Announcements regarding key staffing changes of importance to California's rural counties.
Stephen Lau, of Placer County, has been appointed to serve as a Judge in the Sacramento County Superior Court. Lau has served as General Counsel at the Sacramento County Employees' Retirement System since 2019. He served as Assistant General Counsel at the California Department of Business Oversight from 2014 to 2019. Lau held several roles at Mennemeier Glassman & Stroud LLP from 2003 to 2014, including Partner, Of Counsel and Associate. He served as a Law Clerk for the Honorable William B. Shubb at the U.S. District Court, Eastern District of California from 2002 to 2003. Lau earned a Juris Doctor degree from the University of California, Davis School of Law. He fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Russell L. Hom. Lau is a Democrat. The compensation for this position is $229,125.
Oscar Pardo, of Sonoma County, has been appointed to serve in an interim appointment as a Judge in the Sonoma County Superior Court. Pardo has been an Associate at Perry, Johnson, Anderson, Miller & Moskowitz LLP since 2008. He was an Associate at Brayton Purcell LLP from 2007 to 2008. Pardo earned a Juris Doctor degree from the University of California, Los Angeles School of Law. He fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Gary Nadler. The Governor’s appointment allows him to immediately assume the position he was otherwise elected to begin in January 2023. Pardo is a Democrat. The compensation for this position is $229,125.