Franklin D. McDaniel

Franklin Douglas McDaniel was born on July 13, 1920 in Akron, Ohio. He attended Purdue University in Indiana, earning a B.S degree with Highest Distinction in 1942. He then went on to Stanford University Law School, where he earned his J.D. in 1948. McDaniel was admitted to the California Bar in January 1949.

McDaniel began his legal career in private practice with Horton & Knox, and then went on to become a partner in Byrd, Sturdevant, McDaniel & Pinney in 1959. From 1951-1959, he served as Deputy District Attorney in Imperial County, and was the Chief Civil Deputy from 1954-1959. He was also a member of the Imperial County Bar Association from 1949-1974, and served as President of the association in 1954. He was a delegate to the California State Bar's Conference of Delegates from 1949-1974, and was Chairman of the Executive Committee in 1971 and a member from 1968-1971. He was also a Board of Trustees member for California Rural Legal Assistance from 1967-1969, and a member of the California State Bar's Disciplinary Board from 1965-1968 and Local Administrative Committee from 1957-1966.

McDaniel was appointed to the Court of Appeal, Fourth Appellate District, Division Two on December 27, 1974, succeeding Associate Justice John G. Gabbert. He was confirmed by the Commission on Judicial Appointments on December 6th, and confirmed by the electorate on November 7th, 1978. He served as an Associate Justice until his retirement on June 30, 1990. He was then elected Senior Judge Status on July 1, 1990, and served until June 30, 1995. He is currently sitting on assignment by appointment of the California Judicial Council for an indeterminate term.

McDaniel is a Republican and a member of Nichiren Soke Gakki International (Buddhist). He enjoys playing golf, tennis, and skiing in his spare time.

McDaniel has authored many significant decisions, including Park Redlands Covenant Control Committee v. Simon (1986), California Shoppers, Inc. v. Royal Globe Ins. Co. (1985), and Beaumont Investors v. Beaumont Cherry Valley Water Dist. (1985). He is a member of the California Judges Association, Phi Delta Phi law fraternity, and Rotary Club (President of San Bernardino from 1984-1985).