SUPERIOR COURT SELECTS ASSISTANT PRESIDING JUDGE

The Honorable J. Eric Bradshaw, Presiding Judge, announced the judges’ unanimous selection of Judge John W. Lua as the next Assistant Presiding Judge of the Superior Court of California, County of Kern. Judge Lua will assume his new duties January 1, 2024. He succeeds Colette M. Humphrey, current Assistant Presiding Judge who has completed a four-year leadership term as Assistant Presiding and Presiding Judge of the Superior Court.

“Judge Lua is a judge’s judge,” said Presiding Judge Bradshaw. “He is a brilliant jurist and a thoughtful, decent man. He has demonstrated character and remarkable ability in his tenure as a judge. He has embraced the challenges of leadership in his assignments and tasks, and he has demonstrated his commitment to the welfare of our community, as well as our staff, judicial officers, and the Kern County Superior Court’s mission. Judge Lua will be a great leader, and we are lucky to have him.”

Judge Lua was born and raised in Sonoma County, but moved to Kern in 1999 when he began working for the District Attorney’s Office. He obtained a Bachelor Degree from the University of California, Santa Barbara and graduated with his Juris Doctorate from Whittier Law School. Judge Lua is the youngest of seven children. He is half-Hawaiian and half-Samoan.

Appointed to the Superior Court of California in 2010, Judge Lua has been assigned to the criminal division and presided over misdemeanor and felony trials. Judge Lua has also served in the Superior Court Appellate Division since 2015, serving as Presiding Judge of the Appellate Division in 2017. As for the selection to follow Judge Bradshaw as presiding judge, Judge Lua said, “I am very excited for the opportunity to serve in this capacity. We, as a court, have been fortunate to have strong and respected leaders serve as our presiding judge, and I will strive to uphold the standard expected of that position.”