SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ — Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today announced the appointment of Bret D. Hillman to a judgeship in the Tulare County Superior Court. Hillman, 49, of Tulare, has been a partner for Hillman and Lew since 2007. Previously, he served Stringham, Hillman and Lew as a partner from 1990 to 2007 and Stringham and Rogers as an associate from 1986 to 1990. Hillman earned a Juris Doctorate degree from the University of Santa Clara and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Stanford University. He fills the vacancy created by the conversion of a court commissioner position on July 1, 2009. Hillman is a Republican.
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today announced the appointment of Jacquelyn H. Duffy to a judgeship in the San Luis Obispo County Superior Court. Duffy, 43, of Atascadero, has served the San Luis Obispo County District Attorney’s Office as a deputy district attorney since 1997. Previously, she was an attorney for Theresa Klein, Attorney at Law from 1995 to 1997 and a sole practitioner from 1995 to 1997. Duffy earned a Juris Doctorate degree from Loyola Law School and a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of California, Berkeley. She fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Roger T. Picquet. Duffy is a Democrat.
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today announced the appointment of Kimberlee A. Lagotta to a judgeship in the San Diego County Superior Court. Lagotta, 45, of San Diego, has served the San Diego District Attorney’s Offices as chief of the family protection division since 2007. Previously, she served the San Diego District Attorney’s Office as assistant chief of the North County Division from 2005 to 2007, assistant chief of the Central Pretrial Division from 2000 to 2005, felony trial attorney from 1994 to 2000, and trial attorney for the South Bay Division from 1989 to 1993. Lagotta earned a Juris Doctorate degree from the University of San Diego School of Law and a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of San Diego. She fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Timothy W. Tower. Lagotta is a Republican.
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today announced the appointment of Rebecca C. Hardie to a judgeship in the Contra Costa County Superior Court. Hardie, 48, of Moraga, has been director and counsel for Pacific Gas and Electric Company since 2007. Previously, she worked for Pacific Gas and Electric Company as senior counsel from 2006 to 2007 and counsel from 2004 to 2006. Hardie served as an assistant U.S. attorney for the U.S. Department of Justice from 1996 to 2004 and a U.S. probation officer for the U.S. Probation Office from 1994 to 1996. Prior to that, she was an associate attorney for Pansky, Markle and Drapiewski from 1993 to 1994 and a deputy district attorney for the Marin County District Attorney’s Office from 1992 to 1993. Hardie earned a Juris Doctorate degree from the University of California, Hastings School of Law and a Bachelor of Science degree from Western Michigan University. She fills the vacancy created by the elevation of Judge Terence L. Bruiniers to the First District Court of Appeal. Hardie is a Democrat.
Elizabeth Grimes to Second District Court of Appeal
Additionally, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today announced the appointment of Elizabeth A. Grimes to be an associate justice on the Second District Court of Appeal, Division Eight. Grimes, 55, of Los Angeles, has served as a judge in the Los Angeles County Superior Court since 1998. Previously, she served Gibson, Dunn and Crutcher as a partner from 1988 to 1998, associate from 1980 to 1988 and was a summer associate in 1979. Grimes earned a Juris Doctorate degree from Stanford University and a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Texas at Austin. She fills the vacancy created by the elevation of Judge Patricia A. Bigelow to presiding justice. Grimes is a Republican.
