When John Gallagher was elected to fill the seat of retiring Judge Michael Barton, it was assumed he would begin his duties on Jan. 1. Instead he will begin his duties this morning at Department 2 of the misdemeanor courtroom at the Santa Cruz County Superior courthouse. Gallagher has already received the Governor’s nod, and will be sworn in by presiding judge Jeff Almquist this morning. By this afternoon, he will already be doing his part to reduce the load on the county court system. Nevertheless, his formal swearing-in ceremony will have to wait until December.
When John Gallagher was elected to fill the seat of retiring Judge Michael Barton, it was assumed he would begin his duties on Jan. 1. Instead he will begin his duties this morning at Department 2 of the misdemeanor courtroom at the Santa Cruz County Superior courthouse. Gallagher has already received the Governor’s nod, and will be sworn in by presiding judge Jeff Almquist this morning. By this afternoon, he will already be doing his part to reduce the load on the county court system. Nevertheless, his formal swearing-in ceremony will have to wait until December.
Gallagher, 60, is a resident of Scotts Valley. He has been an associate and partner at the Bosso Williams firm in Santa Cruz for over two decades. In the past he also served as a public defender.
Soon to be joining him on the bench will be Rebecca Connolly, who will assume her duties on Sept. 1. Connolly, 46, a former assistant district attorney for Santa Cruz County and a partner at Grunsky, Ebey, Farrar and Howell, will be replacing Judge Robert Atack. Read more at the Santa Cruz Sentinel.
