Judicial Races
Voters rarely know what to do when they encounter judicial races on their ballot, which is why most of the judges we elect are former prosecutors or former corporate lawyers. As a result, justice is meted out by individuals who come to the bench with a set of prejudices that favor the powerful over the powerless. That’s why ADA is again supporting three public defenders running on the Defenders of justice slate.
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ADA SoCal Endorses Tal Valbuena for Judicial Seat 2 Why I am runningI’m running for Judge to help protect the system that gave me refuge 25 years ago. I came to this country alone with $200 and hope. I started as a dishwasher and built a life from the ground up. As I came to appreciate how beautiful this country is, I also saw its flaws — especially racial injustice and prejudice. Serving as a juror changed my life. I witnessed a Black man targeted because of his race and charged with murder. That experience led me to the law — to fight injustice and to help ensure innocent people are never wrongfully prosecuted. Today, I serve as a Deputy District Attorney in Mental Health Court, where I have tried over 100 cases to verdict. My work sits at the intersection of LA's most urgent challenges: mental illness, substance abuse, homelessness, and public safety. Outside the courtroom, I serve as a County LGBTQ Commissioner, amplifying the voices of marginalized communities. And as an adjunct professor, I teach law to ESL students from immigrant backgrounds. I’m running for Judge because too many people no longer believe equal justice exists in our courts — in part because the judiciary does not always reflect the communities it serves. As an immigrant who learned English and worked two jobs putting myself through school, I have lived many of the struggles people bring into our courtrooms. I would bring that lived experience to the bench and be among the first openly gay people of color elected to the Los Angeles Superior Court. I am living proof of the American dream, and I ask for your support to help preserve equal justice for others. Learn more click here. Vote for Tal Valbuena for Judicial Seat 2 on June 2nd, 2026. |
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ADA SoCal Endorses Angela Christides for Judge Seat 14 For more than 20 years, I have served our community as a Deputy District Attorney. Throughout my career, I have approached every case with the same guiding principle: justice must be fair, thoughtful, and grounded in respect for people and the law. I have always fought to do what is right, including holding law enforcement accountable and ensuring the integrity of the process—even when doing so came at personal cost. That commitment has shaped who I am and how I would serve as a judge. I have worked in courthouses across the county and spent five years in the Hardcore Gang Division, prosecuting some of the most serious and violent crimes. I have handled more than 100 adjudications and trials, including over 70 jury trials to verdict, more than 25 murder trials, and two death penalty cases. These cases required calm decision-making, careful listening, and an unwavering commitment to fairness under intense pressure. At the same time, my career has shown me that accountability and compassion are not opposites—they work together. While assigned to the Long Beach Courthouse, I had the honor of running the Veterans’ Court and reviewing hundreds of requests for alternative sentencing and thousands of mental health diversion petitions. Watching veterans and other defendants regain stability, dignity, and purpose reinforced my belief that the justice system is strongest when it recognizes both responsibility and rehabilitation. I have seen firsthand how court decisions affect victims, defendants, and families alike. These experiences have taught me to approach every matter with humility, patience, and respect, understanding the profound responsibility a judge carries. Outside the courtroom, I am an avid surfer and a certified yoga instructor. I have taught surfing and yoga to underprivileged youth locally and abroad, and I have seen how confidence, discipline, and calm can change young lives. Those experiences keep me grounded and remind me why service matters. I am running for judge because public service has been my life’s work. I am committed to serving from the bench with fairness, honesty, and integrity. If elected, I would bring more than two decades of courtroom experience to the bench and would be proud to become the first female Greek American judge to serve on the court—an important milestone that reflects the diversity of the community our judiciary serves. Learn more click here.
Vote for Angela Christides for Judge seat 14 on June 2nd, 2026. |
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ADA SoCal Endorses Binh Dang for Judicial Seat 39. Binh Dang is an attorney and deputy public defender with nearly 20 years of courtroom litigation experience, including more than 100 jury trials and adjudications. Throughout his career, he has stood on the front lines of the justice system, fighting to protect the rights guaranteed to every person by the U.S. Constitution. His dedication to fairness and equal justice is deeply personal, shaped by his journey to the United States as a refugee from Vietnam. Now a candidate for Los Angeles Superior Court Judge, Seat No. 39, Binh Dang brings not only extensive trial experience, but also a lifelong commitment to treating every individual who appears before the court with dignity, respect, and compassion. Learn more click here. Vote for Binh Dang for Judicial Seat 39 on June 2nd, 2026 |
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ADA SoCal Endorses Rhonda Haymon for Judicial Seat 64.
