4th District Court of Appeal, Division 3 (Santa Ana)
Career Highlights: Joined JAMS, October 2025; California Court of Appeal, Fourth Appellate District, Division Three, January 21, 2000, serving as Presiding Justice for 13 years, retired July 31, 2025; Judge, Orange County Superior Court, 1986-2000; Judge, West Orange County Municipal Court; public defender, Orange County
JAMS
Career Highlights: Joined JAMS, October 2025; California Court of Appeal, Fourth Appellate District, Division Three, January 21, 2000, serving as Presiding Justice for 13 years, retired July 31, 2025; Judge, Orange County Superior Court, 1986-2000; Judge, West Orange County Municipal Court; public defender, Orange County
JAMS
By Blake Edwards
Daily Journal Staff Writer
SANTA ANA - Early in her career as an Orange County Superior Court judge, Kathleen E. O'Leary was approached by local Democrats about throwing her hat in the ring for a federal judgeship. Her experience as a bench officer in both the municipal and superior courts, as well as her politically favorable status as a former deputy public defender, would make her an easy appointment for the Clinton administration, her su... (continued)
