James A. Ardaiz

Occupation: Presiding Justice, Fifth District Court of Appeal

Educational Background: University of California, Hastings College of Law. Degree: Juris Doctor, 1974. California State University, Fresno. Degree: B.A. 1970.

Professional Background: Chief Deputy District Attorney, County of Fresno 1977. Elected to Municipal Court, County of Fresno in 1980. Appointed to the Superior Court, County of Fresno 1983. Nominated to the Fifth District Court of Appeal 1987. Nominated Presiding Justice of the Fifth District Court of Appeal 1994.

Awards: Awarded California Jurist of the Year 1999 by the Judicial Council of California; 2000 Alumnus of the Year, Hastings Alumni Association, Fresno Chapter; Ralph Klepp Award for judicial Management in California on behalf of the Fifth District Court of Appeal, 1993.

Judicial Administration: Chairman, Judicial Task Force on Making the Record (2002). Chairman, California Legislative Task Force on Trial Court Employees (appointed by Chief Justice George to chair statutorily mandated task force consisting of representatives of unions, courts, counties and state) charged with the responsibility of creating a new personnel system for 18,000 California trial court employees. Drafted comprehensive legislation with unanimous approval of task force, signed by Governor Davis after unanimous passage by Legislature. (1998-2000); Chairman, Executive committee of the Judicial Council of the State of California (1996; Chairman, California Judges Association Committee on Appellate Courts (1996); Chairman, Task Force on Judicial Elections 1996 (appointed by Chief Justice George); Chairman, California Judges Association Education and Planning, 1994; Judicial Council of California by appointment of Chief Justice Lucas (1993-1996); Chairman, California Judges' Association Committee on Criminal Law and Procedure (1987); and Chairman, New Trial Judge Orientation for California Judicial Education and Research (1985).

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