2001-12-14
PRESS RELEASE
December 14, 2001
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
THOMAS J. NIXON SELECTED COURT COMMISSIONER
ASSUMES OFFICE IN JANUARY 2002
William A. McKinstry, Presiding Judge, Superior Court of California, County of Alameda, is pleased to announce that Thomas J. Nixon, an attorney at law in Fremont, has been selected for the position of Court Commissioner. It is anticipated that Mr. Nixon will take the oath of office for Court Commissioner in January 2002 and assumes his judicial officer duties immediately thereafter. Harry Sheppard, Presiding Judge-Elect for 2002 will assign Mr. Nixon to Department 603 in the Fremont Hall of Justice for the upcoming calendar year.
Mr. Nixon said that he is “deeply honored to join the distinguished bench in the judicial branch of government in Alameda County in delivery of public service. Selection as a Court Commissioner represents attainment of my personal and professional career goals and provides an opportunity to serve the public in the third branch of government, consistent with the Judicial Council strategic goals for the courts in California and the California Code of Judicial Conduct.”
Court Commissioners may be assigned to any court location and to any area including but not limited to Civil, Small Claims, Traffic, Criminal, Probate, Family Law, Child Support, Juvenile or Mental Health and are required to be available 24 hours per day, seven (7) days per week on a rotating basis, to serve as the Duty Officer for Countywide Emergency Protective Orders.
Thomas Nixon has practiced law for sixteen (16) years, representing thousands of clients in all aspects of Family, Criminal, Civil, Juvenile and Traffic matters. This representation has included Trials, Appeals, Administrative Hearings, Mediation and Arbitrations in numerous courts throughout this state. In addition to his private practice, he has provided numerous hours of pro bono service as a Pro Tem Judge in the Hayward, Fremont and Pleasanton branches of the Superior Court of California, County of Alameda, covering the Family Law Departments, as well as, Civil, Small Claims, Domestic Violence and Traffic. He serves on the panel of Arbitrators in Alameda County and serves as a mediator for the Superior Court of California, County of Alameda.
In 1998, Mr. Nixon established his own law practice, after ten years as a partner in the firm of Quaresma, Benya, Hall, Connich, O'Hara & Nixon and five years as an Associate in the firm of Quaresma, Benya, Hall, Connich & O'Hara.
Mr. Nixon was admitted to the State Bar of California in 1984. He graduated with honors from the University of Santa Clara, with a Juris Doctorate degree in 1984.
He attended San Jose State University between 1978 and 1981, graduating Magna Cum Laude, with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration. From 1977 to 1978, he attended the University of Berkeley.
Mr. Nixon is accredited and licensed to practice in all Courts of the State of California, as well as, the United States District Courts for the Northern and Eastern Districts of California.
He was the elected President of the Washington Township Bar Association (1991-1994) and is a current Board Member WTBA Member of the Alameda County Bar Association (Board Member Family Law), member of the State Bar of California, Family Law Section Judge Pro Tem, Alameda County Arbitrator and Mediator.
Thomas Nixon has volunteered services as a panel member of the Pro Bono Council, helping indigent clients in need of a Family Law Attorney. He has organized and coordinated Law Sections and Law Day Activities and Court visits for youth in Alameda County. He has provided career guidance and has been a speaker concerning the law to high school students in the Fremont Unified School District. He has coached students and presided in Mock Trial Competitions.
The contact for this information release is Barbara J. Fox, Chief Assistant Executive Officer, Superior Court of California, County of Alameda at (510) 272-6504.