Governor Gavin Newsom today announced his appointment of 15 Superior Court Judges, which includes one in Orange County.

Stephen Hicklin, of Orange County, has been appointed to serve as a Judge in the Orange County Superior Court. Hicklin has been a Sole Practitioner since 2018 and Of Counsel at Bonial & Associates PC since 2020. He was an Associate at the Law Offices of Michelle Ghidotti from 2016 to 2018 and Senior Litigation Counsel at Buckley Madole PC from 2014 to 2016. Hicklin was General Counsel at Northwest Trustee Services Inc. from 2012 to 2014 and Senior Counsel at Wright, Finlay & Zak LLP from 2010 to 2012. He held several positions at Countrywide Home Loans/Bank of America from 2003 to 2010, including Senior Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer. Hicklin was Assistant Vice President and Litigation Counsel at North American Title Insurance Company from 2001 to 2002, Senior Counsel at Bergeson Eliopoulos LLP from 2000 to 2001 and Senior Litigation Counsel at WMC Mortgage Corp. from 1998 to 2000. He was Associate Counsel and Senior Associate Counsel at Glendale Federal Bank, FSB from 1993 to 1998. Hicklin was an Associate at Stroock & Stroock & Lavan from 1991 to 1992 and at Brobeck, Phleger & Harrison LLP from 1988 to 1991. He earned a Juris Doctor degree from the University of California, Davis School of Law. He fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge James L. Crandall. Hicklin is a Democrat.

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