4/3 research atty appointed to OCSC

Thomas Fay, of Orange County, has been appointed to serve as a Judge in the Orange County Superior Court. Fay has served as a Lead Appellate Attorney at the Fourth District Court of Appeal, Division Three since 2023, where he also served as a Senior Appellate Attorney from 2020 to 2023. He worked as an Associate at multiple firms including at Murtaugh Treglia Stern & Deily from 2014 to 2020 and at Ezer Williamson Law from 2013 to 2014. Fay received a Juris Doctor degree from the University of California College of the Law, San Francisco. Effective June 29, 2026, he will fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Michael J. Strickroth. Fay is a Democrat.

Judicial Council news

The DJ has Chief Justice Guerrero appoints eight new Judicial Council members -- Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero appointed four voting and four advisory Judicial Council members from courts, court administration and private practice, while reappointing six members and recognizing nine departing council members.

• Administrative Presiding Justice Mary J. Greenwood of the 6th District Court of Appeal and Alameda County Superior Court Executive Officer Chad Finke will begin their terms July 1. Greenwood joins as a voting member
• Greenwood oversees administration of the appellate court's district and previously served in leadership roles in Santa Clara County Superior Court's family division. Finke brings 25 years of judicial branch experience, including service at the Judicial Council and on statewide court budget and administration committees.
• The chief justice also reappointed six current council members effective Sept. 15, including California Supreme Court Justice Carol A. Corrigan and 1st District Court of Appeal Clerk/Executive Officer Charles Johnson
• Council members concluding their terms this year include Justice Joan K. Irion

SAJEC needs your input!

The LACBA State Appellate Judicial Evaluation Committee (SAJEC) is evaluating four Los Angeles Superior Court judges for possible appointment to the Second District Court of Appeal: Elizabeth Bradley, Alexander Giza, Marisa Hernández-Stern, and Cindy Pánuco. If you have input on any of the candidates, please complete the relevant questionnaires linked below. Elaborations in the comments fields are especially helpful. To provide input beyond the questionnaire, contact committee chair Alana Rotter at arotter@gmsr.com. SAJEC appreciates your help!

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/HonElizabethBradley

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/HonAlexanderGiza

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/HonMarisaHernandezStern

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/HonCindyPanuco

4 appellate nominations!

Governor Gavin Newsom announced his nomination of four Court of Appeal Justices: Justice Tari Cody, to the Second District Court of Appeal, Division Six, Judge Nicholas Daum to the Second District Court of Appeal, Division Four, Judge Sonny S. Sandhu to the Fifth District Court of Appeal, and Judge Charles Adams to the Sixth District Court of Appeal.

Second District Court of Appeal, Division Six

 

 

Tari Cody, of Ventura County, has been nominated to serve as Presiding Justice in the Second District Court of Appeal, Division Six, where she has served as an Associate Justice since 2023. Cody has served as a Judge in the Ventura County Superior Court from 2000 to 2023. She was an Associate at Lemieux & O’Neill from 1994 to 2000. She was a Partner at Nordman, Cormany, Hair & Compton from 1990 to1994 where she also worked as an Associate from 1985 to 1990. Cody received a Juris Doctor degree from Loyola Law School. She fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Justice Arthur Gilbert. This position requires confirmation by the Commission on Judicial Appointaments, which consists of Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero, Attorney General Rob Bonta, and Senior Presiding Justice Francis Rothschild. Cody is a Democrat.

 

Second District Court of Appeal, Division Four

 

 

Nicholas Daum, of Los Angeles County, has been nominated to serve as an Associate Justice in the Second District Court of Appeal, Division Four. Daum has served as a Judge in the Los Angeles County Superior Court since 2022. He was an Associate and Partner at Kendall Brill & Kelly from 2009 to 2022. He was an Associate at Susman Godfrey from 2004 to 2009. Daum received a Juris Doctor degree from Yale Law School. He fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Justice Audrey B. Collins. This position requires confirmation by the Commission on Judicial Appointments, which consists of Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero, Attorney General Rob Bonta, and Senior Presiding Justice Francis Rothschild. Daum is a Democrat.

