Judge Arlan Harrell is receiving a promotion.

Gov. Gavin Newsom has appointed Harrell as an associate justice to the 5th District Court of Appeal. He replaces retiring Justice Charles Poochigian on the appellate bench.

“I’m very excited and looking forward to the new challenge,” Harrell said.

Harrell, 63, has served as a Fresno County Superior Court judge since 2006. He was appointed by then-Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger. He spent most of that time presiding over trials.

“I will miss my colleagues and my responsibilities in the trial court, and particularly dealing with the jurors who appeared to serve in the Fresno Superior Court,” Harrell said.

Prior to his Superior Court appointment, Harrell served as a court commissioner from 2003 through 2006. He replaced Brad Hill on the bench — a man he will now serve alongside as an appellate judge.

The Commission on Judicial Appointments — composed of state Supreme Court Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero, Attorney General Rob Bonta, and Hill — must confirm the appointment.

Harrell’s Background

Harrell graduated from UC Riverside and earned a Juris Doctor from the UC Davis School of Law in 1990. He served in private practice in Fresno before joining the Fresno County District Attorney’s Office, where he worked from 1994 to 2003.

His brother, Alvin Harrell III, also serves as a Fresno County Superior Court judge.

After his appointment, Harrell won re-election in 2008, 2014 and 2020. He would be up for re-election again next year.

If Harrell is confirmed, Newsom could appoint another judge to fill the Fresno County vacancy. However, the re-election window for Harrell opens Jan. 26, 2026. If the vacancy occurs after that date, the seat could be decided in an open election.

A Democrat, Harrell’s new compensation would be $280,052.

Fresno Attorney Appointed in Kings County

Newsom also announced the appointment of Fresno attorney Jim Trevino to the Kings County Superior Court bench.

Trevino, 55 and a Democrat, has been in private practice since 2005, opening his law firm in 2008. He earned his Juris Doctor from the San Joaquin College of Law.

He replaces the retiring Randy Edwards. The compensation is $244,727.