A state trial court / Established 1959

Superior Court of California, County of Napa

A general-jurisdiction trial court in California.

The Superior Court of California, County of Napa is a general-jurisdiction state trial court in California, where most civil and criminal cases are first heard. Its judges are chosen by gubernatorial appointment from a nominating commission, followed by retention elections, the method California uses for its judges. This page lists the judges on record for this court from our public-records source, current and former; trial-court coverage is partial.

16
Judges in history
4
Currently serving
Merit selection
Selection
12-yr
Term
Current judges
Former judges
JudgeYears
Cynthia Pillsbury Smith2018–2020
Elia Ortiz2012–2019
Michael S. Williams2012–2017
Mark Boessenecker2007–2021
Diane M. Price2006–2019
Rodney G. Stone2006–2018
Raymond A. Guadagni2000–2012
Stephen Thomas Kroyer1998–2011
Francisca P. Tisher1998–2017
W. Scott Snowden1985–2005
Philip A. Champlin1979–2000
Thomas Kongsgaard1959–1985

How a judge reaches this court. Judges of the Superior Court of California, County of Napa are appointed by the governor to 12-year terms and then face yes-or-no retention elections. Selection methods vary by jurisdiction and have changed over time; this page reflects the court’s current method (source: National Center for State Courts). Open any judge to see their tenure and whom they succeeded.

Source: CourtListener / Free Law Project (bulk data); selection method from the National Center for State Courts. Data last verified 2026-06-30. Verify against the primary source before relying. Not a consumer report (FCRA).