Gov. Jerry Brown (Democratic), 2018

• Judge, Los Angeles County Superior Court · 2012–2018
• Chief, Criminal Appeals Section, U.S. Attorney's Office, Central District of California · 2007–2012
• Assistant U.S. Attorney, Central District of California · 1999–2012
• Investigative counsel, Office of U.S. Rep. Henry Waxman · 1997–1999
• Associate counsel, Sidley and Austin · 1994–1997
• Law clerk to Judge Nathaniel R. Jones, U.S. Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit · 1993–1994

• Montes v. Superior Court (opens in a new tab)

  Sep 21, 2026 · Petition granted

  Held defendants need not show racial bias to get prosecutors' jury selection notes after conviction.

• Nassman v. Superior Court (opens in a new tab)

  Aug 18, 2026 · Petition granted

  Held a federal pandemic law shields health providers from a suit over withholding a COVID treatment.

• People v. Brown (opens in a new tab)

  Jun 29, 2026 · Affirmed

  Upheld a sentence after finding the trial judge properly weighed the defendant's childhood trauma.

• Governor Brown Appoints 6 Court of Appeal Justices (July 20, 2018) (opens in a new tab)
•  · Profile of Michael J. Raphael, Associate Justice, Division Two (California Courts) (opens in a new tab)

Gov. Jerry Brown (Democratic), 2018

• Judge, Los Angeles County Superior Court · 2012–2018
• Chief, Criminal Appeals Section, U.S. Attorney's Office, Central District of California · 2007–2012
• Assistant U.S. Attorney, Central District of California · 1999–2012
• Investigative counsel, Office of U.S. Rep. Henry Waxman · 1997–1999
• Associate counsel, Sidley and Austin · 1994–1997
• Law clerk to Judge Nathaniel R. Jones, U.S. Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit · 1993–1994

• Montes v. Superior Court (opens in a new tab)

  Sep 21, 2026 · Petition granted

  Held defendants need not show racial bias to get prosecutors' jury selection notes after conviction.

• Nassman v. Superior Court (opens in a new tab)

  Aug 18, 2026 · Petition granted

  Held a federal pandemic law shields health providers from a suit over withholding a COVID treatment.

• People v. Brown (opens in a new tab)

  Jun 29, 2026 · Affirmed

  Upheld a sentence after finding the trial judge properly weighed the defendant's childhood trauma.

• Governor Brown Appoints 6 Court of Appeal Justices (July 20, 2018) (opens in a new tab)
•  · Profile of Michael J. Raphael, Associate Justice, Division Two (California Courts) (opens in a new tab)