Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has named Associate Justice Tani Cantil-Sakauye of the California Court of Appeal as his choice to replace the retiring Hon. Ronald M. George as Chief Justice of the California Supreme Court.

Governor Schwarzenegger praised Justice Cantil-Sakauye’s record in announcing the nomination:

Justice Tani Cantil-Sakauye has a distinguished history of public service and understands that the role of a justice is not to create law, but to independently and fairly interpret and administer the law.

Justice Cantil-Sakauye has served on the Third District Court of Appeal in Sacramento since 2005. Prior to joining the Court of Appeal, she was a superior court judge and earlier a municipal court judge, serving in each position for seven years. Justice Cantil-Sakauye was a deputy district attorney for Sacramento County from 1984 to 1988, before serving for two years in Governor Deukmejian’s administration.

Justice Cantil-Sakauye is a member of the California Judicial Council, where she serves as Vice Chair of the Rules and Projects Committee, chair of the Advisory Committee on Financial Accountability and Efficiency and co-chair of the Judicial Recruitment and Retention Working Group. She has served as a Special Master since 2007, appointed by the Supreme Court to conduct disciplinary proceedings before the Commission on Judicial Performance.

"It is a privilege and a tremendous honor to have the opportunity to serve as Chief Justice of the California Supreme Court," said Justice Cantil-Sakauye. “I deeply respect the inspirational and visionary work of Chief Justice Ronald George and hope to build upon it.”