Five new Justices confirmed!

The DJ reports: Newsom appellate picks confirmed despite rare opposition at hearing.

The Commission on Judicial Appointments unanimously confirmed five of Gov. Gavin Newsom's appellate nominees Friday, including the elevation of Associate Justice Joanne Motoike to presiding justice of the 4th District Court of Appeal's Santa Ana division. The hearings were largely routine except for a rare public challenge to Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Stephen Goorvitch — nominated to the 2nd District, Division Two — from a self-represented litigant who accused him of bias and retaliation in a malpractice case. The commission confirmed Goorvitch regardless. Also confirmed: Fresno County Superior Court Judge Amy Guerra to the 5th District, Imperial County Superior Court Judge Eran M. Bermudez to the 4th District, Division One in San Diego, and Orange County Superior Court Judge Deborah C. Servino to the 4th District, Division Three in Santa Ana. All five were sworn in Friday.