Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero this week announced appointments to Judicial Council internal committees, which help the council oversee key areas that include budget, legislation, technology, court rules, and litigation. The appointments take effect Sept. 15. The Chief Justice also reappointed California Supreme Court Justice Carol Corrigan as the council’s vice chair, who is authorized to act as chair in the event the chair (Chief Justice Guerrero) is absent or unable to act.  Said Chief Justice Guerrero: “These committee members will help guide our most important priorities and develop solutions to pressing issues facing our judicial branch. Many of these appointees are returning to committee leadership, which will help us make steady progress on our ongoing priorities. We also have new members who will share fresh ideas and perspective with the council. I look forward to the growth we will make in the coming year with the support of these talented and diverse leaders.” The Executive and Planning Committee will be newly chaired by Administrative Presiding Justice Brad R. Hill. Judge Maureen F. Hallahan, Superior Court of San Diego County, will serve as vice chair. Justice Hill's appointment will be effective Aug. 30 due to the retirement of former committee chair, Justice Marsha Slough. The committee oversees the council’s meeting process and operating procedures and develops the long-range strategic plan for the judicial branch.   The Judicial Branch Budget Committee will continue to be chaired by Judge Ann C. Moorman. David H. Yamasaki, court executive officer of the Superior Court of Orange County, will serve as vice chair. The committee develops fiscal priorities and advocates for the judicial branch with the Governor and Legislature.     Judge Marla O. Anderson, of the Superior Court of Monterey County, will continue to chair the Legislation Committee, with Judge Maria Lucy Armendariz, of the Superior Court of Los Angeles County, as vice chair. The committee represents the council’s position with other branches of government and its agencies. It also reviews and makes recommendations on legislation and policy.   The Rules Committee, which oversees the development and approval of the California Rules of Court, the California Standards of Judicial Administration, and Judicial Council forms, will continue to be chaired by Justice Carin T. Fujisaki, with Judge Michelle Williams Court as vice chair.   The Technology Committee will continue to be chaired by Judge Kyle S. Brodie, of the Superior Court of San Bernardino County. Judge C. Todd Bottke, of the Superior Court of Tehama County, will continue to serve as vice chair. The committee oversees technology issues relating to the branch and the courts.   The Litigation Management Committee, which oversees claims against trial and appellate courts and the Judicial Council, will continue to be chaired by Judge Marla O. Anderson.

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.

For the 16th straight year, California’s judicial bench has grown more diverse, according to new data released by the Judicial Council. As of December 31, 2021, female judicial officers constitute 38.6% of judicial officers across all court levels, a 1% increase over the prior year and an increase of more than 11 percentage points since 2006—the first year that data were collected for this purpose. The bench also has continued to become more racially and ethnically diverse. The proportion of white judicial officers has declined 7% since 2006. The percentage of Asian, Black, and Hispanic judicial officers has nearly doubled over the same time period, and now 35% of current justices and judges identify as non-white. Statewide, Multi-Branch Effort to Increase Judicial Diversity The Judicial Council developed a Judicial Diversity Toolkit, which encourages courts to reach out to underrepresented groups—which include individuals with diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds, disabilities, and sexual orientations—to educate and advise them about pursuing careers in the law. In addition, Gov. Newsom last July announced the California Judicial Mentor Program as a statewide undertaking between the executive and judicial branches to develop and recruit qualified and diverse judicial applicants for the state’s superior and appellate courts. Of Governor Newsom’s 169 appointments during his first three years in office, 49% were women and 58% identified themselves as Asian, Black or African-American, Hispanic, or Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander. Governor Newsom recently nominated Justice Patricia Guerrero to the California Supreme Court, who if confirmed would become the court’s first Latina justice. Newsom also appointed Justice Martin Jenkins two years ago to the California Supreme Court, the court's first openly gay justice and third African American man ever to serve on the state’s highest court. Survey of California Bench The Judicial Council surveyed California judges and justices in December 2021 to get a snapshot of the demographics of the California bench—including gender, ethnicity, and sexual orientation. Responding to the questionnaire is voluntary for judges, and the data only reflects the responses provided.   