The contested race for a seat on the San Francisco Superior Court bench pits occasionally controversial Judge Thomas Mellon against termed-out Supervisor Gerardo Sandoval and prosecutor-turned-PD-turned-solo Mary Mallen. Voters will have to weigh the candidates — here’s our coverage.
Santa Clara County Deputy District Attorney Jacqueline Arroyo, an 18-year veteran of the department, will take the superior court bench in that county. She will be joined by L. Michael Clark, senior lead deputy county counsel in Santa Clara County.
In Santa Cruz County, Burton, Volkmann & Schmal partner Timothy Volkmann was named to the bench. To the south in Monterey County, Schwarzenegger appointed Wills & Benoit partner Thomas Wills to the superior court. He fills the vacancy created last year when the Commission on Judicial Performance removed Judge Jose Velasquez from office for misconduct on the bench.
Five new judges were named in Orange County: Jacki Brown, Donald Gaffney, Bob Gannon, Kim Hubbard and James Waltz.
Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Elena Duarte will move to Sacramento County Superior Court.
In Kern County, Schwarzenegger’s three appointments are Michael Dellostritto, John Somers and Louie Vega.
Kevin DeNoce and David Worley were named judges in Ventura County.
