California
Women Judges

President's Message

Judge Audra Ibarra

President, California Women Judges · Santa Clara County Superior Court

"He's a natural leader."

The preschool director said it so casually that I almost missed it. She was talking about my four-year-old son.

What? I thought. A leader? He still needed help tying his shoes.

But when I looked around, I understood what she meant. Children followed him everywhere on the playground. He invented the games. He drew people in. He made things fun. And that has never really changed.

My son has always had that kind of gravitational pull. He's a ringleader in the best sense. Whatever he does, people want to join in.

But over the past 17 years, I've learned something important: The ability to attract people isn't the same thing as being ready to lead them.

In high school, his soccer teammates repeatedly elected him captain. And repeatedly, his coaches said no. Why? Because leadership requires more than charisma. At practice, he joked around and distracted teammates. During games, he argued with coaches about playing time. He wanted the title of leader before he had developed the discipline and selflessness leadership demands.

To his credit, he knew it too. He understood that if he wanted to lead his team, he first had to work on himself.

And so, I waited. For more than 13 years, I waited. I waited through elementary school, through middle school, through the early years of high school — through all the years when personality came easily, but maturity came slowly. I waited to see whether he would grow into a leader.

Then, last fall, it finally happened. At 17, during his senior season, his teammates elected him captain once again. But this time, the coach said yes. Not because he had suddenly become louder or more charismatic, but because he had become dependable. He was focused in practice, committed to the team and willing to do the difficult work that often goes unnoticed. There were days when the coach didn't show up, and my son had to run practices himself — drills, conditioning, scrimmages, all of it. He came home exhausted. More than once, he talked about quitting. But he stayed because he didn't want to let the team down.

And then something happened that surprised me most of all. During games, he began asking the coach to give some of his playing time to other players — players he believed deserved an opportunity, players he thought were better than him, players who needed encouragement more than he needed minutes on the field.

That's when I realized: No one is a natural leader. But almost everyone has the potential to lead.

Each of us is born with a quality or two that can help us become leaders — charisma, confidence, passion, organization, empathy … But those qualities alone aren't enough.

Real leadership requires a willingness to keep working on yourself long after others have decided who they think you are. It demands self-awareness, humility, discipline and sacrifice. It's about becoming the person others can always rely on.

This is at the heart of California Women Judges. Our mission isn't simply to support the professional development of women bench officers. It's to help cultivate leaders — leaders of courtrooms, courts, communities, the judiciary and the state.

Our Distinguished Speaker Series was born from the belief that we can learn from the experiences of extraordinary leaders. We have had the privilege of hearing from leaders in the judiciary, including Former Chief Justice Tani Cantil-Sakauye, Judicial Council Administrative Director Shelley Curran, and National Center for State Courts President and CEO Beth Clement, as well as leaders from other professional sectors, including Chef Traci Des Jardins and Partners In Health Board Chair Lesley King.

On May 28, we will welcome Nazanin Boniadi — a British actress born in Tehran, former Amnesty International spokesperson and passionate advocate for women's rights — for an online lunchtime program open to all bench officers.

We have also hosted a remarkable panel of female presiding judges — Judith Clark of Riverside, Maureen Hallahan of San Diego, Maria Hernandez of Orange County, Sam Jessner of Los Angeles and Lisa Rogan of San Bernardino — who shared candid insights about leading large and complex courts.

And on May 21, CWJ board members will discuss how to become active leaders within this organization during an online lunchtime program exclusively for members.

Each of these conversations is grounded in the same principle: Leaders are not finished products. They are people willing to continue growing.

This edition of our newsletter is dedicated to the leaders who have shared their stories with us and inspired us to become better versions of ourselves and better leaders for others.

Demystifying the Pro Tem Process

By Judge Nicole Bershon (Los Angeles) & Judge Amy Yerkey (Los Angeles) · Judicial Appointments Committee Co-Chairs

Have you ever wondered about sitting by assignment on the Court of Appeal? Specifically, have you ever sought more information about the process to get there, the qualifications presiding justices look for, what happens to your trial court workload while you're sitting on assignment, or whether you should pro tem if you're applying for the Court of Appeal? These questions and more were answered on January 14, 2026, when CWJ's Judicial Endorsement Committee presented a program entitled "Demystifying the Pro Tem Process."

During this lunch program, we took a look behind the curtain as we spoke with those responsible for selecting pro tem justices as well as those who've sat pro tem. These discussions segued into an exploration of other considerations when pursuing an appointment to the Court of Appeal.

Our incredible panel, moderated by Judge Nicole Bershon, Co-Chair of the Judicial Endorsement Committee, included: Presiding Justice Teri L. Jackson, First Appellate District, Division Five; Presiding Justice Mary J. Greenwood, Sixth Appellate District; and Justice Natalie P. Stone, Second District, Division Seven.

