Patricia Guerrero

Patricia Guerrero was sworn into office as Chief Justice of California on January 2, 2023. 

Before becoming the state’s top judge, for 15 years she practiced law in the private sector, serving as both associate and equity partner, handling complex environmental and commercial litigation as well as civil and government enforcement cases. She also served as a federal prosecutor—working as an Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of California from 2002 to 2003.

Her judicial career began when she was appointed to the Superior Court of San Diego County in June 2013, where she served until December 2017. In her final year, she was the supervising judge for the court’s Family Law Division. In 2017, she was confirmed as an associate justice on the Court of Appeal, Fourth Appellate District. In February 2022, Justice Guerrero was elevated to the Supreme Court of California as an associate justice, followed by her appointment as Chief Justice by Governor Gavin Newsom.

During her first three years leading California’s judicial branch, Chief Justice Guerrero has emphasized access to justice, civic education, and strengthening public trust and confidence in the court system. Her Power of Democracy civic learning initiative aims to strengthen civic engagement through the Judges in the Classroom and Civic Learning Awards programs—especially for K–12 students. As Chair of the Judicial Council of California, she has overseen efforts to approve a landmark framework governing the use of generative artificial intelligence in the state’s judicial branch.

Throughout her career, Chief Justice Guerrero has earned a reputation for her “superior intellect, judicial temperament, work ethic, and compassion.” As the first Latina Chief Justice of California, Chief Justice Guerrero stands as a trailblazer in her journey to the state’s highest judicial office, and she remains committed to upholding the principles of equality, access, and the promise of justice for all.