Judge Marla O. Anderson: Professional Background and Legal Expertise

Overview

The Hon. Marla O. Anderson (Ret.) was a judge for the Monterey County Superior Court in California[1]. Anderson was appointed to the Monterey County Municipal Court by former Governor Pete Wilson in January 1995 and was elevated to the Superior Court upon court unification in 2002[2]. She retired on April 30, 2024, becoming a mediator, arbitrator, and neutral evaluator with JAMS[1][2].

While on the bench, Anderson's assignments included the Unlimited Civil Trial Calendar, Complex Civil, and Civil Writs from 2018 to 2024[2]. She served as assistant presiding judge from 2011 to 2012 and as presiding judge from 2013 to 2015[2]. During her tenure as presiding judge, she implemented a strategic plan for the court's judicial administration[2].

Educational background

Anderson earned a B.A. in mass communication from La Sierra University in 1981. She went on to complete an M.A. in communication management at the University of Southern California, Annenberg School of Communications, in 1983. At the University of California, Davis School of Law (King Hall), Anderson completed a J.D. in 1986. She was admitted to the State Bar of California (December 1986).

Career history

After completing law school, Anderson began her legal career as an associate attorney at Weintraub, Genshlea, Hardy, Erich & Brown (1986 to 1987), where she handled business litigation[2]. In 1987, she joined the Monterey County District Attorney's Office as a deputy district attorney[2]. There, Anderson tried numerous cases and served until 1995[2].

Anderson served as a faculty member at the B.E. Witkin Judicial College of California beginning in 1997. She later served as associate dean from 2011 to 2012 and as dean from 2013 to 2014[2]. In 2014, the Chief Justice appointed her to the Judicial Council of California[1]. There, Anderson served for a decade and chaired the Legislation Committee and the Litigation Management Committee[1]. Her committee service also included the Executive and Planning Committee and the Judicial Branch Budget Committee.

Her honors included La Sierra University's Alumnus of the Year Award in 2011 and the Lady Justice Award for Lifetime Achievement in Legal Advocacy and Community Service from the Monterey County Women Lawyers Association in 2015. In 2016, she received the Charles Houston Bar Association's Judicial Excellence Award and the California Association of Black Lawyers' Champion of Justice Award[2]. Her professional memberships included the California Judges Association, the National Association of Women Judges, and the Association of African American California Judicial Officers[2].

Personal life

In recounting her undergraduate years at La Sierra University, Anderson described an experience living with a roommate of a different race, followed by a conversation with a dormitory dean, as broadening her perspective and reinforcing a desire to help effect change[3].

References

[1] California Courts Newsroom — Judge Marla O. Anderson to Retire from Bench, Judicial Council Leadership
[2] JAMS profile
[3] La Sierra University — Alumni Award Recipients Share Stories of Learning, Love, and Grace