Kelli Evans '94 Becomes Second King Hall Alum on State High Court

I had the honor of attending the confirmation hearings before the Commission on Judicial Appointments in the nomination of Alameda Superior Court Judge Kelli Evans '94 to the California Supreme Court. The Chief Justice of California, Tani Cantil-Sakauye '84, chairs the commission, with Attorney General Rob Bonta and Court of Appeal Justice Manuel A. Ramirez as members. I had the privilege of accompanying Governor Newsom's Judicial Appointments Secretary Luis Céspedes to the hearings.

Three witnesses offered remarks on Judge Evans' qualifications to be on California's high court. Judge Evans spoke eloquently of her career and lovingly of her grandmother, who raised her. After the hearing was completed, Judge Evans said that her King Hall diploma had been buried with her grandmother because she had given so much for Evans to earn it.

Each member of the commission offered comments and asked a question. It was short and to the point, without the drama of U.S Supreme Court confirmation hearings. 

At the conclusion, the vote was unanimous: Judge Evans was confirmed as an Associate Justice on the California Supreme Court.  She is now the second UC Davis School of Law alum to serve on the court.

It truly was a great day for King Hall!!