Gov. Newsom Appoints Four Alumni to State Superior Courts

UC Law SF has a rich legacy of sending its graduates to positions on the state bench, from the trial courts to the California Supreme Court. Four alumni joined those ranks Aug. 28 when Gov. Gavin Newsom announced their appointment to seats on the California Superior Court.

Karen Moskowitz ’83 of Studio City has been appointed to serve as a judge in the Los Angeles County Superior Court. Moskowitz has been a sole practitioner since 2003. She was a partner at Margolis and Morin LLP from 1995 to 2003. She fills the vacancy created by the conversion of a court commissioner position on Dec. 17, 2019.

Jeanmarie Klingenbeck Warren ’89 of Long Beach has been appointed to serve as a judge in the Los Angeles County Superior Court. Warren has served as head deputy public defender at the Los Angeles County Public Defender’s Office since 2017, where she has held several positions since 1989, including deputy public defender, deputy in charge of the Bellflower Branch, and law clerk. Warren fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Katherine Mader.

Jeffrey M. Zimel ’91 of Temecula has been appointed to serve as a judge in the Riverside County Superior Court. Zimel has served as deputy public defender at the Riverside County Public Defender’s Office since 2011, where he has been a supervisor since 2013. He was a sole practitioner from 1998 to 2011 and served as a deputy public defender at the Los Angeles County Public Defender’s Office from 1991 to 1998. He fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Michael B. Donner.

Russell S. Roeca ’80 of San Francisco has been appointed to serve as a judge in the San Francisco County Superior Court. Roeca has been a partner at Roeca Haas Montes De Oca LLP since 2000. He was a partner at Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP from 1998 to 2000 and held several positions at Long & Levit LLP from 1985 to 1998, including associate and partner. Roeca was an associate at Alborg Bothel & Dictor in 1985, at Glynn & Harvey from 1982 to 1985, and at Bostwick & Tehin from 1981 to 1982. Roeca fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Carol C. Yaggy.

According to the Bay Area Reporter, Roeca is Newsom’s first LGBTQ appointment to the California bench and possibly the first ever.

Historically, UC Law SF has sent more public servants to the state bench than any other law school. UC Law SF magazine devoted its Fall 2012 issue to the many roles in which the college’s alumni serve on state and federal courts.