Superior Court of California, County of Sonoma
A general-jurisdiction trial court in California.
The Superior Court of California, County of Sonoma 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.
Roster as of the CourtListener bulk-data snapshot (2026-03-31): recent departures and appointments may not be reflected, so it is shown as “on record,” not “currently serving.”
Judges on record
- James G. Bertoli
- Arthur A. Wick
- Dana B. Simonds
- Virginia G. Marcoida
- Robert M. LaForge
- Peter K. Ottenweller
- Patrick M. Broderick
- Nancy C. Shaffer
- Jamie O. Thistlethwaite
- Lawrence E. Ornell
- Jennifer V. Dollard
- Christopher M. Honigsberg
- Barbara T. Phelan
- Mark A. Urioste
Former judges
| Judge | Years |
|---|---|
| Shelly J. Averill | 2010–2020 |
| Bradford J. DeMeo | 2010–2021 |
| Gary A. Medvigy | 2007–2016 |
| Robert S. Boyd | 2005–2007 |
| Kenneth J. Gnoss | 2005–2015 |
| Gary Nadler | 2002–2019 |
| René Auguste Chouteau | 2001–2019 |
| Elliot L. Daum | 2001–2017 |
| Raima H. Ballinger | 1998–2018 |
| Robert P. Dale | 1998–2005 |
| Patricia Gray | 1998–2001 |
| Allan D. Hardcastle | 1998–2020 |
| Knoel L. Owen | 1998–2009 |
| Frank J. Passalacqua | 1998–2000 |
| Mark Tansil | 1997–2012 |
| Lloyd von der Mehden | 1987–2001 |
| Lawrence G. Antolini | 1985–2011 |
| Raymond J. Giordano | 1985–2006 |
| Arnold D. Rosenfield | 1985–2009 |
| Laurence K. Sawyer | 1985–2005 |
| William L. Bettinelli | 1982–1991 |
| William B. Boone | 1977–1985 |
| R. Bryan Jamar | 1977–1997 |
| Rex H. Sater | 1976–1997 |
| Kenneth M. Eymann | 1967–1985 |
| Joseph P., Jr. Murphy | 1966–1984 |
Other courts in County, California
County is also served by these courts.
How a judge reaches this court. Judges of the Superior Court of California, County of Sonoma 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 as of 2026-03-31 (CourtListener bulk snapshot). Verify against the primary source before relying. Not a consumer report (FCRA).