Judicial Updates: Retirements, A Tie-Breaker and New Nominees
Ninth Circuit Stalemate Ends
Vice President Kamala Harris has cast a tie-breaking vote to
advance the nomination
of Jennifer Sung to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.
The vote follows an attempt by Republicans to stop the nomination
over objections to her signature appearing on an open letter
against Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh in 2018. A cloture
vote is required to end Senate debate, and then Sung will head
for confirmation.
J. Anthony Kline Announces
Retirement
Justice J. Anthony Kline, who serves as the presiding justice of
the First District Court of Appeal in San Francisco,
will retire effective December 15 after serving as
a state justice for more than 40 years. Kline was named to the
San Francisco Superior Court in 1980 before moving into the First
District Court of Appeal two years later – where he remained for
the duration of his career.
He has played a significant role on the Commission on Judicial
Appointments and has issued opinions on almost every major issue
facing California. He is also known for speaking out and
criticizing California policies he saw as unjust.
New Chief Judge to Step Up in 9th
Circuit
Judge Mary Murguia is about to make history as the
second federal chief circuit judge of Hispanic descent and the
second female chief judge of the Ninth circuit, according to the
Daily Journal. Murguia, who was nominated to the circuit by
President Obama in 2010, will begin her new position as chief
judge on December 1.
Newsom Announces New Wave of
Appointments
Governor Newsom has nominated Judge
Maurice Sanchez of Coto de Caza as Associate Justice of
the Fourth District Court of Appeal, Division Three. Sanchez
currently serves as a judge of the Orange County Superior Court,
and previously worked for private law firms. He will undergo a
review by the State Bar’s Commission on Judicial Nominees
Evaluation and confirmation by the Commission on Judicial
Appointments.
Newsom also appointed 11 Superior Court judges across several
counties.