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Tuesday November 8, 2022 — California General Election
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Judicial

California State Court of AppealCandidate for Justice, District 4, Division 1

Photo of Martin N. Buchanan

Martin N. Buchanan

Associate Justice, CA Court of Appeal, District 4, Division 1, 2022-present: VOTER APPROVAL NEEDED TO REMAIN IN OFFICE
1,387,339 votes (61.6%)Winning
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My Top 3 Priorities

  • [In retention elections, justices do not run against opposing candidates.]
  • [If a justice receives more “yes” votes than "no" votes, the justice will remain in his or her position for another term.]
  • [If not, the justice will complete the current term and then a new justice will be appointed by the Governor.]

Experience

Experience

Profession:Associate Justice, CA Court of Appeal
Sole Practitioner,, Self-Employed Appellate Attorney (1992-2003, 2004-2005, 2010-2022) (not availa–not availa)
Sole Practitioner, Civil and Criminal Appeals (1992-2003 and 2004-2005), Self-Employed (not availa–not availa)
Associate, Farnsworth, Saperstein & Seligman (1987-1988) and Remcho, Johansen & Percell (1988-1990) (not availa–not availa)
Associate Justice, CA Court of Appeal, District 4, Division 1 — Appointed position (2022–current)
Partner in Civil Appeals Firm,, Niddrie, Fish & Buchanan LLP (2005–2010)
Research Attorney to Judge Cynthia Aaron, CA Court of Appeal, District 4, Division 1 — Appointed position (2003–2004)
Staff Attorney, Appellate Defenders Inc (1990–1992)
Law Clerk to the Hon. Robert F. Peckham, U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California — Appointed position (1986–1987)

Education

Harvard University J.D., law (1986)
Brown University B.A., law and society (1983)

Community Activities

Former board member and board President,, SAY San Diego, a non-profit with the mission of empowering youth, adults, families, and communities to reach their full potential. (not availa–not availa)
Former board member and board President,, Federal Defenders of San Diego, Inc. (not availa–not availa)
Board President, Social Advocates for Youth (not availa–not availa)
Former board member and board President,, Appellate Defenders, Inc. (not availa–current)

Biography

Official biography from the CA Court of Appeal website:

Justice Martin N. Buchanan was nominated to the Court of Appeal by Governor Gavin Newsom and confirmed in May 2022. Before his appointment, Justice Buchanan was an appellate lawyer for nearly 35 years. He litigated approximately 400 appeals and writs in state and federal courts, mostly as a sole practitioner. Justice Buchanan also worked as a partner at a civil appellate firm, a research attorney at the Court of Appeal, a staff attorney at Appellate Defenders, Inc., and a law clerk in federal district court.

Justice Buchanan is married with two adult children. He received his law degree from Harvard University in 1986 and his bachelor’s degree from Brown University in 1983.

Who gave money to this candidate?

Contributions

More information about contributions

Source: MapLight analysis of data from the California Secretary of State.

Videos (1)

— September 29, 2022 CaliforniaCourts

Confirmation Hearing on Judicial Appointments: Hearing on the Appointment of Mr. Martin N. Buchanan to the position of Associate Justice of the Court of Appeal, Fourth District

The Commission on Judicial Appointments on May 17 confirmed Martin N. Buchanan as Associate Justice of the Fourth District Court of Appeal, Division One (San Diego).

The Commission members are:

 

•  Chief Justice Tani G. Cantil-Sakauye (Chair)
•  Attorney General Rob Bonta
•  Presiding Justice Manuel A. Ramirez.

Read more: https://newsroom.courts.ca.gov/news/tuesday-commission-consider-appellate-court-appointments

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