Legal News Judge Herman Is Appointed to the Judicial Council of California By Cat h e r i n e J. sw y s e n On June 1, 2010, Chief Justice Ronald George announced the appointment of Judge James E. Herman to the Judicial Council of California. The citizens of California established the Judicial Council by an amendment to Article VI of the State Constitution in 1926. The twenty-eight member body is the policymaking body of the California courts, the largest court system in the nation. Under the leadership of the Chief Justice and in accordance with the California Constitution, the Council is responsible for ensuring the consistent, independent, impartial, and accessible administration of justice. The Council establishes direction and sets priorities for the continual improvement of the court’s system. It promulgates rules of court administration, practice, and procedures. It sponsors and takes positions on legislation that affects the California judicial system. It allocates the judicial branch budget and responds to legislative mandates. The Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) serves as the Council’s staff agency. The members of the Council are selected by a nominating procedure intended to attract applicants from across the legal system and to result in a membership that is diverse in experience, gender, background, and geography. The twenty-one voting members consist of the Chief Justice, fourteen judges appointed by the Chief Justice, four attorney members appointed by the State <strong>Bar</strong> Board of Governors, and one member from each house of the Legislature. The Council also has seven advisory members who include court executives or administrators and the President of the California Judges <strong>Association</strong>. Staggered terms, with one-third of the Council’s membership changing each year, ensure continuity while creating opportunities for new participation and input. Judge Herman was named to a three-year term as a voting member of the Council effective September 15, 2010. Judge Herman has been serving as the <strong>Santa</strong> <strong><strong>Bar</strong>bara</strong> <strong>County</strong> Juvenile Court Presiding Judge since 2008. He also serves on the Superior Court’s Executive Committee. He was appointed to the Superior Court in 2005 after more than twenty years experience in private law practice, specializing in complex commercial litigation, and seven years as deputy public defender in Riverside, San Diego, and <strong>Santa</strong> <strong><strong>Bar</strong>bara</strong> counties. A former president of the State <strong>Bar</strong> of California (2002-2003), Judge Herman served on the State <strong>Bar</strong>’s Board of Governors (1998-2003). He chaired and served on the <strong>Bar</strong>’s Judicial Nominations and Evaluation Commission Review Committee (JNE) for three years (1999-2002). He has professional experience as a lecturer and writer for numerous legal and academic institutions, bar groups, and community groups on a variety of legal topics. He is a member of the California Commission on Access to Justice and the Pro Bono Commission. Among other honors and awards, Judge Herman has received the Judicial Council’s Bernard E. Witkin Amicus Curiae Award (2004). Judge Herman was a lawyer member of the Council in 2004-2005 and served on the Rules and Project Committee during his initial tenure. He participates currently on the Council’s Court Technology Advisory Committee, and as a liaison to the Probate and Mental Health Advisory Committee. His past committee experiences include membership on the Civil and Small Claims Advisory Committee (2005- 2006) and the Task Force on Self-Represented Litigants (2004-2005). Judge Herman told <strong>Santa</strong> <strong><strong>Bar</strong>bara</strong> <strong>La</strong>wyer, “I am very proud to have been chosen by Chief Justice George to serve on the Judicial Council as among his last class of appointees. He has truly been a Chief Justice with an unparalleled vision for a unified and co-equal third branch of government. His accomplishments, including consolidation and state trial court funding, will long be remembered. He is truly a third branch hero. I have had the honor of working with the Chief as State <strong>Bar</strong> President during the last economic downturn as well as serving under him on the Judicial Council as a lawyer member. I have looked forward to rejoining the Chief on the Council and am saddened by his departure. However, he has worked harder than anyone could imagine as leader of the branch and his retirement is well deserved. I now have the unanticipated pleasure of serving under our new Chief, the Honorable Tani Cantil-Sakauye, who currently serves on the Council. The Branch and the new Chief will be challenged by the need to continue to provide access to justice to the people of California in the face of unprecedented financial challenges.” 14 <strong>Santa</strong> <strong><strong>Bar</strong>bara</strong> <strong>La</strong>wyer
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