Judge Brian Walsh to Lead Statewide Presiding Judges Committee

August 9, 2013

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Judge Brian Walsh to Lead Statewide Committee of Trial Court Presiding Judges

Chief Justice appoints the nominee submitted by the presiding judges from the 58 trial courts

Presiding Judge Brian Walsh
Superior Court of Santa Clara County

SAN FRANCISCO—Chief Justice Tani G. Cantil-Sakauye announced the appointment of Presiding Judge Brian Walsh, Superior Court of Santa Clara County, as the new chair of the Judicial Council’s Trial Court Presiding Judges Advisory Committee. Judge Walsh’s one-year term as chair officially begins on September 15, 2013.

The committee, which includes the presiding judges of all 58 trial courts, contributes to the statewide administration of justice by monitoring areas of significance and making recommendations to the Judicial Council on policy issues affecting the trial courts. The committee chair serves as a non-voting advisory member of the Judicial Council.

“As the leaders of their respective courts, the state’s presiding judges weigh in on many of the most important issues facing our court system in California,” said Presiding Judge Walsh. “Most recently, under the leadership of our current chair, Judge Laurie Earl, this committee was instrumental in developing a new and more equitable system for funding our trial courts. I’m honored to serve as chair and to have the confidence of the Chief Justice and my fellow presiding judges.”

At its June business meeting, the Judicial Council approved a recommendation from the Trial Court Presiding Judges Advisory Committee that now enables it to submit to the Chief Justice one nomination, rather than three, for appointment as advisory committee chair, and that the candidate be selected by a majority vote of all the committee’s members.

Prior to his appointment this year as presiding judge in Santa Clara County, Judge Walsh served as the court’s assistant presiding judge. Appointed to the bench in 2000, he has gained experience in many areas, including assignments in civil, criminal (felony and misdemeanor), family law, and the appellate division.

Judge Walsh has served on many of his court’s committees, including as chair of the Superior Court Budget Committee, Probate Practices Task Force, Jury Standards Committee, and Media Relations Committee. He has also served on many statewide advisory groups, including the Task Force on Trial Court Fiscal Accountability, California State-Federal Judicial Council, Supreme Court Judicial Ethics Advisory Committee, Financial Accountability and Efficiency for the Judicial Branch Advisory Committee, and the Trial Court Budget Advisory Committee and its Funding Methodology Subcommittee. In addition, Judge Walsh co-founded the Bench-Bar Coalition and served on the Judicial Council as an attorney member from 1994 to 1998.