https://newsroom.courts.ca.gov/ en https://newsroom.courts.ca.gov/news/justice-kelli-evans-and-justice-stacy-boulware-eurie-share-perspectives-diversity-courts Justice Kelli Evans and Justice Stacy Boulware Eurie Share Perspectives on Diversity in the CourtsKaren.Datangel Wed, 03/25/2026 - 14:58 Feature Justice Kelli Evans and Justice Stacy Boulware Eurie began their journeys in law as students at UC Davis at similar times, but neither expected their rise to the bench in California's appellate courts, as they first recounted in a conversation with each other during the Black History Month 2026 Closing Ceremony at the Judicial Council on Feb. 25. "As an attorney, I hoped and thought that one day I would eventually like to become a judge, so when I got appointed to the Alameda County court trial bench, I thought I had made it...and I would have happily retired there," said Justice Evans, associate justice of the California Supreme Court. "It was a surprise when I got the call from the governor saying he wanted to elevate me to the California Supreme Court." "While in law school, I dreamt of being a trial judge and when I was appointed in 2007 [to the Sacramento Superior Court], it was literally a dream come true," said Justice Stacy Boulware Eurie, associate justice of the Court of Appeal, Third Appellate District. "There's no way I could have anticipated or predicted the current seat I hold." The two justices shared the stage to discuss insights on diversity and inclusion in the courts, access to justice, the roles of judicial officers and court staff, and other topics. Following are highlights from their conversation. On the role of jurists in honoring diversity and inclusion Justice Evans: When I think about inclusion in particular, I think what it means is making sure people feel seen and are seen, feel heard and are heard, have a shot at opportunities, and in the court system, that they feel like it really works for them. Individual judges can do things in their courtrooms that embody these values. From the bench, you can treat all litigants with respect, make sure that you're implementing procedural justice in your courtroom. You can make sure you're using inclusive and accessible language. You can make sure you're explaining your decisions clearly, particularly to the person on the losing side of the decision. You can do things at a leadership level, like advocate for policies that help promote diversity and inclusion. Another thing judges and individuals can do is community outreach and engagement. The more that our communities understand about the justice business, the better it is for our court system and the more likely we are to have diverse and inclusive court systems. If we help everyone to understand they have a stake in it, they have an opportunity to participate in a system that can and should work for everyone. Justice Boulware Eurie: We're all familiar with systemic opportunities and/or barriers for diversity and inclusion, but I also think there's an individual level of opportunity and obligation to see who's at that proverbial table. No entity or structure is perfect but I do think our branch in particular is a mirror to society. The folks that come in through courthouse doors, those folks who support the work of the trial courts, Courts of Appeal, and the Supreme Court reflect and should reflect California's citizenry. On the importance of diversity of perspectives and experiences in courts Justice Evans: In the California Supreme Court, we have seven justices who are responsible for making decisions that impact all 40 million of us in California. When you have people at that table who have diverse experiences like people who have been defense attorneys, have represented civil rights litigants, worked with law enforcement their whole lives, been subjects of racial profiling, have family members who have been incarcerated, or have been career prosecutors, that's a very rich discussion and it brings voices to the table that have long been missing. When I talk about diversity, I'm not just talking about race, gender, or sexual orientation - I'm talking about life experience, geography, practice areas, income, all sorts of things. I think it's important in the trial courts if not more important at the appellate court levels. The more people with nuanced perspectives who are part of a conversation, we'll have fewer blind spot errors, and we'll have a better understanding of potential impacts on various communities. Justice Boulware Eurie: When we talk about an impartial court and fair and balanced justice, I think some of that comes from diversity of thought, not just traditional values or experiences. Are there voices that are ensuring a check on the system and as drivers of procedural justice, that it's not just one voice being heard? Is there space for different perspectives and values on how the law is interpreted? I think it looks different in a Court of Appeal or Supreme Court because