Los Angeles County Superior Court

After more than a decade overseeing high-stakes trials in Department 117, Judge Mark K. Hanasono reflects on his unexpected nomination to the appellate court, his roots as a public defender, and the legacy he leaves behind in the trial court trenches.

Orange County Superior Court Commissioner

Commissioner Cynthia A. Nichols thought she was unsuited to be a jurist. But then she realized she already had the skills required for the job.

Riverside County Superior Court

Judge Valerie A. Navarro's journey from public defender to the bench is reshaping how justice sounds and feels.

Los Angeles County Superior Court

Before Judge Michael Weinstein presided over misdemeanor trials in one of Los Angeles County's busiest courthouses, he toured the country as a drummer and spent more than a decade defending life-sentence inmates in federal court.

Orange County Superior Court

Before presiding over one of Orange County's busiest traffic courtrooms, Commissioner Kira A. Rubin envisioned a future in medicine. But a love of healthcare policy--and a serendipitous law class--set her on a different course.