 

Fifth District Court of Appeal

 

 

Sonny S. Sandhu, of Stanislaus County, has been nominated to serve as an Associate Justice in the Fifth District Court of Appeal. Sandhu has served as a Judge in the Stanislaus County Superior Court since 2018, where he has also served as Presiding Judge for the last year. He served multiple roles at the Stanislaus County Public Defender’s Office including as the Public Defender from 2017 to 2018, the Chief Deputy Public Defender from 2015 to 2017, and as a Deputy Public Defender from 2003 to 2015. Sandhu received a Juris Doctor degree from The Ohio State University College of Law. He will fill the vacancy to be created by the retirement of Justice Rosendo Peňa, Jr., effective June 29, 2026. This position requires confirmation by the Commission on Judicial Appointments, which consists of Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero, Attorney General Rob Bonta, and Senior Presiding Justice Brad Hill. Sandhu is a Democrat.

 

Sixth District Court of Appeal

 

 

Charles Adams, of Santa Clara County, has been nominated to serve as an Associate Justice in the Sixth District Court of Appeal. Adams has served as a Judge in the Santa Clara County Superior Court since 2018. He served as an Administrative Law Clerk at the U.S. District Court, Northern District of California from 2011 to 2018. Adams served as a Staff Attorney and Legal Research Attorney at the Santa Clara County Superior Court from 2006 to 2011. He was an Associate at Voss & Associates from 2005 to 2006 and from 2003 to 2004. Adams was an Associate at McDermott & McNamara from 2004 to 2005. Adams received a Juris Doctor degree from Pepperdine University School of Law. He fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Justice Patricia Bamattre-Manoukian. This position requires confirmation by the Commission on Judicial Appointments, which consists of Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero, Attorney General Rob Bonta, and Senior Presiding Justice Mary Greenwood. Adams is a Democrat. The compensation for each of these positions is $280,052 Also of appellate note: Jennifer Logue nominated for the Contra Costa Superior Court worked as a 9th Circuit Staff Attorney (2001-06); David Perkiss nominated to LASC was a Research Attorney at the 2d District, Div. 1 (2018-19); Adam Romero nominated to LASC was a 9th Circuit law clerk (2008-09); and Lisa Hoffman nominated to the Santa Clara Superior Court was also a 9th Cir. law clerk (2008-09).

The Recorder has Newsom Continues Justice Appointment Spree, Naming Four to Courts of Appeal

The MetNews has Gilbert Hails Nomination of Cody as Court of Appeal Presiding Justice / Daum Is Chosen as Associate Justice

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.

Goorvitch CJA hearing May 22

Commission to Consider Appointment to the 2nd District Court of Appeal
The Commission on Judicial Appointments will hold a public hearing in San Francisco on Friday, May 22, 2026, beginning at 9:30 a.m. to consider Governor Gavin Newsom's appointment of Judge Stephen Goorvitch as Associate Justice of the Second District Court of Appeal, Division Two.
The live webcast will begin on the Judicial Council's video streaming platform on May 22 at 9:30 a.m.

2 new Justices!

Governor Gavin Newsom announced his nomination of two Court of Appeal Justices:

Fourth District Court of Appeal, Division One

 

 

Eran Marie Bermudez, of Imperial County, has been nominated to serve as an Associate Justice in the Fourth District Court of Appeal, Division One. Bermudez has served as a Judge in the Imperial County Superior Court since 2018. She worked as a Compliance Resolution Officer at the University of California, San Diego from 2016 to 2018. Bermudez worked as a Partner at Garcia Hernandez Sawhney from 2011 to 2016. She worked as an Associate at Best Best & Krieger from 2005 to 2011. Bermudez received a Juris Doctor degree from the University of California, Berkeley School of Law. She fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Justice Richard D. Huffman. This position requires confirmation by the Commission on Judicial Appointments, which consists of Chief Justice Patricia Guerro, Attorney General Rob Bonta, and Senior Presiding Justice Manuel Ramirez. Bermudez is a Democrat.

 

Fourth District Court of Appeal, Division Three

 

 

Deborah C. Servino, of Orange County, has been nominated to serve as an Associate Justice in the Fourth District Court of Appeal, Division Three. Servino has served as a Judge in the Orange County Superior Court since 2009. She served as a Deputy Attorney General at the California Attorney General’s Office from 1997 to 2009. She worked as an Associate at Rutan & Tucker from 1996 to 1997. She served as a Law Clerk at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit from 1995 to 1996. Servino received a Juris Doctor degree from the University of California, Berkeley School of Law. She fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Justice Thomas M. Goethals. This position requires confirmation by the Commission on Judicial Appointments, which consists of Chief Justice Patricia Guerro, Attorney General Rob Bonta, and Senior Presiding Justice Manuel Ramirez. Servino is registered without party preference.  The compensation for each of these positions is $280,052

SAJEC seeking info for 2d Dist. candidate

The LACBA State Appellate Judicial Evaluation Committee (SAJEC) is evaluating Santa Barbara County Superior Court judge Denise Hippach for possible appointment to the Second District Court of Appeal.  If you have input on Judge Hippach, please complete the questionnaire linked below. Elaborations in the comments fields are especially helpful. To provide input beyond the questionnaire, contact committee chair Alana Rotter at arotter@gmsr.com.  SAJEC appreciates your help!

