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Aug 24, 2026
Governor Newsom announces judicial appointments 8.24.26
SACRAMENTO – Governor Gavin Newsom announced his appointment of twelve Superior Court Judges: one in Humboldt County, one in Imperial County, one in Los Angeles County, one in Monterey County, one in San Bernardino County, two in San Diego County, one in Yolo County, three interim appointments in Los Angeles County, and one interim appointment in San Joaquin County.
Humboldt County Superior Court
Heather Durand, of Humboldt County, has been appointed to serve as a Judge in the Humboldt County Superior Court. Durand has served as a Deputy County Counsel at the Humboldt County Counsel's Office since 2018. She worked as a Sole Practitioner at the Law Office of Heather Durand Cooper from 2005 to 2018. Durand worked as an Associate Attorney at Dalton & Bicknell from 2000 to 2005. Durand received a Juris Doctor degree from Empire College School of Law. She fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Joyce D. Hinrichs. Durand is a Democrat.
Imperial County Superior Court
Martin Gonzalez, of Imperial County, has been appointed to serve as a Judge in the Imperial County Superior Court. Gonzalez has served as a Referee at the Imperial County Superior Court since 2022. He served as a Deputy District Attorney at the Imperial District Attorney's Office from 2017 to 2022. Gonzalez worked as an Associate at Walker & Driskill from 2009 to 2017. Gonzalez received a Juris Doctor degree from the University of San Francisco School of Law. He fills the vacancy created by the elevation of Judge Eran Marie Bermudez to the Court of Appeal. Gonzalez is registered without party preference.
Los Angeles County Superior Court
Kjehl Johansen, of Los Angeles County, has been appointed to serve as a Judge in the Los Angeles County Superior Court. Johansen has served as a Commissioner at the Los Angeles County Superior Court since 2017. He served as a Deputy City Attorney at the Los Angeles City Attorney's Office from 1986 to 2017. Johansen served as a Deputy City Attorney at the Santa Monica City Attorney's Office from 1985 to 1986. He worked as an Attorney at the Law Office of Donald H. Cohen in 1985. Johansen received a Juris Doctor degree from Loyola Law School. He fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Stephen P. Pfahler. Johansen is a Democrat.
Monterey County Superior Court
Lindsey Berg-James, of Monterey County, has been appointed to serve as a Judge in the Monterey County Superior Court. Berg-James has worked as a Shareholder at Noland, Etienne & Hoss since 2021, where she worked as an Associate from 2016 to 2020. Berg-James worked as an Associate at Schiff Hardin from 2013 to 2015. Berg-James received a Juris Doctor degree from the University of California College of the Law, San Francisco. She fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Timothy Roberts. Berg-James is a Democrat.
San Bernardino County Superior Court
Evan Acker, of San Bernardino County, has been appointed to serve as a Judge in the San Bernardino County Superior Court. Acker has served as a Commissioner at the San Bernardino County Superior Court since 2026. He served as a Deputy District Attorney at the San Bernardino County District Attorney's Office from 2013 to 2026. Acker served as a Law Clerk at the San Diego County District Attorney's Office from 2012 to 2013. Acker received a Juris Doctor degree from the University of San Diego School of Law. He fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Debra V. Harris. Acker is a Democrat.
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San Diego County Superior Court
William Patrick Dudley, of San Diego County, has been appointed to serve as a Judge in the San Diego County Superior Court. Dudley has worked as a Sole Practitioner at the Law Office of Patrick Dudley since 2002. He worked as a Research Attorney at the Law Office of David Dudley from 2000 to 2002. Dudley received a Juris Doctor degree from the University of California College of Law, San Francisco. He fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Ronald F. Frazier. Dudley is a Democrat.
Michael Garabed, of San Diego County, has been appointed to serve as a Judge in the San Diego County Superior Court. Garabed has served as an Assistant United States Attorney in the U.S. Attorney's Office since 2015. Previously, he worked at Reed Smith LLP from 2002 to 2014, where he was a partner. Garabed received a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Southern California Gould School of Law. He fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Jeffrey F. Fraser. Garabed is registered without party preference.
Yolo County Superior Court
Katherine Lucero, of Yolo County, has been appointed to serve as a Judge in the Yolo County Superior Court. Lucero has served as the Director for the Office of Youth and Community Restoration for the California Department of Health and Human Services Agency since 2022. She served as a Judge at the Santa Clara County Superior Court from 2001 to 2022, where she also served as a Commissioner from 2000 to 2001. She served as a Deputy District Attorney at the Santa Clara County District Attorney's Office from 1991 to 2000. Lucero received a Juris Doctor degree from Syracuse University College of Law. She fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Timothy L. Fall. Lucero is a Democrat.
