Candidate for
Judge, Superior Court; County of Marin; Office 2

Learn more about Bernie Meyers at http://berniemeyers4judge.com/

INTRODUCTION

My legal and civic experience, combined with my judicial temperament and values, make me the most qualified candidate to serve the best interests of Marin residents on the Superior Court. I have been a lawyer for 33 years. My experience and reputation as Mayor and City Council member in Novato demonstrate that I read the material presented to me, listen to the testimony and arguments, ask cogent questions, apply the relevant law, and make reasoned decisions.

No other candidate has this combination of legal experience, diverse civic experience, and reputation.

EDUCATION AND LEGAL EXPERIENCE

I hold a JD from the University of California, Berkeley (Boalt Hall) as well as an MS in physics from the University of Michigan. I joined the Bar in 1970, and served more than 15 years with the US Department of Justice, Antitrust Division. I handled both civil and criminal proceedings, and conducted federal grand jury investigations. I received a Meritorious Award from Attorney General Bell.

In 1986 I became Senior Counsel in litigation for First Interstate Bank of California, personally handling dozens of cases in state courts throughout Northern California. I have been in private civil practice since 1996.

COMMITTED TO PUBLIC SERVICE

My civic duties include service as a Novato Planning Commissioner (1987-1989). I was elected to the Novato City Council in 1991, and served as Mayor in 1995. I helped shepherd Hamilton Air Force Base from an abandoned facility into a thriving community with residential and commercial components, including affordable housing. In 2001 I assisted a successful referendum which overturned a large development project at Bahia, saving hundreds of acres of wetlands and rare oak forest. I was again elected to the City Council in November 2001, and helped to have public and private agencies purchase the Bahia property for use as open space. I am currently the Mayor Pro Tem.

I am the author of the proposed Novato campaign finance reform ordinance, which should serve as a model for other jurisdictions. I also served on the Board of the Marin Conservation League and was a trustee of the County Law Library. I am endorsed by the vast majority of the civic leaders of Novato, as well as others throughout the County, by the Novato Police Managers Association, and by a diverse group of people who might not concur on many other issues, but agree on Bernie Meyers for the Marin bench.

COMMITTED TO JUSTICE AND EDUCATION

For many years I have served as a Judge Pro Tem, handling settlements, arbitrations, small claims appeals, and mediations in the counties of Contra Costa, Marin, Sacramento and San Francisco. I taught Antitrust Law as an Adjunct Professor at Hastings in 2000 and 2001.

I have a teaching credential and taught in San Quentin while attending the University of California. In the last few years I have served as a substitute teacher teaching math, history and science at various Marin schools, including the Marin County Juvenile Hall, and have worked with developmentally disabled students at the high school and junior college level.

PERSONAL BACKGROUND

My wife Barbara and I have been married for 32 years, and have raised our three daughters in Marin.

MY COMMITTMENT TO YOU

I will bring to the Marin bench the independence, integrity, and passion for ethical and fair treatment that I have exhibited throughout my professional, private and civic life. I will work to encourage the bench and bar to strengthen ties to the community and work with our schools to build citizen awareness of our legal system. I will support alternatives to incarceration for appropriate nonviolent offenders.

I ask for your support so that I may bring my experience and commitment to the Marin County Superior Court.