Gov. Newsom Nominates Justice Patricia Guerrero to Serve on California Supreme Court

SACRAMENTO – Governor Gavin Newsom Feb. 15, announced his nomination of Fourth District Court of Appeal Justice Patricia Guerrero to serve as an associate justice of the California Supreme Court. A widely respected jurist with extensive experience as an appellate justice, trial court judge, partner at a major law firm and Assistant U.S. Attorney, Justice Guerrero is a first-generation Californian who would be the first Latina to serve on the California Supreme Court.”

Click here to watch the conversation between Gov. Newsom and Justice Guerrero.

Justice Guerrero would replace Associate Justice Mariano-Florentino Cuéllar, who left the bench effective Oct. 31, 2021.

Justice Guerrero, 50, of San Diego, has served as an Associate Justice at the Fourth District Court of Appeal, Division One since 2017. In this role, she has authored numerous opinions to protect the rights of consumers and individuals, while also ensuring that defendants’ constitutional rights are protected and that all parties, including the government, are treated fairly and consistent with the rule of law.

A native of the Imperial Valley raised by immigrant parents from Mexico, Justice Guerrero began working in a grocery store at the age of 16 and graduated as co-valedictorian in high school. She continued working to help pay for her education while attending the University of California, Berkeley and Stanford Law School, where she earned a Juris Doctor degree. Justice Guerrero was active in the Latino Law Students Association and helped fellow students at the recruitment and retention center. 

Justice Guerrero served as a Judge at the San Diego County Superior Court from 2013 to 2017 and was Supervising Judge for the Family Law Division at the Court in 2017. Justice Guerrero was hired as an associate at Latham & Watkins and became a partner in 2006. She served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney at the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Southern District of California from 2002 to 2003.

Justice Guerrero has contributed many hours of pro bono work, including as a member of the advisory board of the Immigration Justice Project, to promote due process and access to justice at all levels of the immigration and appellate court system. She has assisted clients on a pro bono basis in immigration matters, including asylum applications and protecting vulnerable families by litigating compliance with fair housing laws. The Chief Justice of the California Supreme Court named her to the Blue Ribbon Commission on the Future of the California Bar Exam and Justice Guerrero has been active in the Chief’s “Judges in the Classroom” civics program.

The Governor’s nomination must be submitted to the State Bar’s Commission on Judicial Nominees Evaluation and confirmed by the Commission on Judicial Appointments. The compensation for this position is $274,732. Justice Guerrero is a Democrat.