Division Four

Portrait

J_Tamzarian_350

Job Title

Helen Zukin

McGarrigle-T, Stephen — Fri, 22 Mar 2024 18:55:21 +0000

Helen Zukin McGarrigle-T, … Fri, 03/22/2024 - 11:55

Second District, Div. Four

Division

Start Date

Fri, 05/19/2023 - 12:00

Biography

Justice Zukin has served on the Court of Appeal since July 2023. She served as an Associate Justice in Division Four for two years and began serving as the Presiding Justice of Division Four in 2025.

In 2018, Justice Zukin was appointed to the Los Angeles Superior Court by Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr., where she served for five years. Justice Zukin presided over family law, general jurisdiction civil trials, and an unlimited independent civil calendar court. She also served as the West District Site Judge for the Beverly Hills Courthouse.

At the Los Angeles Superior Court, she worked to establish the court’s Judicial Mentor Program and was involved in the development of the California Judicial Mentor Program. Also at the Los Angeles Superior Court, she served as an active member of the Diversity & Inclusion, Access and Fairness, and Community Outreach Committees, as well as the Equity and Inclusion and Civil Engagement Initiative Working Groups, and the New Judicial Officers Judicial Education Seminar Subcommittee. She has lectured on a broad range of legal subjects to judges, attorneys, and law students.

Justice Zukin was born and raised in Los Angeles. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree with high academic honors from the University of California, Santa Cruz, and her law degree from Loyola Law School.

After law school, Justice Zukin began her legal career as an associate at Greene, O’Reilly, Agnew & Broillet. She moved to Simke, Chodos, Silberfeld & Anteau, where she became a partner. Justice Zukin joined Kiesel Law in 2006, becoming a partner in 2010. Throughout her career, Justice Zukin practiced plaintiffs complex civil litigation, including mass toxic torts, pharmaceutical and defective device actions, product liability, environmental property damage, and health care actions.

Justice Zukin’s community engagement includes serving as Chair of the State Bar of California’s Commission on Judicial Nominees Evaluation (JNE) and Chair of its Review Committee. She has served as Chair of the LACBA Judicial Appointments Committee (JAC), Chair of the United States District Court, Central District of California Merit Selection Panel (MSP), and currently is Chair of the Los Angeles Judicial Selection Advisory Committee (LA JSAC). Justice Zukin is currently the Co-Chair of the Appellate Judicial Mentor Program. Justice Zukin is a member of the LACBA President’s Advisory Committee on Women in the Legal Profession (PAC-Women) and Co-Chair of the Promoting Women to Lead Subcommittee. Justice Zukin served as a member of the Board of Governors of the Consumer Attorneys Association of Los Angeles. She is a current member of the Association of Business Trial Lawyers’ Board of Directors. Justice Zukin is a long-time member of the LACBA Litigation Section Executive Committee and served as its Chair in 2017. Justice Zukin has served as President of the Los Angeles Ethics Commission.

Justice Zukin is the recipient of LACBA’s 2025 Philip H. Lam Diversity Impact Award. She is also a recipient of the 2025 Armenian Bar Association Judges Night Award.

Person Type

Portrait

Helen-Zukin

Job Title

Presiding Justice

Audra M. Mori

McGarrigle-T, Stephen — Fri, 22 Mar 2024 18:48:22 +0000

Audra M. Mori McGarrigle-T, … Fri, 03/22/2024 - 11:48

Division

Start Date

Mon, 04/17/2023 - 12:00

Biography

In 2018, Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. appointed Audra Mori to the Los Angeles Superior Court, where she presided over civil and family law cases. While there, she was appointed to serve as Chair of the Los Angeles Superior Court Judicial Mentor Program and was a member of numerous other court committees. In 2023, Governor Gavin Newsom appointed her as an Associate Justice of the California Court of Appeal, Second Appellate District, Division Four. Justice Mori was unanimously confirmed by the Commission on Judicial Appointments after receiving an “exceptionally well qualified” rating from the Commission on Judicial Nominees Evaluation.

