I have been an attorney for over 26 years.  I was born and raised in Fresno, California.  I completed college at California  State University, Fresno and then attended law school in San Diego. After completing law school I was admitted as a lawyer to the State Bar of California in 1983 and returned to Fresno to begin practicing law. 

I am married with two children.  My wife Ann is a homemaker and former teacher in the Fresno Unified School District.  My son John attends Fresno City College and my daughter Barbara attends California State University, Fresno.  I am a proud resident of the Sunnyside area of Southeast Fresno. 

My entire legal career has been devoted to representing the people of Fresno County.  I have many years of experience as a trial attorney and have tried many cases to verdict before a jury.  I also bring management and organizational experience to the table.  As a Chief Attorney in the Office of the Public Defender I have managed and supervised large groups of attorneys handling some of the most complex and high profile cases in Fresno County.  I have been instrumental for many years in keeping the Fresno County Superior Courts properly staffed and organized so as to efficiently conduct the public’s business. 

I believe that the most important factors in being a good and effective judge are to have experience, maturity, integrity, and the organizational skills necessary to run a courtroom properly and efficiently.  I have these qualities, I have this background, and I have the desire and ability to do an excellent job as a judge for the People of Fresno County.  I take seriously that a judge holds a special position in the public trust and owes a responsibility to the public to fairly apply the law to all persons that come before the court regardless of the type of case that is being heard and regardless of the person’s race, gender, religion, or economic status.

I ask for your vote on June 8, 2010, for the position of Fresno County Superior Court Judge and I pledge to you that you will have voted for a candidate that has the experience, fortitude, and desire to serve the People of Fresno County in a fair, effective, and conscientious manner.