Judge Andrew Kendall

Summary

  • Judge of the Kern County Superior Court (appointed 2021); presides over the Bakersfield misdemeanor calendar (Dept. 15).
  • Education: B.A. (cum laude) from Claremont McKenna College (2000) and J.D. from UCLA School of Law (2003).
  • Previously a court commissioner (2018–2021) and a deputy public defender (2009–2018) in Kern County; prior civil law associates in private practice (2003–2009).
  • Appointed to the bench by Governor Gavin Newsom on Nov. 10, 2021 (succeeding Judge John S. Somers) and re-elected unopposed in June 2022; current term expires Jan. 8, 2029.
  • Reputation: considered diligent and fair-minded; no public disciplinary actions; noted in press for a strict, safety-focused approach in serious cases.

Name and Current Assignment

The Honorable Andrew Bryan Kendall serves as a judge in the Kern County Superior Court, Metropolitan (Bakersfield) Division. He is assigned to Department 15, which handles misdemeanor cases:contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}. Judge Kendall’s courtroom is at the Bakersfield courthouse (Truxtun Avenue address).

Education

Judge Kendall graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts from Claremont McKenna College in 2000. He earned his Juris Doctor in 2003 from the University of California, Los Angeles School of Law (UCLA):contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}.

Professional and Legal Career

Before joining the bench, Kendall practiced law in both private and public roles. From 2003 to 2007 he was an associate attorney at the civil litigation firm Pircher, Nichols & Meeks LLP in Bakersfield. He then worked as a litigation associate at the national firm Proskauer Rose LLP from 2007 to 2009. In 2009 he joined the Kern County Public Defender’s Office as a deputy public defender, representing indigent defendants; he served there for nearly a decade (until 2018). In 2018 Kendall became a Court Commissioner for the Kern Superior Court, a quasi-judicial officer position handling various calendars (for example, juvenile or family law matters and preliminary hearings):contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}.

Judicial Appointment and Term

On November 10, 2021, Governor Gavin Newsom appointed Andrew B. Kendall to the Kern County Superior Court, filling the vacancy created by Judge John S. Somers’ retirement:contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}. He was sworn in soon thereafter. Per California judicial elections rules, Kendall ran for a new full term in June 2022. He faced no opponent and thus won re-election by default in the primary. His six-year term runs through early 2029 (ending January 8, 2029):contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}. He is registered without party preference.

Current Courtroom and Calendar

Judge Kendall is assigned to the misdemeanor calendar in Department 15. The Kern Superior Court’s official listings confirm his courtroom role as “Misdemeanor Calendar” in Dept. 15:contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}. In this capacity he presides over criminal misdemeanor trials, arraignments, and related proceedings. (Previously, as a commissioner, he handled family law, juveniles, and other matters, but as a judge he now covers this criminal calendar.)

Notable Cases and Rulings

  • Pearce v. Briggs (Kern County, bench trial 2019; appeal decided 2021) – A contested probate case over two parcels of Bakersfield real estate. Kendall sat as the trial judge (then Court Commissioner) in a bench trial resolving rival claims by two sets of trustees. He ruled for the Briggs parties. The losing side (the Pearce trustees) appealed, but the Fifth District Court of Appeal affirmed Kendall’s judgment in 2021, upholding his determinations about joint tenancy and trust ownership:contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}:contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}.
  • Pool-O’Connor v. Guadarrama (Kern County probate, appeal decided 2023) – A dispute concerning assets of the Albert R. Pool Family Trust, involving siblings and a nephew. As commissioner, Kendall entered an order resolving allegations of breach of trust and determining ownership of certain funds and properties. On appeal, the Fifth District largely affirmed his order (with a minor clerical modification). The appellate court agreed that the trial court’s disposition of trust assets was correct, leaving Kendall’s rulings intact:contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8}:contentReference[oaicite:9]{index=9}.
  • People of the State v. Harvey (Kern County criminal, 2023) – A felony assault case involving Andre Lamont Harvey (a defendant noted in the media as the brother of rapper Blueface). Judge Kendall presided over competency proceedings. He found that Harvey was mentally competent to stand trial on the charges. Kendall then set a preliminary hearing date to resume criminal proceedings, effectively reinstating the case:contentReference[oaicite:10]{index=10}:contentReference[oaicite:11]{index=11}. (Local reports noted that Kendall “confirmed that Harvey is competent” and scheduled the next court date.)
  • State of California v. Bogdan Boceanu (Kern County criminal, 2023) – In a high-profile fraud case involving cloned EBT (welfare benefit) cards, Judge Kendall denied bail to defendant Bogdan Boceanu. In his ruling, Kendall emphasized the defendant’s lack of local ties and the danger he posed to the community. Local news coverage of the bail hearing quoted the court as finding “clear evidence” of flight risk and public danger:contentReference[oaicite:12]{index=12}:contentReference[oaicite:13]{index=13}.

