PATHWAYS TO THE BENCH

CAALA is proud to partner with LASC to formalize the one-on-one judicial mentoring process.

LASC judicial Mentor page has a detailed explanation of what the courts desire with this program.

UPCOMING PROGRAMS

• Leading an Enriching Life: Enhancing Your Judicical Application - May 12, 2026

  Presented by The California Judicial Mentor Program (Appellate)

PAST PROGRAMS

• Acing the Interview - April 22, 2026

  Co-Sponsored by the LACBA PAC-Women, The Beverly Hills Bar Association and CAALA

• MCLE Program: Bench Conduct and Demeanor for Temporary Judges - October 21, 2025

  Presented by Superior Court of Los Angeles County

• Pathway to the Bench: How to Become a U.S. Magistrate Judge - September 9, 2025
  Sponsored by the San Diego Chapter of the Federal Bar Association
• Celebrating 7 Historic Female Firsts on California's Courts of Appeal - May 22, 2025
  Presented By Women Lawyers Association of Los Angeles (WLALA)
• Fireside Chat with LA County Presiding Judge Sergio C. Tapia II - May 7, 2025
  Presented By Mexican American Bar Association (MABA)
• LASC Judicial Mentor Program (JMP) - April 16, 2025
• Thinking About Becoming a Judge - March 5, 2025
• Mentorship Matters: How Mentors Play a Key Role in Our Success - September 26, 2024
• Bench Conduct and Demeanor for Temporary Judges - September 11, 2024
• Meet the Judges to Explore Pathways to the Bench - August 31,2024 12:30-1:30pm
  (Meursault Meeting Room @ CAALA Vegas)
• So You Want to be a Judge? - August 22, 2024
• California For All - Italian American Lawyers Association - June 19, 2024
• California Lawyers Association for Pathways to the Bench on June 7, 2024 
• Research Attorney Careers In The Appellate Courts, Pathways to an Inclusive Court - May 15, 2024
• From Lawyer to Commissioner: The Path to Public Service - May 1, 2024
• “What’s Really Stopping You From Applying? Part II” California Judicial Mentor Program - April 17, 2024
• Becoming an Administrative Law Judge (Free Webinar) - March 6, 2024
• “What’s Really Stopping You From Applying?” California Judicial Mentor Program - March 22, 2023

CAALA members who have gone on to become judges:

Hon. Shirley Watkins
Shirley Watkins is a judge of the Superior Court of Los Angeles County in California. She assumed office in 2014.
 

Hon. David Rosen (Ret.)
David Rosen is a judge of the Superior Court of Los Angeles County in California. He assumed office in 2015.
 

Hon. Helen Zukin
Helen Zukin is a Justice of the California court of appeals, appointed 2023, and former judge of The Superior Court of Los Angeles County in California, appointed 2018. 
 

Hon. Christine Gonong
The Honorable Christine Gonong is a Judge of the Los Angeles Superior court and former Commissioner of the Los Angeles Superior Court. She assumed office in 2023.

Hon. Randolph Hammock
The Honorable Randolph Hammock is a judge of the Superior Court of Los Angeles County in California. He assumed office in 2011.
 

 

For additional information, please contact: