Judge, Seat 118 — Los Angeles County Superior Court
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About this office
Superior court judges preside over trial court cases, both civil and criminal. They hear witnesses' testimony and other evidence and decide cases by applying the law to the relevant facts.
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Over 70 Los Angeles Superior Court JudgesThe Los Angeles Times"Well Qualified" by Los Angeles County Bar AssociationJapanese American Bar AssociationMetropolitan News EnterprisePress-TelegramWhittier Daily NewsSan Gabriel Valley TribunePasadena Star NewsThe Daily BreezeNational Women's Political CaucusLos Angeles TimesHonor PACLos Angeles Airport Peace Officers AssociationTorrance Democratic ClubPeace Officers Research Association of California (PORAC)Los Angeles Daily NewsInland Valley Daily BulletinLos Angeles Police Protective League (LAPPL)Foothill Community DemocratsValley Grassroots for DemocracyDemocrats for IsraelI-Chinese American Political Action Committee (IAPAC)Crime Survivors PACWest Hollywood/Beverly Hills Democratic ClubNew Frontier Democratic ClubAvance Democratic ClubDemocratic Party of the San Fernando ValleySanta Clarita Valley Democratic ClubSan Pedro Democratic ClubSEIU 721The Mexican American Bar AssociationGardena Police Officers AssociationPalos Verdes Police Officers AssociationNortheast Democratic ClubEl Segundo Police Officers AssociationManhattan Beach Police Officers AssociationBeach Cities DemocratsWestside ActivistsTorrance Police Officers AssociationDemocrats for Neighborhood ActionNorth Valley Democratic ClubRedondo Beach Police Officers AssociationLos Angeles Port Police Association/ILWU 65Association for Los Angeles Deputy Sheriffs (ALADS)Los Angeles Association of Deputy District AttorneysSupervisor Kathryn Barger, County of Los Angeles District 5Hon. Sam Ohta, Presiding Judge Criminal DivisionCouncil Member Paul Krekorian, President of Los Angeles City CouncilHon. Kevin C. Brazile, Presiding Judge of the LA Superior Court (Former)Hon. Eric C. Taylor, Presiding Judge of the LA Superior CourtHon. Daniel Zeke Zeidler, LA Superior Court JudgeHon. David Yaroslavsky, LA Superior Court JudgeHon. Scott A. Yang, LA Superior Court JudgeHon. Mark E. Windham, LA Superior Court JudgeHon. Pamela Villanueva, LA Superior Court JudgeHon. Craig E. Veals, LA Superior Court JudgeHon. John A. Torribio, LA Superior Court Judge (Ret.)Hon. Kenneth H. Taylor, LA Superior Court Comm.Hon. David W. Swift, LA Superior Court JudgeHon. Linda L. Sun, LA Superior Court JudgeHon. David W. Stuart, LA Superior Court JudgeHon. Richard A. Stone, LA Superior Court Judge (Ret.)Hon. Douglas W. Sortino, LA Superior Court JudgeHon. Kathryn A. Solorzano, LA Superior Court JudgeHon. Norman J. Shapiro, LA Superior Court JudgeHon. Wendy Segall, LA Superior Court JudgeHon. Raul A. Sahagun, LA Superior Court JudgeHon. William L. Sadler, LA Superior Court JudgeHon. Thomas Rubinson, LA Superior Court JudgeHon. Alan I. Rubin, LA Superior Court Comm. (Ret.)Hon. Jonathan L. Rosenbloom, LA Superior Court JudgeHon. Tony L. Richardson, LA Superior Court JudgeHon. Alex Ricciardulli, LA Superior Court JudgeHon. Marsha N. Revel, LA Superior Court JudgeHon. David K. Reinert, LA Superior Court JudgeHon. Joseph R. Porras, LA Superior Court JudgeHon. Roy L. Paul, LA Superior Court Judge (Ret.)Hon. Benny Osorio, LA Superior Court Judge (Ret.)Hon. Lynn D. Olson, LA Superior Court JudgeHon. Nancy L. Newman, LA Superior Court JudgeHon. Lloyd M. Nash, LA Superior Court Judge (Ret.)Hon. Carol J. Najera, LA Superior Court JudgeHon. Daniel S. Murphy, LA Superior Court JudgeHon. Stephen Morgan, LA Superior Court JudgeHon. Adan Montalban, LA Superior Court JudgeHon. Stephen M. Moloney, LA Superior Court Judge (Ret.)Hon. Alison S. Matsumoto, LA Superior Court JudgeHon. Jerry B. Marshak, LA Superior Court JudgeHon. Joel L. Lofton, LA Superior Court JudgeHon. Gregory S. Lesser, LA Superior Court Comm.Hon. Michael A. Latin, LA Superior Court Judge (Ret.)Hon. Shannon Knight, LA Superior Court JudgeHon. Lana S. Kim, LA Superior Court JudgeHon. Kelly M. Kelley, LA Superior Court JudgeHon. Robert M. Kawahara, LA Superior Court Comm.Hon. Mark A. Juhas, LA Superior Court JudgeHon. Michael V. Jesic, LA Superior Court JudgeHon. Roger Ito, LA Superior Court JudgeHon. Chester H. Horn, Jr., LA Superior Court JudgeHon. Scott R. Herin, LA Superior Court JudgeHon. Randolph M. Hammock, LA Superior Court JudgeHon. Martin E. Green, LA Superior Court Comm. (Ret.)Hon. Richard M. Goul, LA Superior Court JudgeHon. Rene C. Gilbertson, LA Superior Court JudgeHon. David B. Gelfound, LA Superior Court JudgeHon. Christopher J. Frisco, LA Superior Court JudgeHon. Elden S. Fox, LA Superior Court Judge (Ret.)Hon. Brad Miles Fox, LA Superior Court Comm.Hon. Daniel B. Feldstern, LA Superior Court JudgeHon. Peter P. Espinoza, LA Superior Court Judge (Ret.)Hon. Miguel Espinoza, LA Superior Court JudgeHon. Gregory A. Dohi, LA Superior Court JudgeHon. Troy Davis, LA Superior Court JudgeHon. Daniel M. Crowley, LA Superior Court JudgeHon. Andrew E. Cooper, LA Superior Court JudgeHon. Shannon K. Cooley, LA Superior Court JudgeHon. Alfred A. Coletta, LA Superior Court JudgeHon. Emily J. Cole, LA Superior Court JudgeHon. Maria Cavaluzzi, LA Superior Court JudgeHon. Rupert A. Byrdsong, LA Superior Court JudgeHon. Efrain M. Aceves, LA Superior Court JudgeHon. Manuel A. Almada, LA Superior Court JudgeHon. Maria Lucy Armendariz, LA Superior Court JudgeHon. David A. Berger, LA Superior Court JudgeHon. Mitchell J. Block, LA Superior Court Comm. (Ret.)Hon. Keith H. Borjon, LA Superior Court JudgeHon. Joseph A. Brandolino, LA Superior Court JudgeHon. Terry A. Bork, LA Superior Court JudgeDistrict Attorney Steve Cooley, County of Los Angeles (Former)Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi, California's 66th Assembly DistrictAssessor Jeff Prang, County of Los AngelesSupervisor Janice Hahn, County of Los Angeles District 4Assemblymember Mike Fong, California's 49th Assembly DistrictInsurance Commissioner Ricardo LaraMayor Deborah Klein Lopez, Agoura HillsDistrict Attorney Robert Philibosian, County of Los Angeles (Former)Mayor Ruth Low, Diamond BarMayor Mary Sue Maurer, CalabasasDistrict Attorney Jeff Rosen, County of Santa ClaraMayor Bill Brand, Redondo BeachCity Attorney Mike Feuer, Los AngelesMayor Sepi Shyne, West HollywoodMayor Tony Ding, San GabrielMayor Henry Lo, Monterey ParkCity Attorney Mike Webb, Redondo BeachCouncil Member Aurelio Mattucci, TorranceCouncil Member Todd Loewenstein, Redondo BeachCouncil Member Sirley Cuevas, LawndaleCouncil Member Peter Kraut, CalabasasCouncil Member Laura Emdee, Redondo BeachCouncil Member Joseph Lyons, ClaremontCouncil Member James Bozajian, CalabasasCouncil Member Christian Horvath, Redondo BeachCouncil Member Ali Sajjad Taj, ArtesiaCouncil Member Carina Rivera, San GabrielCouncil Member Adele Andrade-Stadler, AlhambraCouncil Member Nancy Lyons, Diamond BarCouncil Member Nick Schultz, BurbankTreasurer Tim Goodrich, TorranceCouncil Member Steve Tye, Diamond BarDavid Witkin, Vice President Redondo Beach Unified School BoardDirector Harold Williams, West Basin Municipal Water DistrictDirector Scott Houston, West Basin Municipal Water DistrictDr. Anil Muhammed, Torrance Unified School BoardDan Elder, Redondo Beach Unified School BoardNilo Vega Michelin, President of El Camino Board of TrusteesKenneth Brown, Vice President of El Camino Board of TrusteesMia Yamamoto, Past President of California Attorneys for Criminal Justice and Japanese American Bar AssociationChristopher Warne, President of San Fernando Valley Bar AssociationTony Constanzo, President of Italian American Lawyers AssociationNowland Hong, Founder and Past President of Southern California Chinese Lawyers AssociationGary Barr, Past President of San Fernando Valley Bar AssociationSean Kneafsey, Past President of Irish American Bar AssociationTheresa Macallero, Past President of Italian American Lawyers AssociationLindsay Carlson, Director of National Association of Women LawyersMax Wellman, Past President of DTLA Bar AssociationMichael O'Connor, Past President of Irish American Bar Association
