Michelle C. KimIncumbent

Candidate for Court of Appeal Justice, California Court of Appeal, Second Appellate District, Division 1, Seat 2

Michelle C. Kim is an Associate Justice of the California Second District Court of Appeal. She sits on Division One, in Los Angeles. She earned a B.A. in American Studies from Stanford University. She earned a J.D. from the UCLA School of Law. She began her career as a Deputy Public Defender. She worked in the Los Angeles County Public Defender's Office, from 2003 to 2005. She then served as a Deputy Alternate Public Defender. That was in the county's Alternate Public Defender's Office, from 2005 to 2018. Governor Jerry Brown appointed her to the Los Angeles County Superior Court. That was in 2018. She served there until 2024. She was an assistant supervising judge for limited-jurisdiction criminal courts. She also served as a site judge at several courthouses. She later presided over unlimited civil calendars. That was at the Spring Street Courthouse and the Stanley Mosk Courthouse, downtown. Governor Gavin Newsom nominated her to the Court of Appeal. That was on September 30, 2024. The Commission on Judicial Nominees Evaluation rated her 'exceptionally well qualified.' The Commission on Judicial Appointments unanimously confirmed her. She took the oath on November 25, 2024. She serves as vice chair of the L.A. Judicial Selection Advisory Committee. She received a 2025 Judicial Service Award. That came from the Southern California Chinese Lawyers Association. She joined the court after the last governor's election. So she now comes before voters for the first time. The November 3, 2026 ballot asks Second Appellate District voters, yes or no, whether she should be retained.

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