Sonoma — Sonoma County Superior Court Appoints Laura Passaglia as New Court Commissioner

Source: https://sonoma.courts.ca.gov/sites/all/assets/pdfs/general-info/Press%20Release%20Court%20Commissioner%20Laura%20Passaglia%209.30.21.pdf

Superior Court of California County of Sonoma

Bradford J. DeMeo Arlene D. Junior
Presiding Judge ACCESS, SERVICE, JUSTICE Court Executive Officer

PRESS RELEASE

September 30, 2021 SONOMA COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT APPOINTS LAURA PASSAGLIA AS NEW COURT COMMISSIONER

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SANTA ROSA, CA – SEPTEMBER 30, 2021 - Brad DeMeo, Presiding Judge of the Sonoma County Superior Court, announced the appointment of Laura Passaglia as the newest Court Commissioner. Passaglia fills the seat vacated by former Commissioner Troye Shaffer, who was appointed as a judge of the Sonoma County Superior Court.

“Commissioner Passaglia will be a tremendous asset to the public and legal community in general. She was most deserving of the appointment,” Judge DeMeo said.

Passaglia, 42, has served as a deputy district attorney in the Sonoma County District Attorney’s Office since 2017, where she was responsible for a complex caseload of vertically assigned cases of domestic violence, sexual assault, and homicide. Previously, she served as a deputy district attorney in the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office, which she joined in 2007 upon passing the California bar exam. There, she quickly advanced from misdemeanors to felonies, successfully handling serious and violent felonies ranging from homicides to sexual assaults and human trafficking. A San Francisco native and a graduate of Saint Ignatius College Preparatory, UCLA and USF School of Law, Passaglia lives in Sonoma County with her husband Ryan McCarthy and their daughter Stella. She also serves as Vice President for the California Lawyer’s Association Executive Committee - Criminal Law Section and is a member of Sonoma County Temporary Judge’s Panel, where she serves as Pro-Tem for the Small Claims Court. Passaglia has

Superior Court of California County of Sonoma

Bradford J. DeMeo Arlene D. Junior
Presiding Judge ACCESS, SERVICE, JUSTICE Court Executive Officer

been an active member of the Teamsters Union and the California Women Lawyers Association.

“On behalf of all Sonoma County Superior Court judicial officers and the entire court administration, I happily welcome Commissioner Laura Passaglia to our bench. Commissioner Passaglia brings to our Court enthusiasm, knowledge, and extensive experience in the law. We are delighted to have her join us,” says Presiding Judge DeMeo.

Superior Court Commissioners perform subordinate judicial duties as authorized by law, including conducting hearings, making findings, and issuing orders in Civil, Criminal, Family, Child Support, Juvenile, Small Claims, and Traffic matters. Upon agreement of the parties, Superior Court Commissioners may serve as Temporary Judges. Superior Court Commissioners may be assigned to any Sonoma County Superior Court location.

Commissioner Passaglia will be officially sworn in on Monday, October 4, 2021, and will be assigned to preside over misdemeanor calendars and trials in Department 6 at the Hall of Justice.

Commissioners earn an annual salary of $182,000.

Media Contact: Arlene D. Junior

Superior Court of California, COUNTY OF SONOMA 600 Administration Drive Santa Rosa, CA 95403 Phone: 707-521-6800

For additional information, visit website at http://sonoma.courts.ca.gov/