FOUR JUDICIAL CANDIDATES VIE FOR TWO CONTESTED SEATS

By Miriam Raftery

Photo, left to right: Jodi Cleesattle (seat 41), Koryn Sheppard (seat 43), Brian Erickson (seat 41) and Valerie Summer (seat 43).

February 12, 2024 (San Diego) – Two contested judicial seats are on the ballot in the March 5 primary election, with two contenders for each seat.  Seat 41 pits senior assistant attorney general Jodi Cleesattle against deputy district attorney Brian Erickson.  For Seat 43,   family law specialist and law professor Koryn Sheppard is running against prosecutor Valerie Summers.

Judicial candidates aren’t allowed to answer questions about their views on issues, per judicial ethics. However, their experience,  achievements and endorsements can provide voters with guidance.  Below are details on each contender.

Seat 41

Jodi Cleesattle has nearly 30 years of experience as a trial lawyer. As a senior assistant attorney general in the Tort and condemnation section she oversees a statewide team of  90 attorneys and paralegals, supervising litigation of cases including government tort liability, personal injury, wrongful death, civil rights, mass torts and more. 

She was named Public Lawyer of the Year by the California Lawyers Association. Her endorsements include the Lawyers Club of San Diego, which endorses candidates who exhibit qualities of “integrity, impartiality and equity.” She is also endorsed by the San Diego County Democratic Party, Run Women Run, numerous judges and politicians, the Public Defenders Association of San Diego, and leaders of numerous lawyers’ associations and clubs.

Brian Erickson  has served as a San Diego deputy district attorney for the past 20 years. He is currently assigned to the cold case homicide division. Formerly, he prosecuted felony domestic violence, child abuse and elder abuse cases in the family protection unit.

His endorsements include District Attorney Summer Stephan, the San Diego County Republican Party, several judges, the San Diego Deputy District Attorneys Association, the San  Diego County Deputy Sheriffs Association, police officers’ association for San Diego,  El Cajon, La Mesa and some other local cities.

Seat 43

Valerie Summers  is a prosecutor in the District Attorney’s office, where she has headed up the family protection division as well as the sex crimes and human trafficking division. She was assistant chief of the gang prosecution unit previously.  She has also taught criminal justice-related sociology courses at California State University, San Marcos and at the University of California, San Diego since 2007.

Her endorsements including District Attorney Summer Stephan, the San Diego County Republican Party, San Diego County Deputy District Attorneys Association, numerous judges, the San Diego County Deputy Sheriffs Association, and conservative politicians.

Koryn Sheppard is a certified family law specialist with 15 years experience. She is also an adjunct professor for civil procedure at Thomas Jefferson School of Law.  She is on the Board of the San Diego Family Law Bar Association.

Her endorsements include the San Diego Family Law Bar Association, the San Diego County Democratic Party, numerous judges, California Senate President Pro Tem Toni Atkins, and attorneys in private practice.

You can read more about each candidate by clicking on their names in the write-ups above to visit their websites.