Justice James Marchiano was born in Detroit to immigrant parents and moved to California at a young age. He attended a prep seminary and then St. Patrick's College, followed by Boalt Hall for his J.D. degree. He then worked as a lawyer for the Bledsoe firm in San Francisco and the Crosby firm in Oakland. He was encouraged to join the bench by his students and colleagues, and was eventually appointed by Governor Deukmejian to the Superior Court in Martinez, California.