it's not a single individual judge making all the decisions in a courtroom. In the trial court, those different [perspectives can come from] roles of the prosecutor or public defender, or parents' counsel, minor's counsel, and county counsel. I'm pretty proud of California's courts because I think our branch is embracing the opportunities we're talking about. I thought about language and diversity of perspectives. In juvenile court, when we're dealing with children who are removed from their homes - particularly Black families and communities - we may hear "Hey, that's my cousin." You might later figure out "That's my play cousin" and having a bench officer who understands community relationships and ties that exist beyond blood helps to inform the decision-making in about what's in the best interest of the child. This is just one example of a type of diversity of experience and the opportunity for more informed decision making when you are hearing from and learning about different experiences. On court staff Justice Evans: Our clerks are procedural guardians. Our research attorneys carry an enormously important load as first line filters for the judges and justices for what's coming in and they often go through incredibly voluminous records. There are other court staff like interpreters, reporters, and self-help attorneys. There are court administrators who are doing work that make our courts accessible to the public. Our librarians are facilitating all of our access to material that we need to do our jobs. We've got court security personnel that are protecting our litigants and jurors. Sometimes this work is done under immense time pressure and public scrutiny. We're in a system full of unsung heroes. People know about judges, but people also need to know about the essential roles in our justice system that make it possible to seek and obtain justice. I also know that the more people learn about these roles - young people in particular - the more they're interested in our work. Young people may not be interested in becoming a lawyer or a judge, but would be really interested in one of these other roles. So the more we can share that information, the better. Justice Boulware Eurie: The one role I want to highlight is IT (Information Technology). In the Sacramento Superior Court in the period during COVID, we were spreading jurors out in different courtrooms and utilizing Zoom for them to hear and participate in selection. We had one particular IT member who was running from courtroom to courtroom, standing in the back -- not just to make sure the Zoom and speakers were working, but to make sure we could all be heard clearly. He was trying to stand in the shoes of the user, hearing what was happening in that courtroom or a different courtroom so there was meaningful participation. We know remote access is something the branch is very committed to and is super important. Advice for law students and aspiring lawyers Justice Boulware Eurie: Keep an open mind. I think a lot of people attend law school and go in with this vision of what it is that they want to do and just like undergrad, it's an opportunity for exploration. There will be an opportunity to learn so many substantive areas that you may not have been familiar with. As it relates to this conversation [around diversity and inclusion], I think of the growing importance of environmental law and looking at the demographics of law schools and who participates in those programs -- often I don't see people of color. Look not only where you can participate, but who can you bring along? What other spaces, clinicals, programs, and internships might you and your peers participate in? Is it always the same folks raising their hands? Is there a way you can nudge a colleague or peer to join you in a lunchtime conversation with a professor on a topic that you might otherwise think is dry as sand? Challenge yourself by learning something new in terms of perspective, life background, and the law. Justice Evans: Do what interests you. It might not be what everyone else is doing. Find people that you think are doing things that are interesting and exciting, and reach out to them and learn more. Try lots of different things and stay flexible. There's lot of different ways to be happy in any career but especially as a lawyer. Watch Justice Evans and Justice Boulware Eurie's full conversation. https://newsroom.courts.ca.gov/news/court-appeal-third-appellate-district-hear-oral-argument-sutter-county-superior-courthouse Court of Appeal, Third Appellate District to Hear Oral Argument at Sutter County Superior Courthousenatalie.l.ston… Thu, 03/12/2026 - 10:42 News Release Yuba City – Administrative Presiding Justice Laurie M. Earl announced the Court of Appeal, Third Appellate District, will hear oral argument at Sutter County Superior Courthouse on March 25 beginning at 10 a.m. More than 100 students from surrounding schools are expected to attend, and interested members of the public, attorneys, and judges are also welcome. Doors will open at 9 a.m. Since 2000, the Third Appellate District has held oral argument sessions in 31 high schools and two law schools in 20 counties. The Third Appellate District has received statewide recognition for its outreach program, which helps students and members of the public understand how appellate courts work. As part of the outreach program, justices of the Third Appellate District will discuss their career paths and hold a question-and-answer session after oral argument. The justices are not permitted to answer questions about the case.  