UC Davis Law Adds Alumni to the Bench

More King Hall graduates joined California’s judicial ranks in 2023-24.

Gov. Gavin Newsom appointed Saul Garcia ’94 as a Superior Court judge in Stanislaus County. Garcia is a veteran public defender for San Joaquin and Stanislaus counties and former directing attorney at California Rural Legal Assistance.

Brock Hammond ’01 was appointed to the Los Angeles Superior Court. Hammond served for 18 years as a deputy alternate public defender for Los Angeles County.

Stephen Hicklin ’88 joined the Orange County Superior Court in 2023. Hicklin previously was a sole practitioner and of counsel at Bonial & Associates.

Chrishna Martinez ’99 has been appointed to the Superior Court in San Joaquin County, where she served as a deputy public defender for 25 years.

Richard Miadich ’02 has become a Sacramento Superior Court judge after chairing the California Fair Political Practices Commission for four years.

Miguel Valdovinos ’96 joined the Madera County Superior Court bench after serving in the county’s District Attorney’s office from 2020-2023 and 2011-2015.

Saul Garcia
Saul Garcia ’94
Brock Hammond
Brock Hammond ’01
Stephen Hicklin
Stephen Hicklin ’88
Clara Levers
Clara Levers ’03
Michelle Lauron
Michelle Lauron ’94
Chrishna Martinez ’99, San Joaquin County Superior Court judge.
Chrishna Martinez ’99
Richard Miadich
Richard Miadich ’02
Miguel Valdovinos
Miguel Valdovinos ’96