California: Governor Newsom announces judicial appointments

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Aug 7, 2026

Governor Newsom announces judicial appointments

SACRAMENTO – Governor Gavin Newsom announced his nomination of eight Court of Appeal Justices: Justice Rashida Adams, to the Second District Court of Appeal, Division Three; Judge Denise Hippach to the Second District Court of Appeal, Division Six; David Sapp to the Third District Court of Appeal; Judge Lauri Damrell to the Third District Court of Appeal; Judge Marsha Amin to the Fourth District Court of Appeal, Division One; Judge Lisa Rodriguez to the Fourth District Court of Appeal, Division One; Judge Juliet Macaulay to the Fourth District Court of Appeal, Division Three; Judge Frederick Chung to the Sixth District Court of Appeal.

The Governor also announced his appointment of nine Superior Court Judges: four in Los Angeles County, one in Riverside County, two in San Diego County, one interim appointment in Sonoma County, and one interim appointment in San Francisco County.

Second District Court of Appeal, Division Three

Rashida Adams, of Los Angeles County, has been nominated to serve as Presiding Justice in the Second District Court of Appeal, Division Three. Adams has served as an Associate Justice for the Second District Court of Appeal, Division Three since 2023. Adams served as a Judge in the Los Angeles County Superior Court from 2017 to 2023. She served as a Senior Appellate Court Attorney at the Second District Court of Appeal, Division Eight from 2008 to 2017. Adams was an Attorney at Caldwell Leslie & Proctor from 2005 to 2007. She worked as an Attorney at Bernabei & Katz from 2001 to 2005. Adams received a Juris Doctor degree from Yale Law School. 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. If confirmed, she will fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Justice Lee Edmon, and Adams's appointment to a term beginning January 4, 2027 will be subject to voter confirmation during the general election scheduled for November 3, 2026. Adams is a Democrat.

Second District Court of Appeal, Division Six

Denise Hippach, of San Luis Obispo County, has been nominated to serve as an Associate Justice in the Second District Court of Appeal, Division Six. Hippach has served as a Judge in the Santa Barbara County Superior Court since 2022. She served as a Senior Deputy County Counsel at the Santa Barbara County Counsel's Office from 2018 to 2022. Hippach served as a Deputy Attorney General at the Idaho Attorney General's Office from 2015 to 2018. She served as Deputy Prosecuting Attorney at the Canyon County Prosecutor's Office from 2016 to 2018. Hippach served as a Panel Attorney at the California Court of Appeal, Court-Appointed Counsel Program from 2014 to 2018. She served as a Deputy County Counsel at the Los Angeles County Counsel's Office from 2008 to 2014. Hippach served as a Deputy District Attorney at the Riverside County District Attorney's Office from 2004 to 2006. Hippach received a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Southern California Gould School of Law. She fills the vacancy created by the elevation of Justice Tari Cody to Presiding Justice. 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. Hippach is a Democrat.

Third District Court of Appeal

David Sapp, of Napa County, has been nominated to serve as an Associate Justice in the Third District Court of Appeal. Sapp has served in multiple roles at the Office of Governor Gavin Newsom including as the Legal Affairs Secretary since 2022, as the Chief Deputy Legal Affairs Secretary from 2021 to 2022, and as a Deputy Legal Affairs Secretary from 2019 to 2021. He served as Deputy Policy Director & Assistant Legal Counsel at the California State Board of Education from 2016 to 2019. Sapp worked at the American Civil Liberties Union Foundation of Southern California as Director of Education Advocacy from 2014 to 2016 and as Staff Attorney from 2009 to 2014. He served as a Law Clerk at the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals from 2008 to 2009. He worked as a Skadden Fellow and Staff Attorney at the Advocates for Children's Services, Legal Aid of North Carolina from 2006 to 2008. Sapp served as a Law Clerk in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Alabama from 2005 to 2006. Sapp received a Juris Doctor degree from Stanford Law School. 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 Laurie Earl. If confirmed, Sapp will fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Justice Ronald Robie after Justice Robie completes his term of office on January 4, 2027, and Sapp's appointment to a term beginning January 4, 2027 will be subject to voter confirmation during the general election scheduled for November 3, 2026. Sapp is a Democrat.

