Governor Gavin Newsom announced his appointment of 11 Superior Court Judges, which include two in Orange County.

Benjamin Azar, of Riverside County, has been appointed to serve as a Judge in the Orange County Superior Court. Azar has served as a Deputy Public Defender at the Orange County Public Defender’s Office since 2013. He was a Contract Attorney for Reich, Radcliffe, & Kuttler in 2013. Azar earned a Juris Doctor degree from the University of California, Davis School of Law. He fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Douglas A. Hatchimonji. Azar is a Democrat.

Kimberly Carasso, of Orange County, has been appointed to serve as a Judge in the Orange County Superior Court. Carasso was a Senior Attorney at the Law Offices of Marshall Silberberg from 2014 to 2024. She was Of Counsel at Samini Scheinberg in 2014 and at Hewitt Wolensky & McNulty LLP from 2012 to 2014. Carasso was a Senior Attorney at Callahan & Blaine from 2005 to 2012 and an Associate at Klinedinst, PC from 2002 to 2005. She was an Associate at Schaffer Lax McNaughton & Chen from 1999 to 2002 and at Baker Silberberg & Keener from 1996 to 1999. Carasso earned a Juris Doctor degree from the California Western School of Law. She fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Stephanie George. Carasso is a Democrat.

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