Gabriel Sanchez ’94 was appointed associate justice, Division One of the California First District Court of Appeals Oct. 26 by California Governor Edmund Brown Jr. If confirmed by the California Commission on Judicial Appointments on Nov. 26, Sanchez will be the first male Latino justice ever appointed to this court.

Sanchez will replace Justice Robert Dondero, who retired Oct. 31.

Sanchez is currently Brown’s deputy legal affairs secretary, where he writes legal documents, conducts research, and performs other secretarial duties.

Before joining Brown’s staff, Sanchez served as a deputy attorney general at the Office of the Attorney General in the California Department of Justice and a law clerk for for the Honorable Richard A. Paez at the U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. He was also an associate at full-service law firm Munger, Tolles and Olson LLP.

Sanchez will continue to serve as Brown’s deputy legal affairs secretary for the remainder of the year.