The Governor's Office wants to expand the pool of qualified judicial applicants from diverse
legal backgrounds and diverse communities. It believes that this program may help encourage
prospective applicants to complete the application process, particularly those who may self-select
out of the application process.
The Court will pair the mentee with a mentor judge. The mentor judge will help demystify the judicial appointment process,
answer questions about the judicial application, and may suggest new experiences to improve the
mentee's skills.
You must apply. Email a request for an application form to the California Judicial Mentor Program.
or
No. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
A mentee must: (1) have at least 9 years of experience as a lawyer in California and be licensed
in California for at least 9 years; (2) be in good standing with the Bar and (3) be committed to public service. Those from legal backgrounds
and communities underrepresented in the judiciary are particularly encouraged to apply.
Pairings will be based on common areas of legal practice, affinity bar memberships, and other factors. There is no guarantee
that a particular mentee will be assigned a mentor judge whose interests closely align with theirs.
Not necessarily. Mentees will assigned based on the based on the availability
of judicial mentors.
Each mentor and mentee will be formally matched for a maximum period of 12 months.
The program is not intended to supplant any existing program or previous relationship but, instead, should complement
those efforts.
You will receive an email from the California Judicial Mentor Program Committee.
No. The program is designed to help you in your career development and in preparing an application.
It is not designed to give certain applicants an inside track. Applicants who do not participate in this
program are not disadvantaged.
Yes. Members of the Governor's Judicial Selection Advisory Committee (JSAC) will not serve as mentors.
Email the California Judicial Mentor Program at californiajudicialmentorprogram@saccourt.ca.gov..