Céspedes a great pick as governor's advisor

I received some good news today. Gov. Gavin Newsom appointed a friend and civil rights attorney, Luis Céspedes, to be his Judicial Appointments Secretary. 

Luis fills the position vacated by Justice  Martin Jenkins, who was sworn in by Gov. Newsom to the California Supreme Court earlier this month.

In his new role, Luis will advise the governor on the appointment of judges and justices to the California courts. A friend of Justice (and Professor Emeritus) Cruz Reynoso, Luis was a leader in renaming the local Latinx bar association as the Cruz Reynoso Bar Association. Despite his busy schedule, Luis has been a longtime supporter of UC Davis School of Law. He also is active in the Schwartz/Levi Inn of Court, which partners with King Hall.

Luis is deeply respected in the California legal community. Labor leader Dolores Huerta said this about his appointment:

“I met Luis in the 1970s and during my many visits to Sacramento since, I knew I could rely upon Luis’ help in my efforts to increase protections for farmworkers and their families, ensuring farmworkers’ right to vote for a union of their choice and in support of UFW’s right to organize. I have no doubt that Luis’ appointment as the Judicial Appointments Secretary will ensure the election and appointment of judicial officers who are sympathetic to our causes and who understand the challenges of our community.”

We can all rest assured that the governor will get super advice on his judicial appointments.