Los Angeles County Superior Court
Binh Dang, of Los Angeles, has been appointed to serve in an interim appointment as a Judge in the Los Angeles County Superior Court. Dang has served as a Deputy Public Defender in the Los Angeles County Public Defender's Office since 2006. He received a Juris Doctor degree from the University of San Diego School of Law. He fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Kimberly Guillemet. The Governor's appointment allows him to immediately assume the position he was otherwise elected to begin in January 2027. Dang is a Democrat.
Benyomin Forer, of Los Angeles, has been appointed to serve in an interim appointment as a Judge in the Los Angeles County Superior Court. Forer has served as a Deputy District Attorney in the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office since 2006. He has also worked as an Adjunct Professor at the University of Southern California Viterbi School of Engineering since 2014. Forer worked as an Associate at Tuchman Jhun & Dicecca in 2006. Forer received a Juris Doctor degree from Southwestern Law School. He fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Marc D. Gross. The Governor's appointment allows him to immediately assume the position he was otherwise elected to begin in January 2027. Forer is a Democrat.
Candice Henry, of Los Angeles County, has been appointed to serve in an interim appointment as a Judge in the Los Angeles County Superior Court. Henry has served as a Deputy District Attorney at the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office since 2005. Henry worked as an Associate at Gascou Hopkins from 2004 to 2005. Henry received a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Southern California Gould School of Law. She fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Craig Richman. The Governor's appointment allows her to immediately assume the position she was otherwise elected to begin in January 2027. Henry is a Democrat.
More on The Californer
San Joaquin County Superior Court
Michael Rasmussen, of Sacramento County, has been appointed to serve in an interim appointment as a Judge in the San Joaquin County Superior Court. Rasmussen has served as a Commissioner at the San Joaquin County Superior Court since 2020. He served as a Deputy District Attorney at the San Joaquin District Attorney's Office from 1998 to 2020. Rasmussen received a Juris Doctor degree from Lincoln Law School of Sacramento. He fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Charlotte Orcutt. The Governor's appointment allows him to immediately assume the position he was otherwise elected to begin in January 2027. Rasmussen is registered without party preference.
The compensation for each of these positions is $244,727
Press releases
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Aug 24, 2026
Governor Newsom announces judicial appointments 8.24.26
SACRAMENTO – Governor Gavin Newsom announced his appointment of twelve Superior Court Judges: one in Humboldt County, one in Imperial County, one in Los Angeles County, one in Monterey County, one in San Bernardino County, two in San Diego County, one in Yolo County, three interim appointments in Los Angeles County, and one interim appointment in San Joaquin County.
Humboldt County Superior Court
Heather Durand, of Humboldt County, has been appointed to serve as a Judge in the Humboldt County Superior Court. Durand has served as a Deputy County Counsel at the Humboldt County Counsel's Office since 2018. She worked as a Sole Practitioner at the Law Office of Heather Durand Cooper from 2005 to 2018. Durand worked as an Associate Attorney at Dalton & Bicknell from 2000 to 2005. Durand received a Juris Doctor degree from Empire College School of Law. She fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Joyce D. Hinrichs. Durand is a Democrat.
Imperial County Superior Court
Martin Gonzalez, of Imperial County, has been appointed to serve as a Judge in the Imperial County Superior Court. Gonzalez has served as a Referee at the Imperial County Superior Court since 2022. He served as a Deputy District Attorney at the Imperial District Attorney's Office from 2017 to 2022. Gonzalez worked as an Associate at Walker & Driskill from 2009 to 2017. Gonzalez received a Juris Doctor degree from the University of San Francisco School of Law. He fills the vacancy created by the elevation of Judge Eran Marie Bermudez to the Court of Appeal. Gonzalez is registered without party preference.
Los Angeles County Superior Court
Kjehl Johansen, of Los Angeles County, has been appointed to serve as a Judge in the Los Angeles County Superior Court. Johansen has served as a Commissioner at the Los Angeles County Superior Court since 2017. He served as a Deputy City Attorney at the Los Angeles City Attorney's Office from 1986 to 2017. Johansen served as a Deputy City Attorney at the Santa Monica City Attorney's Office from 1985 to 1986. He worked as an Attorney at the Law Office of Donald H. Cohen in 1985. Johansen received a Juris Doctor degree from Loyola Law School. He fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Stephen P. Pfahler. Johansen is a Democrat.