Lauri Damrell, of Sacramento County, has been nominated to serve as an Associate Justice in the Third District Court of Appeal. Damrell has served as a Judge in the Sacramento County Superior Court since 2018. She has worked as an Adjunct Professor at Lincoln Law School since 2022 and as a visiting lecturer at the University of California, Davis since 2019. Damrell worked in several roles at Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe including as Partner from 2016 to 2018 and as Associate from 2006 to 2016. She served as Deputy District Attorney at the Sacramento County District Attorney's Office in 2014. Damrell served as a Law Clerk in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California from 2005 to 2006. Darmrell received a Juris Doctor degree from the University of California, Davis School of Law. 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 Lauri Earl. If confirmed, she will fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Justice Elena J. Duarte, and Damrell's appointment to a term beginning January 4, 2027 will be subject to voter confirmation during the general election scheduled for November 3, 2026. Damrell is registered as No Party Preference.

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Fourth District Court of Appeal, Division One

Marsha Amin, of San Diego County, has been nominated to serve as an Associate Justice in the Fourth District Court of Appeal, Division One. Amin has served as a Judge in the San Diego County Superior Court since 2023. She served as Managing Attorney at the Fourth District Court of Appeal from 2018 to 2023 and served as Senior Attorney from 2011 to 2018. She was a Litigation Attorney at Procopio, Cory, Hargreaves & Savitch from 2006 to 2010. Amin worked as a Law Clerk in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California from 2005 to 2006. Amin received a Juris Doctor degree from the University of San Diego School of Law. She fills the vacancy created by the death of Justice Joan Irion. 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. Amin is a Democrat.

Lisa Rodriguez, of San Diego County, has been nominated to serve as an Associate Justice in the Fourth District Court of Appeal, Division One. Rodriguez has served as a Judge in the San Diego County Superior Court since 2015. She has worked as an Adjunct Professor at the University of San Diego School of Law since 2014. Rodriguez served as a Deputy District Attorney at the San Diego County District Attorney's Office from 1998 to 2015. She served as a Deputy City Attorney at the San Diego City Attorney's Office from 1996 to 1998.  Rodriguez received a Juris Doctor degree from the University of San Diego School of Law. 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. If confirmed, Rodriguez will fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Justice Terry B. O'Rourke after Justice O'Rourke completes his term of office on January 4, 2027, and Rodriguez's appointment to a term beginning January 4, 2027 will be subject to voter confirmation during the general election scheduled for November 3, 2026. Rodriguez is a Democrat.

Fourth District Court of Appeal, Division Three

Juliet Macaulay, of Orange County, has been nominated to serve as an Associate Justice in the Fourth District Court of Appeal, Division Three. Macaulay has served as a Judge in the Orange County Superior Court since 2022. She held various roles at the California Department of Social Services including as Chief Administrative Law Judge from 2020 to 2022, Presiding Administrative Law Judge from 2016 to 2020, and Administrative Law Judge from 2012 to 2016. Macaulay held various roles at the California Board of Parole Hearings including as a Commissioner in 2011 and a Deputy Commissioner from 2004 to 2011. She was a Sole Practitioner at the Law Offices of Juliet Macaulay from 1997 to 2004. Macaulay received a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Ibadan. 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. If confirmed, she will fill the vacancy created by the elevation of Justice Joanne Motoike to Presiding Justice, and Macaulay's appointment to a term beginning January 4, 2027 will be subject to voter confirmation during the general election scheduled for November 3, 2026. Macaulay is a Democrat.

Sixth District Court of Appeal

Frederick Chung, of Santa Clara County, has been nominated to serve as an Associate Justice in the Sixth District Court of Appeal. Chung has served as a Judge in the Santa Clara County Superior Court since 2018. He worked as a Partner at Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher from 2003 to 2018. Chung worked as an Associate at Morrison & Foerster from 1996 to 2003. He served as a Law Clerk in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit from 1995 to 1996. Chung received a Juris Doctor degree from Harvard Law School. 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. If confirmed, Chung will fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Justice Adrienne Grover after Justice Grover completes her term of office on January 4, 2027, and Chung's appointment to a term beginning January 4, 2027 will be subject to voter confirmation during the general election scheduled for November 3, 2026. Chung is a Democrat.

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

Los Angeles Superior Court

Justin Ford, of Los Angeles County, has been appointed to serve as a Judge in the Los Angeles County Superior Court. Ford has served as Deputy District Attorney at the Los Angeles District Attorney's Office since 2014. He worked as an Associate at Katten Muchin Rosenman from 2011 to 2014. Ford worked as an Associate at O'Melveny & Myers from 2007 to 2011. Ford received a Juris Doctor degree from Georgetown University. He fills the vacancy created by the death  of Judge William C. Ryan. Ford is a Democrat.

