Candidate for
Superior Court Judge; County of San Luis Obispo; Office 4

After over 17 years as a civil trial lawyer, I have decided to seek election as a trial court judge.

A campaign for election as a judge is different from the campaign for other elective offices, just as the qualifications for a judge are different from the qualifications for other elected offices. A judicial office is non-partisan, and personal attributes rather than political affiliation are at the core of the necessary qualifications. I have those qualifications, including the experience, judgment, common sense, and courage, needed to make the difficult decisions required of a judge and respectfully request your support.

By way of background, my wife Linda has a Master's degree in education from Cal Poly, and is the manager of the Cooperative Education program and a faculty member at Cuesta College. Previously, she taught career development workshops for Private Industry Council, Department of Rehabilitation, Housing Authority of San Luis Obispo County, and adult education offices of several school districts, for persons re-entering the job force. My two sons Bob and Brett reside in Phoenix, Arizona, and are employed in the advertising and computer industry.

I received a bachelor's degree from Arizona State University, and a Juris Doctor degree from Whittier College Law School. I completed law school in two and one-half years, and received honors, including the Dean's List, being a published member of the Whittier Law Review, and an American Jurisprudence award in legal research and writing. After passing the California bar examination on the first attempt, I was admitted to practice before all California state and federal courts, and the United States Supreme Court.

I have practiced law in San Luis Obispo since moving from southern California in 1989. After partnership in a large firm, I formed my own litigation and trial firm in San Luis Obispo and have practiced in San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Monterey, and Kern county courts. And, in 1997, due to my jury trial experience, I was admitted to the American Board of Trial Advocates.

In my practice as a civil trial lawyer I have specialized in representing parties in court and in trial in a wide range of civil cases, from industrial and automobile accidents to complex business disputes to governmental matters to insurance claims and coverage. The job of a trial lawyer involves preparing and presenting evidence to judges in court, researching and writing legal briefs for a judge's consideration, and managing trials and arguing evidentiary objections. By comparison, the job of a judge involves hearing and considering evidence, reading legal briefs and deciding the applicable law, managing the trial and ruling on objections. My experience as a trial lawyer has provided me with the best experience available to be an effective judge.

I have been privileged to represent small businesses and indigent persons as well as governments and large corporations. However, I have never turned a client away solely because he or she could not afford legal fees. It has been my experience that most law school graduates have high ideals and want to make a difference in the community. One of the most effective ways for a lawyer to provide community service is to volunteer services in pro bono matters, and serve as an arbitrator and judge pro tem. I have served as an arbitrator and judge pro tem, and provided pro bono services.

Many of our judges are former criminal prosecutors. We need to keep a balance in our courts, and the next judge should be a civil lawyer.

One does not need to be a criminal prosecutor to understand the need to strictly enforce the law. One only need be an aware and concerned citizen to understand the need to keep our community safe. However, Canon 5 B of the Code of Judicial Ethics expressly forbids a candidate for judicial office from making "statements to the electorate or the appointing authority that commit or appear to commit the candidate with respect to cases, controversies, or issues that could come before the courts." In light of that restriction, and reflecting on the tragic events of the last five months, I can say that I am firmly committed to enforcing the law, and will keep this county and these communities safe for our families.

I am running for this office with the encouragement of judges. I am honored to have received the endorsement of Hon. James B. Jennings, of the Santa Barbara Superior Court, and Hon. William A. Mayhew, Presiding Judge of the Stanislaus County Superior Court. Judges are the persons in the best position to evaluate which candidate would make the best judge.

Finally, I have been asked why I have placed my name on the ballot for this judicial position. My reason for seeking your vote is that I want an opportunity for public service at this point in my career in a position that will utilize my education and professional skills. I feel that my experience will be a positive addition to our court.

I respectfully request your vote on March 5 for Superior Court Judge, office 4.