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Sep. 29, 2026

From Middle-earth to civil court, Judge Evan P. Kirvin embraces a new challenge

After spending much of his 17 years on the bench in criminal court, San Diego County Superior Court Judge Evan P. Kirvin has embraced the challenge of managing a sprawling civil docket while bringing a deep appreciation for juries and the rule of law to the courtroom.

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From Middle-earth to civil court, Judge Evan P. Kirvin embraces a new challenge

Evan P. Kirvin

San Diego County Superior Court

Career Highlights: Elected San Diego County Superior Court judge, 2008; deputy district attorney, San Diego, 1999-09; U.S. probation officer, Southern District of California, 1994-99

Law School: USD School of Law, 1994
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SAN DIEGO -- There is a bit of Middle-earth in Judge Evan P. Kirvin's chambers at the Hall of Justice.

Bookshelves hold figures and artwork from "The Lord of the Rings," a collection that grew slowly until, as Kirvin remembers it, another empty shelf presented another opportunity.

"Oh, look, there's another empty shelf," he said. "That thing needs Gollum on there."

Gandalf is his favorite.

Kirvin has even dre... (continued)

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