Attendees are required to go through a security screening, so it’s recommended to arrive early. The following two cases will be heard:   Calendar 10 – 10:30 a.m.: Women’s Health Specialists v. C.H., case number C102979.  Appeal from a workplace violence restraining order, preventing appellant, a frequent protestor at a women’s health clinic, from harassing an employee or from coming within 100 yards of the employee, their car, their workplace – the clinic – for three years. 10:35 a.m. – 11:05 a.m.: People v. Vasquez, case number C102449.  Appeal from a judgment of conviction and sentence to six years plus life without the possibility of parole after the jury found defendant guilty of willful, deliberate, and premeditated murder and custodial possession of a weapon and also found true the special circumstance allegation that defendant intentionally lay in wait. 11:10 a.m. – 11:40 a.m.: Question-and-answer session with the justices. If you are a reporter and would like to photograph or record the session, please submit a Media Request Form and an Order on Media Request to Colette Bruggman at 3DCefiling@jud.ca.gov. The Third Appellate District usually holds oral argument in its courtroom at 914 Capitol Mall, Sacramento. The Third Appellate District is made up of 23 counties: Alpine, Amador, Butte, Calaveras, Colusa, El Dorado, Glenn, Lassen, Modoc, Mono, Nevada, Placer, Plumas, Sacramento, San Joaquin, Shasta, Sierra, Siskiyou, Sutter, Tehama, Trinity, Yolo and Yuba.  https://newsroom.courts.ca.gov/news/commission-confirms-appointments-courts-appeal-15 Commission Confirms Appointments to Courts of AppealBalassone, Merrill Tue, 01/30/2024 - 09:30 News Release Public documents are available here. Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero, chair of the Commission on Judicial Appointments, announced that the commission today confirmed Judge Monique Langhorne Wilson as associate justice of the First District Court of Appeal, Division One in San Francisco, and Aimee Feinberg as associate justice of the Third District Court of Appeal in Sacramento. The appointees were confirmed by a unanimous vote of the three-member commission, which includes: Chief Justice Guerrero (Chair); Attorney General Rob Bonta; Presiding Justice Jim Humes (for the First Appellate District hearing); and Presiding Justice Laurie M. Earl (for the Third Appellate District hearing). Appointee Biographies Judge Monique Langhorne Wilson fills the vacancy created by the appointment of Justice Gabriel P. Sanchez to the federal bench. She has served as a Napa County Superior Court judge since 2018. Judge Langhorne Wilson also served as a Napa County Superior Court commissioner from 2006 to 2018. Before joining the bench, she served as a deputy district attorney at the Napa County District Attorney’s Office from 2000 to 2006 and was a family support officer at the Napa County Department of Child Support Services from 1999 to 2000. Judge Langhorne Wilson earned a Juris Doctor degree from the University of California, Berkeley School of Law. Aimee Feinberg fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Justice Andrea Hoch. Feinberg has been of counsel at Munger, Tolles & Olson LLP since 2023. She served as a deputy solicitor general at the California Department of Justice from 2014 to 2023. She was a lecturer and director of the California Supreme Court Clinic at the University of California, Davis School of Law from 2012 to 2014 and an associate at Munger, Tolles & Olson LLP from 2005 to 2011. She served as a law clerk for Justice Stephen G. Breyer at the U.S. Supreme Court from 2004 to 2005 and for Judge David S. Tatel at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit from 2003 to 2004. Feinberg was an associate at Covington & Burling from 2002 to 2003. She earned a Juris Doctor degree from Stanford Law School.   