanded commemoration began during the pandemic in response to teachers reporting the closure of many of their civic learning programs when they moved to remote instruction.  This year, Power of Democracy leads anticipate continued expansion into counties participating for the first time.  “As judges, we all face the challenge of keeping up with large caseloads. But with enough advanced preparation, we all can find an hour to visit a classroom,” Judge Alloggiamento said in closing. "Start small, identify your audience, then build from there. We hope you go back to your colleagues and share what you’ve learned and that you feel prepared for the new school year.”  Schools interested in connecting with their local court for the new school year, visit powerofdemocracy.org.  https://newsroom.courts.ca.gov/news/commission-consider-appointments-courts-appeal-11 Commission to Consider Appointments to Courts of Appealnatalie.l.ston… Mon, 07/06/2026 - 14:25 News Release The live webcast will begin on Aug. 6 at 9 a.m.  You can learn more in the public documents available for this hearing.  The Commission on Judicial Appointments will hold in-person hearings in San Francisco on Aug. 6 starting at 9:00 a.m. to consider four appointments by Gov. Gavin Newsom. The commission will consider the following appointments: 9:00 a.m.: Justice Tari Cody, as presiding justice of the Second Appellate District, Division Six (Ventura)  10:00 a.m.: Judge Nicholas Daum, as associate justice of the Second Appellate District, Division Four (Los Angeles) 11:00 a.m.: Judge Sonny S. Sandhu, as associate justice of the Fifth Appellate District (Fresno) 12:00 p.m.: Judge Charles Adams, as associate justice of the Sixth Appellate District (San Jose) The hearing webcast will be streamed live on the California Courts Newsroom. The state Constitution specifies that a gubernatorial appointment to the Court of Appeal is effective when confirmed by the Commission on Judicial Appointments.  The commission members who will consider the appointments are California Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero (Chair); California Attorney General Rob Bonta; Administrative Presiding Justice Elwood Lui (for the Second Appellate District hearings) *; Administrative Presiding Justice Brad R. Hill (for the Fifth Appellate District hearing); and Administrative Presiding Justice Mary J. Greenwood (for the Sixth Appellate District hearing).  *Administrative Presiding Justice Elwood Lui will appear virtually for the 9:00 a.m. hearing for Justice Tari Cody and the 10:00 a.m. hearing for Judge Nicholas Daum.  Appointee Biographies Justice Tari Cody would fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Justice Arthur Gilbert. She has served as an associate justice for the Second Appellate District, Division Six, since 2023. She joined the bench in 2000, serving as a Ventura Superior Court judge until her appointment to the Court of Appeal in 2023. Before joining the bench, she was an associate and partner in private practice from 1985 to 2000. She received her Juris Doctor from Loyola Law School.  Judge Nicholas Daum would fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Justice Audrey B. Collins. He has served as a Los Angeles Superior Court judge since 2022. Before joining the bench, he was an associate and partner in private practice from 2004 to 2022. He received his Juris Doctor from Yale Law School.  Judge Sonny S. Sandhu would fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Justice Rosendo Peňa, Jr. He has served as a Stanislaus Superior Court judge since 2018, and as presiding judge for the last year. Before joining the bench, he worked in the Stanislaus County Public Defender’s Office, including as the public defender from 2017 to 2018, as chief deputy public defender from 2015 to 2017, and as deputy public defender from 2003 to 2015. He received his Juris Doctor from The Ohio State University College of Law.  Judge Charles Adams would fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Justice Patricia Bamattre-Manoukian. He has served as a Santa Clara Superior Court judge since 2018. Before joining the bench, he served as an administrative law clerk at the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California from 2011 to 2018. He was a staff attorney and legal research attorney at the Santa Clara Superior Court from 2006 to 2011. Adams was also an associate in private practice from 2003 to 2006. He received his Juris Doctor from Pepperdine University School of Law.  Testimony and Comment Requests to testify or written comments on the appointment must be received by the commission no later than 5 p.m. on July 30 (five court days prior to the hearing). Anyone wishing to testify before the commission must state that request in writing and include a summary of the facts on which any testimony or opinion will be based.   Submissions via email to coja@jud.ca.gov are strongly encouraged. Hard copies are not required.  