News & Events

The Federal Public Defender, Central  District of California proudly recognizes its attorney alumni who have been appointed to serve as state and federal judges, including: Rudolph Diaz Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Michael L. Stern Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Drew E. Edwards Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Teresa Sanchez-Gordin Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Maria E. Stratton Presiding Justice, California Court of Appeal Dennis J. Landin Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge John P. Martin Administrative Law Judge Denise Meyer […]..

Former FPD-CDCA Deputy Federal Public Defender Michael Kaufman was appointed as United States Magistrate Judge for the Central District of California. From the United States District Court: The United States District Court for the Central District of California announces the appointment of Michael B. Kaufman as a United States Magistrate Judge. Judge Kaufman, who was sworn in on February 20, 2025, will preside over matters in Los Angeles in the Court’s Western Division. Judge Kaufman succeeds former Magistrate Judge Michael R. Wilner. Before his appointment […]..

We are proud to announce that former FPD-CDCA Deputy Federal Public Defender David Sutton has been named Lawyer of the Year by the Marin County Bar Association in recognition of his tireless dedication to criminal indigent defense. Congratulations!..

Former Deputy Federal Public Defender, and current Magistrate Judge Anne Hwang, will serve as a federal district judge for the Central District of California effective December 2, 2024. From the United States District Court website: On December 2, 2024, the United States Senate confirmed President Joe Biden’s nomination of Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Anne Hwang to serve as a federal district judge in the United States District Court for the Central District of California. Judge Hwang will preside over matters in Los Angeles […]..

Today the senior judges of the Los Angeles County Superior Court elected Joel Koury as a Court Commissioner. Commissioner Koury served as a Deputy Federal Public Defender with our office...

Governor Gavin Newsom today announced the appointment of Michael Weinstein, Supervising Deputy Federal Public Defender and the Chief of the Noncapital Habeas Unit with the Federal Public Defender, Central District of California, as Los Angeles County Superior Court judge. Michael D. Weinstein, of Los Angeles County, has been appointed to serve as a Judge in the Los Angeles County Superior Court. Weinstein has served as Chief of the Noncapital Habeas Unit at the Office of the Federal Public Defender for the Central District of California […]..

Former Deputy Federal Public Defender, and current Magistrate Judge Kiya Kato, will serve as a federal district judge for the Central District of California effective November 7, 2023. From the United States District Court website: On November 7, 2023, the United States Senate confirmed President Joe Biden’s nomination of Magistrate Judge Kenly Kiya Kato to serve as a federal district judge for the United States District Court for the Central District of California.  Judge Kato will preside over matters in Riverside in the Court’s Eastern […]..

Governor Gavin Newsom today announced the appointment of Gary Rowe, a Deputy Federal Public Defender with the Federal Public Defender, Central District of California, as Los Angeles County Superior Court judge. Gary Rowe, of Los Angeles County, has been appointed to serve as a Judge in the Los Angeles County Superior Court. Rowe has served as a Deputy Attorney General at the California Department of Justice, Office of the Attorney General, Civil Rights Enforcement Section since June 2023. He served as a Deputy Federal Public […]..

Governor Gavin Newsom today announced the appointment of David Wasserman, a Supervising Deputy Federal Public Defender with the Federal Public Defender, Central District of California, as Los Angeles County Superior Court judge. David Wasserman, of Los Angeles County, has been appointed to serve as a Judge in the Los Angeles County Superior Court. Wasserman has served as a Supervising Deputy Federal Public Defender at the Office of the Federal Public Defender, Central District of California since 2018, where he was a Deputy Federal Public Defender […]..

Former FPD-CDCA Deputy Federal Public Defender and Chief of the Appeals Unit was appointed as United States Magistrate Judge for the Central District of California. From the United States District Court: The United States District Court for the Central District of California announces the appointment of Brianna Fuller Mircheff as a United States Magistrate Judge. Judge Mircheff, who was sworn in on April 18, 2023, will preside over matters in Los Angeles in the Court’s Western Division. Judge Mircheff succeeds former Magistrate Judge Paul L. […]..