APABA Celebrates Justice Cantil-Sakauye's Unanimous Confirmation
September 03, 2010
Los Angeles – The Asian Pacific American Bar Association (APABA) of Los Angeles celebrates the unanimous confirmation of Justice Tani Cantil-Sakauye as Chief Justice for the Supreme Court of the State of California. On August 25, 2010, the California Commission on Judicial Appointments unanimously voted to confirm Justice Cantil-Sakauye. She will be the first Asian Pacific American chief justice for a state high court in the continental United States and the first Filipina American state high court justice if approved by Californian voters in the November 2010 election.
“Justice Cantil-Sakauye is extremely qualified because of her years of service on the superior court and appellate court. Her life is also an inspiration to all Americans,” stated Ritu Mahajan, co-Chair of APABA’s Public Appointments and Judicial Endorsement Committee. Since 2005, Justice Cantil-Sakauye has served as Associate Justice for the Third District Court of Appeal in Sacramento. From 1997 to 2004, she was a Superior Court Judge for the Sacramento County Superior Court and, from 1990 to 1997, she served as a Municipal Court Judge for the Sacramento County Municipal Court. Justice Cantil-Sakauye is the daughter of Filipino farm workers. She worked as a waitress and a blackjack dealer while attending the University of California at Davis for law school and college.
“Despite her busy caseload and numerous duties on the California Judicial Council, the policy-making arm of the courts, Justice Cantil-Sakauye has always given back to her community. She is involved with the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association, and the Asian/Pacific Bar Association of Sacramento. We support her deserving confirmation and look forward to her assuming the position of Chief Justice in January,” stated Karin Wang, President of APABA.
APABA thanks Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger for nominating Justice Cantil-Sakauye and the California Commission on Judicial Appointments for confirming her.
