Newsom names 6 new superior court judges, including in Los Angeles and Orange Counties

SACRAMENTO -- Gov. Gavin Newsom on Monday announced the appointment of six new Superior Court judges across California, filling vacancies in Kings, Los Angeles, Orange, Santa Clara, Shasta and Sutter counties. Four of the new judges are already serving their courts as commissioners.

In Kings County, Newsom elevated Commissioner Rise Donlon, a longtime public lawyer who has served on the Kings County Superior Court since 2024. She previously spent a decade with the Kings County Office of the County Counsel, where she rose to assistant county counsel. Before entering public service, she spent more than a decade in private practice, including owning her own firm. Donlon earned her law degree from UC College of Law, San Francisco (formerly Hastings), and will fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Valerie R. Chrissakis.

In Los Angeles County, Commissioner Karine Mkrtchyan was elevated to Superior Court judge. Before joining the bench in 2023, Mkrtchyan practiced civil litigation at Fraser, Watson & Croutch, where she became a partner, and previously worked at several defense firms. A graduate of Southwestern Law School, she fills the seat vacated by Judge Fumiko H. Wasserman.

In Orange County, the governor appointed Robert Flory, who became a court commissioner earlier this year. Flory previously spent nearly two decades as a senior deputy public defender and earlier worked in both civil litigation and private practice. He received his law degree from Whittier College School of Law and will fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Paul Minerich.

In Santa Clara County, Ralph Robles was named to the Superior Court after serving as a commissioner since 2025. Robles ran his own law firm for more than a decade and earned his law degree from Santa Clara University. He will fill the seat left open by the retirement of Judge Mary E. Arand.

In Shasta County, Newsom appointed Patrick Deedon, a partner at Maire & Deedon who has practiced with the firm since 2006. Deedon, who holds a law degree from Cal Northern School of Law, fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Stephen H. Baker.

Finally, in Sutter County, Tahmina Morrow was appointed to the bench. Morrow currently serves as chief deputy county counsel for Yuba County and previously practiced family and civil law in private firms. She earned her law degree from McGeorge School of Law and will fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Laura J. Davis.