Gov. Gavin Newsom has named Luis Céspedes, a Sacramento solo with long ties to the Capitol and the surrounding legal community, his new judicial appointments secretary.

Céspedes, 68, replaces Martin Jenkins, who was recently sworn in as associate justice of the California Supreme Court.

"I am very grateful that Governor Newsom has selected me for this extraordinarily important job," Céspedes said in a statement provided by the governor's office. "The appointment of judges committed to public service and who reflect the diversity of our great state is critically important to the fair and equitable administration of justice. I am also honored to succeed Associate Justice Martin Jenkins who has laid the foundation for the future."