Candidate for
Judge - Superior Court; County of Santa Clara; Office 7

On November 14, 2003, I announced my candidacy for Judge of the Santa Clara County Superior Court (Seat 7, presently held by retiring Judge Jerald Infantino). I am energized by the encouragement of my family, professional colleagues and many friends.

I believe I am the most qualified candidate for the job. With 23 years experience as a trial lawyer in Santa Clara County, I feel that I possess the three characteristics essential to serving as a capable and decisive judge: (1) ethics and integrity, (2) solid trial and judicial experience and (3) appropriate temperament.
During my career, I have tried a variety of cases in both state and federal courts including prosecuting and defending against personal injury cases, contracts and civil rights. I have participated in many trials most of which were jury trials. I have represented litigants in hundreds of arbitrations and mediations. I have successfully represented clients before the Sixth District Court of Appeal and the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. I believe that my deeper and broader experience clearly distinguishes me as the best and most qualified candidate for Seat 7. In the past 15 years I have been appointed hundreds of times by the Santa Clara Superior Court, to act as a judge pro tem, and judicial arbitrator, and I have been appointed to preside over small claims court. In addition, I have been retained to act as a mediator and arbitrator many times on a private basis.
Litigants, attorneys and the public expect judges to be fair and impartial and to strictly follow the Canons of Judicial Ethics. I always have and will continue to aspire to the highest standards of ethics and integrity. Those who know me have praised my highly ethical conduct and my high standards of integrity. In my practice I have represented and counseled other attorneys in matters relating to ethical considerations. I have always conducted my practice according to the Rules of Professional Responsibility. I promise to always hold fast to the highest ethical standards of judicial performance.
A judge must be patient, courteous, and temperate, even in the face of discourteous conduct by litigants and their lawyers. I will always maintain proper decorum and give both sides their "day in court." As a judge, I promise to be patient, courteous and temperate. While I will expect those that appear before me to conduct themselves accordingly, I will always make my rulings based on the law and the facts and not because of personality or behavior. I promise to always be mindful of the time commitments of others and that I will use judicial resources efficiently and wisely.
It has been my good fortune to practice law in Santa Clara County. The bench and bar of this county have traditionally enjoyed a friendly, collegial working relationship because of the dedication and competence of the lawyers that practice here and the judges that preside over the Courts here. The citizens of this County have benefited from this relationship. I promise to honor that tradition.