Governor Gavin Newsom today announced his nomination of Judge Joanne Motoike to serve as an Associate Justice of the Fourth District Court of Appeal, Division Three. The Governor also announced his appointment of one Superior Court Judge in Orange County.

Fourth District Court of Appeal

Judge Joanne Motoike, 54, of Irvine, has been nominated to serve as an Associate Justice of the Fourth District Court of Appeal, Division Three. She has served as a Judge at the Orange County Superior Court since 2013, where she has served as Presiding Judge of the Juvenile Court from 2018 to 2022. Judge Motoike served as a Senior Deputy Public Defender at the Orange County Public Defender’s Office from 2008 to 2013. She was a Trial Attorney at the United Nations Office of the Prosecutor, International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia from 2006 to 2008 and a Deputy Public Defender at the Orange County Public Defender’s Office from 1994 to 2006. Judge Motoike earned a Juris Doctor degree from Loyola Law School, Los Angeles. She fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Justice Richard M. Aronson. This position requires confirmation by the Commission on Judicial Appointments, which consists of Chief Justice Tani Cantil-Sakauye, Attorney General Rob Bonta and Senior Presiding Justice Manuel A. Ramirez. Judge Motoike is a Democrat.

Orange County Superior Court

Lindsey E. Martínez, 39, of Brea, has been appointed to serve as a Judge in the Orange County Superior Court. Martínez has served as a Senior Attorney at the Fourth District Court of Appeal, Division Three since 2016. She was an Associate at Snell & Wilmer LLP from 2010 to 2016. Martínez earned a Juris Doctor degree from George Washington University Law School. She fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Gregory W. Jones. Martínez is a Democrat.

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