If you would like to mail your request, you may also reach the commission at:  Commission on Judicial Appointments   c/o Chief Justice of California   Supreme Court of California   350 McAllister Street   San Francisco, California 94102   Attention: Secretary to the Commission   Guidelines for the Commission on Judicial Appointments are published in the appendix to the California Rules of Court and are posted on the California Courts website. https://newsroom.courts.ca.gov/news/memoriam-associate-justice-joan-k-irion In Memoriam: Associate Justice Joan K. IrionMartin.Novitski Mon, 06/22/2026 - 13:53 News Release Associate Justice Joan K. Irion passed away on Saturday, June 20, 2026, after a long illness, surrounded by family. Justice Joan K. Irion was appointed to the Fourth District Court of Appeal, Division One, in September 2003, and was unanimously confirmed at a public hearing of the Commission on Judicial Appointments. Before appointment to the Court of Appeal, Justice Irion served as a San Diego County Superior Court Judge. Justice Irion had recently served on the California Judicial Council and worked tirelessly on projects devoted to the improvement of the courts, better access for self-represented individuals within the California Court system, judicial education and community and youth civics education throughout her career. She was a frequent lecturer at judicial education courses and continuing education classes for the appellate bar. She appeared on several education panels for the California Academy of Appellate Lawyers. Justice Irion was instrumental in designing and implementing the high school education program for the December 2004 and September 2016 San Diego Special Sessions of the California Supreme Court. Justice Irion actively participated in the court’s outreach programs including oral arguments held at high schools in San Diego and Imperial Counties as well as Meet & Greet events with law students and grade school students at the court. She had a gift for interacting with people of all walks of life and always made the court a welcome place for students to learn about the law and the judiciary. One example of Justice Irion’s adept interaction with students occurred when an elementary school visited the court many years ago. At the end of the program, Justice Irion opened the floor to questions. One of the students asked how much money Justice Irion made, which was met with the collective gasp of the teacher/parent chaperones. Justice Irion delicately addressed the question without skipping a beat, informing the group of students that their parents/grandparents/aunts/uncles all paid her salary and that her salary was public and available on the internet. She gave the student a homework assignment to look up appellate justice salaries and put everyone in attendance at ease, leaving the students and chaperones with a positive experience. Justice Irion received her undergraduate degree, with high honors, from the University of California Davis in 1974. Two years later, she earned her master's degree in the field of public administration, with highest honors, from San Diego State University. In 1979, she received her law degree from the University of California Davis, King Hall School of Law. From 1978-1979, she served as Managing Editor of its Law Review. After law school, Justice Irion entered private practice as a civil litigator, where she remained for more than 20 years until her appointment to the Superior Court of San Diego County. She specialized in representing taxpayers before state taxing agencies and in litigating tax and business matters in the federal and state trial and appellate courts. She was a shareholder in the law firm of Heller Ehrman White & McAuliffe, and its managing shareholder in the San Diego office from 1998 until her judicial appointment. Throughout her legal career, Justice Irion participated actively in teaching and lecturing at a wide variety of universities, including Stanford Law School, University of California Berkeley School of Law (Boalt Hall), University of California Davis School of Law (King Hall), University of San Diego School of Law, Vanderbilt University, Georgetown University, and University of Southern California. Prior to her judicial appointments, Justice Irion served as a member of the State Bar Board of Governors, a member of the Judicial Nominees Evaluation Commission, President of the California Young Lawyers Association, a member of the Board of Directors of the Bar Association of San Francisco, a member of the Statewide Commission to Study Mandatory Continuing Legal Education, a delegate to the American Bar Association House of Delegates and a member of the American Law Institute. Justice Irion was a member of the San Diego Lawyers Club, California Women Lawyers, American Inns of Court, the Association of Business Trial Lawyers, the American Bar Association, the American Law Institute and the UC Davis Law School Alumni Association. She also served as a California State Chair for the American Bar Foundation. Justice Irion was the Court of Appeal liaison for the Civil Appellate Self-Help Workshop, a joint project of the Fourth District Court of Appeal, the San Diego County Bar Association's Appellate Practice Section, the Legal Aid Society of San Diego and the San Diego County Law Library. The monthly Workshop offers legal information, education and assistance to self-represented litigants in civil cases.   As a member of the National Association of Women Judges, Justice Irion conceptualized, developed and was the first chair of the organization's Informed Voters Fair Judges non-partisan education project designed to increase public awareness about the judicial system, to inform voters that politics and special interests have no place in the courts, and to give voters the tools they need to make sure judges are appointed and elected based on their character and abilities. The Project produced an Emmy-Award Winning Public Service Announcement, "Fair and Free," featuring United States Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor (Retired), which is available on YouTube. Justice Irion accepted the Emmy Award on behalf of the National Association of Women Judges. Justice Irion was appointed to the Judicial Council on September 15, 2024, and served as chair of the Council’s Rules Committee.  