Alexander C.D. Giza

Justice Alexander C.D. Giza is an Associate Justice of the Court of Appeal, Second District, Division Three.  He was nominated by Governor Gavin Newsom to the Court of Appeal in September 2026 and was unanimously confirmed by the Commission on Judicial Appointments after receiving an "exceptionally well qualified" rating by the Commission on Judicial Nominees Evaluation. 

Justice Giza grew up on a small farm near Wheeling, West Virginia.  He attended the University of Virginia and earned a degree in electrical engineering.  During his time at UVA, he was selected for Tau Beta Pi (National Engineering Honor Society) and Eta Kappa Nu (International Electrical Engineering Honor Society) and served as the Fencing Club President for the Virginia State Champion Team in 1989.  After graduation, he worked in various engineering and managerial roles with IAI America Incorporated, Eaton Corporation, and Westinghouse Electric Corporation.

Justice Giza graduated from the University of California, Los Angeles School of Law.  While at UCLAW, he was a teaching fellow and research assistant for Professor Arthur Rosett.  He also externed for Judge Arthur L. Alarcón of the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, and Judge William J. Rea of the United States District Court for the Central District of California.  Following law school, Justice Giza clerked for Justice Walter L. Carpeneti of the Alaska Supreme Court.

Prior to his appointment, Justice Giza was a co-founder and partner of Hueston Hennigan LLP and previously worked at Russ August Kabat LLP and Irell & Manella LLP.  His practice included complex business litigation, with a specialty in intellectual property litigation and trials. He was active in pro bono activities including representing victims of domestic violence, finalizing adoptions, and fundraising.

Justice Giza was appointed to the Los Angeles Superior Court in November 2018 by Governor Edmund G. Brown and had assignments in family, criminal, and civil law.  He served on the executive board for the California Judges Association and was active in judicial outreach and the externship program.

In his free time, Alex enjoys spending time with his wife, two adult children, and extended family.  He is a member of the board of directors for East West Players, the longest-running Asian American theater in the country.  He raised over $50,000 for the American Indian College Fund in conjunction with his Ride Across America, and he also competed in the U.S.A. Triathlon Age Group National Championships. 

Alex remains an avid hiker, rock climber, and mountaineer with ascents including Mt. Kilimanjaro, Mt. Whitney, Mt. Shasta, Mt. Russell, Half Dome, El Capitan, Grand Teton, Mt. Rainier, White Mountain Peak, Mt. Langley, Mt. Tyndall, Split Mountain, and Popocatépetl.