History / Courts

U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California

75 judges have served since Dec 26, 1850. Now: Benjamin Jerome Cheeks DAndrew George Schopler DJames Edward Simmons, Jr. DRobert Steven Huie DRuth Bermudez Montenegro DJinsook Ohta DLinda Lopez DTodd Wallace Robinson RCynthia Ann Bashant DCathy Ann Bencivengo DJanis Lynn Sammartino RDana Makoto Sabraw R.

Judges
75
45 D · 28 R · 1 W · 1 N(
Longest tenure
29 years
Leon Rene Yankwich
Current
21 months
Benjamin Jerome Cheeks, since Jan 9, 2025
history/court/district-court-for-the-southern-district-of-californiaEvery holder, newest first
+75
186018801900192019401960198020002020James McHall Jones · 1850-12-26 – 1851-12-15 · WhigOgden Hoffman, Jr. · 1852-08-31 – 1854-01-18 · None (assignment)Isaac Stockton Keith Ogier · 1854-01-23 – 1861-05-21 · DemocratFletcher Mathews Haight · 1861-08-05 – 1866-02-23 · RepublicanErskine Mayo Ross · 1887-01-13 – 1895-03-05 · DemocratBenjamin Franklin Bledsoe · 1914-10-16 – 1925-03-24 · DemocratEdward J. Henning · 1925-12-15 – 1929-12-31 · RepublicanGeorge Cosgrave · 1930-04-08 – 1940-08-31 · RepublicanJames Francis Thaddeus O'Connor · 1940-09-27 – 1949-09-28 · DemocratHarry Clay Westover · 1949-10-18 – 1965-12-31 · DemocratA. Andrew Hauk · 1966-06-29 – 1966-09-18 · DemocratEdward Joseph Schwartz · 1968-03-28 – 1982-03-26 · DemocratJ. Lawrence Irving · 1982-07-28 – 1990-12-31 · RepublicanMarilyn L. Huff · 1991-05-14 – 2016-09-30 · RepublicanTodd Wallace Robinson · 2020-09-18 – present · RepublicanOlin Wellborn · 1895-03-01 – 1915-01-31 · DemocratOscar A. Trippet · 1915-03-03 – 1923-07-15 · DemocratPaul John McCormick · 1924-02-11 – 1951-09-01 · RepublicanErnest Allen Tolin · 1952-06-11 – 1961-06-11 · DemocratAlbert Lee Stephens, Jr. · 1961-09-18 – 1966-09-18 · DemocratHoward Boyd Turrentine · 1970-04-24 – 1984-01-22 · RepublicanRudi M. Brewster · 1984-06-15 – 1998-07-01 · RepublicanThomas J. Whelan · 1998-10-22 – 2010-08-15 · DemocratAnthony Joseph Battaglia · 2011-03-09 – 2021-03-31 · DemocratLinda Lopez · 2021-12-21 – present · DemocratWilliam P. James · 1923-03-03 – 1940-07-28 · RepublicanPeirson Mitchell Hall · 1942-07-03 – 1966-09-18 · DemocratJohn Clifford Wallace · 1970-10-16 – 1972-07-14 · RepublicanJudith Nelsen Keep · 1980-06-30 – 2004-09-14 · DemocratJanis Lynn Sammartino · 2007-09-21 – present · RepublicanHarry Aaron Hollzer · 1931-03-03 – 1946-01-14 · RepublicanJacob Weinberger · 1946-02-21 – 1958-11-01 · DemocratFred Kunzel · 1959-09-10 – 1969-11-19 · RepublicanGordon Thompson, Jr. · 1970-10-16 – 1994-12-28 · RepublicanBarry Ted Moskowitz · 1995-12-26 – 2019-01-23 · DemocratJinsook Ohta · 2021-12-27 – present · DemocratAlbert Lee Stephens, Sr. · 1935-08-24 – 1937-06-21 · DemocratRalph E. Jenney · 1937-07-03 – 1945-07-13 · DemocratWilliam Carey Mathes · 1945-10-17 – 1965-06-09 · DemocratIrving Hill · 1965-06-10 – 1966-09-18 · DemocratLeland Chris Nielsen · 1971-05-20 – 1985-06-14 · RepublicanJohn Skylstead Rhoades, Sr. · 1985-10-28 – 1995-11-04 · RepublicanJeffrey T. Miller · 1997-05-27 – 2010-06-06 · DemocratCathy Ann Bencivengo · 2012-02-10 – present · DemocratLeon Rene Yankwich · 1935-08-24 – 1964-04-28 · DemocratFrancis C. Whelan · 1964-09-15 – 1966-09-18 · DemocratWilliam