
Career Highlights: Retired. Elected Superior Court commissioner by judges of Riverside County, 2003; supervising probate attorney, Riverside Superior Court, 1999-2003; research attorney, Riverside Superior Court, 1991-99; sole practitioner, 1990-91, associate, Law Offices of George Cherpelis, New Mexico,1989-90; partner, Rowley, Durand & Wheeler-Medley, 1985-89, San Diego; associate, Lionel, Sawyer & Collins, Las Vegas, 1984
Law School: University of San Diego School of Law
RIVERSIDE -- She's only had her probate calendar for a month.
But attorneys say they stand in awe of how well Riverside Superior Court Commissioner Paulette Durand Barkley knows the thick code governing such cases.
They say she hardly ever refers to it when making decisions.
"She's brilliant," said Deputy County Counsel Patti F. Smith, who appears before Barkley every day.
"The Probate Code is huge and unique and ve... (continued)