Julia C. Kelety
CA · Associate Justice, California Court of Appeal, Fourth Appellate District, Division One
Kelety has served as an associate justice in Division One of California's Fourth District Court of Appeal since 2023. She previously served for more than 19 years as a San Diego Superior Court judge.
Where Julia C. Kelety stands, based on their records
Supports
Public Safety and Crime Control (5 records), Civil Rights (4 records)
Campaign finance information not available
Track record
Track record — Public Safety and Crime Control
Public Safety and Crime Control · 5 support
Authored Dennis v. Monsanto, affirming a $28 million Roundup judgment and holding federal pesticide law did not bar the state failure-to-warn claims.
November 24, 2025Supports Public Safety and Crime Control
Source: law.justia.com · researched September 13, 2026
Authored People v. Jimenez, upholding a prosecutor's removal of a prospective juror while reversing a hit-and-run conviction for insufficient evidence.
January 3, 2024Supports Public Safety and Crime Control
Source: law.justia.com · researched September 13, 2026
Authored People v. Christianson, ordering full resentencing after stayed prior-prison-term enhancements were removed.
November 17, 2023Supports Public Safety and Crime Control
Source: law.justia.com · researched September 13, 2026
Received a U.S. Justice Department Director's Award for prosecuting fraudulent telemarketers.
January 1, 1997Supports Public Safety and Crime Control
Source: appellate.courts.ca.gov · researched September 13, 2026
Began serving as an assistant U.S. attorney in the Southern District of California.
January 1, 1990Supports Public Safety and Crime Control
Source: appellate.courts.ca.gov · researched September 13, 2026
Track record — Civil Rights
Civil Rights · 4 support
Authored Mustaqeem v. City of San Diego, reversing denial of temporary relief because city sidewalk-vending restrictions conflicted with state law.
January 22, 2026Supports Civil Rights
Source: law.justia.com · researched September 13, 2026
Authored People v. Jimenez, upholding a prosecutor's removal of a prospective juror while reversing a hit-and-run conviction for insufficient evidence.
January 3, 2024Supports Civil Rights
Source: law.justia.com · researched September 13, 2026
Authored People v. Jenkins, reversing a recommitment because the evidence did not show the person's mental disorder created a current danger to others.
September 1, 2023Supports Civil Rights
Source: law.justia.com · researched September 13, 2026
Received the Benjamin Aranda Access to Justice Award for sustained work improving access to courts.
January 1, 2016Supports Civil Rights
Source: appellate.courts.ca.gov · researched September 13, 2026
Track record — General
General · 3 records
Served as an associate justice of the Fourth District Court of Appeal, Division One.
September 13, 2026
Source: voterguide.sos.ca.gov · researched September 13, 2026
Was nominated to the Fourth District Court of Appeal, Division One.
January 27, 2023
Source: appellate.courts.ca.gov · researched September 13, 2026
Began serving as a San Diego County Superior Court judge.
October 3, 2003
Source: appellate.courts.ca.gov · researched September 13, 2026
Track record — Legal Competence
Legal Competence · 18 favorable
Authored Comite Civico del Valle v. County of Imperial, partially reversing approval of a lithium project because its environmental review used misleading project-lifespan information.
August 11, 2026Favorable on Legal Competence
Source: law.justia.com · researched September 13, 2026
Authored Guild Mortgage v. CrossCountry Mortgage, reviving employee-loyalty, computer-access, interference, and unfair-competition claims.
May 27, 2026Favorable on Legal Competence
Source: law.justia.com · researched September 13, 2026
Authored The Protect Our Communities Foundation v. City of San Diego, upholding utility franchises against environmental-review and tax challenges.
May 26, 2026Favorable on Legal Competence
Source: law.justia.com · researched September 13, 2026
Authored Dawadi v. Adhikari, affirming that a unilateral check notation did not modify a written settlement requiring signed changes.
May 12, 2026Favorable on Legal Competence
Source: noticeregistry.com · researched September 13, 2026
Authored State Compensation Insurance Fund v. ReadyLink Healthcare, affirming judgment for the insurer in a workers' compensation premium dispute.
May 8, 2026Favorable on Legal Competence
Source: news.workcompacademy.com · researched September 13, 2026
Authored People v. Sanchez, holding that correction of a clerical sentencing error did not authorize broader resentencing.
March 23, 2026Favorable on Legal Competence
Source: lawinformation.info · researched September 13, 2026
Authored City of Riverside v. RLI Insurance, allowing the city to pursue contract claims directly against its insurer as an additional insured.
March 20, 2026Favorable on Legal Competence
Source: law.justia.com · researched September 13, 2026
Authored Barbanell v. Lodge, affirming a $68,800 fee award after a successful action to appoint a replacement arbitrator.
December 17, 2025Favorable on Legal Competence
Source: law.justia.com · researched September 13, 2026
Authored Lagrisola v. North American Financial, affirming dismissal of claims against an unlicensed lender because the borrowers did not show economic injury.
November 3, 2023Favorable on Legal Competence
Source: law.justia.com · researched September 13, 2026
Was unanimously confirmed and took office on the Fourth District Court of Appeal, Division One.
April 7, 2023Favorable on Legal Competence
Source: appellate.courts.ca.gov · researched September 13, 2026
Taught probate subjects to judges through the Judicial Council's judicial education center.
January 27, 2023Favorable on Legal Competence
Source: appellate.courts.ca.gov · researched September 13, 2026
Served three years as presiding judge of the San Diego County Superior Court's appellate division.
January 27, 2023Favorable on Legal Competence
Source: appellate.courts.ca.gov · researched September 13, 2026
Began overseeing a central probate department on the San Diego County Superior Court.
January 15, 2008Favorable on Legal Competence
Source: sdcourt.ca.gov · researched September 13, 2026
Joined the San Diego County Public Law Library Board of Trustees and later served as its president.
January 1, 2007Favorable on Legal Competence
Source: appellate.courts.ca.gov · researched September 13, 2026
Presided over probate and juvenile dependency matters on the San Diego County Superior Court.
October 3, 2003Favorable on Legal Competence
Source: appellate.courts.ca.gov · researched September 13, 2026
Joined the Law Office of Howard Wiggins and later became a partner.
January 1, 1997Favorable on Legal Competence
Source: appellate.courts.ca.gov · researched September 13, 2026
Worked as a litigation associate at Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher.
January 1, 1986Favorable on Legal Competence
Source: appellate.courts.ca.gov · researched September 13, 2026
Clerked for Judge Mary M. Schroeder on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.
January 1, 1985Favorable on Legal Competence
Source: appellate.courts.ca.gov · researched September 13, 2026
Track record — Candidate Ethics
Candidate Ethics · 2 records
Began serving on the California Commission on Judicial Performance.
March 1, 2025
Source: cjp.ca.gov · researched September 13, 2026
Authored Ramirez v. City of Indio, affirming the city manager's decision to uphold a police officer's termination.
September 13, 2024
Source: law.justia.com · researched September 13, 2026
Retention question · November 3, 2026
Profile last researched September 12, 2026.