SAN FRANCISCO — A U.C. Berkeley law professor whose nomination to a federal appeals court was blocked by Senate Republicans was unanimously approved Wednesday for the California Supreme Court.
The state’s three-member Commission on Judicial Appointments unanimously voted for Goodwin Liu’s nomination, and Gov. Jerry Brown was scheduled to swear Liu in on Thursday.
“This has to be the most peaceful and enjoyable judicial appointment conference in the country,” Liu said to laughter from about 100 spectators who filled the state Supreme Court chamber to watch the hearing.
Several influential Republican senators who took exception to Liu’s outspoken opposition to Samuel Alito’s 2006 appointment to the U.S. Supreme Court prevented Liu from becoming a member of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals after President Obama nominated him for that post last year.
Liu came to Brown’s attention during the bruising confirmation process for the appeals court. Brown said he began discussing the state Supreme Court vacancy with the law professor after Liu withdrew from consideration in May.
The governor nominated Liu in July to fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Carlos Moreno, the high court’s only Hispanic.
Of the 1,500 letters the judicial commission received, only about two dozen opposed Liu’s appointment, and all speakers at Wednesday’s hearing spoke in support of him. The three members voted after just a few questions.