For more than 26 years, Rhonda Haymon has dedicated her career to public service as a Criminal Defense Attorney. She began her work at the Orange County Public Defender’s Office in 2001 and continued at the Los Angeles County Public Defender’s Office in 2004, where she has represented individuals who did not have a voice, who were unfairly charged, and who sought fair and just resolutions under the law.
She has defended adults and juveniles in cases ranging from petty theft to homicide, and nearly every type of criminal case in between. Her unwavering commitment to enforcing both the spirit and the letter of the law earned her a reputation for winning cases — and the nickname “Ms. Acquittal.” When the law was not properly followed, she fought diligently and successfully secured reversals in the Appellate Court. Rhonda is a member in good standing with the State Bar of California. The State Bar of California has never taken any disciplinary action against her. Vote for Rhonda Haymon for Judicial Seat 64 on June 2nd, 2026 for more info click here
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ADA SoCal Endorses Anna Slotkey Reytano for Judicial Seat 65. I didn’t take a traditional path to the courtroom. As a young adult, I worked as an actor—an experience that ultimately became my path to college and law school. It taught me resilience, confidence, and how to connect with people from all walks of life. I began my legal career working alongside prosecutors, then moved into criminal defense, where I spent over a decade as a Los Angeles County Public Defender. I handled everything from juvenile cases to serious felony trials, standing beside people at the most difficult moments of their lives. Today, I serve as a Deputy County Counsel in the Justice and Safety Division, working on complex legal issues that shape policy and public safety in Los Angeles County. I ran for judge in 2022 while pregnant. Now, I’m running again as a mother—because I know firsthand that the decisions judges make affect families, futures, and entire communities. Learn more click here. Vote for Anna Slotkey Reytano for Judicial Seat 65 on June 2nd, 2026 |
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ADA SoCal Endorses Ben Forer for Judicial Seat 66. My judicial philosophy centers on the rule of law, applied with humanity, patience, and a deep respect for constitutional rights and privacy. I am known as a thoughtful decision‑maker who looks beyond the charge to the people and circumstances involved, regularly invited by defense attorneys to speak directly with their clients because they trust my fairness and ability to listen. I believe a judge must be deeply learned in the law, yet humble enough to recognize they need not be the smartest person in the room; instead, they must be impartial, open to persuasion, and willing to hear all parties fully before ruling. Everyone deserves time, dignity, and to feel genuinely heard, and I view each case as an opportunity to apply the law faithfully while never losing sight of its purpose, its limits, and its impact on real lives. Vote for Ben Forer for Judicial Seat 66 on June 2nd, 2026 for more info click here
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ADA SoCal Endorses David Walgren for Judicial Seat 87.
Judge David Walgren has served on the Los Angeles County Superior Court since 2012, following his appointment by Governor Jerry Brown. He brings to the bench more than three decades of legal experience and a lifetime rooted in Los Angeles. Born in Panorama City and raised in the San Fernando Valley, Walgren is the son of a Los Angeles County Deputy Sheriff and a mother who emphasized hard work and accountability. He worked throughout high school and college, taking on a wide range of jobs that shaped his respect for working people and the real-world impact of the justice system. He graduated Magna Cum Laude from UCLA with a degree in Political Science and earned his law degree from UC Davis School of Law. While in law school, he clerked for Superior Court Judge Paul Boland and Court of Appeal Justice Rodney Davis, gaining early experience in the courtroom that would later define his career. Walgren spent nearly 17 years as a Los Angeles County Deputy District Attorney, where he handled some of the most serious and complex cases in the county. He served in the Hardcore Gang Division and the Major Crimes Division, prosecuting violent crime and high-profile cases with discipline and precision. He was the lead prosecutor in the case against Dr. Conrad Murray in the death of Michael Jackson, securing a conviction in one of the most closely watched trials in the country. In 2012, the Los Angeles County Bar Association named him Prosecutor of the Year. That same year, after a rigorous vetting process, Governor Jerry Brown appointed him to the Superior Court. On the bench, Judge Walgren is known for being prepared, even-handed, and respectful to everyone who appears in his courtroom. He runs a disciplined courtroom where cases move, decisions are made, and the law is applied fairly and with compassion. His approach is straightforward: listen carefully, apply the law, and treat people with dignity. He is a father of two, a daughter in college, and a son adopted from Ethiopia, and lives with his family in Los Angeles County. Outside the courtroom, he remains active in sports and outdoor activities, including surfing, mountain biking, and backpacking. Judge Walgren brings experience, judgment, and integrity to the bench, along with a clear commitment to fairness, accountability, and respect for the law. Learn more click here. Vote for David Walgren for Judicial Seat 87 on June 2nd, 2026 |
