Orange County (Orange)
Career Highlights: Nominated by Gov. Gavin Newsom to serve as an Associate Justice of the Fourth District Court of Appeal, Division Three; retired October 2, 2026. Appointed to the Orange County Superior Court judge by Gov. Jerry Brown, Oct. 29, 2018; partner, Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP, 2017-18; partner, BakerHostetler, 2005-17; shareholder, Alvarado Smith & Sanchez, APC, 1993-2005; managing counsel, Mazda Motor of America Inc., 1991-93; senior counsel, Hyundai Motor America, 1986-91; associate, Rutan & Tucker LLP, 1981-86.
Law School: UC Berkeley School of Law, 1981
Career Highlights: Nominated by Gov. Gavin Newsom to serve as an Associate Justice of the Fourth District Court of Appeal, Division Three; retired October 2, 2026. Appointed to the Orange County Superior Court judge by Gov. Jerry Brown, Oct. 29, 2018; partner, Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP, 2017-18; partner, BakerHostetler, 2005-17; shareholder, Alvarado Smith & Sanchez, APC, 1993-2005; managing counsel, Mazda Motor of America Inc., 1991-93; senior counsel, Hyundai Motor America, 1986-91; associate, Rutan & Tucker LLP, 1981-86.
Law School: UC Berkeley School of Law, 1981
ORANGE — Three decades before he became a superior court judge, Maurice Sanchez impressed a future boss with his problem-solving skills. The young attorney didn’t know much about automobiles, but the Hyundai Motors executive who hired him as a general counsel was more focused on his congeniality, insight and knack for analysis.
“He had the intellectual wherewithal and the capacity to work with people and find solutions,” ... (continued)
