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Friday, March 10, 2006
Courts - California federal trial judge appointed to state appellate seat
"Federal Judge Is Moving to State Appellate Court" is the headline to this story today in the LA Times. Some quotes:
In a highly unusual career move, Nora M. Manella, a well-respected federal trial judge, was appointed Thursday to the state Court of Appeal in Los Angeles, giving up lifetime tenure.Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's appointment of Manella, a Studio City Democrat, comes just two weeks after the state GOP called on the Republican governor to name more members of his own political party to the bench.
Manella, whose father was a founder of the Los Angeles law firm of Irell & Manella, said she applied for a seat on the state appellate bench because she's "always been somewhat of an appellate wonk."
"What I like most about judging is deciding difficult issues."
She will miss the interaction with lawyers at the trial level, she said, but looks forward to "the intellectual heavy lifting of the appellate court."
Manella's nomination must be confirmed by the state Commission on Judicial Appointments. An April 10 hearing has been set in Los Angeles. If approved, she will succeed Justice Gary Hastings, who retired. * * *
Few federal judges switch to the state courts unless it's for a coveted seat on the state Supreme Court. Lifetime tenure is considered a major benefit of the federal bench, but in recent years more federal judges are retiring earlier because of overwhelming criminal caseloads and little discretion, especially in sentencing.
In her new job, Manella will face election every 12 years. She also will receive a pay raise from $165,200 to $170,694.
Posted by Marcia Oddi on March 10, 2006 07:09 PM
Posted to Courts in general