Governor Newsom nominates three justices and appoints twelve judges statewide

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Governor Gavin Newsom has put forward several nominations and appointments for California's judiciary. Three individuals have been nominated for positions within the Court of Appeal, while twelve have been appointed as Superior Court Judges across various counties.

In the Second District Court of Appeal, Associate Justice Helen Zukin is nominated to become Presiding Justice of Division Four. Zukin, who has served in this division since 2023, previously held a judgeship at the Los Angeles County Superior Court from 2018 to 2023. Her career also includes partnership roles at Kiesel Law LLP and Simke, Chodos, Silberfeld & Anteau, Inc., among others. This nomination follows the retirement of Presiding Justice Brian Currey.

Judge Mark Hanasono is nominated as an Associate Justice in Division Three of the same court. His judicial experience includes serving on the Los Angeles County Superior Court since 2013. Before that, he was a Deputy Alternate Public Defender and a Deputy Public Defender in Los Angeles County. Hanasono's nomination fills the vacancy left by retired Justice Luis A. Lavin.

Judge Armen Tamzarian is nominated as an Associate Justice for Division Four pending Zukin's confirmation as Presiding Justice. Tamzarian has been with the Los Angeles County Superior Court since 2013 and previously worked as a lead appellate court attorney in Division Three of the Second District Court of Appeal.

Additionally, Governor Newsom announced appointments for twelve new Superior Court Judges across multiple counties including Fresno, Los Angeles, Orange, Sacramento, San Diego, Santa Barbara, Santa Clara, and Ventura.

Among these appointees are Melissa Baloian in Fresno County; Syna Dennis, Hoa Hoang, Lara Bazán, Brenda C. Robinson and Maria Jhai in Los Angeles County; Michael Mooney in Orange County; Martin Tejeda in Sacramento County; Jihan Maloney in San Diego County; Teresa Martinez in Santa Barbara County; Christopher Van Meir in Santa Clara County; and Carol Hubner in Ventura County.

Each appointee will fill vacancies created by retirements or elevations to higher courts. The compensation for each appellate position is $280,052 annually while superior court positions receive $244,727 per year.