SACRAMENTO /California Newswire/ — Among others, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today announced the appointment of Joseph A. Soldani to a judgeship in the Madera County Superior Court. Soldani, 60, of Fresno, has been a part-time sole practitioner since 2007. Previously, he was the city attorney with Madera City Attorney’s Office from 1993 to 2003 and a deputy city attorney for the Fresno City Attorney’s Office from 1988 to 1993. Soldani served the Madera County District Attorney’s Office as an assistant district attorney from 1985 to 1988 and a deputy district attorney from 1981 to 1985. Prior to that, he was a law clerk for the U.S. District Court, Eastern District from 1980 to 1981. Soldani earned a Juris Doctorate degree from Humphreys College School of Law, a Bachelor of Arts degree from California State University, Fresno and an Associate of Arts degree from Fresno City College. He fills the vacancy created by the death of Judge Edward P. Moffatt. Soldani is a Democrat. The compensation for this position is $178,789.

Appoints Peter Wilson to Orange County Superior Court
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today announced the appointment of Peter J. Wilson to a judgeship in the Orange County Superior Court. Wilson, 56, of Corona Del Mar, has served as vice president and associate general counsel for the Irvine Company since January 2010. Previously, he served as a partner and of counsel for Latham and Watkins from 1992 to January 2010, where he previously was an associate from 1986 to 1991. Wilson served as a barrister from 1980 to 1985 and as a prosecutor from 1977 to 1979 for South Africa’s Department of Justice. He earned a Bachelor of Laws degree and Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Rhodes University. Wilson will fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Jeffrey Sundvold on January 31, 2010. Wilson is registered decline-to-state. The compensation for this position is $178,789.

Lawrence Brown to Sacramento County Superior Court
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today announced the appointment of Lawrence G. Brown to a judgeship in the Sacramento County Superior Court. Brown, 45, of Sacramento, has served the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Eastern District as executive assistant U.S. attorney since 2009 and previously was first assistant then acting/interim executive assistant U.S. attorney from 2003 to 2009. He served the California District Attorneys Association as executive director from 1996 to 2003 and deputy executive director from 1994 to 1996. Prior to that, Brown was a deputy district attorney for the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office from 1989 to 1994. He earned a Juris Doctorate Degree from the University of California, Davis School of Law, a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of California, Davis and an Associate of Arts degree from Santa Rosa Junior College. Brown fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Kenneth G. Peterson. Brown is registered decline-to-state. The compensation for this position is $178,789.

Seth Hoyt Jr. to San Joaquin County Superior Court
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today announced the appointment of Seth R. Hoyt Jr. to a judgeship in the San Joaquin County Superior Court. Hoyt, 39, of Ione, has been a court commissioner for the San Joaquin County Superior Court since 2008. Previously, he was a deputy district attorney for the San Joaquin County District Attorney’s Office from 1997 to 2008. Hoyt earned a Juris Doctorate degree from Texas Tech University School of Law and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Brigham Young University. He fills the vacancy created by the disability retirement of Judge Cinda Sanchez Fox. Hoyt is a Republican. The compensation for this position is $178,789.

Colleen Sterne to Santa Barbara County Superior Court
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today announced the appointment of Colleen K. Sterne to a judgeship in the Santa Barbara County Superior Court. Sterne, 51, of Santa Barbara, has served as a commissioner for the Santa Barbara County Superior Court since 2003. Previously, she had a dispute resolution law practice from 2000 to 2003 and worked for Henderson and Borgeson as an associate then partner from 1988 to 2000. Sterne earned a Juris Doctorate degree from Santa Barbara College of Law and a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of California, Santa Barbara. She fills the vacancy created by the death of Judge J. William McLafferty. Sterne is registered decline-to-state. The compensation for this position is $178,789.