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ADA SoCal Endorses Paul Thompson for Judicial Seat 116. Why I Am RunningEqual Justice for AllToday, we see too many examples of shameless bullies in positions of public trust. We can’t all take on the biggest of those bullies, but we all have a responsibility to take on the bullies within our sphere. Today, I announced that I’m running for judge and taking on a bully within my sphere. When my opponent first ran for judge, people questioned whether he had the judgment to be a judge and with good reason. Even before he was a judge, he was called out by a federal judge for illegally holding a prisoner after the judge had ordered his release. He was rated unqualified by the County Bar Association. Since he’s been a judge, he’s been punished for abusing his power over the attorneys in his courtroom and for trampling the rights of the accused. He grew up in Orange County but sits in Compton, where he was punished by the judicial commission for criticizing a jury's verdict. Imagine an Orange County boy putting down a Compton jury’s verdict. I’ve tried lots of cases in front of Compton juries, and I respect them a great deal. I have a history of taking on bullies. I’m Paul Thompson, and I successfully prosecuted Harvey Weinstein for a rape he committed in Beverly Hills, even though I knew that I’d be taking on some of the best and brightest attorneys and investigators when I did that. It was a fight that stretched out over years, but it was worth it. I hope you’ll join me in my fight to bring a better, more qualified judge to my opponent’s seat. Vote for Paul Thompson for Judicial Seat 116 on June 2nd, 2026 for more info click here
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ADA SoCal Endorses David Ross for Judicial Seat 131. After a lifetime of public service, I’m honored to announce my campaign for Superior Court Judge in Los Angeles County. For 30 years, I have served as a Deputy Public Defender in Riverside County and a Deputy Alternate Public Defender in Los Angeles County, standing beside people from all walks of life, and working daily to ensure fairness in our courts. Earlier, I spent 10 years as a television news reporter and documentary producer in Washington, D.C., Tennessee and Kansas, committed to listening carefully, getting the facts right, and explaining complex issues clearly. I also had the privilege of serving as a legislative aide for the top ranking democratic congressman from Indiana, Floyd J. Fithan, in the U.S. House of Representatives on Capitol Hill, learning how laws are made and public institutions can best serve the people. I have made public service the through-line of my career because I believe in a justice system that is grounded in respect for everyone who comes before the court. I will be a fair, independent and unbiased judge who listens to all sides. Learn more click here. Vote for David Ross for Judicial Seat 131 on June 2nd, 2026 |
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ADA SoCal Endorses Zachary Smith for Judicial Seat 176. I began my legal career representing abused and neglected children in New York City Family Court. For the past 23 years, I have worked to protect the civil rights of Los Angeles County residents by serving as a Deputy Public Defender, handling serious cases and rising to the highest level of trial attorney. My work has always been grounded in the principle that every person deserves a fair process, dignity, and equal treatment under the law. I have tried 63 jury trials and 65 bench trials, preparing me for the responsibilities of a judge. I understand the importance of a balanced approach when applying the law allows for exercising discretion. I have worked with prosecutors to address the root causes of crime through treatment, protecting public safety by helping clients move away from unlawful behavior into rewarding lives. I have also seen the importance of accountability in maintaining respect for the law. I was raised in a multiracial family of ten children, both biological and adopted through foster care, shaped by values my wife and I now teach my young daughters: integrity, service, kindness, and respect for others. Those values guide my work and the way I treat every person who enters the courtroom. I am running for Superior Court Judge because our community deserves judges who reflect its values, have wisdom from life and work experience, and uphold the rule of law with fairness and integrity. I respectfully ask for your vote so that everyone who enters my courtroom knows they will be heard, respected, and treated fairly. Zachary Smith for Judicial Seat 176 on June 2nd, 2026 for more info click here
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ADA SoCal Endorses Ryan Dibble for Judicial Seat 181.
