Governor Newsom Nominates Judge Eran Marie Bermudez to California Court of Appeal

On April 16, 2026, Governor Gavin Newsom announced the nomination of Judge Eran Marie Bermudez to serve as an Associate Justice in the Fourth District Court of Appeal, Division One. The appointment fills the vacancy left by the retirement of Justice Richard D. Huffman and requires confirmation by the Commission on Judicial Appointments.

Professional Background and Judicial Experience

Judge Bermudez has served as a Judge in the Imperial County Superior Court since 2018. Prior to her judicial service, she worked as a Compliance Resolution Officer at the University of California, San Diego from 2016 to 2018. From 2011 to 2016, she was a Partner at Garcia Hernandez Sawhney, and from 2005 to 2011, she served as an Associate at Best Best & Krieger.

She earned her Juris Doctor degree from the University of California, Berkeley School of Law.

Appointment Process and Confirmation

The nomination of Judge Bermudez to the Fourth District Court of Appeal, Division One, is subject to confirmation by the Commission on Judicial Appointments. This commission consists of the Chief Justice of the California Supreme Court, the Attorney General of California, and the Senior Presiding Justice of the Court of Appeal. As of the announcement, the commission includes Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero, Attorney General Rob Bonta, and Senior Presiding Justice Manuel Ramirez.

Political Affiliation

Governor Newsom identified Judge Bermudez as a Democrat in his announcement.

Context of the Vacancy

The position Judge Bermudez has been nominated for became vacant following the retirement of Justice Richard D. Huffman from the Fourth District Court of Appeal, Division One.

Key Takeaways

• Judge Eran Marie Bermudez has been nominated to the California Fourth District Court of Appeal, Division One.
• She currently serves as an Imperial County Superior Court Judge, a role she has held since 2018.
• Her legal career includes private practice at Garcia Hernandez Sawhney and Best Best & Krieger, and a compliance role at UC San Diego.
• She is a graduate of the UC Berkeley School of Law.
• The appointment requires confirmation by the Commission on Judicial Appointments.
• She fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Justice Richard D. Huffman.

This nomination is part of a broader set of judicial appointments announced by Governor Newsom on April 16, 2026, which included nominations to other appellate and superior court positions across the state.