Chief Justice Appoints 5 New Judicial Council Members – California Courts Newsroom (.gov)

Judicial Council Appointments and Reappointments: Advancing Justice and Sustainable Development Goals

Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero has appointed two new voting members and three new advisory (non-voting) members to the Judicial Council, with two council members also reappointed. These appointments, effective September 15, 2025, reinforce the council’s commitment to the consistent, independent, impartial, and accessible administration of justice under the California Constitution.

Judicial Council Responsibilities and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The Judicial Council plays a critical role in promoting justice aligned with key Sustainable Development Goals, including:

• SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions – by ensuring fair and impartial judicial processes.
• SDG 5: Gender Equality – through diverse representation and equitable justice administration.
• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities – by addressing systemic barriers within the justice system.

New Voting Members

The following two new voting members commenced their terms on September 15, 2025:

1. Judge Michael Rhoads

   Serving at the Superior Court of San Francisco County, Judge Rhoads presides over the criminal trial department and manages the court’s criminal domestic violence calendar. His prior assignments include felony pre-trial and preliminary hearings. He contributes to judicial education through the council’s Center for Judicial Education and Resources, focusing on criminal sentencing, pretrial release, and preliminary hearings.

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2. Dena Stone

   Assistant Public Defender at Sacramento County Public Defender’s Office, Stone has over 15 years of experience in criminal law across Sacramento, Shasta, and El Dorado counties. She is a seasoned trial attorney with expertise in homicide, human trafficking, and complex felony cases. As a lead Racial Justice Act attorney, she has pioneered procedures and litigated precedent-setting cases statewide, advancing justice and equity.

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New Advisory (Non-Voting) Members

The following three new advisory members began their terms on September 15, 2025:

1. Presiding Judge Patricia L. Kelly

   From the Superior Court of Santa Barbara County, Judge Kelly has held leadership roles including presiding judge and assistant presiding judge. She will chair the Judicial Council’s Trial Court Presiding Judges Advisory Committee and serves on the Court Facilities Advisory Committee and Trial Court Budget Advisory Committee, contributing to effective court governance and resource management.

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2. Judge Jeffrey C. Kauffman

   Judge at the Superior Court of Solano County, Kauffman serves as president-elect of the California Judges Association (CJA) and has been on the CJA Executive Board since 2022. He supervises the court’s criminal division and brings prosecutorial experience from the Solano County District Attorney’s Office, enhancing judicial oversight and administration.

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3. David Slayton

   Court Executive Officer at the Superior Court of Los Angeles County, Slayton brings 26 years of judicial administration experience across local, state, and federal levels. He will serve as vice-chair of the Court Executives Advisory Committee and participates in multiple subcommittees, supporting efficient court operations and budget management.

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Reappointed Members

Two members have been reappointed to continue their service starting September 15, 2025, reinforcing ongoing leadership and institutional knowledge within the council.

Departing Council Members

As of September 14, 2025, the following members will conclude their terms:

• Justice Carin T. Fujisaki
• Judge Khymberli S. Apaloo
• Judge C. Todd Bottke
• Judge Kyle S. Brodie
• Presiding Judge Lisa M. Rogan
• Attorney Maxwell V. Pritt
• Court Executive Officer David H. Yamasaki

Judicial Council Membership Structure

Per the California Constitution, the Judicial Council is chaired by the Chief Justice and includes:

• One other Supreme Court justice
• Three justices from the courts of appeal
• Ten trial court judges
• Two nonvoting court administrators
• Additional nonvoting members as determined by the council’s voting membership
• Four members appointed by the State Bar’s governing body
• One member each appointed by the state Senate and Assembly

Council members serve as volunteers without additional compensation, typically for three-year terms, with approximately one-third rotating annually to maintain dynamic and effective governance.

Conclusion

The recent appointments and reappointments to the Judicial Council underscore a commitment to strengthening judicial administration in alignment with Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions). Through diverse and experienced membership, the council advances equitable, accessible, and effective justice for all Californians.

More bio information on the new Judicial Council members

1. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed or Connected

1. SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
   • The article focuses on the Judicial Council’s role in ensuring the consistent, independent, impartial, and accessible administration of justice in California.
   • Appointments of judges and court officials emphasize strengthening judicial institutions and promoting justice.

2. Specific Targets Under Those SDGs Identified

1. SDG 16 Targets:
   • Target 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all.
     • The article highlights the appointment of members who work on criminal justice, racial justice, and court administration, supporting equal access to justice.
   • Target 16.6: Develop effective, accountable, and transparent institutions at all levels.
     • The Judicial Council’s structure and member appointments reflect efforts to maintain an accountable and transparent judiciary.
   • Target 16.7: Ensure responsive, inclusive, participatory and representative decision-making at all levels.
     • The diverse appointments including voting and advisory members indicate inclusive and participatory governance within the judicial system.

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied to Measure Progress

1. Indicators Implied:
   • Indicator 16.3.1: Proportion of victims of violence who reported their victimization to competent authorities or other officially recognized conflict resolution mechanisms.
     • Judge Michael Rhoads’ work on criminal domestic violence and preliminary hearings implies monitoring access to justice for victims.
   • Indicator 16.6.2: Proportion of the population satisfied with their last experience of public services.
     • The Judicial Council’s efforts to ensure impartial and accessible justice suggest measuring public satisfaction with court services.
   • Indicator 16.7.2: Proportion of positions in public institutions compared to national distributions to reflect inclusiveness.
     • The appointment of diverse members including public defenders and judges from various counties indicates attention to representative decision-making.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: newsroom.courts.ca.gov