Jan. 11, 2011

Orange County's 48 newly and re-elected Superior Court judges took the oath of office on Monday during a ceremony at the Old Orange County Courthouse. Among them was Judge Francisco P. Briseno, the county's longest serving judge who began his sixth term this week, sworn in by Judge Kathleen E. O'Leary. He was appointed to the Superior Court in Orange County by Governor Jerry Brown in 1979. Prior to that, he served as a county municipal court judge for two years. This year, he received The Orange County Bar Association's highest honor, the Franklin G. West award, designed to recognize an attorney or judge whose lifetime achievements have advanced justice and the law. Incoming presiding Judge Thomas J. Borris and outgoing Judge Kim G. Dunning also participated in the ceremony. Picture 1: Judge Kathleen E. O'Leary, center, stands with Judge Francisco P. Brisneo, right, and the 48 newly and re-elected Superior Court judges. Picture 2: Three former Deputy District Attorneys were sworn in on Monday. From left, tnewly elected Judge Andre Manssourian, re-elected Judge Scott Steiner, and newly elected Judge Nick Dourbetas.