Benner Enright · 1972-06-30 – 1990-07-12 · RepublicanIrma Elsa Gonzalez · 1992-08-12 – 2013-03-29 · RepublicanCynthia Ann Bashant · 2014-05-08 – present · DemocratCampbell Eben Beaumont · 1939-08-05 – 1954-11-19 · DemocratGilbert H. Jertberg · 1955-03-16 – 1958-09-01 · RepublicanMyron Donovan Crocker · 1959-09-21 – 1966-09-18 · RepublicanEarl Ben Gilliam · 1980-08-20 – 1993-04-02 · DemocratNapoleon A. Jones, Jr. · 1994-09-15 – 2007-09-19 · DemocratMichael M. Anello · 2008-10-10 – 2018-10-31 · RepublicanRuth Bermudez Montenegro · 2022-03-30 – present · DemocratBenjamin Harrison · 1940-06-26 – 1960-08-13 · DemocratCharles Hardy Carr · 1962-08-14 – 1966-09-18 · DemocratM. James Lorenz · 1999-10-05 – 2009-10-25 · DemocratGonzalo Paul Curiel · 2012-10-01 – 2023-09-07 · DemocratBenjamin Jerome Cheeks · 2025-01-09 – present · DemocratJames Marshall Carter · 1949-10-18 – 1967-12-01 · DemocratLarry Alan Burns · 2003-09-25 – 2021-01-22 · RepublicanRobert Steven Huie · 2022-06-14 – present · DemocratWilliam Matthew Byrne, Sr. · 1950-12-21 – 1966-06-30 · DemocratWilliam Percival Gray · 1966-07-02 – 1966-09-18 · DemocratDana Makoto Sabraw · 2003-09-26 – present · RepublicanThurmond Clarke · 1955-08-03 – 1966-09-18 · RepublicanWilliam Q. Hayes · 2003-10-06 – 2021-08-01 · RepublicanAndrew George Schopler · 2023-03-10 – present · DemocratJesse William Curtis, Jr. · 1962-08-27 – 1966-09-18 · DemocratJohn A. Houston · 2003-10-07 – 2018-02-06 · RepublicanJames Edward Simmons, Jr. · 2023-03-10 – present · DemocratElisha Avery Crary · 1962-08-28 – 1966-09-18 · DemocratRoger T. Benitez · 2004-06-21 – 2017-12-31 · Republican
Benjamin Jerome Cheeks D
Jan 9, 2025 – present · 21 months · appointed by Joseph R. Biden · confirmed 49–47
Andrew George Schopler D
Mar 10, 2023 – present · 3.6 years · appointed by Joseph R. Biden · confirmed 56–39
James Edward Simmons, Jr. D
Mar 10, 2023 – present · 3.6 years · appointed by Joseph R. Biden · confirmed 51–43
Robert Steven Huie D
Jun 14, 2022 – present · 4.3 years · appointed by Joseph R. Biden · confirmed 51–46
Ruth Bermudez Montenegro D
Mar 30, 2022 – present · 4.5 years · appointed by Joseph R. Biden · confirmed 55–41
Jinsook Ohta D
Dec 27, 2021 – present · 4.8 years · appointed by Joseph R. Biden · confirmed 47–24
Linda Lopez D
Dec 21, 2021 – present · 4.8 years · appointed by Joseph R. Biden · confirmed 48–25
Todd Wallace Robinson R
Sep 18, 2020 – present · 6.1 years · appointed by Donald J. Trump · confirmed 86–10
Cynthia Ann Bashant D
May 8, 2014 – present · 12 years · appointed by Barack Obama · confirmed 94–0
Gonzalo Paul Curiel D
Oct 1, 2012 – Sep 7, 2023 · 11 years · appointed by Barack Obama · senior status Sep 7, 2023
Cathy Ann Bencivengo D
Feb 10, 2012 – present · 15 years · appointed by Barack Obama · confirmed 90–6
Anthony Joseph Battaglia D
Mar 9, 2011 – Mar 31, 2021 · 10 years · appointed by Barack Obama · senior status Mar 31, 2021 · confirmed 89–0
Michael M. Anello R
Oct 10, 2008 – Oct 31, 2018 · 10 years · appointed by George W. Bush · senior status Oct 31, 2018
Janis Lynn Sammartino R
Sep 21, 2007 – present · 19 years · appointed by George W. Bush · confirmed 90–0
Roger T. Benitez R
Jun 21, 2004 – Dec 31, 2017 · 14 years · appointed by George W. Bush · senior status Dec 31, 2017 · confirmed 98–1