Justice Mori was born and raised in Los Angeles County. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of California, Los Angeles, and her law degree from Cornell Law School.

After law school, Justice Mori clerked for the Honorable Richard W. Goldberg of the United States Court of International Trade and worked at large law firms. For much of her career, she worked at Perkins Coie LLP, where she practiced intellectual property and commercial litigation and served in various leadership roles. She was the first woman of color to serve as Managing Partner of a firm office. She also served as Chair of the firm’s global Diversity Committee.

Justice Mori has held leadership positions in several bar associations. She was President of the Japanese American Bar Association and a Regional Governor of the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association. She serves on the Executive Committee of the Litigation Section of the Los Angeles County Bar Association and has co-chaired its Programs Committee.

Person Type

Portrait

AudraMMori

Job Title

M.O. Sabraw

JCC — Fri, 15 Dec 2023 23:47:23 +0000

M.O. Sabraw JCC Fri, 12/15/2023 - 15:47

Division

Start Date

Thu, 01/03/1985 - 12:00

Biography

Sabraw, M.O. (Modeste Orton). Associate Justice, Court of Appeal, First Appellate District, Division Four. Appointed [succeeding Associate Justice Edward A. Panelli, elevated] by Governor Deukmejian Dec 6, 1984, confirmed by Commission on Judicial Appointments Jan 3, 1985, oath same day, and confirmed by electorate Nov 4, 1986. Judge, Superior Court, Alameda County, Dec 31, 1970 (date at oath) to Jan 3, 1985, appointed to new position by Governor Reagan Dec 30, 1970, elected in 1972, and reelected in 1978 (unopposed) and 1984. Judge, Municipal Court, Fremont-Newark Union City Judicial District, Alameda County, March 1, 1968 (date of oath) to Dec 31, 1970, appointed Feb 2, 1968 by Governor Reagan. Served as Associate Justice pro tempore, Supreme Court of Calif, in 1979. Private law practice (specializing in civil litigation and real estate and public agency law), Fremont, Alameda County, 1955-68 (partner: Quaresma, Sabraw & Avera, 1966-68; Sabraw & Avera, 1962-66; Rhodes & Sabraw, 1959-62; and Quaresma, Rhodes & Sabraw, 1955-59): Deputy District Attorney, Sonoma County, 1954-55. Admitted to Calif Bar Sept 12, 1953, to US Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit, and to US Dist Court, Northern Dist of Calif. J.D. (June 1953), Univ of Calif, Berkeley. Boalt Hall School of Law. B.A. (June 1950 Political Science), Univ of Calif, Berkeley. Served in US Army World War II 1944-46 (Paratroopers, South Pacific). Present status, Major, U.S. Army Reserve (Inactive). Born July 20, 1926 in Saskatchewan, Canada, and moved with family to San Francisco, Calif in 1937. Married Betty King Sept 7, 1947 in Santa Rosa, Calif. Four children: Ronald, born March 7, 1950 (Judge, Fremont-Newark-Union City Municipal Court); Mark, born July 10, 1951; Teri, born July 23, 1955; and Kris, born Sept 18, 1957. Member: Calif Judges Assn, 1968-; and Rotary Club, 1960 (President, Niles Club, 1965). Former member: Alameda County Bar Assn, 1955-68; Southern Alameda County Bar Assn, 1959-68 (Board of Directors, 1964); Washington Township Bar Assn, 1965-68 (President, 1966); Fremont Board of Education, 1964-68 (President, 1965-67); Washington Township Republican Assembly, Fremont, 1960-68 (President, 1962); and Board of Trustees, Washington Union High School District, 1963-64. Republican. Enjoys raising and riding horses and skiing. Significant decisions authored by Justice Sabraw include: Garvey v. State Farm Fire & Cas. Co. (1986) 190 CA3d 1248 [review granted] (involving homeowner's insurance and ruling that insurance company can deny coverage under its policy for loss if "moving cause" of loss was excluded from coverage under the policy); City of Oakland v. Oakland Raiders (1985) 174 CA3d 414, 220 CR 153 (holding city's eminent domain suit against Raiders football team violated the commerce clause (Art I, sec, 8, c1. 3) of the US Constitution); and Kearl v. Lederle Laboratories (1985) 172 CA3d 812, 218 CR 453 (involving action for damages based on strict products liability by minor contracting polio from oral polio vaccine for failure to warn of danger and holding that strict liability cause of action, although available for "manufacturing defects," must be prohibited for public policy reasons for "warning defects," if court determines, after taking evidence, that product complained of is "unavoidably dangerous" and that such products are subject merely negligence liability for warning defects). California Appellate Court Legacy Project – Interviewee Biography: Justice M. O. Sabraw 1 11/7 The biographies are copyrighted material owned by James Publishing (www.jamespublishing.com). We wish to thank the publisher for graciously allowing us to reproduce these copyrighted materials. Please note: Biography is current as of date of publication.

