Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero, chair of the Commission on Judicial Appointments, announced today that the commission confirmed three appointments to California's Courts of Appeal in Los Angeles, Riverside, and Fresno: Matthew Scherb, as associate justice of the Second Appellate District, Division Eight (Los Angeles) Judge Corey Lee, as associate justice of the Fourth Appellate District, Division Two (Riverside) Judge Arlan L. Harrell, as associate justice of the Fifth Appellate District (Fresno) 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 Arthur Gilbert (for the Second Appellate District); Presiding Justice Manuel Ramirez (for the Fourth Appellate District); and Administrative Presiding Justice Brad R. Hill (for the Fifth Appellate District). Appointee Biographies Matthew Scherb fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Associate Justice Elizabeth A. Grimes. He has been a chambers attorney at the Supreme Court of California since 2021. He served as a deputy city attorney in the Los Angeles City Attorney’s Office from 2017 to 2021. Scherb was an appellate court attorney from 2011 to 2017. He was an associate at Winston & Strawn LLP from 2005 to 2011. Scherb served as a law clerk at the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia from 2004 to 2005. Scherb received a Juris Doctor degree from Northwestern University. Judge Corey Lee fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Associate Justice Marsha G. Slough. She has served as a San Bernardino County Superior Court judge since 2015. She served as a deputy chief assistant United States attorney in the U.S. Attorney’s Office from 2008 to 2015. Lee was a deputy district attorney in the San Bernardino County District Attorney's Office from 2007 to 2008. She served as a deputy district attorney in the Riverside County District Attorney's Office from 2004 to 2007. Lee served as a law clerk in the U.S. Department of Justice, Executive Office of Immigration Review from 2003 to 2004. Lee received a Juris Doctor degree from Loyola Law School. Judge Arlan L. Harrell fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Associate Justice Charles S. Poochigian. He has served as a judge in the Fresno County Superior Court since 2006. He served as a court commissioner for the Fresno County Superior Court from 2003-2006. Harrell served as a deputy district attorney for the Fresno County District Attorney’s Office from 1994-2003. He was an associate at Lang, Richert & Patch from 1992 to 1994. Harrell received a Juris Doctor degree from University of California, Davis King Hall School of Law. 

The Commission on Judicial Appointments will hold public in-person hearings in San Francisco on Nov. 17 starting at 9 a.m. to consider three appointments by Gov. Gavin Newsom.  The commission will consider the following appointments: 9 a.m.: Matthew Scherb, as associate justice of the Second Appellate District, Division Eight (Los Angeles)  10 a.m.: Judge Corey Lee, as associate justice of the Fourth District Court of Appeal, Division Two (Riverside)  11 a.m.: Judge Arlan L. Harrell, as associate justice of the Fifth Appellate District (Fresno) 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 appointment are California Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero (Chair); California Attorney General Rob Bonta; Presiding Justice Arthur Gilbert (Second Appellate District)*; Presiding Justice Manuel Ramirez (Fourth Appellate District); and Administrative Presiding Justice Brad R. Hill (Fifth Appellate District). *Please note, Presiding Justice Arthur Gilbert will appear virtually for the 9 a.m. hearing for Mr. Matthew Scherb. Appointee Biographies  Matthew Scherb would fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Associate Justice Elizabeth A. Grimes. He has been a chambers attorney at the Supreme Court of California since 2021. He served as a deputy city attorney in the Los Angeles City Attorney’s Office from 2017 to 2021. Scherb was an appellate court attorney from 2011 to 2017. He was an associate at Winston & Strawn LLP from 2005 to 2011. Scherb served as a law clerk at the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia from 2004 to 2005. Scherb received a Juris Doctor degree from Northwestern University. Judge Corey Lee would fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Associate Justice Marsha G. Slough. She has served as a San Bernardino County Superior Court judge since 2015. She served as a deputy chief assistant United States attorney in the U.S. Attorney’s Office from 2008 to 2015. Lee was a deputy district attorney in the San Bernardino County District Attorney's Office from 2007 to 2008. She served as a deputy district attorney in the Riverside County District Attorney's Office from 2004 to 2007. Lee served as a law clerk in the U.S. Department of Justice, Executive Office of Immigration Review from 2003 to 2004. Lee received a Juris Doctor degree from Loyola Law School.  Judge Arlan L. Harrell would fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Associate Justice Charles S. Poochigian. He has served as a judge in the Fresno County Superior Court since 2006. He served as a court commissioner for the Fresno County Superior Court from 2003-2006. Harrell served as a deputy district attorney for the Fresno County District Attorney’s Office from 1994-2003. He was an associate at Lang, Richert & Patch from 1992 to 1994. Harrell received a Juris Doctor degree from University of California, Davis King Hall 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 Nov. 10 (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 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.