https://newsroom.courts.ca.gov/news/commission-consider-appointments-courts-appeal-3 Commission to Consider Appointments to Courts of AppealBalassone, Merrill Wed, 12/20/2023 - 10:10 News Release The live webcast will begin at 2:30 p.m. on Jan 30 here. SAN FRANCISCO—The Commission on Judicial Appointments will hold public hearings on Tuesday, Jan. 30 starting at 2:30 p.m. to consider two appellate court appointments by Gov. Gavin Newsom. The commission will consider the following appointments during hearings held in the Supreme Court Courtroom, located on the fourth floor of 350 McAllister Street in San Francisco: Judge Monique Langhorne Wilson as associate justice of the First District Court of Appeal, Division One (San Francisco)   Aimee Feinberg as associate justice of the Third District Court of Appeal (Sacramento) Seating in the courtroom will be limited—with some overflow seating also available in the Milton Marks Auditorium—and any mask requirements will be enforced as may be required by state and local health directives in effect at the time of the hearing. The hearing will be webcast 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 appointment are California Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero (Chair); California Attorney General Rob Bonta; Presiding Justice Jim Humes (for the First Appellate District hearing) and Presiding Justice Laurie M. Earl (for the Third Appellate District hearing). Appointee BiographiesJudge Monique Langhorne Wilson would fill the vacancy created by the appointment of Justice Gabriel P. Sanchez to the federal bench. She has served as a Napa County Superior Court judge since 2018. Judge Langhorne Wilson also served as a Napa County Superior Court commissioner from 2006 to 2018. Before joining the bench, she served as a deputy district attorney at the Napa County District Attorney’s Office from 2000 to 2006 and was a family support officer at the Napa County Department of Child Support Services from 1999 to 2000. Judge Langhorne Wilson earned a Juris Doctor degree from the University of California, Berkeley School of Law. Aimee Feinberg would fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Justice Andrea Hoch. Feinberg has been of counsel at Munger, Tolles & Olson LLP since 2023. She served as a deputy solicitor general at the California Department of Justice from 2014 to 2023. She was a lecturer and director of the California Supreme Court Clinic at the University of California, Davis School of Law from 2012 to 2014 and an associate at Munger, Tolles & Olson LLP from 2005 to 2011. She served as a law clerk for Justice Stephen G. Breyer at the U.S. Supreme Court from 2004 to 2005 and for Judge David S. Tatel at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit from 2003 to 2004. Feinberg was an associate at Covington & Burling from 2002 to 2003. She earned a Juris Doctor degree from Stanford Law School. 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 Tuesday, Jan. 23 (five court days prior to 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 Appointmentsc/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/third-appellate-district-host-oral-argument-outreach-session-uc-davis-school-law Third Appellate District to Host Oral Argument Outreach Session at UC Davis School of LawMartin.Novitski Wed, 10/11/2023 - 10:05 News Release Media interested in attending the session are asked to email merrill.balassone@jud.ca.gov Sacramento—Administrative Presiding Justice Laurie M. Earl announced the Court of Appeal, Third Appellate District will host a special oral argument session for students at UC Davis School of Law on Oct. 16 starting at 10 a.m. Since 2000, the Third Appellate District has held oral argument sessions in 30 high schools and two law schools in 20 counties of its district. Oral argument will begin at 10 a.m. and will be heard at UC Davis School of Law, King Hall, Kalmanovitz Appellate Courtroom, 400 Mrak Hall Dr. in Davis. All interested members of the public, attorneys, and judges are welcome to attend. Those who attend will be required to go through security screening, so an early arrival is advisable. Doors will open at 9 a.m. Two cases will be heard: 10-10:30 a.m.: Vorobey v. Gerolamy (C095056). Appeal from the granting of summary judgment. 10:30—11 a.m.: Boitez v. Superior Court of Yolo County (C098102). Petition for writ of mandate. 11:-05-11:35 a.m.:  Discussion/question-and-answer session with students. As part of this educational experience, justices of the Third Appellate District will discuss their career paths with the students and conduct a question-and-answer period immediately following oral argument. The justices are not permitted to answer questions about the cases. The Third Appellate District comprises 23 counties: Alpine, Amador, Butte, Calaveras, Colusa, El Dorado, Glenn, Lassen, Modoc, Mono, Nevada, Placer, Plumas, Sacramento, San Joaquin, Shasta, Sierra, Siskiyou, Sutter, Tehama, Trinity, Yolo, and Yuba. https://newsroom.courts.ca.gov/news/third-appellate-district-sacramento-host-oral-argument-outreach-session Third Appellate District in Sacramento to Host Oral Argument Outreach SessionBalassone, Merrill Wed, 09/06/2023 - 17:56 News Release Media interested in attending the session are asked to email merrill.balassone@jud.ca.gov Sacramento—Administrative Presiding Justice Laurie M. Earl announced the Court of Appeal, Third Appellate District will host a special oral argument session for students