Catherine Swysen appointed SLO County Superior Court judge

February 1, 2023

Catherine Swysen

By KAREN VELIE

Governor Gavin Newsom announced Tuesday the appointment of Catherine Swysen to a judgeship in the San Luis Obispo County Superior Court.

Swysen, 61, of Santa Barbara County, has been managing partner at Sanger Swysen & Dunkle since 1997. She also held several positions at the firm since 1992 including associate and law clerk.

She earned a Juris Doctor degree from the Santa Barbara College of Law. She is a Democrat.

Newsom selected Swysen to fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Ginger Garrett.


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She hasn’t even started doing her job and people who do not know her at all or her work habits are disparaging her. Who here would want to be treated that way if the shoe was on the other foot? Why are so many people treating others much harsher than they would ever want themselves to be treated? A judge should be wise and fair and know the law. Do any of Swysen’s attackers have any evidence to suggest she is not wise, or not fair, or does not know the law? I doubt it.


What year did she pass the California bar?


Wow, pure politics. Paul Flores’ attorney from a night-school law education, and now a judge.


Ms, Swysen is replacing another woman who retired, and she is a Democrat; ergo she fills two requirements, correct gender and correct political party.

FYI – The Santa Barbara College of Law is a 70% online, for-profit law school.


I am not familiar with this attorney who works as a managing attorney out of county. It is unfortunate that we didn’t get a Judge that lives and practices in SLO County. Her partner is Mark Sanger who recently represented Paul Flores in his losing case in Monterey County. I am unsure of the political statement Governor Gavin Newsom is making with this appointment.


The world–>She and this qualifies her, She is a Democrat. As if they couldn’t find a Democrat in SLO County


May she be tougher on crime than her appointer.