Governor Newsom appoints three appellate justices and eighteen superior court judges

Governor Gavin Newsom has announced the nomination of three individuals to serve as Associate Justices on California's Courts of Appeal and the appointment of 18 new judges to Superior Courts across the state.

The Court of Appeal nominees are Matthew Scherb for the Second District, Division Eight; Judge Corey Lee for the Fourth District, Division Two; and Judge Arlan Harrell for the Fifth District. Each nomination requires confirmation by the Commission on Judicial Appointments. The commission includes Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero, Attorney General Rob Bonta, and a Senior Presiding Justice from each respective court division.

"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."

"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."

"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."

Each appellate justice will receive annual compensation set at $280,052.

Eighteen appointments were also made for judgeships in county superior courts: three in Alameda County; one each in Butte and Kings counties; five in Los Angeles County; one each in San Bernardino, San Diego, San Luis Obispo and San Mateo counties; three in Santa Clara County; and one in Stanislaus County.

"Diane Meier...has been appointed...in Alameda County...She fills...the vacancy created by...Judge Charles A Smiley..."

"Julie Wilensky...appointed...Alameda County...fills vacancy created by appointment...Judge Noel Wise..."

"Cara Sandberg...appointed...Alameda County..."

"Ruby Neumann...appointed...Butte County..."

"Jim Trevino...appointed...Kings County..."

"Veronica Ramos...appointed...Los Angeles..."

"Renee Williams...appointed...Los Angeles..."

"Melinda Porter...appointed...Los Angeles..."

"Amanda Park...appointed...Los Angeles..."

"Osman Abbasi ... appointed ... Los Angeles ..."

"Maggie Yang ... appointed ... San Bernardino ..."

"Todd Stevens ... appointed ... San Diego ..."

"Kenneth McDaniel ... appointed ... San Luis Obispo ..."

"Michael Mau ... appointed ... San Mateo ..."

"Kemi Mustapha ... Santa Clara ..."

"Sarah Cook ... Santa Clara ..."

"Mark Flanagan ... Santa Clara ..."

"Sarah Birmingham ... Stanislaus ..."

The salary for each new superior court judge is $244,727 per year.

These appointments reflect ongoing changes within California's judicial system following retirements or elevations within its ranks.