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/SAJECHippach

Bahar to LASC!

Governor Gavin Newsom announced his appointment of 15 Superior Court Judges, including some with appellate backgrounds, including Naz Bahar (a CAAL member, former LABA President, and former Chair of LACBA's Appellate Courts Section):

Sarvenaz Bahar, of Los Angeles County, has been appointed to serve as a Judge in the Los Angeles County Superior Court. Bahar has been the owner of the Bahar Law Office since 2008. She worked as an Associate and Of Counsel at Morrison & Foerster from 1993 to 2008. Bahar worked as a Sophie Silberberg Fellow at Human Rights Watch from 1992 to 1993. Bahar received a Juris Doctor degree from Yale University. She fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Jacqueline H. Lewis. Bahar is a Democrat.

Up north, Amanda Karl has been appointed to Contra Costa Superior Court. She worked at the 9th Circuit 2014-2015.

3 appellate appointments!

Governor Gavin Newsom announced his nomination of three Court of Appeal Justices: Justice Joanne Motoike as Presiding Justice of the Fourth District Court of Appeal, Division Three, Judge Stephen Goorvitch as Associate Justice of the Second District Court of Appeal, Division Two, and Judge Amy Guerra as Associate Justice of the Fifth District Court of Appeal.

Second District Court of Appeal, Division Two



Stephen Goorvitch, of Los Angeles County, has been appointed to serve as an Associate Justice in the Second District Court of Appeal, Division Two. Goorvitch has served as a Judge in the Los Angeles County Superior Court since 2015. He served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney at the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Central District of California from 2007 to 2015. He was Counsel at O’Melveny and Myers from 2003 to 2007. Goorvitch served as a law clerk in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit from 2002 to 2003 and in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California from 2001 to 2002. He served as a Staff Attorney in the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission from 1998 to 2001. Goorvitch received a Juris Doctor degree from the University of California, Berkeley School of Law. He fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Justice Judith T. Ashmann-Gerst. This position requires confirmation by the Commission on Judicial Appointments, which consists of Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero, Attorney General Rob Bonta, and Senior Presiding Justice Francis Rothschild. Goorvitch is a Democrat.
Fourth District Court of Appeal, Division Three



Joanne Motoike, of Orange County, has been appointed to serve as the Presiding Justice of the Fourth District Court of Appeal, Division Three. Motoike has served as an Associate Justice in the Fourth District Court of Appeal, Division Three since 2022. Motoike served as a Judge in the Orange County Superior Court from 2013 to 2022. She served as a Senior Deputy Public Defender at the Orange County Public Defender’s Office from 2008 to 2013. Motoike worked as a Trial Attorney at the United Nations International Criminal Tribunal from 2006 to 2008. She served as a Deputy Public Defender at the Orange County Public Defender’s Office from 1994 to 2006. Motoike received a Juris Doctor degree from Loyola Law School. She fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Presiding Justice Kathleen E. O’Leary. This position requires confirmation by the Commission on Judicial Appointments, which consists of Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero, Attorney General Rob Bonta, and Senior Presiding Justice Manuel Ramirez. Motoike is a Democrat.
Fifth District Court of Appeal



Amy Guerra, of Fresno County, has been appointed to serve as an Associate Justice of the Fifth District Court of Appeal. Guerra has served as a Judge in the Fresno County Superior Court since 2018. Guerra worked as the Chief Defense Attorney at the Fresno County Alternate Defense Office from 2014 to 2018, where she also worked as an Associate from 2007 to 2014. Guerra received a Juris Doctor degree from the San Joaquin College of Law. She fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Justice Bruce Smith. This position requires confirmation by the Commission on Judicial Appointments, which consists of Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero, Attorney General Rob Bonta, and Senior Presiding Justice Brad Hill. Guerra is a Democrat.

The compensation for each of these positions is $280,052

Plus, Commissioner Victoria Shapiro has been appointed to LASC. She served as the Lead Judicial Attorney at the Second District Court of Appeal since 2021, where she also served as a Senior Judicial Attorney from 2016 to 2021 and as a Judicial Attorney from 2015 to 2016.