In 2025, Ryan was selected by the judges of the Superior Court to serve as a commissioner. In that role, he is already performing the job of a judge in many respects, with many of the same responsibilities as he would have when elected as a judge. He seeks election to become a judge to increase the ways he can serve the public as a judicial officer. Every day as a Superior Court commissioner, Ryan hears and decides cases involving issues of high importance to the members of the public who enter his courtroom. He strives to be meticulous, thorough, and even-handed, and to leave the public with confidence that every person who enters has an opportunity to be heard. Ryan recognizes that while it is frequently not possible for everyone to leave a courtroom satisfied with a decision made by a judge, a judge should always seek to have everyone leave that courtroom with the sense that the process was as fair and dignified as possible. Since graduating from law school, Ryan has dedicated his entire career to public service. He earned a full academic scholarship to USC and while earning degrees in accounting and political science, he was inspired by his professors and an internship at the United States Attorney’s Office to pursue a legal education. In 2006, Ryan began his 19-year career with the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office. During that time, he prosecuted cases ranging from petty theft to murder, with assignments in Long Beach, Compton, Whittier, and downtown Los Angeles, and in several special assignments in complex litigation divisions, including the Major Narcotics Division, the Gang Homicide Division, and the Justice System Integrity Division. At the District Attorney’s Office, Ryan tried over 70 cases to juries, including gang-related murder cases, and handled hundreds of other hearings before judges of the Superior Court. He fought against the opioid crisis by prosecuting medical doctors and others who illegally prescribed addictive opioid drugs. He assisted and trained local and federal law enforcement in obtaining wiretap orders and search warrants to investigate large-scale narcotics trafficking and gang murders, and investigated and prosecuted cases involving police misconduct and excessive force. Ryan worked extensively on behalf of the most vulnerable members of our community, for whom violence and its consequences are so devastating. Ryan previously volunteered for Project LEAD through Teach Democracy, where he instructed fifth-grade classes on issues related to the criminal justice system, the law, resisting peer pressure, and bullying. He continues to volunteer in Teach Democracy’s mock trial program for middle and high school students. Ryan encourages these young students to be each other’s allies, pursue their dreams, and prioritize their families and education. Ryan is also a founding board member and director of The Little Lebowski Urban Achievers Scholarship Foundation. This non-profit scholarship fund provides financial assistance and mentorship to college-bound high school graduates of the Synergy Quantum Academy in South Los Angeles. Scholarship recipients have included many who are the first in their families to attend college. Ryan has not only worked in the courtroom but also as an instructor and speaker on numerous topics. To build upon that teaching experience, he instructs law students at the USC Gould School of Law’s online Master of Studies in Law and International LLM program as an Adjunct Lecturer in Law, and has lectured several times on prosecutorial ethics to law students at USC. Learn more click here. Vote for Ryan Dibble for Judicial Seat 181 on June 2nd, 2026 |
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ADA SoCal Endorses David Dejute for Judicial Seat 87.
David DeJute is running for Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge to ensure our courts reflect those same values, where every person is heard, every case is judged on its merits, and every ruling is grounded in reason and respect. David graduated summa cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa from the University of Notre Dame. At Harvard Law School, he graduated cum laude and served as an officer of the Legal Aid Bureau, the nation’s oldest student-run pro bono clinic, providing free legal aid to those in need. He went on to clerk for U.S. District Judge William J. Rea, a Reagan appointee known for his independence and fairness, who taught David to “call balls and strikes as you see them”. Over more than three decades in law, David has represented clients in the public and private sectors with distinction. As an Assistant United States Attorney, he represented the FBI, NASA, and even the President of the United States at the time, Barack Obama. As Vice President of Litigation at Sony Pictures, he managed complex cases and developed a deep understanding of an industry central to Los Angeles’ economy. Today, he practices at Michelman Robinson, a nationally respected firm, where he continues to advocate for fairness and mentor younger attorneys. David also teaches at Pepperdine University Caruso School of Law, where he serves as Director of the Disaster Relief Clinic, providing free legal aid to individuals harmed by floods and the Eaton and Palisade fires. For DeJute, justice is not about winning. It is about ensuring that everyone who walks into a courtroom feels that they were treated with dignity and respect, even if the outcome was not what they had hoped for. As he often says, true justice is when both sides believe they were heard and the process was fair. Vote for David Dejute for Judicial Seat 87 on June 2nd, 2026 for more info click here
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