Monterey County Superior Court
Lindsey Berg-James, of Monterey County, has been appointed to serve as a Judge in the Monterey County Superior Court. Berg-James has worked as a Shareholder at Noland, Etienne & Hoss since 2021, where she worked as an Associate from 2016 to 2020. Berg-James worked as an Associate at Schiff Hardin from 2013 to 2015. Berg-James received a Juris Doctor degree from the University of California College of the Law, San Francisco. She fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Timothy Roberts. Berg-James is a Democrat.
San Bernardino County Superior Court
Evan Acker, of San Bernardino County, has been appointed to serve as a Judge in the San Bernardino County Superior Court. Acker has served as a Commissioner at the San Bernardino County Superior Court since 2026. He served as a Deputy District Attorney at the San Bernardino County District Attorney's Office from 2013 to 2026. Acker served as a Law Clerk at the San Diego County District Attorney's Office from 2012 to 2013. Acker received a Juris Doctor degree from the University of San Diego School of Law. He fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Debra V. Harris. Acker is a Democrat.
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San Diego County Superior Court
William Patrick Dudley, of San Diego County, has been appointed to serve as a Judge in the San Diego County Superior Court. Dudley has worked as a Sole Practitioner at the Law Office of Patrick Dudley since 2002. He worked as a Research Attorney at the Law Office of David Dudley from 2000 to 2002. Dudley received a Juris Doctor degree from the University of California College of Law, San Francisco. He fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Ronald F. Frazier. Dudley is a Democrat.
Michael Garabed, of San Diego County, has been appointed to serve as a Judge in the San Diego County Superior Court. Garabed has served as an Assistant United States Attorney in the U.S. Attorney's Office since 2015. Previously, he worked at Reed Smith LLP from 2002 to 2014, where he was a partner. Garabed received a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Southern California Gould School of Law. He fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Jeffrey F. Fraser. Garabed is registered without party preference.
Yolo County Superior Court
Katherine Lucero, of Yolo County, has been appointed to serve as a Judge in the Yolo County Superior Court. Lucero has served as the Director for the Office of Youth and Community Restoration for the California Department of Health and Human Services Agency since 2022. She served as a Judge at the Santa Clara County Superior Court from 2001 to 2022, where she also served as a Commissioner from 2000 to 2001. She served as a Deputy District Attorney at the Santa Clara County District Attorney's Office from 1991 to 2000. Lucero received a Juris Doctor degree from Syracuse University College of Law. She fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Timothy L. Fall. Lucero is a Democrat.
Los Angeles County Superior Court
Binh Dang, of Los Angeles, has been appointed to serve in an interim appointment as a Judge in the Los Angeles County Superior Court. Dang has served as a Deputy Public Defender in the Los Angeles County Public Defender's Office since 2006. He received a Juris Doctor degree from the University of San Diego School of Law. He fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Kimberly Guillemet. The Governor's appointment allows him to immediately assume the position he was otherwise elected to begin in January 2027. Dang is a Democrat.
Benyomin Forer, of Los Angeles, has been appointed to serve in an interim appointment as a Judge in the Los Angeles County Superior Court. Forer has served as a Deputy District Attorney in the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office since 2006. He has also worked as an Adjunct Professor at the University of Southern California Viterbi School of Engineering since 2014. Forer worked as an Associate at Tuchman Jhun & Dicecca in 2006. Forer received a Juris Doctor degree from Southwestern Law School. He fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Marc D. Gross. The Governor's appointment allows him to immediately assume the position he was otherwise elected to begin in January 2027. Forer is a Democrat.
Candice Henry, of Los Angeles County, has been appointed to serve in an interim appointment as a Judge in the Los Angeles County Superior Court. Henry has served as a Deputy District Attorney at the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office since 2005. Henry worked as an Associate at Gascou Hopkins from 2004 to 2005. Henry received a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Southern California Gould School of Law. She fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Craig Richman. The Governor's appointment allows her to immediately assume the position she was otherwise elected to begin in January 2027. Henry is a Democrat.
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San Joaquin County Superior Court
Michael Rasmussen, of Sacramento County, has been appointed to serve in an interim appointment as a Judge in the San Joaquin County Superior Court. Rasmussen has served as a Commissioner at the San Joaquin County Superior Court since 2020. He served as a Deputy District Attorney at the San Joaquin District Attorney's Office from 1998 to 2020. Rasmussen received a Juris Doctor degree from Lincoln Law School of Sacramento. He fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Charlotte Orcutt. The Governor's appointment allows him to immediately assume the position he was otherwise elected to begin in January 2027. Rasmussen is registered without party preference.
The compensation for each of these positions is $244,727
Press releases
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Governor Newsom signs legislation 8.24.2026
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