Former Deputy Federal Public Defender Susel Carrillo-Orellana

Governor Gavin Newsom today announced the appointment of Susel Carrillo-Orellana, former Deputy Federal Public Defender with the Capital Habeas Unit with the Federal Public Defender, Central District of California, as Orange County Superior Court judge.

Susel Carrillo-Orellana, of Los Angeles County, has been appointed to serve as a Judge in the Orange County Superior Court. Carrillo-Orellana has served as a Commissioner at the Los Angeles Court since 2024. She served at the Federal Public Defender’s Office for the Central District of California as a Director of Recruitment from 2023 to 2024 and as a Deputy Federal Public Defender from 2012 to 2024. Carrillo-Orellana served as a Research Attorney at the Los Angeles County Superior Court from 2007 to 2012. She worked as a Staff Attorney at the Public Counsel Law Center from 2005 to 2007. Carrillo-Orellana served as a Deputy District Attorney at the Fresno District Attorney’s Office from 2004 to 2005. Carrillo-Orellana received a Juris Doctor degree from Columbia Law School. She fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Lon F. Hurwitz. Carrillo-Orellana is a Democrat.

Read the official announcement from the California Governor’s office here.

Judge Carrillo-Orellana joins an impressive list of former FPD-CDCA alumni who have become judges. See Former FPD-CDCA Attorneys Appointed to State and Federal Benches.