The Judges of Yolo Superior Court have elected Judge Samuel T. McAdam and Judge Daniel P. Maguire to serve as Presiding Judge and Assistant Presiding Judge for 2019-20. Their terms will begin January 1, 2019.
The Presiding Judge is responsible for the administration of the court in addition to his regular judicial duties in the courtroom. With the assistance of the Court Executive Officer, the Presiding Judge, or “PJ,” leads the court, establishes policies, allocates resources to promote public access to justice, promotes efficiency in court operations and service to the public. In the absence of the PJ, the Assistant Presiding Judge (“APJ”) assumes these responsibilities.
Following his election to the position of Presiding Judge, Judge McAdam said, “The upcoming year is one of change for the court. We are thankful for the dedicated service of Judges Basha, White and Gaard as they enjoy retirement. We now turn to the important work of integrating three new judges into our community and providing the support they need to serve with excellence. We look forward to the Governor’s upcoming appointments.”
Judge McAdam was appointed by Governor Schwarzenegger to the Yolo Superior Court bench in 2008. He has presided over every court calendar, including extended terms on the criminal and family calendars, and he now presides over the juvenile dependency calendar. While on the bench, Judge McAdam also taught employment law for five years at Pacific McGeorge School of Law. Prior to his appointment, he was a partner at Seyfarth Shaw LLP, specializing in employment law. Judge McAdam has earned academic degrees from Pacific McGeorge School of Law (JD), Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University (Masters) and Stanford University (BA).
Judge Maguire has been a Superior Court Judge for more than eight years. He received his Juris Doctor degree from Harvard Law School in 1992 and worked as a private practice attorney as well as a Deputy Legal Affairs Secretary under Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger until his appointment to the bench in 2010. Judge Maguire has had criminal, probate and civil assignments during his tenure, and currently presides in the family law department.