Person Type

Portrait

Sabraw

Retirement Date

Sun, 01/01/1989 - 12:00

Job Title

Attachments

Justice M.O. Sabraw was appointed to the Court of Appeal by Governor Deukmejian in 1984 and confirmed by the Commission on Judicial Appointments in 1985. He was also a judge in the Superior Court and Municipal Court in Alameda County from 1968-1985. He served in the US Army during World War II and was admitted to the California Bar in 1953. He is a Republican and enjoys raising and riding horses and skiing. He has authored several significant decisions in the Court of Appeal.

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Maria P. Rivera

JCC — Fri, 15 Dec 2023 23:47:23 +0000

Maria P. Rivera JCC Fri, 12/15/2023 - 15:47

Division

Start Date

Fri, 01/25/2002 - 12:00

Biography

Judicial Positions: Associate Justice, First District Court of Appeal, Division Four January 2002 to present.Judge of the Superior Court, Contra Costa County, Martinez, California January 1997-January 2002 Assignments: General Trial Department (primarily felony jury trials); Supervising Judge, Family Law Division; Civil Division; Executive Committee, 1997-1999; Chair of Family Law Building Committee Activities, Awards, Organizations: Member, California Judges Association, 1996 - presentMember, National Association of Women Judges, 1996 - presentFaculty, Judicial College, 1997-presentPro Bono Judge of the Year - 1999Alameda-Contra Costa Trial Lawyers Ass'n Trial Judge of the Year - 2001San Francisco La Raza Lawyers Ass'n, Honoree of the Year - 2002State Bar of California, Legal Services Trust Fund, Advisory BoardLegal Services Coordinating Committee, Advisory BoardInvest in Kids (a mentoring program for at-risk children), Advisory BoardWardrobe for Opportunity (professional clothes for women of modest means entering the work force), Advisory BoardCenter For Human Development (organization that sponsors and supports alternative dispute resolution in the Community),Advisory BoardLatino Leadership Forum (organization that supports and encourages Latino youth who show leadership potential), Advisory Board Educational Background: Law School: University of San Francisco Law School 1971 - 1974 J.D. magna cum laude 1974 McAuliffe Honor Society 1972 - 1974 Recorder Prize (graduated first in class) Externship in California Supreme Court - Fall, 1973 College: Smith College, Northampton, Mass. 1966 - 1970 B.A. with distinction 1970 First Group Scholar Dean's List 1967 - 1970 Bilingual Tutor Professional Background: Partner/Counsel McCutchen, Doyle, Brown & Enersen (formerly Van Voorhis & Skaggs) Walnut Creek - 1981 - 1996Assistant U.S. Attorney Department of Justice San Francisco - 1979 - 1981Deputy District Attorney City and County of San Francisco San Francisco - 1978-1979Associate, Morrison & Foerster San Francisco - 1974 - 1978 Legal and Business Organizations: State Bar of California, 1974 - 1996San Francisco Bar Association, 1974-1978 Lawyer's Reference Panel Committee (1976)National District Attorney's Association 1978-1979Contra Costa County Bar Association, 1981 - 1996 Board of Directors 1990-1996 (Treasurer, 1996) Finance Committee 1996 Fee Arbitration Committee, 1990 - 1994 Chair, Attorney Reference Panel Committee, 1992 Alternate Delegate, 1991 Annual Meeting Women's Section , 1986 - 1996 (founding member, founding officer) (vice president and acting president, 1986 - 1988) Appellate Section, 1991 - 1996 (president, 1992 - 1995)Commercial Industrial Council of the Building Industry Association, 1993-1995First Tuesday Forum, 1988-1996; Chair, 1991 Personal Data: 1949, Visalia, CaliforniaMarried, two children.Enjoy cooking, fly-fishing, baseball and reading

