STOCKTON — Governor Gavin Newsom has appointed two judges —Katy Jacot and Gurjit Singh Srai — to the San Joaquin Superior Court Bench.

Srai is the first Sikh American to serve as a judge in San Joaquin County.

Srai has been a Sole Practitioner since 2010.

He was an Associate at Scott Mitchell Law Inc. in 2010.  Judge Srai earned his Juris Doctor degree from the Chapman University School of Law.

He fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Robin C. Appel. 

Jacot has been appointed to serve in an interim appointment as a Judge in the San Joaquin County Superior Court. 

 Jacot served as a Commissioner at the San Joaquin  County Superior Court since 2023.  She served as a Deputy Public Defender at the San Joaquin’s Public Defender’s Office from 2007 to 2022. 

She was an Associate at Oium, Reye, & Pryor from 2006 to 2007 and at O’Conner, Cohn, Dillon & Barr from 2003 to 2006.  Jacot was an Associate at Branson, Brinkop, Griffith & Strong LLP from 2001 to 2003. 

She earned a Juris Doctor degree from the Santa Clara University School of Law.  She fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Richard Vlavianos. 

The Governor’s appointment allows her to assume the position she was otherwise elected to begin in January 2025.

] “We are extremely excited with the appointments of Judge Katy Jacot and Judge Gurjit Srai to the bench,” said Presiding Judge Gus Barrera II. “Both are hardworking, dedicated, and have the temperament necessary to be great judicial officers.”

“Judge Jacot has been an indispensable part of the court as a commissioner over the past year and a half.  Judge Srai brings a wealth of experience from different disciplines as a private practitioner for many years in San Joaquin County.  These appointments reflect the great diversity in our community.” 

The formal swearing in ceremonies for Judge Katy Jacot and Judge Gurjit S Srai have yet to be scheduled.

After this election, the Court has one judicial vacancy that needs to be filled.

In addition, a state Judicial Needs Assessment has found that the San Joaquin County Superior Court is in need of additional judgeships.  

The Governor Appoints Two Judges to the San Joaquin Superior Court BenchDownload