John A. Houston R
Oct 7, 2003 – Feb 6, 2018 · 14 years · appointed by George W. Bush · senior status Feb 6, 2018
William Q. Hayes R
Oct 6, 2003 – Aug 1, 2021 · 18 years · appointed by George W. Bush · senior status Aug 1, 2021 · confirmed 98–0
Dana Makoto Sabraw R
Sep 26, 2003 – present · 23 years · appointed by George W. Bush · confirmed 95–0
Larry Alan Burns R
Sep 25, 2003 – Jan 22, 2021 · 17 years · appointed by George W. Bush · senior status Jan 22, 2021 · confirmed 91–0
M. James Lorenz D
Oct 5, 1999 – Oct 25, 2009 · 10 years · appointed by William J. Clinton · senior status Oct 25, 2009
Thomas J. Whelan D
Oct 22, 1998 – Aug 15, 2010 · 12 years · appointed by William J. Clinton · senior status Aug 15, 2010
Jeffrey T. Miller D
May 27, 1997 – Jun 6, 2010 · 13 years · appointed by William J. Clinton · senior status Jun 6, 2010
Barry Ted Moskowitz D
Dec 26, 1995 – Jan 23, 2019 · 23 years · appointed by William J. Clinton · senior status Jan 23, 2019
Napoleon A. Jones, Jr. D
Sep 15, 1994 – Sep 19, 2007 · 13 years · appointed by William J. Clinton · senior status Sep 19, 2007
Irma Elsa Gonzalez R
Aug 12, 1992 – Mar 29, 2013 · 21 years · appointed by George H.W. Bush · senior status Mar 29, 2013
Marilyn L. Huff R
May 14, 1991 – Sep 30, 2016 · 25 years · appointed by George H.W. Bush · senior status Sep 30, 2016
John Skylstead Rhoades, Sr. R
Oct 28, 1985 – Nov 4, 1995 · 10 years · appointed by Ronald Reagan · senior status Nov 4, 1995
Rudi M. Brewster R
Jun 15, 1984 – Jul 1, 1998 · 14 years · appointed by Ronald Reagan · senior status Jul 1, 1998
J. Lawrence Irving R
Jul 28, 1982 – Dec 31, 1990 · 8.4 years · appointed by Ronald Reagan
Earl Ben Gilliam D
Aug 20, 1980 – Apr 2, 1993 · 13 years · appointed by Jimmy Carter · senior status Apr 2, 1993
Judith Nelsen Keep D
Jun 30, 1980 – Sep 14, 2004 · 24 years · appointed by Jimmy Carter
William Benner Enright R
Jun 30, 1972 – Jul 12, 1990 · 18 years · appointed by Richard M. Nixon · senior status Jul 12, 1990
Leland Chris Nielsen R
May 20, 1971 – Jun 14, 1985 · 14 years · appointed by Richard M. Nixon · senior status Jun 14, 1985
John Clifford Wallace R
Oct 16, 1970 – Jul 14, 1972 · 21 months · appointed by Richard M. Nixon
Gordon Thompson, Jr. R
Oct 16, 1970 – Dec 28, 1994 · 24 years · appointed by Richard M. Nixon · senior status Dec 28, 1994
Howard Boyd Turrentine R
Apr 24, 1970 – Jan 22, 1984 · 14 years · appointed by Richard M. Nixon · senior status Jan 22, 1984
Edward Joseph Schwartz D
Mar 28, 1968 – Mar 26, 1982 · 14 years · appointed by Lyndon B. Johnson · senior status Mar 26, 1982
William Percival Gray D
Jul 2, 1966 – Sep 18, 1966 · 3 months · appointed by Lyndon B. Johnson
A. Andrew Hauk D
Jun 29, 1966 – Sep 18, 1966 · 3 months · appointed by Lyndon B. Johnson
Irving Hill D
Jun 10, 1965 – Sep 18, 1966 · 15 months · appointed by Lyndon B. Johnson
Francis C. Whelan D
Sep 15, 1964 – Sep 18, 1966 · 2 years · appointed by Lyndon B. Johnson
Elisha Avery Crary D
Aug 28, 1962 – Sep 18, 1966 · 4.1 years · appointed by John F. Kennedy
Jesse William Curtis, Jr. D
Aug 27, 1962 – Sep 18, 1966 · 4.1 years · appointed by John F. Kennedy
Charles Hardy Carr D
Aug 14, 1962 – Sep 18, 1966 · 4.1 years · appointed by John F. Kennedy