And, Carl Chamberlin, of San Francisco County, has been appointed to serve as a Judge in the Santa Clara County Superior Court. Chamberlin has served as the Lead Appellate Court Attorney at the First District Court of Appeal, First Appellate District since 1999.

The DJ has Newsom elevates three to appellate courts, names seven trial judges -- Gov. Gavin Newsom nominated three justices to the state Courts of Appeal and appointed seven Superior Court judges in five counties, continuing a reshaping of California's judiciary.

The MetNews has Newsom Taps Goorvitch for Court of Appeal Seat.

Appellate lawyers appointed to LASC!

 

Congrats to Johnathan Eisenman:

Jonathan Eisenman, of Los Angeles County, has been appointed to serve as a Judge in the Los Angeles County Superior Court. Eisenman has served as the Assistant General Counsel at the Los Angeles Department of Water & Power since 2025. He served as a Deputy City Attorney at the Los Angeles City Attorney’s Office from 2018 to 2025. Eisenman worked as an Associate at Greines, Martin, Stein & Richland from 2015 to 2018. He served as a Law Clerk at the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California from 2014 to 2015 and from 2011 to 2012. Eisenman served as a Law Clerk at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit from 2012 to 2013. He was an associate at Akin, Gump, Strauss, Hauer & Feld from 2008 to 2011. Eisenman received a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Texas School of Law. He fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Scott T. Millington. Eisenman is a Democrat.

And to Erin Reed:

Erin Reed, of Los Angeles County, has been appointed to serve as a Judge in the Los Angeles County Superior Court. Reed has served as a Senior Appellate Court Attorney at the Second District Court of Appeal since 2017, where she also served as an Appellate Court Attorney from 2014 to 2017. Reed worked as an Associate at Collins & Collins from 2013 to 2014. She served as a Judicial Clerk at the New Mexico Court of Appeals from 2010 to 2013. Reed received a Juris Doctor degree from the University of California, Davis School of Law. She fills the vacancy created by the elevation of Judge Armen Tamzarian to the Court of Appeal. Reed is a Democrat.

3 new justices confirmed today!

Commission Confirms Three Appointments to Courts of Appeal
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).

Tung confirmed for 9th Circuit

The DJ reports: Jones Day partner Eric C. Tung wins 9th Circuit confirmation, 52-45 -- Tung, a former clerk to Justices Antonin Scalia and Neil Gorsuch, succeeds Judge Sandra S. Ikuta; his addition does not change the court's partisan makeup.

• Tung will be the 11th judge on the 9th Circuit, which has 29 active judges, chosen by President Donald Trump.
• A 2010 graduate of the University of Chicago Law School, Tung has no judicial experience. But he served as a clerk for both U.S. Supreme Court Justices Antonin Scalia and Neil M. Gorsuch, both of whom he described as role models.

Law.com has Jones Day Partner Eric Tung Confirmed to 9th Circuit

Law360's latest Wheeling & Appealing is out. The appellate trivia question this time is: "Only one U.S. president has served as a federal circuit judge — who was it? And for extra credit, on which circuit did that president serve?" (This one is a pretty easy guess, since the answer is also the only U.S. president to have served on SCOTUS too.)

CJA hearing in SF for 3 COA appointments

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.

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.

And now available: The CLA Litigation Section's October 2025 Litigation Update

California Supreme Court to Honor Late Justice Joseph R. Grodin -- The California Supreme Court will honor the legacy of former Justice Joseph R. Grodin at the start of its oral argument session on November 4.

For a tale about a late appeal, see this unpub D084830.PDF

On the federal side, see Ninth Circuit Rules that Decision Reimposing the Automatic Stay is Immediately Appealable -- In 2020, the Supreme Court ruled that a bankruptcy court’s decision to lift the automatic stay of pending litigation imposed by the Bankruptcy Code is a final, appealable order. But what if a bankruptcy court lifts the stay and later reimposes it? Is the latter order also immediately appealable, or is it considered interlocutory?

Chambers Attorney to SFSC

The DJ reports Newsom appoints 15 Superior Court judges across 12 California counties -- The governor's 15 trial-court appointments span Alameda, Contra Costa, Kern, Los Angeles, Marin, Mendocino, Orange, Riverside (2), San Bernardino, San Francisco (2), Santa Cruz and Siskiyou, reflecting broad criminal, civil and family law experience.