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Los Angeles City Councilmember Elect Eunisses HernandezCalifornia Assemblymember Isaac BryanUnite Here Local 11California National Organization for WomenThe Korea Daily / 미주중앙일보California Federation of Interpreters Local 39000La DefensaNational Writers UnionTeamsters Joint Council 42Amusement Area Employees Local B-192 IATSEBlack Los Angeles Young Democrats, Los AngelesWorking Families PartyCenter for Biological DiversityRoofers & Waterproofers Union Local 36People’s ActionSouthern California Armenian DemocratsLA ForwardHubert H. Humphrey Democratic ClubAmericans for Democratic Action, Southern CaliforniaGround Game Los AngelesProgressive Democrats of the Santa Monica MountainsRandom Lengths NewsProgressive Asian Network for ActionBurbank Democratic ClubActon & Agua Dulce Democratic ClubOur Revolution - Feel the Bern, Los Angeles CountyFeel the Bern Democratic Club, Los Angeles CountySilver Echo Feliz Democratic ClubDemocrats of Pasadena FoothillsYes We Can Democratic Club, Long BeachCulver City Democratic ClubCalifornia Assemblymember Laura FriedmanLos Angeles City Councilmember Mike BoninCalifornia Assemblymember Ash KalraMayor Pro Tem City of Hawthorne L. David PattersonLong Beach City Councilmember Al Austin IIMayor of Culver City Daniel LeeCulver City Councilmember Alex FischVice Mayor of Burbank Konstantine AnthonyCaliforni Senator Anthony PortantinoAlhambra City Councilmember Sasha Renée PérezPasadena City Councilmember Jason LyonDr. Armond Aghakhanian, Member, Burbank Unified School District Board of Education (title for identification only)Glendale City Clerk Dr. Suzie AbajianPasadena Area Community College District Governing Board Member Alton WangVice Mayor of Norwalk Ana ValenciaCerritos Councilmember Frank Aurelio YokoyamaArtesia Councilmember Ali Sajjad TajCulver City Councilmember Yasmine-Imani McMorrinPasadena Area Community College District Governing Board Member Kristine E. KwongPasadena Community College District Governing Board Member Steven GibsonEric Brightwell - Silver Lake Neighborhood Council, Governing Board Member (title for identification purposes only)Jamie York - Secretary of Reseda Neighborhood Council (title for identification purposes only)David Tokofsky - Former Board member of LAUSD (1995-2007) (title is for identification purposes only)West Hollywood Councilmember Lindsey P. HorvathMaebe A. Girl - Silver Lake Neighborhood Council, Governing Board MemberFranky Carrillo - Commissioner, Los Angeles County Probation Oversight Commission and Criminal Justice AdvocateGeorge Moyer - 2022 Long Beach Prosecutor CandidateVictor Narro, LA City Commissioner (title is for identification purposes only)Rebecca Rona - Chair of the Culver City Equity in Human Relations Advisory Committee (title for identification only)Giovanni Pope - Lancaster Commissioner of EquityFatima Iqbal-Zubair - California Democratic Party Executive Board Member, Assembly District 65Susan Burton - A New Way of Life, Founder (title is for identification purposes only)Darrell Goode - NAACP Area Director (title is for identification purposes only)Scott Epstein - Former Candidate for Los Angeles City CouncilDavid Kim - California Democratic Party Delegate, Assembly District 53Marissa Roy - President of California Women’s ListLoraine Lundquist - Astrophysicist; former LA City Council candidateLuis Rodriguez - Writer; 2022 California Governor CandidateJon Katz - President, Santa Monica Democratic ClubCindi Duran - California Democratic Assembly Delegate, Assembly District 57Victor Frias - California Democratic Assembly Delegate, Assembly District 52Selene Betancourt - California Democratic Assembly Delegate, Assembly District 52Rebecca Rona - Chair of the Culver City Equity in Human Relations Advisory CommitteeAsh Lopez - California Democratic Party Delegate, Assembly District 36 (title is for identification purposes only)CJ Berina - California Democratic Assembly Delegate, Assembly District 40Jeremy Gray - California Democratic Assembly Delegate, Assembly District 52Dr. Kelsey K. Iino - Los Angeles Community College District Board of Trustees MemberIsmael Parra - National Writers Union, Los Angeles Chapter Chair (title is for identification purposes only)
