Two UC Law SF Alumni Join California Superior Court Bench

A composite photo of Lindsey Berg-James and William Patrick Dudley, both smiling and wearing business attire.

Lindsey Berg-James ’12 and William Patrick Dudley ’99 bring extensive legal experience to their new roles as superior court judges in California.

  • Gavin Newsom appointed two UC Law SF alumni as superior court judges.
  • Lindsey Berg-James ’12 will join the Monterey County bench; William Patrick Dudley ’99 will join the San Diego County bench.
  • Their appointments underscore UC Law SF’s tradition of producing great legal leaders.

 

Two UC Law San Francisco alumni are joining the California superior court bench, one on the Central Coast and one in Southern California.

Gov. Gavin Newsom on Aug. 24 appointed Lindsey Berg-James ’12 to the Superior Court of Monterey County, where she grew up and now resides. William Patrick Dudley ’99 was appointed to Superior Court of San Diego County, where he has practiced law for over 20 years.

A Salinas native, Berg-James joined Noland, Hamerly, Etienne & Hoss as a litigation associate in 2016 and has held the position of shareholder there since 2021. Berg-James has counseled clients on employment matters, construction defects, business disputes and more, according to the firm’s website. Earlier in her career, she practiced at Schiff Hardin in San Francisco from 2013 to 2015. Before law school, Berg-James taught elementary school in Gilroy through Teach for America.

Berg-James welcomed the appointment in a statement released by the Monterey County Superior Court.

“I am deeply honored by Governor Newsom’s appointment to the Monterey County Superior Court, and I look forward to serving the community I grew up in and have spent my career practicing law in,” she said.

Dudley brings more than two decades of criminal defense experience to his new role as a San Diego County Superior Court judge.

Since 2002, he has worked as a solo practitioner focused on criminal defense at his firm, the Law Office of Patrick Dudley. He has handled cases ranging from violent crimes to securities fraud and other “white collar” offenses, according to his firm’s website. Before launching his own practice, he spent two years as a research attorney at the Law Office of David Dudley.

Their appointments to the bench continue UC Law SF’s long tradition of producing graduates who go on to serve as leaders in the law and public service.