Governor Gavin Newsom announced 12 judicial appointments to superior courts across California on Aug. 24, filling vacancies in seven counties with permanent appointments and providing interim positions in Los Angeles and San Joaquin counties.
Heather Durand, a deputy county counsel in Humboldt County since 2018, will serve as a judge in Humboldt County Superior Court, filling a vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Joyce D. Hinrichs. Martin Gonzalez, who has served as a referee at Imperial County Superior Court since 2022, was appointed as an Imperial County Superior Court judge.
In Los Angeles County, Kjehl Johansen, who served as a deputy city attorney for more than 30 years, was appointed to the Superior Court. Lindsey Berg-James, a shareholder at a Monterey law firm since 2021, will serve as a Monterey County judge. Evan Acker, a deputy district attorney in San Bernardino County since 2013, was appointed to the San Bernardino County Superior Court.
In San Diego County, William Patrick Dudley, who has operated a private practice since 2002, and Michael Garabed, an assistant U.S. attorney since 2015, were appointed to the Superior Court. Katherine Lucero, who previously served as a judge in Santa Clara County Superior Court from 2001 to 2022 and currently serves as director of the Office of Youth and Community Restoration for the California Department of Health and Human Services, was appointed to the Yolo County Superior Court.
Three additional appointees received interim appointments to Los Angeles County Superior Court and one to San Joaquin County Superior Court. These interim appointments allow them to immediately assume positions to which they were elected to begin in January 2027, rather than waiting until the new year.
The compensation for each position is $244,727.