Announcements regarding key staffing changes of importance to California’s rural counties.
Lindsey Berg-James, of Monterey County, has been appointed to serve as a Judge in the Monterey County Superior Court. Berg-James has worked as a Shareholder at Noland, Etienne & Hoss since 2021, where she worked as an Associate from 2016 to 2020. Berg-James worked as an Associate at Schiff Hardin from 2013 to 2015. Berg-James received a Juris Doctor degree from the University of California College of the Law, San Francisco. She fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Timothy Roberts. Berg-James is a Democrat. The compensation for this position is $244,727.
Heather Durand, of Humboldt County, has been appointed to serve as a Judge in the Humboldt County Superior Court. Durand has served as a Deputy County Counsel at the Humboldt County Counsel’s Office since 2018. She worked as a Sole Practitioner at the Law Office of Heather Durand Cooper from 2005 to 2018. Durand worked as an Associate Attorney at Dalton & Bicknell from 2000 to 2005. Durand received a Juris Doctor degree from Empire College School of Law. She fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Joyce D. Hinrichs. Durand is a Democrat.The compensation for this position is $244,727.
Martin Gonzalez, of Imperial County, has been appointed to serve as a Judge in the Imperial County Superior Court. Gonzalez has served as a Referee at the Imperial County Superior Court since 2022. He served as a Deputy District Attorney at the Imperial District Attorney’s Office from 2017 to 2022. Gonzalez worked as an Associate at Walker & Driskill from 2009 to 2017. Gonzalez received a Juris Doctor degree from the University of San Francisco School of Law. He fills the vacancy created by the elevation of Judge Eran Marie Bermudez to the Court of Appeal. Gonzalez is registered without party preference. The compensation for this position is $244,727.
Katherine Lucero, of Yolo County, has been appointed to serve as a Judge in the Yolo County Superior Court. Lucero has served as the Director for the Office of Youth and Community Restoration for the California Department of Health and Human Services Agency since 2022. She served as a Judge at the Santa Clara County Superior Court from 2001 to 2022, where she also served as a Commissioner from 2000 to 2001. She served as a Deputy District Attorney at the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office from 1991 to 2000. Lucero received a Juris Doctor degree from Syracuse University College of Law. She fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Timothy L. Fall. Lucero is a Democrat.The compensation for this position is $244,727.
William Shafroth, of Santa Barbara, has been appointed to the California State Coastal Conservancy. Shafroth was President and Chief Executive Officer at the National Park Foundation from 2015 to 2025. He was Founder and Principal at Red Sheep Consulting LLC from 2013 to 2015. Shafroth held multiple positions at the Department of the Interior from 2009 to 2013, including Counselor for Secretary Ken Salazar for America’s Great Outdoors and Principal Deputy Assistant for Fish and Wildlife and Parks. He was Founder and Executive Director at Colorado Conservation Trust from 2000 to 2007. Shafroth was Founding Executive Director at Great Outdoors Colorado Trust Fund from 1994 to 2000. He was Assistant Secretary for Land and Coastal Resources at the California Resources Agency from 1991 to 1994. Shafroth was Western Regional Director at American Farmland Trust from 1982 to 1990. He was Farmland Analyst at the California Department of Conservation from 1981 to 1982. Shafroth is a board member of Under Canvas Inc. He earned a Master of Public Administration degree from Harvard University and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and Environmental Studies from the University of California, Santa Barbara. This position does not require Senate confirmation, and the compensation is $100 per diem. Shafroth is a Democrat.