>>25009175
>>25009175
>He serves on the legislative committee of the Juvenile Court Judges of California, is a member of the LGBT Judicial Officers of California, and is a contributor and former co-editor of CJA’s The Bench magazine.
Copilot Search Branding
LGBTQ+ Judicial Officers of California (LGBTQ+ JOC)
The LGBTQ+ Judicial Officers of California (LGBTQ+ JOC) is a section of the California Judges Association (CJA) that represents LGBTQ+ judges, court commissioners, trial court judges, administrative law judges, and appellate justices
caljudges.org
caljudges.org
. It is a relatively new section within the CJA, which was founded in 1929, but many of its members have held leadership roles in the International Association of LGBTQ+ Judges over the past three decades
caljudges.org
caljudges.org
.
Representation in the California Judiciary
As of the latest data, 69 of the 1,703 members of California’s trial and appellate courts (about 4%) self-report as LGBTQ+
caljudges.org
caljudges.org
. This includes:
27 trial court judges/justices who identify as lesbian
37 as gay
4 as bisexual
1 as transgender
caljudges.org
caljudges.org
At the appellate level, three justices on the Court of Appeal and one justice of the Supreme Court self-report as LGBTQ+
caljudges.org
caljudges.org
.
Role and Mission
The LGBTQ+ JOC:
Serves as a professional network for LGBTQ+ judicial officers in California.
Works to increase diversity on the bench, particularly for LGBTQ+ persons of color
caljudges.org
caljudges.org
.
Offers mentorship, resources, and guidance for LGBTQ+ attorneys pursuing judicial appointments or elections
caljudges.org
caljudges.org
.
Collaborates with bar associations and LGBTQ+ professional organizations to support candidates
caljudges.org
caljudges.org
.
Appointment Process
In California, most superior court judges are appointed by the Governor to fill vacancies, with retention elections held periodically. Appellate justices are also appointed by the Governor
caljudges.org
caljudges.org
. The process involves:
Submission of a Judicial Appointment Application via the Governor’s website.
Vetting by Judicial Selection Advisory Committees (JSACs), the State Bar of California Commission on Judicial Nominees, and state/local bar associations.
Oversight by the Governor’s Judicial Appointments Secretary
caljudges.org
caljudges.org
.
Affiliation and Resources
The LGBTQ+ JOC is one of several affinity judicial associations within the CJA, alongside groups like the Latino Judges Association, Asian Pacific American Judges Association, and Women Judges
caljudges.org
caljudges.org
. Members can access:
Networking opportunities
Legislative and policy engagement
Educational programs
Mentorship for aspiring judges
caljudges.org
caljudges.org