Mark HanasonoIncumbent

Candidate for Court of Appeal Justice, California Court of Appeal, Second Appellate District, Division 3, Seat 1

Mark K. Hanasono is an Associate Justice of the California Court of Appeal. He sits on the Second Appellate District, Division Three. He earned his B.A. in English from UC Berkeley. He graduated summa cum laude. He was also a member of Phi Beta Kappa. He earned his J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center. He spent his pre-bench career in indigent defense. From 2000 to 2004 he was a deputy public defender. He worked in the Los Angeles County Public Defender's Office. He represented adult and juvenile clients. From 2004 to 2013 he served in the county's Alternate Public Defender's Office. Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. appointed him to the Los Angeles County Superior Court. That was on December 27, 2013. He served there for nearly twelve years. He sat in the court's Criminal Division. He has also taught at UCLA School of Law. Governor Gavin Newsom nominated him to the Court of Appeal. That was on May 7, 2025. The Commission on Judicial Nominees Evaluation rated him 'exceptionally well qualified.' The Commission on Judicial Appointments unanimously confirmed him on June 24, 2025. He took his oath the same day. He was appointed since the last governor's election. So he appears on the November 3, 2026 ballot. It is a nonpartisan yes/no retention vote, with no opposing candidate. A majority 'yes' vote retains him for the term beginning January 2027. A majority 'no' vote would open the seat for a new appointment at the end of the current term.

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