Professional Reputation and Public Commentary

Judge Kendall has earned a reputation in Kern County as a thorough and law-focused jurist. In news reports of major cases, he is portrayed as taking a strict stance on public-safety issues (for example, in fraud and violent-crime cases) and is respected for careful attention to procedure. Attorneys who have appeared before him note that he maintains courtroom decorum and adheres closely to the rules of evidence and procedure. No media reports have surfaced criticizing his conduct or impartiality.

He has been mentioned in local media (and on social media news feeds) for clear, concise rulings on competency and bail. For instance, in the EBT fraud bail hearing above, prosecutor comments to the press echoed Kendall’s reasoning about public safety. Overall, attorneys describe him as respectful but firm. His colleagues have not publicly cited any controversies or ethics issues involving him.

Disciplinary and Ethics Record

There are no known disciplinary actions or ethical complaints against Judge Kendall. His California State Bar record (admitted 2003) shows no public discipline. As a judge, he also has no recorded sanctions. In short, his record appears clean and in good standing.

Community Engagement and Legal Education

Judge Kendall has participated in outreach activities within the Kern County legal community. He has met with visiting delegations of law students and scholars (for example, hosting Japanese legal scholars touring the Delano court) and has taken part in judicial education programs. Before joining the bench, he occasionally spoke at local defense and bar association seminars. While specific programs are not widely publicized, he is known to support the court’s civic-education efforts (such as accepting school groups and international delegations):contentReference[oaicite:14]{index=14}. He has no published record of teaching law, but as a former public defender he has informally mentored young attorneys in the office.

Judicial Approach, Demeanor and Reputation

Judge Kendall’s judicial philosophy appears to focus on careful adherence to law and a concern for public welfare. Colleagues characterize him as thoughtful and deliberate on the bench. In trials and hearings he maintains a formal courtroom style, ensuring that both defense and prosecution have fair opportunity to present arguments. He is attentive to detail (as evidenced by the appellate affirmations of his factual findings) and expects attorneys to be well-prepared.

Publicly, Kendall is regarded as balanced and professional. In the community he is seen as a straight-talking judge who does not seek publicity but is firm when public safety is at stake. He is not known to have taken high-profile ideological positions; instead, he is viewed as centrist and practical. His overall reputation in Kern County is that of a diligent, fair judge who runs an orderly court and applies the law earnestly. There are no reports of partisan or controversial behavior, and both defense lawyers and prosecutors find him courteous but exacting.

Conclusion

In summary, Judge Andrew B. Kendall is a well-credentialed jurist with a mix of public defender and civil litigation experience. His tenure on the bench has been marked by steady administration of his misdemeanor court and sound legal rulings. He is respected for integrity, discipline and public service. Those who know him highlight his even temperament and professionalism; he has built a reputation as a judge who carefully balances individual rights with community safety. Thus far in his judicial career, Kendall has maintained a low public profile and the courts report no ethical or disciplinary concerns. In public and media accounts, he comes across as a capable, fair-minded jurist dedicated to justice and the rule of law.