at McGeorge School of Law on Sept. 13 starting at 10 a.m. Since 2000, the Third Appellate District has held oral argument sessions in 30 high schools and one law school in 20 counties of its district. This will be the first special session held by the Third Appellate District since the COVID-19 pandemic. About 200 law school students are expected to attend. Oral argument will begin at 10 a.m. and will be heard at McGeorge School of Law, University of the Pacific Lecture Hall, 3227 Fifth Avenue in Sacramento. All interested members of the public, attorneys, and judges are welcome to attend. Those who attend will be required to go through security screening, so an early arrival is advisable. Two cases will be heard: 10-10:30 a.m.: Brinsmead et al. v. Elk Grove Unified School District et al. (C096394) Appeal from judgment of dismissal following demurrer entered in favor of Elk Grove Unified School District et al.   10:40—11:10 a.m.: Valter v. Mammoth Mountain Ski Area, LLC (C096036) Appeal from summary judgment granted in favor of Mammoth Mountain Ski Area, LLC.   11:10-11:40 a.m.:  Discussion/question-and-answer session with students. As part of this educational experience, justices of the Third Appellate District will discuss their career paths with the students and conduct a question-and-answer period immediately following oral argument. The justices are not permitted to answer questions about the cases. The Third Appellate District comprises 23 counties: Alpine, Amador, Butte, Calaveras, Colusa, El Dorado, Glenn, Lassen, Modoc, Mono, Nevada, Placer, Plumas, Sacramento, San Joaquin, Shasta, Sierra, Siskiyou, Sutter, Tehama, Trinity, Yolo, and Yuba. https://newsroom.courts.ca.gov/news/commission-confirms-appointments-courts-appeal-14 Commission Confirms Appointments to Courts of AppealBalassone, Merrill Mon, 07/10/2023 - 09:35 News Release Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero, chair of the Commission on Judicial Appointments, announced that the commission today confirmed four nominations to the California Courts of Appeal in Sacramento and Los Angeles. The nominees were confirmed by vote of the three-member commission, which includes: Chief Justice Guerrero (Chair); Attorney General Rob Bonta; and Acting Presiding Justice Ronald Robie (for the Third Appellate District hearing), and Presiding Justice Arthur Gilbert (for the Second Appellate District hearings). The nominees confirmed were: Justice Laurie Earl as presiding justice of the Third District Court of Appeal (Sacramento) Gonzalo Martinez as associate justice of the Second District Court of Appeal, Division Seven (Los Angeles) Justice Brian Currey as presiding justice of the Second District Court of Appeal, Division Four (Los Angeles) Judge Helen Zukin as associate justice of the Second District Court of Appeal, Division Four (Los Angeles) Appointee Biographies Justice Laurie Earl fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Presiding Justice Vance W. Raye. Justice Earl has served as an associate justice of the Third District Court of Appeal since 2022. She served as a Sacramento County Superior Court judge from 2005 to 2021. Justice Earl was senior assistant inspector general at the California Office of Inspector General from 2004 to 2005 and a deputy district attorney at the Sacramento County District Attorney’s Office from 1995 to 2004. She served as an assistant public defender at the Sacramento County Public Defender’s Office from 1989 to 1995. Justice Earl earned a Juris Doctor degree from the Lincoln Law School of Sacramento. Gonzalo Martinez fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Justice Laurie D. Zelon. Martinez has served as deputy judicial appointments secretary in the Office of Governor Gavin Newsom since 2019. He served as a deputy solicitor general in the California Attorney General’s Office from 2017 to 2019 and was a partner in the Appellate and Supreme Court Practice Group at Squire Patton Boggs from 2007 to 2017 and in 2019. Martinez served as a law clerk at the U.S. District Court, Northern District of California in 2010 and at the U.S. District Court, Eastern District of California in 2007. Martinez was an associate at Coblentz Patch Duffy and Bass from 2005 to 2007 and at Morrison & Foerster LLP from 2003 to 2005. Martinez earned a Juris Doctor degree from Harvard Law School and a Master of Arts degree in English from Stanford University. Justice Brian Currey fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Presiding Justice Nora Manella. Justice Currey has served as an associate justice of the Second District Court of Appeal, Division Four since 2018. He previously served as a Los Angeles County Superior Court judge from 2014 to 2018. Justice Currey was of counsel at O’Melveny and Myers LLP from 2013 to 2014. He served as deputy mayor for economic and business policy in the Los Angeles Mayor’s Office in 2013 and was counsel to the mayor from 2010 to 2013. Justice Currey was