Approximately 40 CWJ members attended this first-of-its-kind program, some of whom have since taken up our panelists' invitation to learn more about serving as a pro tem on their respective courts.

Since this program was only open to CWJ members, there has been demand for a repeat performance open to the public. For those who couldn't attend or who know of non-members who would like to, please watch for information about an encore performance sometime this summer.

Also, please stay tuned for other upcoming panels sponsored by the Judicial Endorsement Committee, including a program on potential opportunities within the federal judiciary.

For those seeking endorsement in connection with your application to the Court of Appeal, Supreme Court, or Federal Court, please submit an email request to either Judge Nicole Bershon or Judge Amy Yerkey, Co-Chairs of CWJ's Judicial Endorsement Committee. We look forward to hearing from you.

Hoping to Get More Involved? Here's How.

California Women Judges is one of California's newest judicial organizations. After several years of work by an exploratory committee identifying the need for this organization, CWJ's bylaws were formally adopted in March 2024. In a short time, CWJ has grown to more than 250 members across the state, nearly half of whom are lifetime members.

CWJ reflects the rich diversity of California. Our membership includes individuals from a wide range of backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives, representing the geographic, ethnic, racial, and LGBTQ+ diversity of the communities we serve.

The CWJ Board of Directors for the 2026–2027 term is seeking dedicated applicants committed to the organization's continued growth and success. We are looking for experienced leaders prepared to prioritize board service, contribute meaningfully, and follow through on commitments to help CWJ flourish.

CWJ has thrived due to the leadership of board members with experience both within and outside the judiciary. Prior involvement with CWJ as an active member is strongly preferred. Board members must be able to balance the demands of judicial service while dedicating the time and energy necessary to serve effectively.

The View from Fifteen Years

By Judge Akemi Arakaki (Los Angeles), Judge Jacqueline Jackson (Riverside), and Justice Ioana Petrou (First District Court of Appeal)

In The View from Fifteen Years, three judges who were appointed in 2010 distill their journey into fifteen reflections.

Who We Are

Judge Arakaki: At the time of my appointment, I had been a deputy public defender in Los Angeles for about ten years, spending most of that focused on representing children. On the bench, after spending a short time in criminal, I transitioned to a juvenile assignment, where I have the honor to serve as the Juvenile Presiding Judge.

Judge Jackson: I was appointed to the bench after sixteen years as a prosecutor. I have sat in Civil, Juvenile, Juvenile PJ, Criminal, Probate, and APJ assignments. I am currently the Presiding Judge in Riverside County. All my assignments have been interesting, given me new challenges, and resulted in the sharpening of my judicial skills and abilities.

Justice Petrou: I was appointed to the Alameda County trial court after years as a federal prosecutor and years as a private attorney practicing almost exclusively in the federal courts. I walked into my first long-term assignment in a Family Law department with a pristine robe and not much else: I had never taken a single class in Family Law, and I wasn't entirely sure the California Family Code even existed. After eight years on the trial court, I moved on to the First District Court of Appeal.

Fifteen Lessons

Colleague Facing a Potential Recall or Election Challenge? You Can Help — Here's How.

By Judge Terri Mockler (Contra Costa)

The first two months of 2026 have already seen a fair number of challenges to incumbent judges — both in election challenges and recall petitions. This phenomenon has generally occurred in specific areas of the state. This year has seen counties previously unaffected now facing these issues. Many of us who are not the targets wonder how, and to what extent, we can help our colleagues facing a contested election or a petition for a recall. This article sets out some of the ethical parameters within which "friends" of the challenged judges can offer support.

Judicial elections are different from other political activity, and many of the restrictions judicial officers have in relation to political activity do not apply in the context of judicial elections. Canon 5B(4) of the Canons of Judicial Ethics permits judges to solicit contributions or endorsements for their own campaigns or for other judges. Judges can solicit such contributions and endorsements from anyone except California State court personnel, referees, court-appointed arbitrators, hearing officers, state court commissioners, and retired judges in the assigned judge's program. However, in seeking such contributions or endorsements, a judicial officer shall not use the prestige of the judicial office in a manner that would be perceived as coercive.

Judges may contribute to and participate in political action committees (PACs) established to raise and expend funds for judges in challenged elections or recalls — including CJA's JetPAC and CAPAJA-PAC. Courts may create a PAC to assist their own judicial members with election challenges. There is no contribution limit for judges when contributing to a judicial election or campaign. Furthermore, judges can hold fundraisers for colleagues facing a recall or election challenge.

Canon 5A(2) permits judges to campaign for other judges. Judges may speak at political gatherings on behalf of themselves or other judicial candidates, and can use their titles when endorsing a judicial candidate. Canon 5C also governs this conduct.

