LASC: BENCH ELECTS SAMANTHA P. JESSNER AS ASSISTANT PRESIDING JUDGE

“I am humbled by my colleagues’ support of my candidacy,” Judge Jessner said. “I am honored and privileged to have the opportunity to lead the Los Angeles Superior Court through and beyond these challenging times, and I look forward to working with Judge Taylor to provide equal access to justice.”

Judge Jessner has served as the Supervising Judge of the Court’s Civil Division since January 1, 2019, overseeing the state’s largest Civil Division. In that position, Judge Jessner has worked to develop protocols to hear cases safely and effectively during the COVID-19 pandemic, including developing jury selection methods and juror questionnaires, implementing remote appearance technology, and chairing the COVID-19 Advisory Committee with members of the bar.

From 2017-2019, Judge Jessner served as the Assistant Supervising Judge of the Civil Division. While in the Civil Division, Judge Jessner has presided over an Independent Calendar courtroom, a trial courtroom, and a personal injury hub courtroom. Before moving to the Civil Division, Judge Jessner served as the Supervising Judge of the Mental Health Courthouse and sat in Criminal Division courtrooms in the Alhambra, Downey, Foltz, Norwalk, and Whittier courthouses.

Judge Jessner has led the Court’s technology innovations for many years, including providing training to hundreds of Judges throughout the Court on technology innovations. She has also served on many Court committees, including the Governing Committee of the Judicial Education Committee, the Technology Committee, the Civil and Small Claims Committee, the Ethics Committee, the Diversity Committee, and the Community Outreach Committee.

Judge Jessner also has served on several statewide committees. Currently, she is a member of the Supreme Court Committee on Judicial Ethics Opinions, the Information Technology Advisory Committee of the Judicial Council, and the Civil and Small Claims Advisory Committee of the Judicial Council.

Judge Jessner is a founding member of the Association of African American California Judicial Officers and an active member of the National Association of Women Judges.

She plays an integral role in judicial education efforts, providing instruction to the Court’s new and sitting judicial officers. Since 2016, she has been an instructor on judicial ethics and New Judge Orientation for the Center for Judicial Education and Research. She is also an instructor for the Rutter Guide on topics including Civil Law Update, Basic Civil Procedure, Technology and the Law, and Examining Trial Issues.

Judge Jessner was appointed to the bench by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger in March 2007. Prior to her appointment, Judge Jessner served as an assistant United States attorney in the Criminal Division of the Central District of California for 11 years. She began her legal career with Sheppard Mullin. She also served as an assistant inspector general for the Los Angeles Police Commission and litigation counsel for The Boeing Company.

Judge Jessner received her Juris Doctor from Berkeley Law and a Bachelor of Arts from Stanford University.

View the full notice here.