Newsom appoints 15 judges across California superior courts

Gov. Gavin Newsom announced the appointment of 15 superior court judges Friday, filling vacancies in 13 counties created largely by retirements, as well as one death and one elevation to the Court of Appeal.

The appointments span Alameda, Contra Costa, Kern, Kings, Los Angeles, Madera, Placer, San Bernardino, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Barbara and Ventura counties, reflecting a mix of professional backgrounds in private practice, public defense, prosecution and government service. Most of the appointees are registered Democrats, with two registered without party preference and one Republican.

Los Angeles County received three new judges: Sarvenaz Bahar, a longtime sole practitioner and former Morrison & Foerster attorney; Jessica Vazquez, a deputy alternate public defender; and Cherisse Heidi Alcantara Cleofe, a partner at Kiesel Law. All three appointments fill vacancies created by retirements.

Contra Costa County will add two judges, including Hanni Fakhoury, a partner at Moeel Lah Fakhoury and former assistant federal public defender and Electronic Frontier Foundation attorney, and Amanda Karl, a partner at Gibbs Mura with prior federal clerkship experience.

Elsewhere in Northern California, Ernesto "Ernie" Castillo, a sole practitioner, was appointed to the Alameda County Superior Court, while Justine Cephus, a deputy city attorney in San Francisco and former prosecutor, was selected for the San Francisco Superior Court. David Silberman, assistant county counsel in San Mateo County, was appointed to that county's superior court.

In Central and Southern California, Jennifer Feige, a deputy county counsel, was appointed in Kern County, and Ismael Rodriguez, a sole practitioner and former deputy district attorney, was named to the Kings County Superior Court. Daniel Walters, a senior deputy district attorney, will join the Madera County Superior Court.

Shani Roark, a Placer County court commissioner and former public defender, was appointed to the Placer County Superior Court, while John Balla, an assistant U.S. attorney, was named to the San Bernardino County Superior Court. Balla fills a vacancy created by the elevation of Judge Corey G. Lee to the Court of Appeal.

Sydney Bennett, a senior public defender, was appointed to the Santa Barbara County Superior Court, and Brian Sottile, a Ventura County court commissioner and longtime Los Angeles City Attorney's Office lawyer, was selected for the Ventura County Superior Court, filling a vacancy created by the death of Judge Ryan J. Wright.

The appointments continue Newsom's pattern of drawing judicial candidates from a wide range of legal roles, including private practice, public defense and government service, as he continues to reshape trial courts statewide.