Supreme Court of California Justia
New California Chief Justice Cantil-Sakauye Takes Office Today

Press Release
1/3/2011

San Francisco—Chief Justice Tani Cantil-Sakauye took office today as
the 28th Chief Justice of California. She is the first Asian-American and second woman to hold the office in state history.

“Since being nominated for this position last July, I have been humbled
and honored at every step in the process,” she stated. “I now embrace my duties as Chief Justice without reservation. I will honor those who have come before me, and the many others who have expressed high
confidence in me, by not only fulfilling the expectations of this office but doing my best to exceed them.”

Chief Justice Cantil-Sakauye has served as a judge of California trial and appellate courts for the past 20 years. In 1990, Governor George
Deukmejian appointed her to the Sacramento Municipal Court and in
1997, Governor Pete Wilson elevated her to the Superior Court of
Sacramento County. In 2005, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger
nominated her to the Court of Appeal, Third Appellate District, and last
July, he nominated her to the highest office in the state judicial branch—Chief Justice of California, succeeding Chief Justice Ronald M. George. The Commission on Judicial Appointments unanimously confirmed her nomination last August, and in November, she was confirmed by
California voters in a statewide general election.

Among the Chief Justice’s first duties will be swearing into office
Governor Edmund G. Brown, Jr. in ceremonies today in Sacramento. She
also will administer the oath of office to Attorney General Kamala Harris, Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones, and Associate Justice Andrea Hoch, of the Court of Appeal, Third Appellate District.