Profile of Nicholas F. Daum

Justice Nicholas F. Daum was nominated by Governor Gavin Newsom to the Court of Appeal and was confirmed to the position in August, 2026 by the Commission on Judicial Appointments. The Commission on Judicial Nominees Evaluation rated him “exceptionally well qualified” for the position, its highest rating. 

Before joining the Court of Appeal, Justice Daum served as a judge on the Superior Court of Los Angeles County.  While on the Superior Court, Justice Daum presided over a criminal courtroom in the San Fernando Courthouse and then an independent calendar civil courtroom at the Stanley Mosk Courthouse.  He also served on the Superior Court’s executive committee and its rules committee.

Before beginning judicial service, Justice Daum spent nineteen years as a lawyer in private practice.  He began his career as an associate at Susman Godfrey LLP and spent most of his attorney career at Kendall Brill and Kelly LLP, becoming a partner at that firm.  As an attorney, his primary focus was complex, high-stakes litigation involving the media and entertainment industries.  He also had an extensive appellate practice.  As an attorney, Justice Daum worked on numerous pro bono matters, particularly matters involving voting rights.

Justice Daum was born and raised in Los Angeles.  He attended Phillips Exeter Academy and then Cornell University, where he graduated Magna Cum Laude with honors as a college scholar.  After college, he obtained a master's degree in Modern European History from the University of California at Berkeley.  His law degree is from Yale Law School.  While in law school, Justice Daum served as Notes Editor of the Yale Law Journal, and he taught legal writing as a Coker Fellow.

Justice Daum has taught at Loyola Law School, has served as the board president of the Western Justice Center, and previously held roles on the boards of the Immigrant Justice Clinic at Loyola Law School and Thad’s Episcopal Church.  In his free time, he enjoys spending time with his wife and two children, reading histories and novels, attending concerts at the LA Philharmonic, and trying to improve his skills at tennis, skiing, and fly fishing.