The dreaded Canon 3B(9) does not create an insurmountable obstacle. It does not prohibit any judge from explaining the procedures of the court. Thus, judges may speak on how important an independent, non-partisan judiciary is to democracy and the Rule of Law. Friends of a challenged judge may opine that the colleague is fair, intelligent, and has a reputation for fairness on the bench. Canon 3B(9) also permits, in the context of an election or recall election, any judge to comment on a pending proceeding so long as: (a) the comment would not reasonably be expected to affect the outcome or fairness of the proceeding; and (b) the comment is about the procedural, factual, or legal basis of a decision about which a judge has been criticized during an election or recall campaign. If contemplating such a public comment, be sure to consult with the targeted judge first. Public commentary by a judicial friend, no matter how well-intended, may be contrary to the wishes of the colleague being challenged or under attack.

As this article has demonstrated, there are many ways in which we can help our colleagues without running afoul of our ethical duties.

Saving Grace

By Judge Nicole Bershon (Los Angeles)

The irony of unlimited sick time is that some of us rarely use it. Just like we don't always use all our vacation days. Calendars are heavy. Coverage is difficult. We feel guilty about continuing cases or having colleagues fill in. It seems like I only get sick when I'm on vacation and the spigot of adrenaline required to propel me through busy calendars, aging parents, demanding children, and needy dogs finally shuts off just as I'm driving to the airport. Except for this past January. That horrible winter cold got me in a way I hadn't experienced since Covid.

I felt a slight tickle in my throat on a Thursday night. When it subsided that Friday morning, and with no other symptoms, I donned a mask, kept socially distant, and returned to work. By that evening, however, I was feeling awful, so I isolated myself all weekend and tried unsuccessfully to find a reality show to distract me. I called in sick on Monday, but couldn't let go completely, so I continued to rule on ex partes from home.

I also managed a conference call with two other CWJ members to strategize how to juggle one member's increased work responsibilities while allowing her to remain active in CWJ. Our theme was grace — one member giving herself grace to acknowledge she couldn't do everything, just as CWJ gave her the grace to assume a different role.

Indeed, this column was supposed to be submitted earlier, but juggling multiple work, committee, and family responsibilities, I was running on fumes. When I mentioned to our gracious editor that I didn't think I'd meet my deadline, her response was: "we're going to make sure this newsletter doesn't become another burdensome task adding stress to our to-do lists."

However, the grace I'd shown others, or that others had shown me, I was unable to show myself when I was sick. I felt so guilty skipping one day of precious trial time that I convinced myself I had fully recovered by the following Tuesday. I grabbed another mask and went back to work, resuming trial with a scratchy voice and a box of tissues. By that next Friday I was so tired I left work early and went straight to bed. I woke up Saturday morning with an ambitious to-do list, but the exertion of completing even the first item — finally covering my graying roots — sent me back to bed for the rest of the day.

Four days of struggling to lie in bed and do nothing got me thinking about how little grace we sometimes show ourselves. Even though I felt awful, I alternated between feeling guilty about watching Lifetime movies while someone else handled my calendar, and feeling bad for not exercising, not visiting my aging mother, avoiding one daughter isolating in her bedroom, neglecting the other overseas, and the list goes on. However, in rushing to return to work after an abbreviated respite, I delayed my recovery and prolonged my illness. Whereas my husband recovered after four days of uninterrupted rest, I was still coughing up a lung on day ten. I wonder whether I would have been more present for everyone around me if I had just stayed home a little longer.

I'm reminded of that standard pre-flight directive to "put your oxygen mask on first before helping others." While walking my dogs when I finally felt a little better, my playlist landed on "Hold On" by the Alabama Shakes, and the words of Brittany Howard — herself a fierce advocate for women — helped propel me up the last hill:

My recent illness reminded me that sometimes you need to take a minute before you get back up, because you can't pour from an empty cup. So even though "I got so much to do," when my cup gets too low, I'll try to show myself a little grace and make sure to refill it before I start my next pour.

CWJ Alongside at the Beginning

By Judge Danielle Colo O'Sullivan (Los Angeles)

The Superior Court of Los Angeles County Judges Association hosted its inaugural Affinity Group Mentorship Mixer on April 23rd. Ninety bench officers gathered to learn about the various affinity groups with the goal of connecting newer judicial officers with potential mentors. California Women Judges co-sponsored the event with the Association of African American California Judicial Officers (AAACJO), California Asian Pacific American Judges Association (CAPAJA), California Latino Judges Association (CLJA), Latino Judicial Officers Association (LJOA), California Jewish Judicial Officers Association (CJJOA), and Out at LACSC. It was a wonderful opportunity to highlight the work we do across the state and to connect on a more meaningful level with our local CWJ members!

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Judge Nicole Bershon

President-Elect · California Judges Association

Los Angeles Superior Court · CWJ Board Member & Newsletter Contributor

CWJ congratulates our treasured colleague on her election to serve as CJA's next President. She will be sworn in as CJA's President at the Annual Meeting in October 2026.