Justice Rebecca A. Wiseman

Rebecca A. Wiseman

Associate Justice
From 1995 to 2013

Education: University of Virginia School of Law, LL.M. in Judicial Process, 2001; University of California, Davis, J.D., 1980; California State University, Fresno, B.A., Journalism, summa cum laude, 1975.

Judicial Positions and Assignments: Confirmed as an Associate Justice to the Court of Appeal, Fifth Appellate District, 1995. Certified as a civil mediator by the National Judicial College in 2011. Appointed to the Kern County Superior Court, 1991; managed the civil direct calendar assignment, settlement conferences, and civil and criminal trials. Appointed to the Bakersfield Municipal Court, 1986.

Teaching Experience: Frequent lecturer for Thomson Reuters Publishing/The Rutter Group on employment litigation, expert witnesses, and civil law updates. Instructor for the New Judges Orientation (NJO) program. Faculty member, Witkin Judicial College of California. Instructor, Writs and Administrative Mandamus Proceedings for Trial Judges.

Author: Co-author of Thomson Reuters/The Rutter Group, California Practice Guide, Employment Litigation.

Memberships: Member, Appellate Practice Curriculum Committee, beginning 2010. Member, California Judges Association Board of Directors, 2005-2008. President, California Judges Foundation, 1995-1996. Founding Member, Board of Governors, San Joaquin Valley Chapter of the Association of Business Trial Lawyers (ABTL). Member, National Women Judges Association, American Judges Association, American Bar Association, and California Women Lawyers.

Community Service: Developed Appellate Court's community program that takes the Court of Appeal "on the road" to hear appellate cases, 1997-2000. Coordinator of youth program "Real to Reel Justice" presented by judges to students using popular movie clips addressing anger, diversity, tolerance, hate crimes, and disabilities, 1999 to date. Developed program and requisite legislation for "Youthful Offender Driving Under the Influence Program." Since 1990 students may be required to visit the morgue and hospital emergency rooms, meet with trained alcohol counselors and a judge.