California Governor Gavin Newsom announced on Thursday the appointment of seven new Superior Court judges across three key Bay Area counties: Alameda, San Mateo, and Santa Clara. These appointments aim to fill existing judicial vacancies, strengthening the courts in these populous regions. The announcement, shared via CBS News Bay Area, detailed the diverse professional backgrounds of the appointees.
In Alameda County, Governor Newsom appointed Diane Meier, Cara Sandberg, and Julie Wilensky. Meier previously served as an attorney in the First District Court of Appeal and replaces Judge Charles Smiley. Sandberg, a former Deputy Public Defender, steps into the role vacated by Judge Jeffrey Brand. Wilensky, who worked as a Supervising Attorney at Bay Area Legal Aid, takes over from Judge Kevin Murphy.
For San Mateo County, Michael Mau was named as a new Superior Court judge. Mau, who previously served as a commissioner at the San Mateo County Superior Court since 2022 and ran his own law firm, will succeed retired Judge Jonathan Karesh. His appointment brings a wealth of experience from both private practice and court administration.
Santa Clara County received three new judicial appointments: Kemi Mustapha, Sarah Cook, and Mark Flanagan. Mustapha was a managing attorney at Bay Area Legal Aid, and she fills the vacancy left by Judge L. Michael Clark. Cook, formerly the director of policy and legal services at the Dependency Advocacy Center, also joins the bench. Flanagan, a partner at Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale & Dorr and a lecturer at UC Berkeley School of Law, takes over for retired Judge Arthur Bocanegra.
These judicial appointments are part of Governor Newsom's ongoing efforts to enhance the state's judiciary, often prioritizing candidates with backgrounds in public service and diverse legal experiences. The new judges will assume roles crucial for handling civil and criminal cases at the county level. Each Superior Court judge position carries an annual salary of approximately $244,727, as noted in recent state announcements regarding judicial compensation.