Supreme Court Makes Appointments to Committee on Judicial Ethics Opinions

The California Supreme Court today announced the reappointment of three current members and the appointment of a new member to fill a vacancy on the Supreme Court Committee on Judicial Ethics Opinions (CJEO), an independent committee that helps inform the judiciary and the public on judicial ethics topics.

Presiding Judge Samantha P. Jessner of the Superior Court of Los Angeles County; Judge Michael T. Garcia (ret.) of the Superior Court of Sacramento County; and Justice Judith L. Haller (ret.) of the Fourth District Court of Appeal were reappointed to serve additional four-year terms as CJEO members. Judge D. Brett Bianco of the Superior Court of Los Angeles County was appointed to the remainder of the term vacated by Judge Michelle Williams Court, from Jan. 1, 2025 through Dec. 31, 2025.  Judge Court was recently appointed as a federal district judge for the United States District Court for the Central District of California.

As the newest member of the committee, Judge Bianco brings to the committee a strong interest in judicial ethics. Prior to joining the bench, Judge Bianco was an active member of legal communities across the state, having practiced as a deputy district attorney in Riverside County and as court counsel for the Los Angeles Superior Court until his appointment to the bench in 2017. Judge Bianco's judicial assignments have included child welfare and juvenile justice matters.

Information on CJEO members can be found at http://www.judicialethicsopinions.ca.gov/members/.

The Supreme Court established the Committee on Judicial Ethics Opinions (CJEO) to help inform the judiciary and the public concerning judicial ethics topics. (Cal. Rules of Court, rule 9.80.) CJEO publishes formal advisory opinions, issues confidential written opinions, and provides oral advice on proper judicial conduct pursuant to the California Code of Judicial Ethics and other authorities. In providing its advisory opinions, the committee acts independently of the Supreme Court, the Commission on Judicial Performance, the Judicial Council, and all other entities. (Cal. Rules of Court, rule 9.80(b).)