Associate Justice Patricia Bamattre-Manoukian
Justice Patricia Bamattre-Manoukian is a graduate of the University of California at Los Angeles, where she received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and Psychology in 1972. She received her Juris Doctor degree in 1977 from Loyola Law School in Los Angeles. Justice Bamattre-Manoukian also attended the University of Southern California, where she received her M.P.A. in Public Administration in 1974 and her Ph.D. in 1989 in Public Administration with a specialization in the Administration of Justice. Justice Bamattre-Manoukian was admitted to the California Bar in December 1977.
From 1977 to 1983, Justice Bamattre-Manoukian was employed as a Deputy District Attorney in the Orange County District Attorney's Office. Her assignments included writs and appeals, juvenile cases, sex offenses, child abuse cases, misdemeanor and felony prosecutions, and career criminal and homicide prosecutions. While attending graduate school and law school, Justice Bamattre-Manoukian was employed as an administrative assistant at the University of Southern California in the Graduate School of Public Administration, where she worked in educational administration.
In October 1983, Governor George Deukmejian appointed her to the Orange County Municipal Court where she presided over criminal and civil cases. In 1985, Justice Bamattre-Manoukian relocated to Northern California to join her husband, who was practicing law in Santa Clara County. Governor George Deukmejian appointed her to the Santa Clara County Municipal Court and elevated her to the Santa Clara County Superior Court in March 1988. In 1989, she served as the Family Law Supervising Judge.
In October 1989, Justice Bamattre-Manoukian was appointed to the Sixth District Court of Appeal by Governor George Deukmejian. The voters of the State of California elected her to full terms in 1990 and 2002. Justice Bamattre-Manoukian served as the Acting Administrative Presiding Justice from September 2001 to January 2003.
Justice Bamattre-Manoukian is deeply involved in judicial administration, judicial and law-related education, and community outreach programs. She was appointed by the Chief Justice to the California Judicial Council, a statewide body charged with improving the administration of justice in California, and served as a member from 1990 to 1993. She is the past chair of the Probation Services Task Force, which was charged with the responsibility of assessing all aspects of probation and formulating findings and recommendations. Justice Bamattre-Manoukian has chaired the Appellate Court Security Committee since 1993. She is the current chair of the Appellate Justices Education Committee. She served as a member of the Judicial Council Appellate Advisory Committee from 1996 to 2000. In 1996, she served on the Blue Ribbon Commission on Jury System Improvement, which was charged with the responsibility of making recommendations to improve the jury system in California. She served on the Administrative Presiding Justices Advisory Committee from 2001 to 2003. She currently serves on the Family and Juvenile Law Advisory Committee. Justice Bamattre-Manoukian has also served on other Judicial Council subcommittees and advisory committees. In 2005, she received the Jurist of the Year Award from the Judicial Council.
From 1994 to 1997, Justice Bamattre-Manoukian served on the Governing Committee of the California Center for Judicial Education and Research (CJER). In 1997, she served as its Chair. She taught Advanced Criminal Procedure Before Trial from 1987 to 1990 at the California Judicial College. She also taught Judicial Leadership in 1991 and served as a seminar leader in 1986 at the California Judicial College.
Justice Bamattre-Manoukian is a member of the California Judges Association and served on its Education, Planning and Coordinating Committee. She served as its Chair in 1993. In 1995, she received the California Judges Association Bernard E. Jefferson Education Award.
In 1985, Justice Bamattre-Manoukian was selected as Judge of the Year by the Orange County Narcotics Officers Association. She received the Henry Reining Award in Public Administration from the University of Southern California. In 1992, she was selected as the recipient of the St. Thomas More Award. She is on the Board of Directors of the St. Thomas More Society and currently serves as its president.
Justice Bamattre-Manoukian is also involved in legal education programs in the community and in local schools. From 1980 to 1983, she taught in the Orange County Shortstop Juvenile Justice Diversion Program. She has been a teacher and lecturer at local high schools, colleges, law schools, and bar association seminars. She has judged moot court competitions at the high school level and at Santa Clara University Law School and Monterey College of Law (Heisler Moot Court Competition). She taught Trial Techniques at Santa Clara University Law School from 1985 to 1988 and has taught at the Stanford Law School Trial Skills Workshop. Justice Bamattre-Manoukian has a California Community College Instructor Credential in Public Services and Administration. She also lectures on appellate and writ practice.
Justice Bamattre-Manoukian enjoys teaching, working with and mentoring lawyers and law students. She is a member of the William A. Ingram Inn of the American Inns of Court and currently serves as its President Elect. She co-chaired the Santa Clara County Bar Association Appellate Courts Committee from 2004-2005 and she supervises law student externs. She also participates in other community and school activities.
The Sixth District Court of Appeal is actively involved in community education and outreach. In 2003, the Supreme Court conducted a Special Oral Argument Session in San Jose. Justice Bamattre-Manoukian served as Chair of the Planning Committee for this event and has participated in other outreach programs that have included oral argument sessions at Santa Clara University Law School, in Santa Cruz County, and in Monterey County.
Justice Bamattre-Manoukian and her husband Pete have three sons.
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