Person Type

Portrait

Rivera

Retirement Date

Thu, 02/01/2018 - 12:00

Job Title

Attachments

a deputy public defender, said, "She is not as well versed in criminal law as some of the other judges." On Motions Attorneys said Judge Rizk is "very good" at managing her courtroom. "She is very organized," said one. Another said, "She is very efficient." A third interviewee said, "She is very good at keeping things moving." Courtroom atmosphere Most of the interviewees said Judge Rizk's courtroom atmosphere is "professional" and "businesslike." One attorney said, "She is very serious." On Trial Interviewees said Judge Rizk is "very fair" when handling trials. One attorney said, "She is very even-handed." Another said, "She is very fair and impartial." A third interviewee said, "She is very good at keeping the parties focused on the issues." Continuances Attorneys said Judge Rizk is "very reasonable" when it comes to granting continuances. One interviewee said, "She is very understanding." Proclivities Most of the interviewees said Judge Rizk is "fair" overall. One interviewee said, "She is very even-handed." Summary One attorney offered the following additional comment: "She is very good at

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Marcel Poché

JCC — Fri, 15 Dec 2023 23:47:21 +0000

Marcel Poché JCC Fri, 12/15/2023 - 15:47

Division

Start Date

Thu, 01/05/1995 - 12:00

Biography

Marcel Poche is a retired Associate Justice of the Court of Appeal, First Appellate District, Division Four. He was appointed to this newly-created position by Governor Brown Jr. in 1978 and confirmed by Commission on Judicial Appointments in 1979. He also served as a Judge of the Superior Court of Santa Clara County from 1977 to 1979. His past employment includes executive assistant to Congressman Don Edwards and assistant to Governor Brown Jr. of California. He holds a LL.M from the University of Virginia, a J.D. from the University of California, Boalt Hall School of Law, and a B.A. from the University of Santa Clara. He is a Democrat. He has been awarded with several recognitions such as the Owens Award from the University of Santa Clara, the Appellate Justice of the Year from the California Trial Lawyers Association, and the Appellate Justice of the Year from the San Francisco Trial Lawyers Association.

Person Type

Portrait

Poche

Retirement Date

Sat, 01/01/1994 - 12:00

Job Title

Attachments

Marcel Poche was appointed to a newly-created position on the Court of Appeal by Governor Brown Jr. in 1978. He was also a judge on the Superior Court in Santa Clara County from 1977 to 1979. He had previously worked as an assistant to Governor Brown Jr. and an executive assistant to Congressman Don Edwards. He was also a professor of law at the University of Santa Clara from 1969 to 1977. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1956 to 1958 and has a law degree from the University of California, Berkeley. He was named "Appellate Justice of the Year" in 1981 and received the "Owens Award" from the University of Santa Clara in 1981.

