10 judges appointed to fill vacancies in 6 California counties

California Gov. Gavin Newsom appointed 10 judges to fill vacancies in six county superior courts.

Trial attorney Doris Ng and Jonathan Wolf, chief state assistant attorney general for the civil law division, were both appointed to serve on the Alameda County. They will fill vacancies created by the retirements of Judges Gregory Syren and Frank Roesch.

Julia Cervantes, a managing attorney at the San Francisco District Attorney's Office since 2023, was appointed to the San Francisco Superior Court, replacing Judge Richard Ulmer, who also retired.

Los Angeles County Superior Court Commissioner Kimberly Dotson was appointed a superior court judge. She has served as a commissioner since 2018. William Shin, a deputy state attorney general, and Faye Chen Barnouw, an assistant regional director at the Federal Trade Commission, were also appointed. Shin's appointment fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Julie Fox Blackshaw, while Dotson replaces retired Judge Deborah L. Sanchez.

Commissioner Chamandeep Johal was appointed to the Merced County Superior Court. She has been on the bench since 2023.

Commissioners Dina Amani and Cecilla Joo were appointed to the San Bernardino County Superior Court. Joo has been on the bench since 2023 while Amani has held the position since 2019.

Jennifer McCartney was appointed to the Orange County Superior Court. McCartney has served as firm director at the Children's Law Center of California since 2019. She fills the vacancy created by Justice Nathan R. Scott's elevation to the Court of Appeal