Of appellate note:

Ai Mori, of San Francisco County, has been appointed to serve as a Judge in the San Francisco County Superior Court. Mori has worked as a Chambers Attorney to Associate Justice Martin Jenkins in the California Supreme Court since 2020. She served in multiple positions in the California Court of Appeal, First Appellate District from 2006 to 2020, including as Chambers Attorney to Associate Justice Ioana Petrou, Justice Pro Tem Rebecca Wiseman, Associate Justice Martin Jenkins, and Administrative Presiding Justice William McGuiness. She worked as an Associate at Minami Tamaki from 2002 to 2006, and as a Staff Attorney in the California Court of Appeal, Fourth Appellate District from 2000 to 2002. Mori received a Juris Doctor degree from UC Law San Francisco. She fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Suzanne R. Bolanos. Mori is a Democrat.

Marin County's appointment is Matthew Siroka, a sole practitioner and former First District Appellate Project staff attorney, filling the seat of retired Judge Paul M. Haakenson.

Kendall Hannon was appointed in Siskiyou County. A deputy attorney general and former Judicial Council attorney and 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals staff attorney, Hannon fills the vacancy left by retired Judge Karen L. Dixon.

New Cal SG!

Attorney General Bonta Announces Appointment of Samuel Harbourt as California Solicitor General

• California Attorney General Rob Bonta today announced the appointment of Samuel Harbourt to the position of California Solicitor General. Harbourt will serve as the chief appellate lawyer for the California Department of Justice, managing the Office of the Solicitor General in overseeing civil and criminal appeals. Harbourt will continue the work of outgoing Solicitor General Michael Mongan, who is departing after six years of outstanding, dedicated service in the post and after 11 years of service within the Office of the Solicitor General.
• Prior to joining the California Department of Justice, Harbourt clerked for U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Chief Judge Merrick Garland of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. Harbourt also worked as a Managing Associate in the Supreme Court & Appellate Group at Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe. Prior to that, he served as a Bristow Fellow in the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the Solicitor General, and as a research assistant for Harvard Law School Professor Laurence Tribe.
• Harbourt received his Bachelor of Science in Foreign Service from Georgetown University and his Juris Doctor from Harvard Law School. He lives in San Francisco with his husband and was recently profiled as part of the “Meet Your DOJ” series. In 2021, Harbourt was named by the National LGBTQ+ Bar Association as one of the 40 Best LGBTQ+ Lawyers Under 40. Over the past several years, Harbourt has served on the board of the Bay Area Lawyer Chapter of the American Constitution Society.
• Harbourt will officially assume his new post on October 1.

The DJ has Bonta taps Samuel Harbourt as California's next solicitor general -- A former clerk to Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg who has already argued before the U.S. Supreme Court, Samuel Harbourt will begin his new job Oct. 1.

The Recorder has Samuel Harbourt Named California's Next Solicitor General

In a biographical video posted to the attorney general's website prior to his appointment announcement, Harbourt talked about his early interest in public service—he built a pretend voting booth when he was 4 so he and his friends could "vote" in the 1992 election—and his fear growing up as a closeted gay teen in conservative Louisiana.

New Justices!

 Governor Gavin Newsom today announced his nomination of three Court of Appeal Justices: Matthew Scherb as Associate Justice of the Second District Court of Appeal, Division Eight, Judge Corey Lee as Associate Justice of the Fourth District Court of Appeal, Division Two, and Judge Arlan Harrell as Associate Justice of the Fifth District Court of Appeal. 

Second District Court of Appeal, Division Eight

Matthew Scherb, of Los Angeles County, has been appointed to serve as an Associate Justice in the Second District Court of Appeal, Division 8. Scherb 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. He fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Associate Justice Elizabeth A. Grimes. This position requires confirmation by the Commission on Judicial Appointments, which consists of Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero, Attorney General Rob Bonta, and Senior Presiding Justice Arthur Gilbert. Scherb is registered as no party preference.

Fourth District Court of Appeal, Division Two

Corey Lee, of San Bernardino County, has been appointed to serve as an Associate Justice in the Fourth District Court of Appeal, Division Two. Lee has served in the San Bernardino County Superior Court as a 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. She fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Associate Justice Marsha G. Slough. This position requires confirmation by the Commission on Judicial Appointments, which consists of Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero, Attorney General Rob Bonta, and Senior Presiding Justice Manuel Ramirez. Lee is a Democrat.