The Commission on Judicial Appointments will hold public hearings on Feb. 14 starting at 10 a.m. to consider two 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 Charles Smiley, as associate justice of the First Appellate District, Division One (San Francisco) Judge Nathan Scott, as associate justice of the Fourth Appellate District, Division Three (Santa Ana) 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 (First Appellate District) and Presiding Justice Manuel Ramirez (Fourth Appellate District). Appointee Biographies Judge Charles A. Smiley would fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Justice Sandra L. Margulies. He has served as an Alameda County Superior Court judge since 2012 and as a lecturer at the University of California, Berkeley School of Law since 2014. Judge Smiley served as a commissioner at the Alameda County Superior Court from 2007 to 2012. He served as a deputy public defender at the Alameda County Public Defender’s Office from 1997 to 2007 and was an associate adjunct professor at the University of California College of the Law, San Francisco from 2004 to 2007. Judge Smiley earned a Juris Doctor degree from the University of California College of the Law, San Francisco. Judge Nathan R. Scott would fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Justice William W. Bedsworth. Judge Scott has served as a Orange County Superior Court judge since 2012. Judge Scott served as a senior appellate court attorney and appellate court attorney at the Fourth District Court of Appeal from 2005 to 2012. He was an associate at Cox, Castle & Nicholson LLP from 2003 to 2004 and at Kirkland & Ellis LLP from 1999 to 2003. Judge Scott earned a Juris Doctor degree from Harvard 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 Feb. 6 (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 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. 

The live webcast will begin on May 14 at 9 a.m. here; public documents for the nominees are available here. SAN FRANCISCO—The Commission on Judicial Appointments will hold public hearings on May 14 starting at 9 a.m. to consider three 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: Justice Gonzalo Martinez as presiding justice of the Second District Court of Appeal, Division Seven (Los Angeles) Judge Natalie P. Stone as associate justice of the Second Appellate District, Division Seven (Los Angeles) Judge Tara Desautels as associate justice of the First District Court of Appeal, Division Two (San Francisco) Seating in the courtroom will be limited—with some overflow seating also available in the Milton Marks Auditorium. 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 Arthur Gilbert (for the Second Appellate District hearings). Appointee Biographies Justice Gonzalo Martinez would fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Presiding Justice Dennis M. Perluss. Justice Martinez served as deputy judicial appointments secretary in the Office of Governor Gavin Newsom from 2019 to 2023. 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. Justice Martinez served as a law clerk at the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California in 2010 and at the U.S. District Court, Eastern District of California in 2007. He was an associate at Coblentz Patch Duffy and Bass LLP from 2005 to 2007 and at Morrison & Foerster LLP from 2003 to 2005. Justice Martinez earned a Juris Doctor degree from Harvard Law School and a Master of Arts degree in English from Stanford University. Judge Natalie P. Stone would fill the vacancy created pending confirmation of Justice Gonzalo Martinez’s appointment as presiding justice of the Second District Court of Appeal. Judge Stone has served as a Los Angeles County Superior Court judge since 2015. She was an appellate judicial attorney at the Second District Court of Appeal from 2010 to 2015. Judge Stone was an associate at Munger, Tolles and Olson LLP from 1999 to 2010 and served as a law clerk for Judge A. Wallace Tashima at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit from 1998 to 1999. She earned a Juris Doctor degree from the University of California, Los Angeles School of Law. Judge Tara Desautels would fill the vacancy created by the elevation of Justice Therese Stewart as presiding justice. She has served as an Alameda County Superior Court judge since 2010. Judge Desautels was a senior associate at Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP from 2005 to 2010. She served as a deputy district attorney at the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office from 1997 to 2005. She earned a Juris Doctor degree from the University of California College of the Law, San Francisco.  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 May 7, 2024 (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 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.

Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero, chair of the Commission on Judicial Appointments, announced that the commission today confirmed Judge Martha Gooding as an associate justice of the Fourth District Court of Appeal, Division Three (Santa Ana). The nominee was confirmed by a unanimous vote of the three-member commission, which includes: Chief Justice Guerrero (Chair); Attorney General Rob Bonta, who appeared remotely; and Presiding Justice Manuel A. Ramirez. Appointee Biography Judge Martha Gooding fills the vacancy created by the retirement of the late Justice Richard D. Fybel. Judge Gooding has served as an Orange County Superior Court judge since 2013. Judge Gooding was a partner at Jones Day from 2011 to 2013, and a partner at Howrey LLP from 2000 to 2011. Judge Gooding was also a partner at Howard Rice Nemerovski Canady Falk and Rabkin from 1989 to 2000, where she was also an associate from 1983 to 1989. She earned a Juris Doctor degree from the University of California, Berkeley School of Law.

