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Sep 18, 2026

Governor Newsom announces Judicial Appointments 9.18.2026

SACRAMENTO – Governor Gavin Newsom announced his nomination of five Court of Appeal Justices: Brian Goldman to the First District Court of Appeal, Division Two; Adam Hofmann to the First District Court of Appeal, Division Four; Judge Alexander Giza to the Second District Court of Appeal, Division Three; Judge Cindy Pánuco to the Second District Court of Appeal, Division Three; and Judge Maria Daghlian Hernandez, to the Fourth District Court of Appeal, Division Three.

The Governor also announced his appointment of two Superior Court Judges: one in Orange County and one in Santa Clara County.

First District Court of Appeal, Division Two

Brian Goldman, of Alameda County, has been nominated to serve as an Associate Justice in the First District Court of Appeal, Division Two. Goldman has served at the Office of Governor Gavin Newsom as Chief Deputy Legal Affairs Secretary since 2023 and as Deputy Legal Affairs Secretary from 2021 to 2023. He worked at Orrick Herrington & Sutcliffe as a Partner from 2018 to 2021 and as an Associate from 2013 to 2018. Goldman served as a Law Clerk at the U.S. Supreme Court from 2012 to 2013. He served as a Trial Attorney in the U.S. Department of Justice from 2011 to 2012. Goldman served as a Law Clerk at the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals from 2010 to 2011. Goldman received a Juris Doctor degree from Stanford Law School. He will fill the vacancy to be created by the retirement of Justice Marla J. Miller, effective October 2, 2026. This position requires confirmation by the Commission on Judicial Appointments, which consists of Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero, Attorney General Rob Bonta, and Senior Presiding Justice Jim Humes. Goldman is a Democrat.

First District Court of Appeal, Division Four

Adam Hofmann, of Sacramento County, has been nominated to serve as an Associate Justice in the First District Court of Appeal, Division Four. Hofmann has served as the Deputy Judicial Appointments Secretary at the Office of Governor Gavin Newsom since 2023. He held multiple roles at Hanson Bridgett LLP including as Partner, Senior Counsel, and Associate from 2006 to 2023. Hofmann worked as an Adjunct Professor at the University of San Francisco School of Law from 2012 to 2018. He worked as an Associate at Kaufman & Logan LLP from 2005 to 2006. Hofmann received a Juris Doctor degree from the University of San Francisco School of Law. He fills the vacancy created by the elevation of Justice Tracie Brown to Presiding Justice. This position requires confirmation by the Commission on Judicial Appointments, which consists of Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero, Attorney General Rob Bonta, and Senior Presiding Justice Jim Humes. Hofmann is registered without party preference.

Second District Court of Appeal, Division Three

Alexander Giza, of Los Angeles County, has been nominated to serve as an Associate Justice in the Second District Court of Appeal, Division Three. Giza has served as a Judge in the Los Angeles County Superior Court since 2019. He worked as a Partner at Hueston Hennigan from 2015 to 2018. Giza worked as a Partner at Russ August & Kabat from 2009 to 2014. He worked as an Associate at Irell & Manella from 2001 to 2009. Giza received a Juris Doctor degree from the University of California, Los Angeles School of Law. He will fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Justice Anne H. Egerton, effective October 11, 2026. This position requires confirmation by the Commission on Judicial Appointments, which consists of Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero, Attorney General Rob Bonta, and Senior Presiding Justice Francis Rothschild. Giza is a Democrat.

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Cindy Pánuco, of Los Angeles County, has been nominated to serve as an Associate Justice in the Second District Court of Appeal, Division Three. Pánuco has served as a Judge in the Los Angeles County Superior Court since 2024. She worked as Of Counsel at Perez & Perez from 2023 to 2024. Pánuco worked in multiple roles at the Los Angeles Public Counsel including as Vice President and Chief Programs Officer from 2020 to 2023 and as the Directing Attorney of the Consumer Rights and Economic Justice Project from 2019 to 2020. She worked at Hadsell Stormer & Renick LLP as a Partner from 2016 to 2019 and as an Associate from 2009 to 2016. Pánuco received a Juris Doctor degree from Loyola Law School. She fills the vacancy created by the elevation of Justice Rashida Adams to Presiding Justice. This position requires confirmation by the Commission on Judicial Appointments, which consists of Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero, Attorney General Rob Bonta, and Senior Presiding Justice Francis Rothschild. Pánuco is a Democrat.

Fourth District Court of Appeal, Division Three

Maria Daghlian Hernandez, of Orange County, has been nominated to serve as an Associate Justice in the Fourth District Court of Appeal, Division Three. She has served as a Judge in the Orange County Superior Court since 2009. She served as a Commissioner at the Orange County Superior Court from 2006 to 2009. Daghlian Hernandez served as a Senior Deputy Public Defender at the Orange County Public Defender's Office from 1995 to 2006. She worked as an Associate at the Law Offices of Patrick D. McNeal from 1992 to 1995. Daghlian Hernandez received a Juris Doctor degree from Western State College of Law. She will fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Justice Maurice Sanchez, effective October 2, 2026. This position requires confirmation by the Commission on Judicial Appointments, which consists of Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero, Attorney General Rob Bonta, and Senior Presiding Justice Manuel Ramirez. Daghlian Hernandez is a Democrat.

The compensation for each of these positions is $280,052.

Orange County Superior Court

Thomas Nocella, of Orange County, has been appointed to serve as a Judge in the Orange County Superior Court. Nocella has served as a Senior Deputy Alternate Defender at the Orange County Alternate Public Defender's Office since 2020 where he also worked as a Deputy Alternate Defender from 2007 to 2020. He worked as an Associate at Eicher and Associates in 2007. Nocella served as an Assistant Public Defender at the Sacramento Public Defender's Office from 2003 to 2007. Nocella received a Juris Doctor degree from Lincoln School of Law. He fills the vacancy created by the elevation of Judge Juliet Macaulay to the Court of Appeal. Nocella is a Democrat.

Santa Clara County Superior Court

Chhaya Malik, of Alameda County, has been appointed to serve as a Judge in the Santa Clara County Superior Court. Malik has served as Deputy Director of Dispute Resolution at the California Civil Rights Department since 2022. She worked as a Mediator at Devi Legal Mediation Services from 2020 to 2022. Malik worked as a Special Counsel at Ehrlich & Craig from 2012 to 2022. Malik served as a Policy Liaison in the U.S. State Department from 2011 to 2012. She worked as a Staff Attorney at the Advancement Project from 2009 to 2011. Malik worked as an Associate at Hogan Lovells from 2005 to 2009. Malik received a Juris Doctor degree from the University of California, Berkeley School of Law. She fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Socrates P. Manoukian. Malik is a Democrat.

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The compensation for each of these positions is $244,727

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