Gov. Gavin Newsom appointed prosecutor Francisco Navarro and attorney Charlie Hill to judgeships in Riverside and San Bernardino Superior Courts Feb. 17.
Francisco Navarro
Navarro has spent his legal career, starting in 2006, at the Riverside District Attorney’s Office. He ran in a three-way judicial race, against fellow prosecutor Kristi Kirk and attorney Christopher Whelton, in the June, 2022, general election. He received 31% of the votes.
During a candidate forum hosted by Follow Our Courts, Navarro said he was a first-generation American, who learned English as a second language. He started his post-high school education at a community college. Early in his career, he represented low-income clients through Legal Aid.
He spent 15 years at the district attorney’s office. He prosecuted in the misdemeanor unit, the drug unit, the gang unit, the tribal gaming unit, the grand theft unit, the prison crimes unit, domestic violence unit and the public integrity unit.
“If I’m elected, you’re going to get the most bang for your buck. Nobody’s going to work harder than me, to help make this community better. Nobody’s going to work harder than me, to make sure that the laws are enforced equally and fairly, and that people are heard and represented,” Navarro said at the time.
Navarro’s wife, Valerie Navarro, was appointed to a Riverside judgeship March 25.
Charlie Hill
Hill has worked as associate general counsel and assistant general counsel at the Los Angeles Unified School District since 2009, according to Newsom’s office. He was an associate at Ivie, McNeill, Wyatt, Purcell & Diggs from 2003 to 2009.
Hill worked at Pryce Parker Hill LLP from 1998, when he joined the bar, to 2003.
According to his former biography on the Pryce Parker Hill webpage, Hill was a school teacher with the Los Angeles Unified School District before he earned his Juris Doctor degree from Whittier College of Law. The page shows he handled construction litigation, mechanic lien claims, judicial foreclosure and bankruptcy cases.
“We are delighted with the Governor’s judicial appointment and look forward to our continued partnership,” said San Bernardino Superior Court Presiding Judge Glenn Yabuno, according to a press release.