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Laurence D. Kay

JCC — Fri, 15 Dec 2023 23:47:19 +0000

Laurence D. Kay JCC Fri, 12/15/2023 - 15:47

Division

Start Date

Fri, 01/25/2002 - 12:00

Biography

Justice Laurence D. Kay was born on January 18, 1937 in San Francisco, California. After graduating from the University of California, Berkeley in 1958, Justice Kay worked in the construction business in Southern California before studying law. He was admitted to the California Bar, Court of Appeal, Ninth Circuit, and U.S. District Court, Northern District, in January 1964. Justice Kay started his legal career in private law practice in San Francisco with Livingston, Grant, Stone & Kay, which eventually became Livingston, Stone, Kay & McGowanon when Isabella Horton Grant was appointed to municipal court. In 1981, he was appointed to the Municipal Court, San Francisco Judicial District, City & County of San Francisco by Governor Brown Jr. and elected in 1982. He was then appointed to the Superior Court, City and County of San Francisco by Governor Brown Jr. in 1983, confirmed by Commission on Judicial Appointments in 1984, and re-elected in subsequent elections. Justice Kay served as the Presiding Judge, San Francisco Probate Court from 1997 to 2000, the Presiding Judge of Superior Court from July 1, 1996 to 1997, the Presiding Judge, San Francisco Superior Court Appellate Division from 1991 to 1994, the Presiding Judge, Criminal Division from July 1986 to July 1988, and the Assistant Presiding Judge of Superior Court from July 1, 1995 to 1996. In 2001, Justice Kay was appointed to the Court of Appeal, First Appellate District, Division Four by Governor Davis and confirmed by Commission on Judicial Appointments. He has been honored with the "Trial Judge of the Year" award from the San Francisco Trial Lawyers in 1992. He has also been an active member of the California Judges Association since 1981, the California Attorneys for Criminal Justice from 1978 to 1981, the Bar Association of San Francisco from 1964 to 1981, the U.S.F. Chapter of American Inns of Court since 1997, and the National College of Probate Judges since 1998. Justice Kay has extensive experience teaching, lecturing, and participating in panel discussions. He has served as a faculty member teaching Computer Use for Judges and Three Strikes Sentencing for the California Judicial Education & Research Foundation, and he was a panelist for the Rutter Group program “The Evidence Master Series” in 1985. Justice Kay enjoys skiing, golf, and photography in his free time. He is married and a registered Democrat.

Person Type

Portrait

Kay

Retirement Date

Sat, 01/01/2005 - 12:00

Job Title

Presiding Justice

Attachments

Justice Laurence Donald Kay was appointed to the Court of Appeal, First Appellate District, Division Four by Governor Davis in 2001 and was confirmed by the Commission on Judicial Appointments in 2002. Prior to this, he was appointed to the Superior Court, City and County of San Francisco by Governor Brown Jr. in 1983 and was elected unopposed in 1984. He has also held various other positions in the court system, such as Presiding Judge of the San Francisco Probate Court and Assistant Presiding Judge of the Superior Court. Before becoming a judge, he worked in private law practice in San Francisco and in the construction business in Southern California. He has received awards such as the "Trial Judge of the Year" Award from the San Francisco Trial Lawyers in 1992. He graduated from the University of California, Berkeley with a B.S. in 1958 and a J.D. in 1963.

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Daniel M. Hanlon

JCC — Fri, 15 Dec 2023 23:47:19 +0000

Daniel M. Hanlon JCC Fri, 12/15/2023 - 15:47

Division

Start Date

Fri, 09/29/1995 - 12:00

Biography

Justice Daniel M. Hanlon served as a Presiding Justice in the First Appellate District, Division Four from 1995 to 2000. Prior to that, he was a Judge on the Superior Court, San Francisco, appointed in 1978 by Governor Jerry Brown Jr., and then re-elected in 1980, 1986 and 1992. He also served as a Judge on the Municipal Court, San Francisco from 1972 to 1978, appointed by Governor Reagan. Prior to his judicial career, he practiced law as an Associate at Hoberg, Finger, Brown & Abramson in San Francisco from 1967 to 1972. During his career, he was a member of several organizations, including the California Judges Association, the San Francisco Lawyers' Club, and the St. Thomas More Society of San Francisco. He was also a recipient of the St. Thomas More Award in 1984 and 1986. In addition, he served as a Legal Officer in the U.S. Marine Corps during the Vietnam War.