a partner at O’Melveny and Myers LLP from 1989 to 2010, where he was also an associate from 1981 to 1989. He earned a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Virginia School of Law. Judge Helen Zukin fills the vacancy created pending confirmation of Justice Brian Currey as presiding justice of the Second District Court of Appeal, Division Four. Judge Zukin has served as a Los Angeles County Superior Court judge since 2018. Judge Zukin was a partner at Kiesel Law LLP from 2010 to 2018, where she was of counsel from 2006 to 2010. She was a sole practitioner from 1995 to 2006 and a partner at Simke, Chodos, Silberfeld and Anteau Inc. from 1992 to 1995, where she was also an associate from 1990 to 1992. Judge Zukin was an associate at Greene, O’Reilly, Agnew and Broillet from 1985 to 1990. She earned a Juris Doctor degree from Loyola Law School, Los Angeles. https://newsroom.courts.ca.gov/news/commission-consider-appointments-courts-appeal-2 Commission to Consider Appointments to Courts of AppealBalassone, Merrill Mon, 06/05/2023 - 17:42 News Release Public documents on the appointees are available here. SAN FRANCISCO—The Commission on Judicial Appointments will hold public hearings on July 10 starting at 10 a.m. to consider four appellate court appointments by Gov. Gavin Newsom. Beginning at 10 a.m. in the Supreme Court Courtroom—located on the fourth floor of 350 McAllister Street in San Francisco—the commission will consider the appointments of: Justice Laurie Earl as presiding justice of the Third District Court of Appeal (Sacramento)   Gonzalo Martinez as associate justice of the Second District Court of Appeal, Division Seven (Los Angeles) The commission will also hold remote hearings starting at 1 p.m. to consider the appointments of: Justice Brian Currey as presiding justice of the Second District Court of Appeal, Division Four (Los Angeles)   Judge Helen Zukin as associate justice of the Second District Court of Appeal, Division Four (Los Angeles) Seating in the courtroom will be limited—with some overflow seating also available in the Milton Marks Auditorium—and any mask requirements will be enforced as may be required by state and local health directives in effect at the time of the hearing. The hearing will be webcast 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 appointment are California Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero (Chair); California Attorney General Rob Bonta; and Acting Presiding Justice Ronald Robie (for the Third Appellate District hearing), and Presiding Justice Arthur Gilbert (who will appear remotely for the hearings). Appointee BiographiesJustice Laurie Earl would fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Presiding Justice Vance W. Raye. Justice Earl has served as an associate justice of the Third District Court of Appeal since 2022. She served as a Sacramento County Superior Court judge from 2005 to 2021. Justice Earl was senior assistant inspector general at the California Office of Inspector General from 2004 to 2005 and a deputy district attorney at the Sacramento County District Attorney’s Office from 1995 to 2004. She served as an assistant public defender at the Sacramento County Public Defender’s Office from 1989 to 1995. Justice Earl earned a Juris Doctor degree from the Lincoln Law School of Sacramento. Gonzalo Martinez would fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Justice Laurie D. Zelon. Martinez has served as deputy judicial appointments secretary in the Office of Governor Gavin Newsom since 2019. He served as a deputy solicitor general in the California Attorney General’s Office from 2017 to 2019 and was a partner in the Appellate and Supreme Court Practice Group at Squire Patton Boggs from 2007 to 2017 and in 2019. Martinez served as a law clerk at the U.S. District Court, Northern District of California in 2010 and at the U.S. District Court, Eastern District of California in 2007. Martinez was an associate at Coblentz Patch Duffy and Bass from 2005 to 2007 and at Morrison & Foerster LLP from 2003 to 2005. Martinez earned a Juris Doctor degree from Harvard Law School and a Master of Arts degree in English from Stanford University. Justice Brian Currey would fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Presiding Justice Nora Manella. Justice Currey has served as an associate justice of the Second District Court of Appeal, Division Four since 2018. He previously served as a Los Angeles County Superior Court judge from 2014 to 2018. Justice Currey was of counsel at O’Melveny and Myers LLP from 2013 to 2014. He served as deputy mayor for economic and business policy in the Los Angeles Mayor’s Office in 2013 and was counsel to the mayor from 2010 to 2013. Justice Currey was a partner at O’Melveny and Myers LLP from 1989 to 2010, where he was also an associate from 1981 to 1989. He earned a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Virginia School of Law. Judge Helen Zukin would fill