Governor Newsom Appoints New Judges Across California

Judicial appointments aim to fill vacancies and bolster the state's court system.

Published on Feb. 28, 2026

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Governor Gavin Newsom recently announced a series of judicial appointments, including three new justices to the Courts of Appeal and seven judges to Superior Courts across California. The appointments are intended to address caseloads and ensure efficient administration of justice at both the state appellate and local levels.

Why it matters

These appointments are significant as they reshape the landscape of California's court system, bringing in new experienced jurists to fill critical vacancies. The move signals the Governor's commitment to strengthening the judicial branch and ensuring continued access to justice for Californians.

The details

The Court of Appeal appointments include Joanne Motoike as Presiding Justice of the Fourth District Court of Appeal, Division Three, Stephen Goorvitch as an Associate Justice to the Second District Court of Appeal, Division Two, and Amy Guerra as an Associate Justice of the Fifth District Court of Appeal. At the Superior Court level, new judges were appointed in Contra Costa, Los Angeles, Riverside, San Francisco, and Santa Clara counties.

  • Governor Newsom announced the judicial appointments on February 19, 2026.

The players

Joanne Motoike

Appointed as Presiding Justice of the Fourth District Court of Appeal, Division Three. Motoike previously served as an Associate Justice in the same court since 2022 and as a Judge in the Orange County Superior Court from 2013 to 2022.

Stephen Goorvitch

Appointed as an Associate Justice to the Second District Court of Appeal, Division Two. Goorvitch previously served as a Judge in the Los Angeles County Superior Court since 2015 and has experience as an Assistant U.S. Attorney and Counsel at O'Melveny and Myers.

Amy Guerra

Appointed as an Associate Justice of the Fifth District Court of Appeal. Guerra previously served as a Judge in the Fresno County Superior Court since 2018 and has experience as Chief Defense Attorney and Associate at the Fresno County Alternate Defense Office.

Victoria Shapiro

Appointed as a Judge in the Los Angeles County Superior Court. Shapiro previously served as a Commissioner at the Los Angeles County Superior Court.

Anastasia Zykanova

Appointed as a Judge in the Los Angeles County Superior Court. Zykanova previously served as a Deputy Public Defender at the Orange County Public Defender's Office.

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What they’re saying

“These appointments fill critical vacancies within the California court system, ensuring continued access to justice and efficient case management.”

— Governor Gavin Newsom (newsy-today.com)

What’s next

The appointments require confirmation by the Commission on Judicial Appointments, which includes Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero, Attorney General Rob Bonta, and Senior Presiding Justices.

The takeaway

Governor Newsom's judicial appointments aim to strengthen California's court system by filling vacancies with experienced jurists, ensuring continued access to justice and efficient case management across the state.