Committee on Federal Courts

1. You had a distinguished career in public service before joining the bench.  What made you decide to become a magistrate judge?    Loud encouragement. People that I trusted made me believe that it was a good fit, and their encouragement was louder than doubting questions in my mind.  Was I ready to give up advocacy?  Was it financially irresponsible to commit to the salary when the opportunity cost was so high? Would I enjoy the job?  Those persistent mentors got… Read more

The Southern District of California appointed Judge Pettit in July 2023. Before joining the bench, she worked as an assistant U.S. attorney for more than 15 years, prosecuting several areas of crime including national security and cybercrime, fraud, drug-trafficking, and child exploitation. Judge Pettit received a Bachelor of Science with distinction from the United States Naval Academy and graduated from Vanderbilt University Law School in 2001. Read more

Rita F. Lin has served as a United States District Judge for the Northern District of California since she was confirmed by the Senate in 2023. Upon her confirmation, Senator Alex Padilla said, “The State of California is now lucky to have a federal district court judge who not only has the judicial qualifications Judge Lin possesses, but also has the voice, the personal experience, and the passion for public service she brings to the table each and every day.”… Read more

Troy L. Nunley has served as a United States District Judge for the Eastern District of California since he was appointed in 2013.  At his confirmation hearing, Senator Dianne Feinstein said, “He will bring a lifetime of overcoming adversity, an impressive work ethic, a career as a prosecutor, 10 years of judicial experience, and sorely needed judicial resources to the federal bench in the Eastern District.”  Prior to joining the federal bench, he was a Sacramento County Superior Court Judge… Read more

Judge Sykes was confirmed as a District Judge for the Central District of California in May 2022.  She is a member of the Navajo Nation and is the first Native American to serve as a federal district judge in California.  Read more

Senior District Judge Ronald S.W. Lew of the United States District Court for the Central District of California passed away on May 19, 2023. Judge Lew was 81 years old. Judge Lew was a trailblazer in the legal profession and a giant in the community. He was nominated to the federal bench by President Ronald Reagan in February, 1987, and was confirmed by the Senate in May, 1987. Judge Lew was the first Chinese American appointed to the federal bench… Read more

Judge Schopler was confirmed as a District Judge for the Southern District of California in June of 2023. Judge Schopler was a magistrate judge for the Southern District of California since 2016. Read more

Judge Garnett was confirmed as a District Judge for the Central District of California in April 2022.  Before becoming a federal district judge, she served as a Superior Court Judge for Los Angeles County since her appointment by Governor Jerry Brown in 2014.  Prior to her appointment as a Superior Court Judge, from 2001 to 2014, Judge Garnett served as an Assistant United States Attorney in the Central District of California where she served as Domestic Terrorism Coordinator, Deputy Chief of the General Crimes Section, and Chief of the General Crimes Section.  From 2008 to 2010, Judge Garnett also taught Legal Writing and Oral Advocacy at the University of Southern California, Gould School of Law. Read more

Jeffrey T. Miller has served as a United States District Judge for the Southern District of California since he was appointed in 1997.  At his confirmation hearing, Senator Dianne Feinstein said, “Simply put, Judge Miller is one of the most respected and trusted judicial figures in the San Diego area. He is both fair minded and thoughtful, yet remains tough and decisive.” Read more

In response to proposals from the California Civility Task Force (CCTF)[1] for improving civility in the legal profession, the California State Bar Board of Trustees has adopted for public comment three of the CCTF’s key proposals Read more