the vacancy created pending confirmation of Justice Brian Currey as presiding justice of the Second District Court of Appeal, Division Four. Judge Zukin has served as a Los Angeles County Superior Court judge since 2018. Judge Zukin was a partner at Kiesel Law LLP from 2010 to 2018, where she was of counsel from 2006 to 2010. She was a sole practitioner from 1995 to 2006 and a partner at Simke, Chodos, Silberfeld and Anteau Inc. from 1992 to 1995, where she was also an associate from 1990 to 1992. Judge Zukin was an associate at Greene, O’Reilly, Agnew and Broillet from 1985 to 1990. She earned a Juris Doctor degree from Loyola Law School, Los Angeles. Testimony and Comment Requests to testify or written comments on the appointment must be received by the commission no later than 5 p.m. June 30 (five court days prior to 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 Appointmentsc/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-appointment-third-district-court-appeal Commission Confirms Appointment to Third District Court of AppealBalassone, Merrill Tue, 02/14/2023 - 10:38 News Release Photos of the hearing are available here (Courtesy: Commission on Judicial Appointments). Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero, chair of the Commission on Judicial Appointments, announced that the commission today unanimously confirmed Judge Shama Hakim Mesiwala to the Third District Court of Appeal in Sacramento. Judge Mesiwala was confirmed by unanimous vote of the three-member commission, which included Chief Justice Guerrero (Chair); Attorney General Rob Bonta; and Acting Presiding Justice Ronald B. Robie. Appointee Summary Biography Judge Shama Hakim Mesiwala fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Justice Coleman A. Blease. Judge Mesiwala has served as a Sacramento County Superior Court judge since 2017 and was a commissioner there in 2017. Judge Mesiwala has been an adjunct professor at the University of California, Davis School of Law since 2013. She was a judicial attorney at the Third District Court of Appeal from 2004 to 2017, where she served as a senior judicial attorney for Justice Ronald B. Robie from 2006 to 2017 and as a central staff attorney from 2004 to 2006. Judge Mesiwala served as a staff attorney at the Central California Appellate Program from 1999 to 2004 and as an attorney at the Office of the Federal Public Defender, Eastern District of California in 1999. She earned a Juris Doctor degree from the University of California, Davis School of Law. https://newsroom.courts.ca.gov/news/commission-consider-appointment-third-district-court-appeal Commission to Consider Appointment to Third District Court of AppealBalassone, Merrill Wed, 01/04/2023 - 10:43 News Release Public documents are available here.  SAN FRANCISCO—The Commission on Judicial Appointments will hold a public hearing on Feb. 14 starting at 2 p.m. in the Supreme Court Courtroom—350 McAllister Street in San Francisco—to consider the appointment of Judge Shama Hakim Mesiwala to the Third District Court of Appeal in Sacramento. Judge Mesiwala would fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Justice Coleman A. Blease. Seating in the courtroom will be limited—with some overflow seating also available in the auditorium—and any mask requirements will be enforced as may be required by state and local health directives in effect at the time of the hearing. The hearing will be webcast live on the California Courts Newsroom. The state Constitution specifies that a gubernatorial appointment to the Supreme Court is effective when confirmed by the Commission on Judicial Appointments. The commission members who will consider the appointment are California Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero (Chair), California Attorney General Rob Bonta, and Acting Presiding Justice Ronald Robie. Appointee Summary BiographyJudge Shama Hakim Mesiwala has served as a Sacramento County Superior Court judge since 2017 and was a commissioner there in 2017. Judge Mesiwala has been an adjunct professor at the University of California, Davis School of Law since 2013. She was a judicial attorney at the Third District Court of Appeal from 2004 to 2017, where she served as a senior judicial attorney for Justice Ronald B. Robie from 2006 to 2017 and as a central staff attorney from 2004 to 2006. Judge Mesiwala served as a staff attorney at the Central California Appellate Program from 1999 to 2004 and as an attorney at the Office of the Federal Public Defender, Eastern District of California in 1999. She earned a Juris Doctor degree from the University of California, Davis School of Law. Testimony and Comment Persons who wish to testify or comment on the appointment must submit their information for receipt by the commission no later than 5 p.m. Feb. 6, 2023 (five court days prior to 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 Appointmentsc/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.