Government
Jun. 20, 2014
Brown appoints 15 new judges across state
Gov. Jerry Brown announced the appointment of 15 new judges Wednesday, including eight for Los Angeles County Superior Court.
Daily Journal Staff Writer
SACRAMENTO - Gov. Jerry Brown announced his appointment of 15 new superior court judges in several counties Wednesday, including eight in Los Angeles, the biggest trial court in the nation.
Among the judges appointed in Los Angeles are:
Brian S. Currey, 57, who served as counsel for former Los Angeles mayor Antonio Villaraigosa. Currey, a Democrat, fills the vacancy left by retired Judge Lawrence J. Mira;
Richard J. Burdge Jr., 64, a Democrat and owner of Burdge Law firm, who replaces retired Judge Shari K. Silver;
Rupert A. Byrdsong, 44, a Democrat and attorney at Ivie McNeill & Wyatt APLC, whose position was created by converting a commissioner seat into a judgeship in 2013;
David J. Cowan, 51, a Democrat and Los Angeles court commissioner who replaces retired Judge Diana M. Wheatley;
Sherilyn P. Garnett, 45, a Democrat and chief of the general crimes section of the Central District U.S. attorney's office, whose position was also created by converting a commissioner seat into a judgeship last year;
Christopher K. Lui, 45, a political independent and attorney at Browne George Ross LLP, who replaces Judge Beverly R. O'Connell after her appointment to a federal judgeship;
Enrique Monguia, 57, a Democrat and public defender in Los Angeles who replaces retired Judge Dewey L. Falcone; and
Gustavo N. Sztraicher, 54, a Democrat and senior trial lawyer at the Los Angeles County public defender's office who replaces retired Judge John H. Reid.
The appointments fill existing vacancies at a time when some courts - including Los Angeles - have struggled due to budget cuts to provide the resources necessary to keep enough courts open to employ their current slate of sitting judges.
In legislation earlier this year, the California judicial branch sought 50 new judgeships in addition to all current filled and vacant judicial positions in the state. But the bill, SB 1190 by Sen. Hannah-Beth Jackson, D-Santa Barbara, stalled in the Senate in May.
A number of other counties received new judges Wednesday.
Brown appointed Trinity County District Attorney Michael B. Harper, 47, a Democrat, to the county's bench, replacing retired Judge James P. Woodward.
Kathleen A. Meehan, 61, a Democrat and Fresno County Superior Court commissioner was named to that county's bench after the conversion of a commissioner position to a judgeship in 2013.
Nathan D. Ide, 45, and independent and owner of the Law Office of Nathan D. Ide, was appointed to the Tulare County bench, replacing retired Judge Elisabeth B. Krant.
Ralph W. Wyatt, 64, an independent and commissioner at the Kern County Superior Court was appointed to a judgeship in that county, replacing retired Judge Jon E. Stuebbe.
Michael Carrozzo, 48, a Republican and a deputy district attorney in Santa Barbara County was appointed to that county's bench, replacing retired Judge George C. Eskin.
Rocky J. Baio, 60, a Democrat and commissioner in Ventura County was appointed to that county's bench, replacing retired Judge Barbara A. Lane.
Christopher B. Harmon, 39, an independent and sole practitioner, was appointed to the Riverside County bench, replacing retired Judge Jean Pfeiffer Leonard.
The compensation for all of the newly appointed judges is $181,292. Judges assuming office after 2013 also pay a higher share of their pension contribution - 15 percent - compared to the 8 percent paid by most other judges who took office prior to last year. href="mailto:
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Paul Jones
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