Orange County Superior Court

After years of balancing work, school and grueling commutes to earn her law degree, Orange County Judge Carmen D. Snuggs-Spraggins brings patience, practicality and a willingness to hear the person behind each case to her criminal courtroom.

Orange County Superior Court

Orange County Superior Court Judge John R. Zitny has helped reshape judicial education by tailoring training to judges' needs, promoting small-group instruction and encouraging thoughtful adoption of new technologies while drawing on decades of trial experience.

Los Angeles County Superior Court

After 25 years in criminal law, Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Julian C. Recana left behind felony prosecutions and criminal assignments for an unfamiliar world of civil litigation. Guided by his retired judge father, Recana says the transition has rekindled his love of learning while reshaping his approach to judging.

Los Angeles County Superior Court

Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Teresa P. Magno has spent more than a decade handling serious felony cases in Compton, earning a reputation for meticulous preparation, efficient trials and a courtroom style rooted in respect, empathy and accountability.

Orange County Superior Court

Orange County Superior Court Judge Justin Glenn-Leistikow never intended to become a lawyer. After the dot-com crash derailed his programming career, he found his way to the public defender's office, where nearly two decades of trial work shaped the judicial philosophy he now brings to the criminal bench.