Pathways to the Bench: A Judicial Perspective

By Misha D. Igra

Misha D. Igra is the President of the Leonard M. Friedman Bar Association. She can be contacted at jsacbar@gmail.com.

Judge Judy Holzer Hersher (Ret.) Judicial Appointments Secretary Luis Céspedes Judge Steven Gevercer, Sacramento County Superior Court

On April 9, 2021, the Leonard M. Friedman Bar Association hosted a virtual event, Pathways to the Bench: A Judicial Perspective. The program was moderated by Sacramento Superior Court Judge Judy Holzer Hersher (Ret.), and featured presentations by Luis Céspedes, Judicial Appointments Secretary to Governor Gavin Newsom, the Honorable David Rosenberg, Judge of the Yolo County Superior Court, the Honorable Garen Horst, Judge of the Placer County Superior Court, and the Honorable Steven Gevercer, Judge of the Sacramento County Superior Court.

Secretary Céspedes conveyed the Governor’s inclusive vision for the bench. He shared data about recent appointments, and information about jurists with varying backgrounds, experience, and professional paths. Secretary Céspedes advised that the appointment process involves several stages of review before a candidate is presented to him, and it can be a lengthy endeavor. He encouraged those who are interested in a judicial appointment to do their research, put their best foot forward in their judicial applications, be patient, and refrain from contacting his staff while an application is pending.

The three judges who followed Secretary Céspedes’ presentation explained their unique pathways to the bench and imparted advice to the assembled Zoom audience. Judge Rosenberg described his lengthy career in public service, including serving as Mayor of the City of Davis, Chief of Staff to Governor Jerry Brown, and a Senior Advisor to Governor Gray Davis, who appointed Judge Rosenberg to the Yolo County bench in 2003. Judge Rosenberg discussed the importance of having a somewhat thick skin, and how he learned from Governor Davis’s gracious and dignified demeanor amid a rancorous recall election.

Judge Horst described his own pathway to the bench, which necessitated hard work, patience, and a rare opportunity. Judge

Horst was elected to the Placer County bench in 2012, following the public censure of former Judge Joseph O’Flaherty. Before running for election, Judge Horst served as a Placer County Deputy District Attorney for eighteen years and had unsuccessfully applied for a judicial appointment earlier in his career. Judge Horst imparted that the “seasoning” that came with experience and patience helped to ready him for the bench, and continues to benefit his judicial temperament.

Judge Gevercer was appointed to the bench during Governor Jerry Brown’s second governorship, following a lengthy career that included private practice, serving as a public defender, and over twenty years with the California Department of Justice. Judge Gevercer recommended that attorneys keep a journal of their cases, including the names of the parties, opposing counsel, issues involved, and other information. Such a journal may later prove helpful in completing an application for judicial appoint-

Judge David Rosenberg, Yolo County Superior Court Judge Garen Horst, Placer County Superior Court

ment. Judge Gevercer also emphasized the importance of humility and self-reflection.

At the close of the program, Misha Igra, President of the Leonard M. Friedman Bar Association, presented a plaque to Judge Hersher. The award recognizes and expresses appreciation for Judge Hersher’s support of the Jewish bar association since its founding. Secretary Céspedes, the judicial panelists, and everyone assembled on Zoom congratulated Judge Hersher and wished her all the best for a well-earned retirement.

For information and a membership application to the Leonard M. Friedman Bar Association, please visit www.jsacbar.org.

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