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Fellow judges, county officials, court staff, family and friends gathered to welcome and install Judge John Langan in the event in the Department 3 courtroom where he will begin to hear cases this week.
On Feb. 2, following a six-month application and vetting process, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced his appointment of Langan to fill the vacancy created by Judge Andrew Blum, who retired at the start of July.
Langan most recently served as the Superior Court commissioner or bench officer, a position which he held since 2019. In that role, he handled civil and family matters in the court’s Clearlake division.
Before his work as commissioner, Langan, who graduated from the University of San Francisco School of Law, served nearly 18 years with the Lake County District Attorney’s Office.
Some of Langan’s family members attended online, but one very special person made the trip from San Francisco to be there: His mother, Una, who will be 100 years old in June.
“She is certainly a treasure to John,” said Presiding Judge Michael Lunas, who led the ceremony, seated on the bench and flanked by his fellow judges, including Blum, J. David Markham and Shanda Harry.
Retired judges on hand in addition to Blum were Blum’s predecessor, Arthur Mann, and Stephen Hedstrom, who attended via Zoom.
Retirement put process in motion
Lunas helped fill everyone in on the backstory to the big day.
“Judge Blum put something in motion last June,” Lunas said.
He recalled Blum coming into his chambers on a Monday morning – not a time he normally saw him in his chambers – in June to announce he was retiring in July.
Judge Blum had long served Lake County, beginning as a deputy district attorney and continuing up to the position of judge. He is now serving as an assigned judge in his retirement, Lunas said.
Lunas thanked Blum for his collegiality, friendship and support.
Speaking to Langan of Blum, Lunas said, “John, it’s going to be a tough act to follow.”
During the ceremony, Langan was lauded for his work in the courts.
However, “You know this is different,” Lunas said of Langan’s transition from commissioner to judge. “It’s very different.”
As a judge, Lunas said Langan will be called on to handle every type of case, and can expect calls in the middle of the night to sign search warrants and restraining orders.
Lunas said Langan’s service as a commissioner showed his abilities and temperament and he’ll be supported by court staff – who during the ceremony Lunas said are the best anywhere.
“Everyone will be invested in your success as you move forward over the years,” Lunas said.
Being a judge will be the most challenging job Langan has ever had, but it’s also more rewarding, Lunas said. “I’m confident that you will love the work.”
Judge Shanda Harry handed off to Langan a plaque that, for more than 50 years, has been given to the newest judge on the bench. She received it from Markham when she took the bench in 2019.
The tradition of the plaque was begun by Judge John Golden. Golden’s wife, Gail, wrote a quote from Judge Hand in calligraphy that explains the challenges and rewards of being a judge.
In his brief remarks, Hedstrom congratulated Langan and said his appointment is well deserved.
Mann, like Lunas, noted the challenges of the job, but added that it’s the best job in the world.
Markham recalled that he and Langan were hired by the District Attorney’s Office at about the same time. Markham later left to work as a defense attorney, and they worked on cases that found them facing each other in court.
Defense attorneys don’t often trust prosecutors. However, Markham noted Langan’s professionalism and work ethic.
“Never once did I question his integrity,” Markham said of Langan, noting he always did the right thing.
Harry said she also met Langan when she also was working for the District Attorney’s Office. She saw his determination in their initial acquaintance as he continued working while dealing with a back injury.
Blum said it’s a great job in a great community, adding that for him, Judge Mann was a hard act to follow.
“We’re happy to have you on board,” Blum said.
Taking the bench
Lunas then administered the oath to Langan before shaking his hand and giving him a hug.
Afterward, Langan signed a copy of the oath before his partner, Shawn Berlinn, helped him into his judicial robe.
He then took the bench. In his first words from that new position, he expressed his gratitude.
Langan thanked Markham and Harry for their encouragement through the process.
He also thanked Hedstrom – one of the first people he spoke to when he thought of becoming commissioner – for what he did for him personally and for Lake County as a judge.
Part of the process in gaining a judicial appointment involves a candidate being vetted by the state’s Commission on Judicial Nominees Evaluation, known as the JNE Commission, which seeks comments from other attorneys and officials. Langan thanked everyone for the kind comments they submitted to the commission on his behalf.
Langan said he’s honored and very proud to be a judge in Lake County. “This county has given a lot to me,” he said, his voice faltering for a moment.
He said he’s looking forward to giving back, and then paused again, adding that Blum had told him he could get through his opening comments.
“You can do it!” Blum called out.
Langan offered special thanks to his biggest supporter, his partner Shawn Berlinn, a deputy court clerk.
He’s hitting the ground running this week. Langan told Lake County News last week following the news of his appointment that the court is backlogged. The plan is for him to get started quickly, and he said he’s ready to go.
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