Administrative Presiding Justice Judith McConnell said of Justice Irion “Joan Irion was an intellectual with a big heart. She cared deeply for those who appeared in court as well as for all of us who had the privilege of working with her on the many difficult cases she handled. She will be remembered for her scholarship as well as her commitment to serving the community.” Justice Irion ran several half and full marathons, loved to travel, and pamper her dogs and local hummingbirds. She was deeply devoted to the court, thoughtful and contemplative in her work, genuine, and someone with a great sense of humor and who was quick to smile.  Justice Irion is survived by her husband John Seitman, two married stepsons and a granddaughter, as well as by her sister Mary Irion and brothers Bruce and Brian Irion. Services are pending. https://newsroom.courts.ca.gov/news/commission-confirms-five-appointments-courts-appeal-0 Commission Confirms Five Appointments to Courts of Appealnatalie.l.ston… Fri, 05/22/2026 - 10:51 News Release Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero, chair of the Commission on Judicial Appointments, announced today that the commission confirmed five appointments to California’s Courts of Appeal in Los Angeles, Santa Ana, Fresno, and San Diego: Judge Stephen Goorvitch, as associate justice of the Second Appellate District, Division Two (Los Angeles) Justice Joanne Motoike, as presiding justice of the Fourth Appellate District, Division Three (Santa Ana)  Judge Amy Guerra, as associate justice of the Fifth Appellate District (Fresno) Judge Eran M. Bermudez, as associate justice of the Fourth Appellate District, Division One (San Diego)  Judge Deborah C. Servino, as associate justice of the Fourth Appellate District, Division Three (Santa Ana) The appointees were confirmed by unanimous vote of the three-member commission, which includes: California Chef Justice Patricia Guerrero (Chair); California Attorney General Rob Bonta; Presiding Justice Frances Rothschild (for the Second Appellate District, Division Two, hearing); Presiding Justice Manuel Ramirez (for the Fourth Appellate District, Divisions One and Three, hearings); and Administrative Presiding Justice Brad R. Hill (for the Fifth Appellate District hearing).  You can learn more in the public documents available for this hearing.  Appointee Biographies Judge Stephen Goorvitch fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Justice Judith T. Ashmann-Gerst. He has served as a Los Angeles County Superior Court judge since 2015. Before joining the bench, he served as an assistant U.S. attorney at the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Central District of California, from 2007 to 2015. He was counsel at O’Melveny and Myers from 2003 to 2007. He served as a law clerk in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit and in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California from 2001 to 2003. He served as a staff attorney in the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission from 1998 to 2001. He received his Juris Doctor from the University of California, Berkeley School of Law.  Justice Joanne Motoike fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Presiding Justice Kathleen E. O’Leary. She has served as an associate justice in the Fourth Appellate District, Division Three, since 2022. She served as an Orange County Superior Court judge from 2013 to 2022. Before joining the bench, she was a senior deputy public defender in Orange County from 2008 to 2013. She also worked as a trial attorney at the United Nations International Criminal Tribunal from 2006 to 2008. She received her Juris Doctor from Loyola Law School.  Judge Amy Guerra fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Justice Bruce Smith. She has served as a judge in the Fresno County Superior Court since 2018. Before joining the bench, she worked as the chief defense attorney at the Fresno County Alternate Defense Office from 2014 to 2018 and as an associate with the office from 2007 to 2014. She received her Juris Doctor from the San Joaquin College of Law.  Judge Eran M. Bermudez fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Justice Richard D. Huffman. She has served as a judge in the Imperial County Superior Court since 2018. Before joining the bench, she worked as a compliance resolution officer at the University of California, San Diego, from 2016 to 2018 and in private practice from 2005 to 2016. She received her Juris Doctor from the University of California, Berkeley School of Law.  Judge Deborah C. Servino fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Justice Thomas M. Goethals. She has served as a judge in the Orange County Superior Court since 2009. Before joining the bench, she served as a deputy attorney general at the California Attorney General’s Office from 1997 to 2009. Previously, she worked in private practice and as a law clerk at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit from 1995 to 1997. She received her Juris Doctor from the University of California, Berkeley School of Law.   View the full photo album on the California Court's Flickr.