Full Biography for Douglas E. Swager

Candidate for
Justice, California State Court of Appeal; District 1 Division 1

Associate Justice, First Appellate District, Division One

BAR ADMISSION: Admitted to California Bar in January 1970

EDUCATION: J.D. (1969) University of California, Hastings College of Law; B.S. (1966) (Business Administration), University of California, Berkeley; (1996) National Judicial College, Reno, Nevada; (1986) California Judges'College.

PROFESSIONAL LEGAL BACKGROUND: Deputy District Attorney, Contra Costa County, 1970-1973 (Prosecuted felony and misdemeanor cases); Private law Practice, Watson & Hoffe, 1973-1981 (associate 1973-1976,partner 1976-1981); Whiting, Rubenstein, Swager and Levy, 1981-1985(partner)(Represented clients in civil matters with an emphasis in real estatelaw).

JUDICIAL BACKGROUND: (1995-present) Associate Justice, Court of Appeal, First Appellate District, Division One, Nominated September 29,1995, Confirmed by the Commission on Judicial Appointments October 24,1995; (1987-1995) Judge of the Superior Court, Contra Costa County. Presided in a general trial department 1987-1992, trying civil and criminal cases of all types including capital cases. Presiding Judge of the Court 1993 and 1994 responsible for the overall administration of the court including judicial and case assignments. Criminal calendar judge 1995; (1985-1987) Judge of the Municipal Court, Contra Costa County, Bay Judicial District. Responsible for civil and criminal jury and court trials, preliminary hearings, small claims and arraignments.

PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES/ASSOCIATIONS/AFFILIATIONS: California Judges Association; member of Appellate Judges Committee; Chair of the first District Court of Appeals computer committee; member of the court clerk committee; member of the Judicial Center Library Governing Committee; State Trial Court Budget Commission (1995); State Bar of California; Contra Costa County Bar Association; Alameda Contra Costa Trial Lawyers Association; Italian American Bar Association; American Inns of Court, Contra Costa County.

PROFESSIONAL TEACHING/EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES: University of California, Hastings College of Law David E. Snodgrass moot court competition and Phillip C. Jessup International Law moot court competition; Golden Gate University Appellate Advocacy moot court competition; Consultant California Judges Benchguides, Probation Revocation.

COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES: Board of Directors, West Contra Costa YMCA (1973-present) (Chief Volunteer Officer 1991-1992); Board of Directors, YMCA of the East Bay (1992-1993.