Fifth District Court of Appeal

 

Arlan L. Harrell, of Fresno County, has been appointed to serve as an Associate Justice in the Fifth District Court of Appeal. Harrell 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. He fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Associate Justice Charles S. Poochigian. This position requires confirmation by the Commission on Judicial Appointments, which consists of Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero, Attorney General Rob Bonta, and Senior Presiding Justice Brad Hill. Harrell is a Democrat.

The compensation for each of these positions is $280,052.

Note also: Diane Meier was appointed to the Alameda County Superior Court after serving as an appellate court attorney in the First District Court of Appeal since 2018.

9th Cir. confirmation hearing / 9th Cir. reps sought

Today's DJ has 9th Circuit nominee ducks questions on same-sex rights, defers to 'originalism' -- Jones Day partner Eric C. Tung faced scrutiny from Senate Democrats over past comments on abortion and LGBTQ+ rights but cited "live issues" in declining to answer most questions during his confirmation hearing for the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

Tung's chances of being confirmed are considered high, as Republicans have a 12-10 majority on the judiciary committee and control 53 seats in the full Senate.
If he is confirmed, Tung would not alter the partisan balance on the 29-member court, which has 16 judges appointed by Democratic presidents and 13 named by Republican presidents.

Bloomberg Law has Trump Appellate Pick Questioned Over Brief on Legislative Powers

Ninth Circuit Seeks Candidates for Appellate Lawyer Representatives

The United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit is seeking applicants from among the federal appellate bar to serve as Appellate Lawyer Representatives to the Ninth Circuit Judicial Conference.

Those selected will serve three-year terms commencing January 1, 2026, during which they will participate in meetings throughout the circuit, assist the court with special projects, and attend and participate in the Ninth Circuit Judicial Conference, an annual gathering of federal judges, attorneys, agency representatives and court staff. This is a hard-working committee, so familiarity with this court’s rules of practice and the ability to serve on one or more sub-committees will be important. The court encourages applications from all states within the Ninth Circuit and all practice areas.

To be considered, applicants should submit a resume of no more than two pages and a brief statement of interest and qualifications, with emphasis on their appellate experience, particularly in the Ninth Circuit. The material should be emailed to Molly Dwyer, Clerk of Court, at molly_dwyer@ca9.uscourts.gov.

The deadline to submit materials is August 22, 2025. For more information about the selection procedures : https://www.ca9.uscourts.gov/appellate-lawyer-representatives/alr-information/

9th Cir. nominee

 Law360 has Trump Announces 1st And 9th Circuit Nominees

• The nominees are Joshua D. Dunlap, a partner at Pierce Atwood, for the First Circuit and Eric Tung, a partner at Jones Day, for the Ninth Circuit.
• Tung has been at Jones Day since 2019, his LinkedIn states.
• He was previously a counsel in the U.S. Department of Justice's Office of Legal Counsel in 2017 and assistant U.S. attorney for the Central District of California from 2016 to 2017.
• Tung clerked for U.S. Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch when the justice was on the high court and the 10th Circuit and also clerked for the late Justice Antonin Scalia, his firm bio states.

The DJ has Trump nominates Jones Day partner Eric Tung to 9th Circuit -- If confirmed by the Senate, he would replace 9th Circuit Judge Sandra S. Ikuta on the appellate court.

President Trump Plans to Nominate Two Appellate Judges:

Tung and Dunlap will be Trump’s third and fourth appellate nominees since his return to the White House. His first nominee, Whitney Hermandorfer for the Sixth Circuit, advanced the Senate Judiciary Committee; and Emil Bove, his former personal attorney and current top Justice Department official, is awaiting a committee vote on his nomination to the Third Circuit.

Jones Day Partner, Former Scalia, Gorsuch Clerk Gets Trump Nod for 9th Circuit | Law.com

3 COJA hearings today, starting @ 1 p.m.!

 (COJA) Commission on Judicial Appointments Hearings - 2025-06-24

1 p.m. - hearing for Justice Zukin to become 2/4's PJ

~2 p.m. - hearing for Judge Tamzarian to 2/4

~3 p.m. - hearing for Judge Hanasono to 2/3

[Less than 30 minutes after taking the oath, the 2d District's justices website page has been updated to show Presiding Justice Zukin. Ditto re Justice Tamzarian and Justice Hanasono (who's webpage was posted while he was giving his thank-you remarks!). Great job at the court for getting this up so promptly.]

Commission Confirms Appointments to Appellate Court in Los Angeles

[Update 7/3/25: These 3 COJA hearings are now posted online here.]