A state trial court / Established 1971

Superior Court of California, County of Tulare

A general-jurisdiction trial court in California.

The Superior Court of California, County of Tulare 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.

40
Judges in history
15
Currently serving
Merit selection
Selection
12-yr
Term
Current judges
Former judges
JudgeYears
Bret D. Hillman2010–2018
David C. Mathias2010–2019
Brett R. Alldredge2009–2020
Gerald F. Sevier2009–2010
Gary L. Paden2005–2016
Lloyd L. Hicks2003–2016
Paul Anthony Vortmann2003–2006
Valeriano Saucedo2001–2016
Ronald M. Couillard1998–2007
Stephen Drew1998–2010
Darryl B. Ferguson1998–2016
James W. Hollman1998–2017
Elisabeth B. Krant1998–2013
Melinda Myrle Reed1998–2012
Glade F. Roper1998–2013
Martin W. Staven1998–2005
Joseph A. Kalashian1993–2014
Howard R. Broadman1988–1999
John P. Moran1986–2003
Robert C. Van Auken1986–1991
William , Jr. Silveira1980–2005
David L. Allen1978–1992
Kenneth E. Conn1978–1998
Edward Kim1978–1993
Nathaniel O. Bradley1971–1988

How a judge reaches this court. Judges of the Superior Court of California, County of Tulare 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).