Golden State Today

SACRAMENTO – Governor Gavin Newsom today announced the appointment of 11 Superior Court Judges across several counties in California. The appointments include two judges in Alameda County, four in Los Angeles County, one in Napa County, two in Orange County, one in Placer County, and one in Ventura County.

In Alameda County, Jessica Hawk has been appointed as a Judge. Hawk has served as a Senior Deputy State Public Defender since 2022 and was previously a Deputy State Public Defender from 2019 to 2022. She earned her Juris Doctor degree from the University of California College of the Law, San Francisco. She fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Paul Herbert.

Thomas Eagle Weathers has also been appointed to serve as a Judge in Alameda County. Weathers has been a Sole Practitioner since 2015 and holds a Juris Doctor degree from the University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law. He fills the vacancy created by the appointment of Judge Eumi K. Lee to the federal bench.

In Los Angeles County, Damaris Diaz has been appointed as a Judge. Diaz has served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney at the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California since 2016 and earned her Juris Doctor degree from Harvard Law School. She fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Stephen A. Marcus.

Janet Hong will also serve as a Judge in Los Angeles County. Hong has been a Sole Practitioner since 2015 and holds a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Southern California Gould School of Law. She fills the vacancy created by the transfer of Judge Michael Kelley to San Luis Obispo County Superior Court.

Cindy Pánuco has been appointed to serve as another Judge in Los Angeles County Superior Court. Pánuco has been Of Counsel at Perez & Perez, APC since 2023 and earned her Juris Doctor degree from Loyola Law School, Los Angeles. She fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge David Rosen.

Tiffany Tai will also join Los Angeles County Superior Court as a judge after serving as Commissioner there since 2022. Tai holds a Juris Doctor degree from USC Gould School of Law and fills the vacancy left by retired Judge Howard C. Horn.

In Napa County, Kecia Lind has been appointed to serve as a Judge after working as Deputy District Attorney at Napa County District Attorney’s Office since 2015. Lind earned her Juris Doctor degree from University of San Francisco School of Law and fills the vacancy created by Justice Monique Langhorne Wilson's elevation to Court of Appeal.

For Orange County Superior Court, Benjamin Azar will be serving after his tenure as Deputy Public Defender at Orange County Public Defender’s Office since 2013. Azar holds his Juris Doctor degree from UC Davis School of Law and replaces retired Judge Douglas A Hatchimonji.

Kimberly Carasso joins Orange Country Superior Court with experience spanning multiple law firms including Marshall Silberberg where she was Senior Attorney until recently this year (2024). Carasso obtained her Juris Doctor Degree from California Western School Of Law replacing retired judge Stephanie George

Leon Dixson takes up role for Placer Country Superior court following regional counsel role held Legal Services Northern California starting last year (2023). Dixon received both Master Dispute Resolution Degree alongside JD Pepperdine University filling void left retiring Colleen Nichols

Lastly Diana Weiss Aizman moves into Ventura Country Superior court having served commissioner February earlier same year(2024) prior solo practice twelve years before deputy city attorney LA city attorney office earning JD Southwestern university replacing David Worley

The compensation for each position is $238,479 annually.