Major Judicial System Changes Spotlighted at Senate Hearing on Judgeships, Salaries, and Court Facilities
COMPTON, Calif. (October 21, 2026) — Judicial leaders, legislative analysts, court administrators, and policymakers will convene on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, at the Compton Courthouse for a comprehensive public hearing focused on some of the most significant change-driven issues facing California’s judicial branch, including judicial need, allocation of new judgeships, judicial compensation, court construction projects, and long-term courthouse maintenance and modernization.
The California Senate’s Budget Subcommittee #5, Chaired by State Senator Laura Richardson (D-South Bay), will hold the public hearing in Department 3, Room 400 of the Compton Courthouse, the hearing will bring together experts from across California's judicial system to examine challenges and opportunities affecting court operations, access to justice, and the future of court infrastructure statewide.
The hearing will open with a discussion on Judicial Need and Allocation of New Judgeships, addressing data-driven approaches to determining where new judgeships are most needed and how limited resources can be allocated to meet growing demands across California courts. Presenters include Drew Soderborg, Deputy Legislative Analyst with the Legislative Analyst’s Office; Jake Chatters, Court Executive Officer of the Superior Court of Placer County and Chair of the Data Analytics Advisory Committee; Leah Rose-Goodwin, Chief Data and Analytics Officer for the Judicial Council of California; Hon. Jacqueline C. Jackson, Presiding Judge of the Superior Court of Riverside County; and Zlatko Theodorovic, Director of Budget Services for the Judicial Council of California.
The second panel will focus on Judicial Salaries, examining compensation trends, recruitment and retention concerns, and the impact of judicial salaries on maintaining a highly qualified bench. Speakers include Drew Soderborg; Hon. Judge Laura Walton of the Los Angeles County Superior Court and Vice President of the California Judges Association; Hon. Judge Nicole Bershon, President-Elect of the California Judges Association; Hon. Justice Brad R. Hill, Administrative Presiding Justice of the Court of Appeal, Fifth Appellate District; and Zlatko Theodorovic.
The discussion will then turn to Court Construction, with participants reviewing ongoing and future courthouse projects, facility needs, and funding priorities. Featured speakers include Justice Brad R. Hill; Erika Sperbeck, Chief Administrative Officer of the Judicial Council of California; Hon. Judge Sergio C. Tapia II, Presiding Judge of the Superior Court of Los Angeles County; Tamer Ahmed, Director of Judicial Council Facilities Services; and Zlatko Theodorovic.
The conclusion of the hearing reviews Facility Modifications and Maintenance, highlighting the challenges of preserving and upgrading California’s court facilities while ensuring operational efficiency, safety, and public accessibility. Presenters include Justice Brad R. Hill; Erika Sperbeck; David Slayton, Court Executive Officer of the Superior Court of Los Angeles County and Chair of the Court Executives Advisory Committee; Tamer Ahmed; and Zlatko Theodorovic.
A public comment period will follow the panel discussions, providing stakeholders, court users, and community members an opportunity to share perspectives on the issues under consideration.
The hearing underscores the importance of strategic planning and continued investment in California’s judicial branch as courts adapt to changing population demands, evolving infrastructure requirements, and the ongoing need to ensure equitable access to justice throughout the state.
Hearing Information
Date: Wednesday, October 21, 2026
Time: 1:00 p.m.
Location: Compton Courthouse, Department 3, Room 400
200 West Compton Boulevard
Compton, California 90220
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