Gender Data show the percentage of female justices and judges has increased to 38.6%, compared to 27.1% in 2006, continuing a steady upward trend. Race and Ethnicity The data also show changes over the past 16 years in the percentage of justices and judges reported in the following race/ethnicity categories:  American Indian or Alaska Native (.5% in 2021 compared to 0.1% in 2006); Asian (8.7% in 2021 compared to 4.4% in 2006); Black or African American (8.4% in 2021 compared to 4.4% in 2006); Hispanic or Latino (11.7% in 2021 compared to 6.3% in 2006); Pacific Islander (0.3% in 2021 compared to 0.1% in 2006); White (63.1% in 2021 compared to 70.1% in 2006); Some Other Race (1.0% in 2021 compared to 0.2% in 2006); More Than One Race (4.4% in 2021 and also 4.4% in 2006); and  Information Not Provided (1.9% in 2021 compared to 9.9% in 2006). These changes reflect judicial retirements and other departures from the bench, new judicial appointments, and an increase in the number of trial court judges who voluntarily provided race/ethnicity information. Gender Identity/Sexual Orientation This is the 11th year that the study includes data on gender identity and sexual orientation, as required by a law passed in 2011. Of the respondents who provided information about gender identity/sexual orientation, the following identified as: Heterosexual - 73.9% Lesbian - 1.8% Gay - 2.3% Bisexual - 0.2% Transgender - 0.1% Information not provided - 21.7% Veteran and Disability Status In addition, this is the 8th year that the study includes data on veteran and disability status. These questions were first asked of justices and judges who were new to the bench during the 2014 calendar year, although judges appointed before this date are free to update this aspect of their demographic profile as well. Of the 707 active trial court judges responding to the question about their status as a veteran, 50 respondents (7%) indicated they have served in the military. Of the 744 active judges responding to the question concerning their disability status, 17 judges (2%) indicated they have a disability. About Judicial Officer Demographic Data Government Code section 12011.5(n) requires the Judicial Council to collect and release aggregate demographic data on California state justices and judges by March 1 every year. This is the report’s 16th year. Increasing the diversity of California’s judicial officers to reflect the rich diversity of California’s populace continues to be a key goal of the Judicial Council.

  Reports on the nominee can be found here. Chief Justice Tani G. Cantil-Sakauye, chair of the Commission on Judicial Appointments, announced that the commission today confirmed Judge Victor A. Rodriguez as Associate Justice of the Court of Appeal, First Appellate District, Division Three (San Francisco). This marked the third virtual hearing in the commission's history. The nominee was confirmed by a unanimous vote of the three-member commission, which includes Chief Justice Tani G. Cantil-Sakauye (Chair), Attorney General Rob Bonta, and Presiding Justice J. Anthony Kline. Witnesses speaking on the appointee's character and qualifications all formerly supervised Justice Rodriguez — California Supreme Court Justices Carol Corrigan and Mariano-Florentino Cuéllar, and Alameda County Superior Court Judge Thomas Nixon.  {"preview_thumbnail":"/sites/default/files/newsroom/styles/video_embed_wysiwyg_preview/public/video_thumbnails/9x4ykFSDZhY.jpg?itok=peF7YaA-","video_url":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9x4ykFSDZhY","settings":{"responsive":1,"width":"854","height":"480","autoplay":0},"settings_summary":["Embedded Video (Responsive)."]} Appointee Biography Justice Victor A. Rodriguez fills the vacancy created by the elevation of Justice Teri L. Jackson as Presiding Justice of the First District Court of Appeal, Division Five. Justice Rodriguez served on the Alameda County Superior Court since 2018. He served as supervising staff attorney for Justice Mariano-Florentino Cuéllar at the California Supreme Court from 2015 to 2018, where he also served as judicial staff attorney for Justices Carlos R. Moreno, Goodwin H. Liu, and Carol A. Corrigan from 2006 to 2015. He served as a law clerk for Judge Consuelo B. Marshall at the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California from 2005 to 2006. Judge Rodriguez was a Skadden Fellow at the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund from 2003 to 2005. He earned a Juris Doctor degree from the University of California, Berkeley School of Law and a Master of Arts degree in Communication Studies from California State University, Long Beach.

