UC Davis Law Alumni Join, Rise in Judicial Ranks
King Hall alumni took the bench and ascended within the judicial ranks in impressive numbers in 2022 and 2023. These accomplished jurists reflect the inclusive excellence that defines the King Hall community.
Kelli Evans '94
Stacy Boulware Eurie '95
Shama Hakim Mesiwala '98
Jose Castillo '06
Trisha Hirashima '04
Stephen Lau '02
Mona Nemat '04
Fernando Valle '02
Esmeralda Zendejas '06
Joyce L. Noche '99
Alameda Superior Court Judge Kelli Evans ’94 was sworn in as the California Supreme Court’s newest associate justice in January.
Gov. Gavin Newsom appointed Sacramento Superior Court Judges Stacy Boulware-Eurie ’95 and Shama Hakim Mesiwala ’98 to the Third District Court of Appeal. Boulware-Eurie was the keynote speaker for UC Davis Law’s Class of 2022 Commencement. Mesiwala is a longtime UC Davis Law adjunct professor.
San Diego Superior Court Judge Jose Castillo ’06 has been nominated to serve as an associate justice of the Fourth District Court of Appeal, Division One. Castillo is a former King Hall Alumni Association board member.
Newsom appointed Trisha Hirashima ’04 as a Placer Superior Court judge. Hirashima previously served as a senior legal research attorney and part-time commissioner for the court.
Stephen Lau ’02 has been appointed to the Sacramento Superior Court. General counsel at the Sacramento County Employees’ Retirement System from 2019-2022, Lau previously served as assistant general counsel at the California Department of Business Oversight.
Mona Nemat ’04 has become a Riverside Superior Court judge. A partner at Best Best & Krieger in 2022 and from 2007-2013, Nemat was a shareholder at the law office of Brissman & Nemat from 2013-22.
Newsom appointed Fernando Valle ’02 as an Orange County Superior Court judge. Valle previously was an Orange County senior public defender.
Esmeralda Zendejas ’06 has been appointed as a San Joaquin Superior Court judge. Zendejas previously worked as an attorney for the Department of Industrial Relations, as a deputy attorney general, and in several positions with California Rural Legal Assistance, Inc.
United States Attorney General Merrick Garland appointed Joyce L. Noche ’99 as a judge for the Santa Ana Immigration Court. From 2018-2022, Noche was the legal services director at Immigrant Defenders Law Center.