OCBA member Michael Balmages received the first “Lifetime Achievement Award” from the Orange County Superior Court Temporary Judge Program in recognition of his 35 years of service to the court as a volunteer, temporary judge, trainer, and mentor. The award was presented to Balmages at the Temporary Judge Appreciation Event on Jan. 9, 2020 at the Central Justice Center.

Balmages practiced business litigation in Orange County for 46 years. He is currently a full-time neutral with ADR Services, Inc.

At the event, Temporary Judge Committee Chair the Hon. Claudia J. Silbar noted that the members of the temporary judge panel, which currently stands at more than 300 members, cumulatively volunteered more than 7,000 hours in service to the Court in the 2019 fiscal year. OC Presiding Judge the Hon. Kirk H. Nakamura thanked temporary judge panel volunteers for their essential contribution to the efficient administration of justice in Orange County.

Click here for more information about the Temporary Judge Program.