The Commission on Judicial Appointments just unanimously voted to confirm Superior Court Judge Kelli Evans as a Supreme Court associate justice. Evans will join the court on January 2, when Chief Justice-elect Patricia Guerrero’s associate justice term expires. Evans will not need to stand for election until 2026. (See here.)
The Commission members — current Chief Justice Tani Cantil-Sakauye, who opted not to run for a second 12-year term; California Attorney General Rob Bonta; and Fourth District, Division Two, Court of Appeal Presiding Justice Manuel Ramirez — heard the chair of the Commission on Judicial Nominees Evaluation predict that Evans will be “an outstanding associate justice.” (See here.) They also heard similar praise from three other witnesses.
Among others, Judge Evans introduced and thanked her wife and daughter.
[Update: More photos here.]
[Update: Media coverage includes —
Douglas Saunders Sr. in the Daily Journal, “Judge Kelli M. Evans confirmed as justice on state Supreme Court” (At The Lectern is mentioned in the article)
Don Thompson for the Associated Press, “California installs first lesbian Supreme Court justice”
Bob Egelko in the San Francisco Chronicle, “Oakland civil rights attorney confirmed to California Supreme Court, becoming its second LGBT justice”
Kevin Rector in the Los Angeles Times, “Newsom’s two appointees to California Supreme Court win approval, making history”
Alaina Lancaster in The Recorder, “Kelli Evans Confirmed as California Supreme Court Justice”]
[December 3 update: Video of the confirmation hearing is here. It’s worth watching. Judge Evans was very impressive.]
Related:
“Evans’ identity is important”
The Governor should nominate Judge Evans now, not appoint her later
Evans confirmation hearing set for November 10, even though there won’t be a vacancy until January