FROM THE OFFICE OF GOV. GAVIN NEWSOM—Governor Gavin Newsom today announced his nomination of Justice Martin Jenkins (Ret.) for Associate Justice of the California Supreme Court. Justice Jenkins has held several prominent state and federal judicial positions throughout his career. He would be the first openly gay California Supreme Court justice and only the third African American man ever to serve on the state’s highest court. It has been 29 years since an African American man has served on the California Supreme Court. “Justice Jenkins is widely respected among lawyers and jurists, active in his Oakland community and his faith, and is a decent man to his core,” said Governor Newsom. “As a critical member of my senior leadership team, I’ve seen firsthand that Justice Jenkins possesses brilliance and humility in equal measure. The people of California could not ask for a better jurist or kinder person to take on this important responsibility.” A son of San Francisco, Justice Martin Jenkins (Ret.), 66, was born and raised in the Bay Area. He grew up cleaning office buildings and churches with his father who also worked a full time job with the City and County of San Francisco as a clerk and janitor at Coit Tower. Guided by his parents’ values of hard work and respect for all, Justice Jenkins went on to have a storied legal career, including years as a civil rights attorney, an appointment to a federal bench and most recently, guiding the Newsom Administration’s efforts to build a judiciary that reflects the vibrance and diversity of California as judicial appointments secretary since 2019. Growing up, Justice Jenkins knew he would have to work harder, stay later and go the extra mile to succeed. It was the work ethic he learned from his parents and brought with him to a brief pro football career. Just after finishing undergrad, he signed a contract with the Seattle Seahawks but soon realized that rather than sitting on the football bench, his true calling was becoming a lawyer and pursuing a different bench as a judge. Throughout his career, Justice Jenkins has advanced the cause of equality, particularly across racial and gender divides. Justice Jenkins’s family traces its roots to the Jim Crow South, and while Justice Jenkins did not grow up in the South, his family’s stories of injustice and blatant discrimination stuck with him. As a young attorney working in the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice in the administration of President Ronald Reagan, Justice Jenkins pursued cases involving police misconduct and cross burnings. He has also worked to promote gender equality through cases on pregnancy-related leave and sex discrimination. “I am truly humbled and honored to be asked by the Governor to continue serving the people of California on the Supreme Court,” said Justice Jenkins. “If confirmed, I will serve with the highest ethical standards that have guided me throughout my career, informed by the law and what I understand to be fair and just.” In his role as Judicial Appointments Secretary, Justice Jenkins has guided the Newsom Administration’s efforts to build a judiciary that reflects the people they serve. He spearheaded transparency efforts by making public the Regional Judicial Selection Advisory Committees, so that for the first time in California history, the individuals who provide feedback on judicial candidates for nomination and appointment will be known to the public. Justice Jenkins has worked closely with these committees to appoint 45 jurists, helping promote the diversity of the California judiciary for years to come. Prior to his role in the Newsom Administration, Justice Jenkins served as an Associate Justice on the California Court of Appeal, First Appellate District from 2008 to 2019. He was appointed by President Bill Clinton to the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California in 1997 and served on the bench until 2008. In addition to his recent judicial service, Justice Jenkins served as a judge on the Alameda County Superior Court from 1992 to 1997 and on the Oakland Municipal Court from 1989 to 1992. From 1986 to 1989, he was a trial attorney with the Pacific Bell Legal Department of San Francisco and from 1983 to 1986, he worked in the U.S. Department of Justice as a trial attorney litigating civil rights cases. From 1980 to 1983, he worked as a prosecutor for the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office. He earned a Juris Doctor degree from the University of San Francisco School of Law. He will fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Associate Justice Ming W. Chin. The Governor’s nomination must be submitted to the State Bar’s Commission on Judicial Nominees Evaluation and confirmed by the Commission on Judicial Appointments. The Commission on Judicial Appointments consists of Chief Justice Tani Cantil-Sakauye, Attorney General Xavier Becerra and senior Presiding Justice of the state Court of Appeal J. Anthony Kline.

