David M. Rubin
CA · Associate Justice, California Court of Appeal, Fourth Appellate District, Division One
Rubin has served as an associate justice in Division One of California's Fourth District Court of Appeal since 2023. He previously served for nearly 17 years on the San Diego Superior Court.
Where David M. Rubin stands, based on their records
Supports
Public Safety and Crime Control (3 records)
Mixed record
Civil Rights (4 support · 1 oppose)
Campaign finance information not available
Track record
Track record — Public Safety and Crime Control
Public Safety and Crime Control · 3 support
Completed a 20-year career as a San Diego County deputy district attorney.
January 1, 2007Supports Public Safety and Crime Control
Source: newsroom.courts.ca.gov · researched September 13, 2026
Served in the San Diego County Superior Court's criminal division.
January 1, 2007Supports Public Safety and Crime Control
Source: appellate.courts.ca.gov · researched September 13, 2026
Began serving as a deputy district attorney in San Diego County.
January 1, 1987Supports Public Safety and Crime Control
Source: newsroom.courts.ca.gov · researched September 13, 2026
Track record — Civil Rights
Civil Rights · 4 support · 1 oppose
Joined Mata v. Digital Recognition Network, requiring actual harm for standing under California's automated-license-plate-recognition law.
July 20, 2026Opposes Civil Rights
Source: law.justia.com · researched September 13, 2026
Joined J.S. v. D.A., reversing a restraining order entered without addressing an indigent inmate's request for meaningful court access.
February 25, 2026Supports Civil Rights
Source: law.justia.com · researched September 13, 2026
Joined McDoniel v. Kavry Management, recognizing wrongful-discharge liability for firing an employee based on a compelled polygraph.
September 30, 2025Supports Civil Rights
Source: law.justia.com · researched September 13, 2026
Authored Palm Springs Promenade v. Department of Industrial Relations, applying prevailing-wage law to a privately controlled redevelopment project using public funds.
June 13, 2025Supports Civil Rights
Source: law.justia.com · researched September 13, 2026
Joined McIntosh v. Superior Court, requiring an independent inquiry into appointed counsel for an indigent Racial Justice Act habeas petitioner.
March 28, 2025Supports Civil Rights
Source: law.justia.com · researched September 13, 2026
Track record — General
General · 8 records
Appeared on the November 2026 ballot for retention in Division One of the Fourth District Court of Appeal.
September 13, 2026
Source: elections.cdn.sos.ca.gov · researched September 13, 2026
Continued serving as an associate justice in Division One of the Fourth District Court of Appeal.
September 13, 2026
Source: appellate.courts.ca.gov · researched September 13, 2026
Began serving as an associate justice in Division One of the Fourth District Court of Appeal.
June 26, 2023
Source: appellate.courts.ca.gov · researched September 13, 2026
Filled the appellate vacancy created by Justice Cynthia G. Aaron's retirement.
June 23, 2023
Source: newsroom.courts.ca.gov · researched September 13, 2026
Was unanimously confirmed by the Commission on Judicial Appointments for the Court of Appeal.
June 23, 2023
Source: appellate.courts.ca.gov · researched September 13, 2026
Was appointed by Governor Gavin Newsom to Division One of the Fourth District Court of Appeal.
March 30, 2023
Source: appellate.courts.ca.gov · researched September 13, 2026
Joined the San Diego County Superior Court bench.
January 1, 2007
Source: appellate.courts.ca.gov · researched September 13, 2026
Received the San Diego County District Attorney's Prosecutor of the Year Award.
January 1, 2006
Source: appellate.courts.ca.gov · researched September 13, 2026
Track record — Legal Competence
Legal Competence · 9 favorable
Served the final three years of his trial-court tenure in the San Diego County Superior Court's Appellate Division.
January 1, 2020Favorable on Legal Competence
Source: appellate.courts.ca.gov · researched September 13, 2026
Chaired the Judicial Council's Litigation Management Committee.
January 1, 2013Favorable on Legal Competence
Source: appellate.courts.ca.gov · researched September 13, 2026
Joined the Judicial Council of California as a voting member.
January 1, 2013Favorable on Legal Competence
Source: appellate.courts.ca.gov · researched September 13, 2026
Chaired the Judicial Council executive committee's Real Estate Policy Subcommittee.
January 1, 2013Favorable on Legal Competence
Source: appellate.courts.ca.gov · researched September 13, 2026
Chaired the Judicial Branch Budget Committee.
January 1, 2013Favorable on Legal Competence
Source: appellate.courts.ca.gov · researched September 13, 2026
Served as president of the California Judges Association.
January 1, 2011Favorable on Legal Competence
Source: appellate.courts.ca.gov · researched September 13, 2026
Served on the California Judges Association board of directors.
January 1, 2009Favorable on Legal Competence
Source: appellate.courts.ca.gov · researched September 13, 2026
Presided over civil matters on the San Diego County Superior Court.
January 1, 2007Favorable on Legal Competence
Source: appellate.courts.ca.gov · researched September 13, 2026
Handled assignments in the San Diego County Superior Court's family division.
January 1, 2007Favorable on Legal Competence
Source: appellate.courts.ca.gov · researched September 13, 2026
Track record — Candidate Ethics
Candidate Ethics · 1 record
Authored Higginson v. Kia Motors America, ordering a new consumer-warranty trial and sanctions for discovery misconduct.
January 9, 2026
Source: law.justia.com · researched September 13, 2026
Retention question · November 3, 2026
Profile last researched September 12, 2026.