OC Superior Court elects new leadership team for 2025-27 term

Orange County Superior Court Judge Sheila F. Hanson has been elected presiding judge of the court and will begin her term in January. She brings nearly two decades of judicial experience to the state's third-most populous county.

Hanson and Judge Terri K. Flynn-Peister, elected assistant presiding judge, both ran unopposed for the upcoming two-year term. They will oversee a system serving 3.2 million residents with 156 courtrooms, 145 authorized judgeships, 1,505 employees, and a $275.1 million budget.

"I am honored to have been entrusted by my colleagues with the responsibility of serving as Presiding Judge and remain committed to ensuring fair and timely access to justice for all members of our community," Hanson said.

Currently the assistant presiding judge, Hanson chairs the Finance Committee and has led technology initiatives. Since 2016, she has chaired the Judicial Council's Information Technology Advisory Committee. A Western State University College of Law graduate, she served nearly 18 years as an Orange County deputy district attorney before her 2006 appointment to the bench by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.

From 2018 to 2025, Hanson presided over long-cause felony jury trials. She earlier supervised the Felony Panel (2016-18) and the North Justice Center (2009-12).

Flynn-Peister, appointed in 2012 by Gov. Jerry Brown, now supervises the Felony Panel after four years as a panel member. She previously led the West Justice Center (2018-20).

"It is a privilege and an honor to be able to serve the people of Orange County and the Orange County Superior Court in this capacity," Flynn-Peister said. "I am committed to continuing to provide the high-quality services of the Court and access to justice to all members of our community."

Before her appointment, Flynn-Peister was an assistant U.S. attorney for nearly 12 years in the Central and Southern districts of California and earlier practiced at Latham & Watkins. She serves on the Executive, Finance, and Technology committees and oversees the Pretrial Assessment and Release Services Program. She was assistant presiding judge of the Appellate Division from 2019 to 2021.

The Orange County Superior Court has 156 traditional and six virtual courtrooms.