2002-11-18
PRESS RELEASE
November 18, 2002
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
RHONDA BURGESS, APPOINTED COURT COMMISSIONER SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF ALAMEDA
The Judges of the Superior Court of California, County of Alameda, have appointed Rhonda Burgess as a Superior Court Commissioner. She will take the Oath of Office on or about January 3, 2003, and will assume her new duties immediately thereafter.
Rhonda Burgess' assignment for 2003 has not yet been determined. Court Commissioners may be assigned to any court location and to any area of law including but not limited to Civil, Small Claims, Traffic, Criminal, Probate, Family Law, Child Support, Juvenile, or Mental Health
Ms. Burgess stated that "I have always enjoyed practicing law and I look forward with great enthusiasm to using the skills I have honed over the last two decades to serving the bench in Alameda County. I started my legal career in Alameda County and I care deeply about this community. I am grateful that the judges have honored me with the opportunity to serve as a Commissioner. I have the highest regard for the Alameda County bench and I am thrilled to join this outstanding group of men and women."
Prior to her appointment as Superior Court Commissioner, Rhonda Burgess held the position of Deputy City Attorney of San Francisco for the last 12 years. She represented the Department of Human Services (DHS) and litigated Welfare and Institutions Code, section 300 dependency cases. She managed numerous cases, and provided advice and counsel to DHS and social workers. Prior to working in Dependency, Ms. Burgess worked in the litigation division of the city attorney's office. She served several city departments as clients including the police department, fire department, department of public works, school district and the municipal railway. She tried jury trials in San Francisco Superior Court and in the United States District Court. Before working as Deputy City Attorney of San Francisco, Ms. Burgess was an associate at Hassard, Bonnington, Rodgers and Huber, a mid-sized defense firm in San Francisco. One of the firm's major clients was the City of Oakland. She worked on many cases there including two successfully defended cases in the United States District Court representing the City of Oakland in civil rights actions. Ms. Burgess started her legal career as a Deputy District Attorney of Alameda County. In that position she litigated misdemeanor and felony actions in the Municipal and Superior Courts.
Ms. Burgess graduated from Hastings College of Law, J.D. (1982), in San Francisco, California and received her B.S. degree in Public Administration/Political Science in 1979, from the University of Southern California.
Rhonda Burgess is highly respected in the legal community for her intellect, professionalism and commitment to the administration of justice. She is a member of the San Francisco County Bar Association, and the Charles Houston Bar Association.
The contact for this information release is James Brighton, Bureau Chief, Planning, Research and Court Services, Superior Court of California, County of Alameda at (510) 272-5093.