The following is a press release issued by the Mendocino County Superior Court:
The Mendocino Superior Court judges have elected Judge Keith Faulder as the new Presiding Judge and Judge Carly Dolan as the new Assistant Presiding Judge for the two-year leadership cycle beginning January 1, 2024.
Judge Faulder was elected to the bench in 2016 and has presided over criminal cases since joining the bench. He has a strong legal background in criminal law, having served in both the district attorney’s and public defender’s offices from 1998 to 2007. He was then in private practice, handling criminal, juvenile, civil and family law matters until he was elected to the bench.
Judge Dolan was appointed to the bench in 2017 by Governor Brown and has presided over criminal misdemeanors and felonies, as well as family law. She attended University of San Francisco School of Law, graduating cum laude in 2001 with her juris doctorate. She served in the public defender’s office for sixteen years, with four years as the Assistant Public Defender.
Presiding Judge Jeanine Nadel, who has served in this capacity at the Court in 2022 and 2023 was pleased with the outcome of the election. She said, “I know the court will be in good hands with our new leadership. Judges Faulder and Dolan have strong ties to the community and will serve the court and its public with a focus on fair and impartial justice. These judges will also lead our efforts to design and build a new, modern courthouse in Ukiah, with an eye toward ensuring a safe and welcoming environment for all Mendocino residents.”