Person Type

Portrait

Hanlon

Retirement Date

Sat, 01/01/2000 - 12:00

Job Title

Presiding Justice

Attachments

Judge Daniel M. Hanlon was appointed to the Court of Appeal, First Appellate District, Division Four in 1995 by Governor Wilson and was elected in subsequent elections. Prior to this, he was appointed to the Superior Court, San Francisco in 1978 by Governor Brown Jr. and was the presiding judge from 1988 to 1989. He also served as a judge on the Municipal Court, San Francisco from 1972 to 1978. Judge Hanlon was a member of various organizations such as the California Judges Association, the San Francisco Lawyers' Club, and the St. Thomas More Society of San Francisco. He was also the recipient of the St. Thomas More Award in 1986 and 1984. Judge Hanlon retired in 2000.

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Arleigh M. Woods

JCC — Fri, 15 Dec 2023 23:47:13 +0000

Arleigh M. Woods JCC Fri, 12/15/2023 - 15:47

Division

Start Date

Fri, 03/07/1980 - 12:00

Biography

Judicial Experience Arleigh Maddox Woods Associate Justice, Division 4 March 7, 1980 to May 14, 1982 Presiding Justice, Division 4 May 14, 1982 to December 4, 1995 Born August 31, 1929 in Los Angeles, California Education LL.M., University of Virginia School of Law, 1984 LL.B., Southwestern University School of Law, 1953 B.S., Chapman College, 1950 State Bar Admission July 27, 1954 Professional Background California Judicial Council, 1985-1987 Levy, Kozdin & Woods, 1958-1976 Died July 24, 2022 in Battleground, Washington Presiding Justice, California Court of Appeal, Second Appellate District, Division 4 May 14, 1982 - December 4, 1995, Appointed by Governor Edmund G. Brown, Jr. Associate Justice, California Court of Appeal, Second Appellate District, Division 7 March 7, 1980 - May 14, 1982, Appointed by Governor Edmund G. Brown, Jr. Judge, Los Angeles Municipal Court December 3, 1976 - March 7, 1980, Appointed by Governor Edmund G. Brown, Jr.

Person Type

Portrait

woodsa

Retirement Date

Mon, 12/04/1995 - 12:00

Job Title

Thomas L. Willhite, Jr.

JCC — Fri, 15 Dec 2023 23:47:13 +0000

Thomas L. Willhite, Jr. JCC Fri, 12/15/2023 - 15:47

Division

Start Date

Mon, 04/04/2005 - 12:00

Biography

Thomas L. Willhite Jr.
Associate Justice, Division Four
April 4, 2005 to January 31, 2023

Born and raised in Southern California

EDUCATION
J.D. – Loyola University School of Law, 1979
B.A. – University of California at Los Angeles, 1976
State Bar Admission: November 1979

JUDICIAL EXPERIENCE
Associate Justice, California Court of Appeal, Second District, Division 4, April 4, 2005 - January 31, 2023, Appointed by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger
Judge, Los Angeles Superior Court, 1990 - 2005, Appointed by Gov. Pete Wilson
Judge, Superior Court, County of Los Angeles, 1997 - 2005
Judge, Municipal Court, County of Los Angeles, 1990 - 1997

PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND
California Attorney General's Office: Deputy Attorney General, Criminal Law Division, (1980 to 1990)
Criminal Prosecutor, Supervising Deputy and Capital Case Coordinator. Oversaw and prosecuted death penalty appeals from the Counties of Los Angeles, Ventura, Santa Barbara, and San Luis Obispo.

Person Type

Portrait

willhite.jpg

Retirement Date

Tue, 01/31/2023 - 12:00

Job Title