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My Top 3 Priorities
Serve the public with energy and enthusiasm, in a welcoming courtroom environment.
Apply the law to everyone fairly and equally.
Make decisions compassionately, efficiently, and with a thorough understanding of the law.
Experience
Experience
Profession:Deputy District Attorney, County of Los Angeles
Deputy District Attorney County of Los Angeles, Los Angeles District Attorney's Office (2008–current)
Deputy District Attorney, County of Los Angeles, Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office — Elected position (2008–current)
Deputy Public Defender, County of Los Angeles, Los Angeles Public Defender's Office (2005–2007)
Civil Litigation Associate/Summer Associate, Brown, Winfield & Canzoneri, Inc. (2003–2005)
Education
NYU School of Law — LL.M. (2008)
UCLA School of Law — J.D., Law (2004)
Biography
Endorsed by The Los Angeles Times
Rated "Well Qualified" by the Los Angeles County Bar Association
My name is Melissa Hammond. I am an Angeleno born and raised, a graduate of UCLA School of Law (J.D.) and NYU School of Law (LL.M.), admitted to practice in California and New York. Just as importantly, I am a mother of three.
I have worked in Los Angeles Superior Court day-in, day-out for almost 20 years, serving the public as a deputy district attorney and, before that, as a deputy public defender. At the start of my career, I practiced civil litigation, primarily handling real estate and municipal law disputes.
I am running because of my deep affection for and ambition for the community of Los Angeles. My grandparents immigrated here after losing everything in the Holocaust. Los Angeles was their paradise and dream come true. Now it is where I reside, raise my own children, and where I send them to public school. I want to serve my community as best I can. I have the knowledge and experience needed to be a skilled, fair, and compassionate judge. Please vote for me for Office No. 118 on November 8, 2022.
Use tab to activate the candidate button. Use "return" to select this candidate. You can access your list by navigating to 'My Choices'.
For more in-depth information on this candidate, follow the links for each tab in this section. For most screenreaders, you can hit Return or Enter to enter a tab and read the content within.
Candidate has provided information.
Thank candidate for sharing their information on Voter's Edge.
My Top 3 Priorities
Bring a people's perspective to the bench. Most judges are former prosecutors and corporate lawyers. I chose a career advocating for people. My experience working directly with Angelenos from all walks of life allows me to truly be a fair judge.
Ensure fair trials and access to justice. Everyone should have a fair trial, including those with disabilities and non-English speakers, and regardless of one’s income, race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, or religion.
Increase diversity in the courtroom. Judges and juries should reflect the diversity of Los Angeles County. Only 38.7% of LA Superior Court judges are women, and Asian American judges are underrepresented.
Experience
Experience
Profession:Attorney at Law
Principal, Law Office of Carolyn Park (2020–current)
At-Large Governing Board Member, Silver Lake Neighborhood Council — Elected position (2021–current)
Staff Attorney, Service Employees International Union, Local 1000 (2014–2020)
Education
Loyola Law School — Juris Doctor (2003)
Community Activities
Silver Lake Neighborhood Council Liaison, Neighborhood Council Sustainability Alliance (2021–current)