Albert Lee Stephens, Jr. D
Sep 18, 1961 – Sep 18, 1966 · 5 years · appointed by John F. Kennedy
Myron Donovan Crocker R
Sep 21, 1959 – Sep 18, 1966 · 7 years · appointed by Dwight D. Eisenhower
Fred Kunzel R
Sep 10, 1959 – Nov 19, 1969 · 10 years · appointed by Dwight D. Eisenhower
Thurmond Clarke R
Aug 3, 1955 – Sep 18, 1966 · 11 years · appointed by Dwight D. Eisenhower
Gilbert H. Jertberg R
Mar 16, 1955 – Sep 1, 1958 · 3.5 years · appointed by Dwight D. Eisenhower
Ernest Allen Tolin D
Jun 11, 1952 – Jun 11, 1961 · 9 years · appointed by Harry S Truman
William Matthew Byrne, Sr. D
Dec 21, 1950 – Jun 30, 1966 · 16 years · appointed by Harry S Truman · senior status Jun 30, 1966
Harry Clay Westover D
Oct 18, 1949 – Dec 31, 1965 · 16 years · appointed by Harry S Truman · senior status Dec 31, 1965
James Marshall Carter D
Oct 18, 1949 – Dec 1, 1967 · 18 years · appointed by Harry S Truman
Jacob Weinberger D
Feb 21, 1946 – Nov 1, 1958 · 13 years · appointed by Harry S Truman · senior status Nov 1, 1958
William Carey Mathes D
Oct 17, 1945 – Jun 9, 1965 · 20 years · appointed by Harry S Truman · senior status Jun 9, 1965
Peirson Mitchell Hall D
Jul 3, 1942 – Sep 18, 1966 · 24 years · appointed by Franklin D. Roosevelt
James Francis Thaddeus O'Connor D
Sep 27, 1940 – Sep 28, 1949 · 9 years · appointed by Franklin D. Roosevelt
Benjamin Harrison D
Jun 26, 1940 – Aug 13, 1960 · 20 years · appointed by Franklin D. Roosevelt
Campbell Eben Beaumont D
Aug 5, 1939 – Nov 19, 1954 · 15 years · appointed by Franklin D. Roosevelt
Ralph E. Jenney D
Jul 3, 1937 – Jul 13, 1945 · 8 years · appointed by Franklin D. Roosevelt
Albert Lee Stephens, Sr. D
Aug 24, 1935 – Jun 21, 1937 · 22 months · appointed by Franklin D. Roosevelt
Leon Rene Yankwich D
Aug 24, 1935 – Apr 28, 1964 · 29 years · appointed by Franklin D. Roosevelt · senior status Apr 28, 1964
Harry Aaron Hollzer R
Mar 3, 1931 – Jan 14, 1946 · 15 years · appointed by Herbert Hoover
George Cosgrave R
Apr 8, 1930 – Aug 31, 1940 · 10 years · appointed by Herbert Hoover · senior status Aug 31, 1940
Edward J. Henning R
Dec 15, 1925 – Dec 31, 1929 · 4 years · appointed by Calvin Coolidge
Paul John McCormick R
Feb 11, 1924 – Sep 1, 1951 · 28 years · appointed by Calvin Coolidge · senior status Sep 1, 1951
William P. James R
Mar 3, 1923 – Jul 28, 1940 · 17 years · appointed by Warren G. Harding
Oscar A. Trippet D
Mar 3, 1915 – Jul 15, 1923 · 8.4 years · appointed by Woodrow Wilson
Benjamin Franklin Bledsoe D
Oct 16, 1914 – Mar 24, 1925 · 10 years · appointed by Woodrow Wilson
Olin Wellborn D
Mar 1, 1895 – Jan 31, 1915 · 20 years · appointed by Grover Cleveland
Erskine Mayo Ross D
Jan 13, 1887 – Mar 5, 1895 · 8.1 years · appointed by Grover Cleveland
Fletcher Mathews Haight R
Aug 5, 1861 – Feb 23, 1866 · 4.6 years · appointed by Abraham Lincoln
Isaac Stockton Keith Ogier D
Jan 23, 1854 – May 21, 1861 · 7.3 years · appointed by Franklin Pierce
Ogden Hoffman, Jr. N(
Aug 31, 1852 – Jan 18, 1854 · 17 months · appointed by None (assignment)
James McHall Jones W
Dec 26, 1850 – Dec 15, 1851 · 12 months · appointed by Millard Fillmore

Dates are from the Federal Judicial Center (commission to senior status or departure). Consecutive terms of one person are merged.