Today's DJ has
Newsom on track to appoint record-breaking number of judges -- With nearly two years left in his term, Gov. Gavin Newsom has already appointed 576 judges--putting him on pace to surpass his predecessors and reshape the California judiciary. His rapid appointment rate, coupled with a wave of retirements, could see him appoint over 800 judges by the end of his tenure, leaving a lasting imprint on the state's courts.
Even if he only filled the 75 superior court judgeships and seven appellate positions the Judicial Council listed as vacant as of Feb. 1, he would beat Brown's numbers with 658 total appointments.
- The data released by Newsom's office also shows the diversity of the California bench has achieved parity with the membership of the California State Bar--and in some instances surpassed it. Women now make up 44% of the bar and 43% of the bench; 54% of Newsom's appointments have been women.
- Black attorneys still make up 3% of the California Bar but hold nearly 10% of judicial positions; 14% of Newsom's picks have been black. Hispanics make up 6% of the bar and over 12% of sitting judges and almost 20% of Newsom's picks. Asian Americans make up 14% of the bar, 11% of judges and 17% of Newsom's picks. Self-identified LGBT attorneys are 9% of the bar, 6% of the bench and 8% of Newsom's picks.
