Fourth District Court of Appeal Justice Patricia Guerrero has been confirmed to serve as an Associate Justice of the California Supreme Court. She is 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 replaces Associate Justice Mariano-Florentino Cuéllar, who left the bench effective October 31, 2021.
Much attention has been paid to Justice Guerrero’s status as the first Latina to serve on the California Supreme Court.
Herring Law Group also salutes her prior leadership as a family law trial judge in the San Diego County Superior Court. Justice Guerrero served in that position from 2013 to 2017. She was the Supervising Judge for the Family Law Division of that court in 2017.
In 2017, the Southern California Chapter American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers awarded her the Judicial Officer of Year award. We noted her efforts in the trial court toward improving efficiency, consistency, and fairness in family law. I recall meeting her at our awards gala and having a great conversation. She is personable as well as brilliant!
We also appreciate the family law perspective she will now bring to our Supreme Court. Justices with family law backgrounds are still too rare in the higher post-trial courts. Justice Guerrero’s appointment to the highest level provides a refreshing correction. This is a great thing for the complex and specialized practice of family law in California.