Public documents on the appointees are available here.  Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero, chair of the Commission on Judicial Appointments, announced that the commission today confirmed two nominations to the California Courts of Appeal in San Francisco and San Diego. The nominees were confirmed by unanimous vote of the three-member commission, which includes: Chief Justice Guerrero (Chair); Attorney General Rob Bonta; and Presiding Justice Jim Humes (for the First Appellate District hearing), or Presiding Justice Manuel A. Ramirez (for the Fourth Appellate District hearing). The nominees confirmed were: Judge Danny Chou as associate justice of the First District Court of Appeal, Division Five (San Francisco)   Judge David Rubin as an associate justice of the Fourth District Court of Appeal, Division One (San Diego) Appointee Biographies Judge Danny Chou fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Justice Henry E. Needham. Judge Chou has served as a San Mateo County Superior Court judge since 2018. Judge Chou served as an assistant county counsel at the Santa Clara County Counsel’s Office from 2012 to 2018. He served as chief of complex and special litigation at the San Francisco City Attorney’s Office from 2008 to 2012, where he was chief of appellate litigation from 2006 to 2008. Judge Chou served as a supervising staff attorney at the California Supreme Court from 2005 to 2006, where he was also a judicial staff attorney from 1999 to 2005. He was a staff attorney at the U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit from 1998 to 1999, an associate at Howard, Rice, Nemerovski, Canady, Falk and Rabkin from 1995 to 1998, and a law clerk for Judge Stanley A. Weigel at the U.S. District Court, Northern District of California from 1994 to 1995. Judge Chou earned a Juris Doctor degree from Harvard Law School. Judge David Rubin fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Justice Cynthia G. Aaron. Judge Rubin has served as a San Diego County Superior Court judge since 2007. Judge Rubin served as a deputy district attorney at the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office from 1987 to 2007. He earned a Juris Doctor degree from the University of San Francisco School of Law.

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 Biographies Justice 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 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.

Public documents are available here. Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero, chair of the Commission on Judicial Appointments, announced that the commission today confirmed three nominations to the California Courts of Appeal in San Francisco and San Diego. The nominees were confirmed by unanimous vote of the three-member commission, which includes: Chief Justice Guerrero (Chair); Attorney General Rob Bonta; and either Presiding Justice Jim Humes (for the First District hearing) or Presiding Justice Manuel A. Ramirez (for the Fourth District hearings). The nominees confirmed were: Justice Tracie L. Brown as presiding justice of the First District Court of Appeal, Division Four (San Francisco) Judge Julia Kelety as associate justice of the Fourth District Court of Appeal, Division One (San Diego) Judge Jose S. Castillo as associate justice of the Fourth District Court of Appeal, Division One (San Diego) Appointee Biographies Justice Tracie L. Brown fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Presiding Justice Stuart R. Pollak. Justice Brown has served as an associate justice since 2018. Justice Brown served as a San Francisco County Superior Court judge from 2013 to 2018. She served as an assistant U.S. attorney at the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Northern District of California from 2002 to 2013 and was an associate at Cooley Godward Kronish LLP from 1997 to 2002. Justice Brown served as a law clerk for Judge M. Margaret McKeown at the U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit from 1998 to 1999 and was an associate at Morrison and Foerster LLP from 1996 to 1997. She earned a Juris Doctor degree from the University of California, Berkeley School of Law. Judge Julia Kelety fills the vacancy created by the elevation of Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero to the California Supreme Court. Judge Kelety has served as a San Diego County Superior Court judge since 2003. Judge Kelety was a partner and associate at Wiggins & Kelety LLP from 1997 to 2003. She served as an assistant U.S. attorney at the U.S. Attorney's Office, Southern District of California from 1990 to 1997 and was an associate at Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher from 1986 to 1990. Judge Kelety served as a law clerk for Judge Mary M. Schroeder at the U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit from 1985 to 1986. She earned a Juris Doctor degree from Cornell Law School. Judge Jose S. Castillo fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Justice Judith L. Haller. Judge Castillo has served as a San Diego County Superior Court judge since 2020. Judge Castillo served as an assistant U.S. attorney at the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Southern District of California from 2010 to 2020. He served as a staff attorney at the U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit from 2007 to 2010 and was an adjunct professor at the University of California, Hastings College of the Law from 2009 to 2010. Castillo served as a law clerk for Judge Micaela Alvarez at the U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas from 2006 to 2007. Judge Castillo earned a Juris Doctor degree from the University of California, Davis School of Law.

