Biography

The Hon. James L. Crandall is a judge for the Superior Court of Orange County in California. He was appointed by former governor Jerry Brown on November 21, 2012, filling a vacancy created by the passing of Judge James Patrick Marion.

Crandall earned a B.A. in economics from San Jose State University. He then completed a J.D. from Loyola Law School.

Crandall began his legal career in 1958. He worked as an associate at Spray, Gould and Bowers, eventually becoming a partner. Then, in 1976, he became a senior partner at Crandall, Wade and Lowe, where he defended insurance companies in excess liability and bad faith claims.

Crandall received national attention in September 2018 after ruling that the State of California’s sanctuary immigration law infringed on Huntington Beach’s local control as a charter city.

Crandall was a resident of San Juan Capistrano, California at the time of his appointment.

He is registered to vote as a Republican.