SUPERIOR COURT OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY BENCH ELECTS JUDGE SERGIO C. TAPIA II AS PRESIDING JUDGE AND JUDGE RICARDO OCAMPO AS ASSISTANT PRESIDING JUDGE FOR 2025-26 TERM
Los Angeles, CA (October 1, 2024) – The judges of the Superior Court of Los Angeles County have elected Judge Sergio C. Tapia II as Presiding Judge and Judge Ricardo Ocampo as Assistant Presiding Judge for the 2025-26 term, beginning January 1, 2025. In a historic election, Judge Tapia will be the first Presiding Judge of Latino heritage since the trial court unification in 2000, while Judge Ocampo will become the first Asian American in the Court’s history to serve as Assistant Presiding Judge.
Judge Tapia, who has served as the Court’s Assistant Presiding Judge since January 2023, will succeed Presiding Judge Samantha P. Jessner at the conclusion of her two-year term on December 31, 2024. He expressed gratitude for the trust placed in him by his colleagues:
“I am humbled and deeply grateful to have been elected as the next Presiding Judge of the largest trial court in the nation,” said Judge Tapia. “I look forward to building upon the solid foundation established by Presiding Judge Jessner, whose leadership has been an inspiration to all of us. I am committed to ensuring that our Court remains a model of innovation and excellence.”
Judge Ocampo, currently the Court’s Supervising Judge of the Criminal Division, will assist Judge Tapia in managing the largest consolidated trial court system in the United States. He shared his excitement about the opportunity:
“I am deeply honored to have been chosen as the next Assistant Presiding Judge,” said Judge Ocampo. “Working alongside Judge Tapia and our dedicated bench, I look forward to continuing the Court’s commitment to serving Los Angeles County with fairness, efficiency, and compassion.”
About Presiding Judge-Elect Sergio C. Tapia II
Appointed to the bench by Governor Jerry Brown in 2013, Judge Sergio C. Tapia II has held several key leadership roles within the Court, including Assistant Presiding Judge (2023-present), Supervising Judge of the Criminal Division, and Assistant Supervising Judge of Limited Criminal (Traffic). His service extends to numerous Court committees, including the Executive, Budget, and Community Outreach Committees, and he was a founding member of the Judicial Mentor Program.
Judge Tapia is also an active member of the Judicial Council of California and has served on committees focused on access, fairness, and diversity within the judiciary. He is a member of Governor Gavin Newsom’s Judicial Selection Advisory Committee and remains committed to ensuring that the judiciary reflects the diversity of Los Angeles County.
Before joining the bench, Judge Tapia worked for the Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles, the Los Angeles County Public Defender’s Office, and the Alternate Public Defender’s Office. He also has a long-standing commitment to mentoring future legal professionals, having served as an adjunct professor and Teen Court Judge.
About Assistant Presiding Judge-Elect Ricardo Ocampo
Judge Ricardo Ocampo has served Los Angeles County’s legal system for nearly three decades. Appointed by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger in 2008, he has held numerous leadership roles, including Supervising Judge of the Criminal Division and the South Central District in Compton.
Before joining the bench, Judge Ocampo was a Deputy District Attorney for the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office, where he worked in specialized units such as Major Crimes, Hardcore Gang, and Public Integrity. He began his legal career as a research attorney for the Superior Court.
Judge Ocampo holds a Juris Doctorate from Southwestern University School of Law and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from San Francisco State University. He is fluent in Filipino and Spanish, adding to his ability to serve the diverse population of Los Angeles County.
As the Court moves into the next term, Judges Tapia and Ocampo are expected to lead with the values of fairness, equity, and innovation that have shaped the Superior Court of Los Angeles County. Together, they will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of one of the most influential courts in the country.