Erin Murphy, of Ventura County, has been appointed to serve as a Judge in the Los Angeles County Superior Court. Murphy has served as Supervising Trial Attorney at the Office of the Federal Public Defender since 2024, and as a Trial Attorney since 2018. Murphy has worked as an Adjunct Professor at Loyola Law School since 2022. She worked as a Law Clerk in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit from 2017 to 2018. Murphy held various roles at Lightfoot Steingard & Sadowsky including as an Associate from 2012 to 2017 and as a Law Clerk from 2011 to 2012. Murphy received a Juris Doctor degree from Loyola Law School. She fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Robert C. Vanderet. Murphy is a Democrat.

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Wilson Park, of Los Angeles County, has been appointed to serve as a Judge in the Los Angeles County Superior Court. Park has served as an Assistant United States Attorney at the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Central District of California since 2012. He served as a Law Clerk in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California from 2010 to 2012. Park worked as an Associate at the Bernheim Law Firm from 2009 to 2010. He was an Associate at Schiff Hardin from 2005 to 2009. Park received a Juris Doctor degree from the University of California College of Law, San Francisco. He fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge James D. Otto. Park is a Democrat.

Maricela Segura, of Los Angeles County, has been appointed to serve as a Judge in the Los Angeles County Superior Court. Segura has worked in various roles for the Federal Trade Commission, including as Regional Director in the Los Angeles office since 2019 and as an attorney since 2008. Segura worked as an Associate at Sidley Austin from 2003 to 2008. She was a Law Clerk at the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals from 2002 to 2003. Segura received a Juris Doctor degree at the University of Southern California Gould School of Law. She fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Warren M. Kato. Segura is a Democrat.

Riverside Superior Court

Timothy Mulhere, of Orange County, has been appointed to serve as a Judge in the Riverside County Superior Court. Mulhere has served as Deputy District Attorney at the Riverside County District Attorney's Office since 2016 and from 2007 to 2009. Mulhere served as Deputy District Attorney at the Los Angeles District Attorney's Office from 2012 to 2016. He worked as an Associate at Wallin & Klarich Criminal Defense Firm from 2009 to 2012. He received a Juris Doctor degree from Whittier College School of Law. He fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Susanne S. Cho. Mulhere is a Libertarian.

San Diego Superior Court

Crystal Salumbides, of San Diego County, has been appointed to serve as a Judge in the San Diego County Superior Court. Salumbides has served as a Commissioner at the San Diego County Superior Court since 2025. She served as a Deputy Public Defender at the San Diego County Public Defender's Office from 2013 to 2025. Salumbides received a Juris Doctor degree from the Thomas Jefferson School of Law. She fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Joel R. Wohlfeil. Salumbides is a Democrat.

Brigid Campo, of San Diego County, has been appointed to serve as a Judge in the San Diego County Superior Court. Campo has served as a Commissioner at the San Diego County Superior Court since 2023. She was an Administrative Law Judge at the California Department of Social Services in 2023. Campo served as a Research Attorney at the San Diego County Superior Court from 2019 to 2023. She was Of Counsel at Ashworth, Blanchet & Christenson from 2018 to 2019. She worked as an Associate at the Law and Mediation Offices of Klueck & Hoppes from 2014 to 2018. Campo worked as a Sole Practitioner at the Law Offices of Brigid Campo from 2011 to 2014. She served as a Deputy District Attorney at the Santa Barbara District Attorney's Office in 2011. Campo received a Juris Doctor degree from Santa Barbara College of Law. She fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Daniel G. Lamborn. Campo is a Democrat.

Sonoma Superior Court

David Kim, of Sonoma County, has been appointed to serve in an interim appointment in the Sonoma County Superior Court. Kim has served as a Commissioner at the Sonoma County Superior Court since 2023. He served as a Deputy District Attorney at the Sonoma County District Attorney's Office from 2016 to 2023. He was the owner of Kim Law Offices from 2010 to 2016. He served as an Assistant State's Attorney at the Winnebago County State's Attorney's Office from 2007 to 2010. He worked as an Associate at Metrou & Associates from 2006 to 2007. Kim received a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Minnesota Law School. He fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Kenneth Gnoss. Kim is a Democrat.

San Francisco Superior Court

Phoebe Maffei, of San Francisco County, has been appointed to serve in an interim appointment in the San Francisco County Superior Court. She has served as an Assistant District Attorney at the San Francisco District Attorney's Office since 2010. Maffei received a Juris Doctor degree from Santa Clara University School of Law. She fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Gerardo Sandoval. Maffei is a Democrat.

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

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