Governor Gavin Newsom has announced the nomination of four justices to California's Courts of Appeal and the appointment of eleven judges to various Superior Courts across the state, effective Tuesday, June 2, 2026.
Justice Tari Cody was nominated as Presiding Justice for the Second District Court of Appeal, Division Six. Judge Nicholas Daum was nominated as an Associate Justice for the Second District Court of Appeal, Division Four. Judge Sonny S. Sandhu was nominated for the Fifth District Court of Appeal, and Judge Charles Adams for the Sixth District Court of Appeal. These four Court of Appeal nominations, each with a compensation of $280,052, require confirmation by the Commission on Judicial Appointments, which includes Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero and Attorney General Rob Bonta.
Additionally, Governor Newsom appointed eleven judges to Superior Courts in seven counties. Contra Costa County received two new judges, Matthew Caron and Jennifer Logue. Los Angeles County saw four appointments: David Perkiss, Mahin Salehi, Adam Romero, and Jennifer Salzman Romano. Elizabeth Leitzinger was appointed to Monterey County, Veronica Juarez to Napa County, Lara Hoffman to Santa Clara County, Sarah Carrillo to Tuolumne County, and Jacquelyn Ruffin to Ventura County. Each Superior Court judge position carries a compensation of $244,727.
All fifteen individuals nominated or appointed are registered Democrats, bringing extensive legal experience from various roles including public defense, district attorney offices, private practice, and existing judicial positions. These appointments fill vacancies created by retirements or, in one instance, the death of a judge.