Kelli Evans facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Kelli Evans
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| Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of California | |
| Assumed office January 2, 2023 |
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| Appointed by | Gavin Newsom |
| Preceded by | Patricia Guerrero |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1968/1969 (age 56–57) |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Terri Shaw |
| Children | 1 |
| Education | Stanford University (BA) University of California, Davis (JD) |
Kelli Evans is an American lawyer and judge. She was born in 1968 or 1969. She currently serves as an associate justice on the highest court in California, the Supreme Court of California. Before this important role, she was a judge in the Alameda County Superior Court.
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Education and Early Career
Kelli Evans worked hard to get her education. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Stanford University in 1991. After that, she went to law school. She received her Juris Doctor degree from UC Davis School of Law in 1994. A Juris Doctor (JD) is the degree you need to become a lawyer.
Her Path in Law
After finishing law school, Kelli Evans began her career helping people. In 1995, she worked as an assistant public defender in Sacramento County. A public defender is a lawyer who helps people who cannot afford their own legal representation.
From 1998 to 2001, she worked for the United States Department of Justice Civil Rights Division. This division works to protect the civil rights of all Americans. She also worked at law firms and as a partner at Independent Assessment & Monitoring LLP.
From 2010 to 2013, she was an associate director at the ACLU of Northern California. The ACLU is an organization that works to defend and preserve individual rights and liberties. She had also worked there as an attorney earlier in her career.
Later, she served as a senior director for the administration of justice at the State Bar of California. She also worked as a special assistant to the attorney general at the California Department of Justice. Kelli Evans was also part of teams that helped oversee police departments. For example, she helped make sure the Oakland, California, police department followed rules for civil rights reforms.
Before becoming a judge, she was a chief deputy legal affairs secretary for Governor Newsom's office.
Becoming a Judge
Kelli Evans became a judge of the Alameda County Superior Court in 2021. She served in this role until 2023.
Joining the California Supreme Court
On August 10, 2022, Governor Gavin Newsom chose Kelli Evans for a very important position. He nominated her to be an associate justice of the Supreme Court of California. She was chosen to fill the seat left by Patricia Guerrero.
On November 10, 2022, a group called the California Commission on Judicial Appointments voted to approve her appointment. They all agreed she was a great choice. Kelli Evans was sworn into office on January 2, 2023. This means she officially started her job on that date.
Her appointment was historic. She became a pioneer for diversity on the court. With her joining, half of the associate justices on the court are Black. She is also the first openly woman of color to serve on the court.
Personal Life
Kelli Evans is a member of the Democratic Party. She lives in Oakland with her wife, Terri Shaw. They have one daughter who is currently attending college.
See also
- List of African-American jurists
- List of LGBT jurists in the United States
- List of LGBT state supreme court justices in the United States