Chief Justice Tani G. Cantil-Sakauye appointed two new voting members and four new advisory (nonvoting) members to the Judicial Council. She also reappointed four voting members and two advisory members. “The council is responsible for ensuring our courts are fair and accessible to the public we serve, even during the most challenging of times,” said Chief Justice Cantil-Sakauye. “While I’m confident our new members will add expertise and perspective to the council’s work, I also want to recognize our outgoing members and thank them for volunteering their time and energy to improve the administration of justice.” The Chief Justice also addressed the need to reappoint some members. “With so much uncertainty and changes to court operations made necessary by the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s important to maintain continuity of our leadership so the judicial branch can address these critical issues and maintain access to our justice system.” Following are new appointments to the council for three-year terms starting Sept. 15: Associate Justice Carol A. Corrigan, California Supreme Court, as a voting member. She previously served on the council from 1997–2001. She cochaired the Commission on the Future of California’s Court System and the council’s Task Force on Jury Instructions. She has also served as a member of the council’s Center for Judicial Education and Research Advisory Committee. Justice Corrigan succeeds retired Associate Justice Ming Chin, California Supreme Court.   Presiding Judge Kevin C. Brazile, Superior Court of Los Angeles County, as a voting member. He previously served a one-year term as a voting member of the council (2017–2018). He cochairs the council’s Advisory Committee for Providing Access and Fairness, and has served on the council’s Civil and Small Claims Advisory Committee. Judge Brazile succeeds Judge Eric Taylor, Superior Court of Los Angeles County.   Commissioner Glenn Mondo, Superior Court of Orange County, as an advisory member. He has served on the council’s Traffic Advisory Committee, his court’s Executive Committee, and since 2011, has been on the Board of Directors for the California Courts Commissioners Association. Commissioner Mondo succeeds Commissioner Rebecca L. Wightman, Superior Court of San Francisco County.   Court Executive Officer Rebecca J. Fleming, Superior Court of Santa Clara County, as an advisory member. Fleming is vice chair of the council’s Trial Court Budget Advisory Committee and cochairs its Funding Methodology Subcommittee. She also is a member of the council’s Court Executives Advisory Committee and its Executive Committee, and previously served on the Trial Court Policy and Procedures Committee. Fleming succeeds Clerk/Executive Officer Andrea K. Wallin-Rohmann, Court of Appeal, Third Appellate District.   Court Executive Officer Shawn C. Landry, Superior Court of Yolo County, as an advisory member. He serves on the council’s Trial Court Facility Modification Advisory Committee, Trial Court Budget Advisory Committee, and Court Executives Advisory Committee. In addition, he previously served as vice chair of the council’s Court Interpreters Advisory Panel. Landry succeeds Court Executive Officer Michael Roddy, Superior Court of San Diego County. One new member was appointed to a one-year term, starting Sept. 26: Judge Thomas A. Delaney, Superior Court of Orange County, as an advisory member in his new role as president of the California Judges Association (CJA). Judge Delaney is a member of his court’s Executive Committee and Security Committee, the Governor's Judicial Selection and Advisory Committee, and the Constitutional Rights Foundation of Orange County’s Judicial Advisory Board. Judge Delaney succeeds former CJA president Judge Nomoto Schumann (Ret.). Following are the reappointments to the council whose newest three-year terms become effective September 15: Justice Harry E. Hull, Jr., Court of Appeal, Third Appellate District, as a voting member   Judge Marla O. Anderson, Superior Court of Monterey County, as a voting member   Judge Stacy Boulware Eurie, Superior Court of Sacramento County, as a voting member   Judge Harold W. Hopp, Superior Court of Riverside County, as a voting member The following two members were reappointed to a one-year term, starting Sept. 15: Justice Carin T. Fujisaki, Court of Appeal, as an advisory member   Presiding Judge Joyce D. Hinrichs, Superior Court of Humboldt County, as an advisory member in her role as chair or the council’s Trial Court Presiding Judges Advisory Committee State Bar Appointees In addition to the Chief Justice appointments, the State Bar Board of Governors reappointed Attorney Rachel W. Hill and Attorney Gretchen Nelson to serve additional three-year terms as voting members of the council beginning September 15. Judicial Council Membership According to the state Constitution, the Chief Justice chairs the Judicial Council and appoints one other Supreme Court justice, three justices from the courts of appeal, 10 trial court judges, two nonvoting court administrators, “and any other nonvoting members as determined by the voting membership of the council.” The State Bar’s governing body appoints four members, and the state Senate and Assembly each appoint one member. Council members are volunteers and do not receive additional compensation for their service. Most members serve three-year terms, and each year about a third of the membership rotates off and a new group is sworn in.