Governor Gavin Newsom announced his appointment of eight Superior Court Judges, which include two in Orange County.

Joseph Kang, 53, of Orange County, has been appointed to serve as a Judge in the Orange County Superior Court. Kang has served as a Deputy Public Defender at the Los Angeles County Public Defender’s Office since 1999. He was a Sole Practitioner from 1998 to 1999. Kang earned a Juris Doctor degree from Southwestern Law School. He fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Kirk H. Nakamura. Kang is a Democrat.

Paul Minerich, 71, of Orange County, has been appointed to serve as a Judge in the Orange County Superior Court. Minerich has served as a Commissioner at the Orange County Superior Court since 2016. He was a Sole Practitioner from 1979 to 2016 and an Attorney at George O. Fekete, Attorney at Law from 1978 to 1979. Minerich earned a Juris Doctor degree from the Pepperdine University School of Law. He fills the vacancy created by the elevation of Judge Maurice Sanchez to the Court of Appeal. Minerich is registered without party preference.

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