SACRAMENTO /California Newswire/ — Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today announced the appointments of Julia A. Emede, Maureen A. Folan, Daniel T. Nishigaya, Ronald I. Toff, Jesus Valencia Jr. and Theodore C. Zayner to judgeships in the Santa Clara County Superior Court.

Emede, 48, of San Jose, has been a shareholder for Schlepphorst and Emede since 2001. Previously, she was an associate for the Law Offices of Kathryn Schlepphorst from 1997 to 2001 and Makoffs, LLP from 1996 to 1997. Emede earned a Juris Doctorate degree from the University of California, Hastings College of the Law and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Michigan State University. She fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Jean Wetenkamp. Emede is a Democrat.

Folan, 47, of Boulder Creek, has served as of counsel for Davis and Young since 2009. Previously, she served as of counsel for Needham, Davis, Kepner and Young from 2003 to 2009 and associate, shareholder and of counsel for Hoge, Fenton, Jones and Appel from 1988 to 2003. Folan earned a Juris Doctorate degree from the University of California, Davis School of Law and a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of California, Riverside. She fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Leslie C. Nichols. Folan is a Democrat.

Nishigaya, 39, of Sunnyvale, has served as supervising deputy district attorney for the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office since 2006, where he previously served as deputy district attorney from 1996 to 2006. Nishigaya earned a Juris Doctorate degree from Santa Clara University School of Law and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Amherst College. He fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Catherine A. Gallagher. Nishigaya is a Republican.

Toff, 61, of Hollister, has been president of the Law Offices of Ronald I. Toff since 1991 and previously held the same position from 1982 to 1984. He was president of Toff and Paul from 1984 to 1991. Toff was a partner with Moore and Toff from 1982 to 1983, Toff, Toff, Newton and Moore from 1981 to 1982, and Toff, Toff and Newton from 1976 to 1981. Prior to that, he was an attorney for the Law Office of Melville Toff from 1973 to 1975. Toff earned a Juris Doctorate degree from the University of San Francisco School of Law and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Pacific Lutheran University. He fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Paul C. Cole. Toff is a Republican.

Valencia, 52, of San Jose, has served as a court commissioner for the Santa Clara County Superior Court since 2007. Previously, he was a sole practitioner from 1986 to 2006. Valencia earned a Juris Doctorate degree from Santa Clara University School of Law and a Bachelor of Arts degree from San Jose State University. He fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Alden E. Danner. Valencia is a Democrat.

Zayner, 53, of Woodside, has been an attorney for Adleson Hess and Kelly since July 2009. He was a sole practitioner from 2005 to 2009. Zayner was the managing attorney for Forge and Zayner from 2003 to 2005. Prior to that, he was an associate with Sandall and Penrose from 1998 to 2003, and associate then partner at Ropers, Majeski, Kohn and Bentley from 1983 to 1998. Zayner earned a Juris Doctorate degree from the University of California, Hastings College of the Law and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Stanford University. He fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Rodney J. Stafford. Zayner is registered decline-to-state.

The compensation for each position is $178,789.