Judicial Mentor Program

The purpose of the Contra Costa County Superior Court Judicial Mentor Program is to assist in the recruitment and development of a qualified judicial applicant pool that reflects California's rich diversity. Through mentorship and outreach, the program is designed both to broaden the pool of judicial applicants and to demystify the judicial application process.

HOW DOES IT WORK?

This two-part program consists of one-on-one mentoring and community outreach. Further details are provided in the FAQs.

MENTORING

Mentee attorneys will be paired with a mentor judge who will discuss the prospective applicant's career objectives, answer questions, and provide guidance and suggestions regarding the judicial application process.

The role of the mentor judges is not to select or recommend candidates; rather it is to demystify the application process. Participation in the program is not an endorsement by the Contra Costa County Superior Court or any of its bench officers, nor is it a guarantee of a judicial appointment.

APPLICANT REQUIREMENTS

An applicant must:
(1) have practiced law in the State of California for at least nine years,
(2) be in good standing with the State Bar of California, and
(3) be committed to public service.

Interested individuals should complete the application form and their resume to the Contra Costa County Superior Court Judicial Mentor Program at judicialmentors@contracosta.courts.ca.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Governor’s Office wants to expand the pool of qualified judicial applicants from diverse legal backgrounds and communities. The Governor’s Office believes that this program may help encourage prospective applicants to complete the application process, particularly those who might otherwise self- select out of the application process.

The Court will pair admitted mentees with a mentor judge. The mentor judge will help demystify the judicial appointment process, answer questions about the judicial application and vetting process, and suggest new skills and experiences to improve the mentee's suitability for appointment.

You must apply. If you meet the qualifications below, please download an application.

No, applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Assignments will be made two to three times per year. The mentorship period will last up to 12 months or until the submission of an application for judicial appointment, whichever occurs sooner.

Judicial Mentor Program mentees must possess the following qualifications:

  1. Have practiced law in the State of California for at least nine years,
  2. Be in good standing with the State Bar of California, and
  3. Be committed to public service.
Those from diverse legal backgrounds and members of communities that are underrepresented in the judiciary are particularly encouraged to apply.

The program will consider common areas of legal practice and experience, affinity bar memberships, and other factors when making mentee/mentor pairings. However, there is no guarantee that mentees will be assigned a particular mentor judge whose interests, background, and experience closely align with theirs.

Not necessarily. Mentees will be evaluated for their eligibility for the program and assigned based on the availability of judicial mentors.

No. This program is designed for attorneys who have not yet submitted an application for judicial appointment.

The program is not intended to replace any existing program or previous mentoring relationship. Judicial Mentor Program participation can complement participation in other mentoring programs.

You will receive an email from the Judicial Mentor Program Committee.

No. The program is not designed to give applicants an inside track to appointment. Applicants who do not participate in this program are not disadvantaged in any way. Assigned judicial mentors are not expected to serve as personal references for mentees. Participation in the Judicial Mentor Program is not an endorsement of an applicant for judicial appointment by the Superior Court of Contra Costa County or by any member of the bench.

Yes. Members of the Governor’s Judicial Selection Advisory Committee (JSAC) will not serve as mentors.

Additional Documents: