SACRAMENTO /California Newswire/ — Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today announced the appointments of Jose R. Benavides and Susan M. Gill to judgeships in the Kern County Superior Court. Benavides, 53, of Bakersfield, has been a sole practitioner since 1997. Prior to that, he was an associate with Klein, Wegis from 1993 to 1996, partner with Vallejo and Benavides from 1990 to 1992, and associate with the Law Offices of Ned Good from 1988 to 1990.
Benavides was an associate for Hawkins, Schnabel and Lindahl from 1986 to 1988 and Irell and Manella from 1984 to 1986. He earned a Juris Doctorate degree and a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of California, Los Angeles. Benavides fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Charles B. Pfister. Benavides is a Democrat.
Gill, 51, of Bakersfield, has served as a deputy county counsel for the Kern County Counsel’s Office since 1989. Prior to that, she was an associate then partner for Gill and Gill from 1983 to 1989. Gill earned a Juris Doctorate degree from Loyola Law School and a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Southern California. She fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Arthur E. Wallace. Gill is a Republican.
The compensation for each position is $178,789.
