Get ready for a judicial glow-up in the Bay Area! Governor Gavin Newsom just dropped a lineup of seven fresh-faced judges who are about to shake up the Superior Courts in Alameda, San Mateo, and Santa Clara Counties.

These aren’t your grandpa’s judges – we’re talking about a diverse crew of legal eagles who are bringing serious progressive energy to the bench. Take Alameda County’s new judges like Julie Wilensky, who comes straight from the National Center for Lesbian Rights, and Cara Sandberg, a Berkeley Law grad ready to bring some serious equity to the courtroom.

Breaking Down the Bay Area Bench

Newsom’s selections read like a who’s who of Bay Area legal talent. In San Mateo County, Michael Mau brings his independent spirit (literally registered with no party preference), while Santa Clara County gets powerhouses like Kemi Mustapha from Bay Area Legal Aid and Sarah Cook from the Dependency Advocacy Center.

Representation Matters

What’s particularly exciting is how these appointments reflect the Bay Area’s commitment to diverse representation. These judges aren’t just filling seats – they’re bringing lived experiences and progressive perspectives to a system that desperately needs fresh blood.

The Bottom Line

With each judge earning a cool $244,727 annually, these aren’t just jobs – they’re serious positions of power and influence. Newsom continues to prove he’s serious about building a judicial system that looks more like the communities it serves. Legal nerds and social justice warriors, take note: the Bay Area judiciary just got a major upgrade.