Judges and Judiciary
Aug. 8, 2002
Two Appointed to Sacramento Bench
SAN FRANCISCO - Gov. Gray Davis appointed Chief Assistant Attorney General Pamela Smith-Steward and Deputy Attorney General Troy L. Nunley to the Sacramento bench Tuesday.
One of the highest-ranking attorneys in the state Department of Justice, Smith-Steward, 40, of Gold River, manages the civil law division for Attorney General Bill Lockyer. Her division employs more than 500 employees and is responsible for providing legal services to state agencies and constitutional officers.
"She not only possesses an acute legal intellect but is also committed to public service and fair treatment," Lockyer said.
Before her 1999 appointment, Smith-Steward worked as an attorney in the state Department of Corrections from 1986 to 1999, starting as a staff attorney and eventually becoming chief counsel and deputy director. Smith-Steward began her legal career as an associate in the Sacramento office of Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe, where she did legal research in municipal finance law, general business litigation and labor law from 1985 to 1986.
She is a member of the California Association of Black Lawyers and earned her law degree from Harvard Law School. Smith-Steward replaces Judge Nancy Sweet, who retired.
Nunley, 38, of West Sacramento, works in the criminal division of the attorney general's office, handling criminal appeals and habeas petitions. He also serves as a member of the Justice Department's Hate Crimes Task Force.
Chief Assistant Attorney General Bob Anderson, who hired Nunley, praised his "good intellectual skills and incredible fairness."
"He brings a lot of common sense and street smarts to the job, and he's a really good person," Anderson said.
Senior Assistant Attorney General Jo Graves called Nunley "very personable, very fair and very ethical; he'll be a wonderful judge."
Lockyer described Nunley as "one of our most dedicated and skilled prosecutors."
Nunley previously worked as a deputy district attorney in Sacramento from 1996 to 1999 and in Alameda County from 1990 to 1994. As a prosecutor, he has tried 50 felony jury trials. From 1994 to 1996, Nunley had his own practice in San Leandro, where he handled personal injury, criminal, juvenile, family law and civil rights cases.
He is a member of the Anthony M. Kennedy American Inn of Court and earned his law degree from Hastings College of the Law. Nunley replaces Judge Ronald Robie, who was elevated to the Court of Appeal in Sacramento.
They will receive annual salaries of $139,476.
Donna Domino
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