Biography

The Hon. Charles Q. Clay, III is a judge for the Los Angeles County Superior Court. He was appointed to the bench in 2002 by former Governor Gray Davis. He filled the vacancy created by the retirement of the Hon. Arnold Gold (Ret.).

Judge Clay graduated with his B.A. in broadcast journalism from the University of Southern California in 1985. After graduating from college, Clay worked as a television news writer and producer. He then went on to earn his J.D. from the University of California, Berkeley Boalt Hall School of Law in 1989.

Clay became an attorney for the law firm of Rezak and Katofsky for a brief stint in 1994.

He then joined the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office in August of that year. Clay served as a deputy district attorney for the D.A.'s office until his appointment to the bench in 2002. During his 8 years as a deputy D.A., Clay spent two years assigned to the Justice System Integrity Division where he prosecuted cases involving misconduct by government officials and police officers.

During his time as a civil litigator, Clay did pro bono work for Bet Tzedek Legal Services.

His memberships have included the National Association of Black Prosecutors, the John M. Langston Bar Association, and the Constitutional Rights Foundation.