Governor Gavin Newsom today announced his nomination of Judge Maurice Sanchez as Associate Justice of the Fourth District Court of Appeal, Division Three.

Judge Maurice Sanchez, 65, of Coto de Caza, has been nominated to serve as an Associate Justice of the Fourth District Court of Appeal, Division Three. He has served as a Judge of the Orange County Superior Court since 2018. Judge Sanchez was a Partner at Nelson, Mullins, Riley and Scarborough from 2017 to 2018 and at Baker and Hostetler from 2005 to 2017. He was a Shareholder at Alvarado, Smith and Sanchez from 1993 to 2005 and Managing Counsel at Mazda Motor of America Inc. from 1991 to 1993. Judge Sanchez was Senior Counsel at Hyundai Motor America from 1986 to 1991 and an Associate at Rutan and Tucker from 1981 to 1986. He earned a Juris Doctor degree from the University of California, Berkeley School of Law. He fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Justice Raymond J. Ikola. This position requires the completion of a review by the State Bar’s Commission on Judicial Nominees Evaluation and confirmation by the Commission on Judicial Appointments. The Commission consists of Chief Justice Tani Cantil-Sakauye, Attorney General Rob Bonta and Senior Presiding Justice Manuel A. Ramirez. Judge Sanchez is registered without party preference.