California: Governor Newsom announces judicial appointments

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Apr 16, 2026

Governor Newsom announces judicial appointments

SACRAMENTO – Governor Gavin Newsom announced his nomination of two Court of Appeal Justices: Judge Eran Marie Bermudez to the Fourth District Court of Appeal, Division One and Judge Deborah C. Servino, to the Fourth District Court of Appeal, Division Three.

The Governor also announced his appointment of seven Superior Court Judges: two in Los Angeles County, one in Orange County, one in San Joaquin County, one in San Diego County, and two in Santa Clara County.

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 Gurrero, 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

Los Angeles Superior Court

Erin Dixon, of Los Angeles County, has been appointed to serve as a Judge in the Los Angeles County Superior Court. Dixon has served as a Deputy Alternate Public Defender at the Los Angeles Alternate Public Defender's Office since 2008. She served as a Deputy Public Defender at the Orange County Public Defender's Office from 2006 to 2008. She worked as a Contract Attorney at Emison, Hullverson, Bonagofsky in 2006. Dixon received a Juris Doctor degree from the University of California College of the Law, San Francisco. She fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Christopher G. Estes. Dixon is a Democrat.

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Gary Tokumori, of Los Angeles County, has been appointed to serve as a Judge in the Los Angeles County Superior Court. Tokumori has been a shareholder at Parker Milliken Clark O'Hara & Samuelian since 2018, after working there as Senior Counsel from 2009 to 2017. He worked as Senior Counsel at Moldo Davidson Fraioli Seror & Sestanocich from 2006 to 2009. Tokumori worked as an Associate at Ivanjack, Shuck & Milstead from 1991 to 2006 and at Robie & Matthai from 1990 to 1991. Tokumori received a Juris Doctor degree from Loyola Law School. He will fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Mark E. Windham. Tokumori is a Democrat.

Orange Superior Court

Tiffany Poncy, of Orange County, has been appointed to serve as a Judge in the Orange County Superior Court. Poncy has served as a Commissioner at the Orange County Superior Court since 2024. She served as a Deputy County Counsel at the Orange County Counsel's Office from 2019 to 2024. Poncy served as Deputy County Counsel at the Los Angeles County Counsel's Office from 2016 to 2019. Poncy worked as an Associate at various firms including  at Burch Shepard Family Law Group from 2015 to 2016, at Los Angeles Dependency Lawyers from 2013 to 2015, at Holstrom, Block & Parke from 2012 to 2013, and at the Children's Law Center of Los Angeles from 2007 to 2012. Poncy received a Juris Doctor degree from Trinity Law School. She fills the vacancy created by the resignation of Judge Israel Claustro. Poncy is registered without party affiliation.

San Joaquin Superior Court

Michael Tener, of San Joaquin County, has been appointed to serve as a Judge in the San Joaquin County Superior Court. Tener has been a Partner at Leonardini, Despotes, Giannecchini & Nims since 2024. He worked as an Associate at Neumiller & Beardslee from 2007 to 2016 and as a shareholder of that firm from 2016 to 2024. Tener received a Juris Doctor degree from the University of California, Davis School of Law. He fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Barbara A. Kronlund. Tener is a Democrat.

San Diego Superior Court

Miguel A. Peñalosa Jr., of San Diego County, has been appointed to serve as a Judge in the San Diego County Superior Court. Peñalosa has been an Associate at Bobbitt, Pinckard & Fields since 2024. He served as a Deputy Alternate Public Defender at the San Diego Public Defender's Office from 2014 to 2024. He worked as a Contract Attorney at the Law Offices of Jose Badillo from 2013 to 2014 and at Warren & Burstein from 2013 to 2014. Peñalosa received a Juris Doctor degree from California Western School of Law. He fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Timothy B. Taylor. Peñalosa is registered without party preference.

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Santa Clara Superior Court

Maren Clouse, of Santa Clara County, has been appointed to serve as a Judge in the Santa Clara County Superior Court. Clouse has served as a Chief Deputy City Attorney at the San Jose City Attorney's Office, where she has worked since 2016. She was an Associate and Counsel at Hogan Lovells from 2008 to 2016. Clouse worked as an Associate at Heller Ehrman from 2003 to 2008. Clouse received a Juris Doctor degree from Stanford Law School. She fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Thang N. Barrett. She is registered without party preference.

Mary Procaccio-Flowers, of Santa Clara County, has been appointed to serve as a Judge in the Santa Clara County Superior Court. Procaccio-Flowers has served as a Law Clerk at the U.S. District Court, Northern District of California since 2025. Procaccio-Flowers worked in various roles at Santa Clara University School of Law including as an Adjunct Professor in 2025 and as an Assistant Clinical Professor from 2020 to 2025. She worked as an Associate at Wilson Sosini Goodrich & Rosati in 2020 and from 2012 to 2019. Proaccio-Flowers served as a Law Clerk at the U.S. District Court, Northern District of California from 2019 to 2020. Procaccio-Flowers received a Juris Doctor degree from Santa Clara University School of Law. She fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Erica R. Yew. Procaccio-Flowers is a Democrat.

The compensation for each of these positions is $244,727

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