The Commission on Judicial Appointments will hold virtual public hearings on April 17 starting at 10:30 a.m. to consider the appointments of: Judge Audra Mori as an associate justice of the Second District Court of Appeal, Division Four (Los Angeles) Judge Tari Cody as an associate justice of the Second District Court of Appeal, Division Six (Ventura) Judge Rashida Adams as an associate justice of the Second District Court of Appeal, Division Three (Los Angeles) The hearings will be held virtually, and 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 Presiding Justice Arthur Gilbert. Appointee Biographies Judge Audra Mori would fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Justice Thomas Willhite. Judge Mori has served as a Los Angeles County Superior Court judge since 2018. Judge Mori was managing partner of the Los Angeles Office of Perkins Coie LLP from 2017 to 2018, where she was a partner from 2005 to 2018. She was a partner at Piper Rudnick LLP from 2002 to 2004 and at Preston, Gates and Ellis LLP in 2002, where she was an associate from 1998 to 2001. Judge Mori was an associate at Andrews Kurth LLP from 1996 to 1998 and served as a law clerk to Senior Judge Richard W. Goldberg at the U.S. Court of International Trade from 1994 to 1996. She was an associate at Brobeck, Phleger and Harrison from 1992 to 1994. Mori earned a Juris Doctor degree from Cornell Law School. Judge Tari Cody would fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Justice Steven Z. Perren. Judge Cody has served as a Ventura County Superior Court judge since 2000. Judge Cody was an associate at Lemieux & O’Neill from 1994 to 2000. She was an associate and partner at Nordman, Cormany, Hair & Compton from 1985 to 1994. Judge Cody earned a Juris Doctor degree from Loyola Law School. Judge Rashida Adams would fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Justice Halim Dhanidina. Judge Adams has served as a Los Angeles County Superior Court judge since 2017. She served as a senior appellate court attorney at the Second District Court of Appeal from 2009 to 2017, where she was an appellate court attorney from 2008 to 2009. She was an associate at Caldwell Leslie and Proctor PC from 2005 to 2007 and at Bernabei and Katz PLLC from 2002 to 2005. Judge Adams earned a Juris Doctor degree from Yale 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. April 10 (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 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.

SAN FRANCISCO—The Commission on Judicial Appointments will hold a public hearing on April 7 starting at 2 p.m. in the Supreme Court Courtroom—located on the fourth floor of 350 McAllister Street in San Francisco—to consider the appointments of: Justice Tracie L. Brown as presiding justice of the First District Court of Appeal, Division Four (San Francisco) Judge Julia Kelety as an associate justice of the Fourth District Court of Appeal, Division One (San Diego) Judge Jose S. Castillo as an associate justice of the Fourth District Court of Appeal, Division One (San Diego) 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 Presiding Justice Jim Humes (for Justice Brown’s hearing), or Presiding Justice Manuel A. Ramirez (for Judge Castillo and Judge Kelety’s hearings). Appointee Biographies Justice Tracie L. Brown would fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Presiding Justice Stuart R. Pollak. Justice Brown has served as an associate justice since 2018. Justice Brown served as a San Francisco County Superior Court judge from 2013 to 2018. She served as an assistant U.S. attorney at the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Northern District of California from 2002 to 2013 and was an associate at Cooley Godward Kronish LLP from 1997 to 2002. Justice Brown served as a law clerk for Judge M. Margaret McKeown at the U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit from 1998 to 1999 and was an associate at Morrison and Foerster LLP from 1996 to 1997. She earned a Juris Doctor degree from the University of California, Berkeley School of Law. Judge Julia Kelety would fill the vacancy created by the elevation of Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero to the California Supreme Court. Judge Kelety has served as a San Diego County Superior Court judge since 2003. Judge Kelety was a partner and associate at Wiggins & Kelety LLP from 1997 to 2003. She served as an assistant U.S. attorney at the U.S. Attorney's Office, Southern District of California from 1990 to 1997 and was an associate at Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher from 1986 to 1990. Judge Kelety served as a law clerk for Judge Mary M. Schroeder at the U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit from 1985 to 1986. She earned a Juris Doctor degree from Cornell Law School. Judge Jose S. Castillo would fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Justice Judith L. Haller. Judge Castillo has served as a San Diego County Superior Court judge since 2020. Judge Castillo served as an assistant U.S. attorney at the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Southern District of California from 2010 to 2020. He served as a staff attorney at the U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit from 2007 to 2010 and was an adjunct professor at the University of California, Hastings College of the Law from 2009 to 2010. Castillo served as a law clerk for Judge Micaela Alvarez at the U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas from 2006 to 2007. Judge Castillo earned a Juris Doctor degree from the University of California, Davis 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. March 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 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.