Governor Newsom announces judicial appointments across California

Governor Gavin Newsome | Twitter Website

Governor Gavin Newsom announced the nomination of three Court of Appeal Justices and the appointment of seven Superior Court Judges on September 30, 2024.

Justice Brian M. Hoffstadt has been nominated as Presiding Justice of the Second District Court of Appeal, Division Five. Hoffstadt has served as an Associate Justice at the Second District Court of Appeal since 2014 and previously worked in various legal positions including as a Judge at the Los Angeles County Superior Court and a Partner at Jones Day. He will fill the vacancy left by retired Presiding Justice Laurence D. Rubin.

Judge Michelle C. Kim is nominated to serve as an Associate Justice of the Second District Court of Appeal, Division One. Kim has been a Judge at the Los Angeles County Superior Court since 2018 and formerly served in public defender roles within Los Angeles County. She will replace retired Justice Victoria D. Chaney.

Judge Anne K. Richardson is set to become an Associate Justice of the Second District Court of Appeal, Division Two, pending confirmation. Richardson has also served as a Judge at the Los Angeles County Superior Court since 2018 and held previous positions including Directing Attorney at Public Counsel.

All three nominations require confirmation by the Commission on Judicial Appointments consisting of Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero, Attorney General Rob Bonta, and Senior Presiding Justice Arthur Gilbert.

The Governor's appointments for Superior Court Judges include four in Alameda County: Rozlynn Silvaggio Bauman, Chad A. Stegeman, Han N. Tran, and Kevin T. Wong; two in Los Angeles County: Elizabeth L. Bradley and Sally Espinoza; and one in Ventura County: Russel-Paul H. Kawai.

Bauman has been appointed to fill the vacancy created by Judge James Cramer's death while Stegeman fills the position vacated by Judge Tara M. Desautels' appointment to the Court of Appeal.

Tran takes over from retired Judge Jeffrey Brand’s position whereas Wong replaces retired Judge Dennis Hayashi.

In Los Angeles County, Bradley steps into retired Judge Michael Levanas' role while Espinoza fills Tomson T. Ong’s vacated seat following his retirement.

Kawai will assume responsibilities from retired Ventura County Superior Court Judge Rocky Baio's position.

Each new appointee's compensation is set at $243,940 for superior court judgeships and $279,151 for appellate justiceships.