Judge Eric Bradshaw

Education: Graduated West High School (Bakersfield); earned a B.A. in History & Political Science from California State University, Chico (1980) and a J.D. from California Western School of Law, San Diego (1984).
Professional career: Civil litigator and business law attorney in Bakersfield for 22 years; associate at Borton, Petrini & Conron (1985–1987) and the law office of Gene R. McMurtrey (1987–1990), then at Noriega & Alexander (1990–1992), and partner at Noriega & Bradshaw LLP (1992–2008).
Judicial appointment: Appointed to the Kern County Superior Court by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger in November 2008 (filling the vacancy of the retiring Judge Richard Oberholzer); sworn in 2008, with a six-year term length. Re-elected (unopposed) in 2016 and 2022; current term runs through January 2029.
Court assignment: Felony Calendar judge (Metropolitan Courthouse, Dept. 1) in Bakersfield. Served as Assistant Presiding Judge in 2022; elevated to Presiding Judge of the Kern County Superior Court effective January 1, 2023.
Bar admission: Admitted to the State Bar of California in the mid-1980s (following law school). Member of Kern County legal and judicial associations, in good standing with no record of disciplinary actions.

Background and Education

Eric Bradshaw is a lifelong Kern County resident. Born and raised in Bakersfield, he attended West High School. He comes from a family of California lawyers spanning multiple generations (his grandfather, William L. Bradshaw, was a Kern County Superior Court judge, and his father, Richard W. Bradshaw, served as an assistant district attorney and judge pro tem). Judge Bradshaw earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in History and Political Science at California State University, Chico in 1980 and then completed his Juris Doctor at California Western School of Law (San Diego) in 1984. This combination of local upbringing and legal education has underpinned his long legal and judicial career in Kern County.

Legal Career Before Judgeship

After law school, Bradshaw entered private practice in Bakersfield. He spent his early years as an associate attorney at the firm of Borton, Petrini & Conron (1985–1987) and then in the Law Office of Gene R. McMurtrey (1987–1990). In 1990 he joined the firm Noriega & Alexander as an associate. By 1992 he became a partner, and the firm became Noriega & Bradshaw LLP. From 1992 until his judicial appointment in 2008, Judge Bradshaw was a partner at Noriega & Bradshaw, practicing civil litigation and business law. Throughout this time he developed a broad civil practice, handling cases ranging from contract disputes and tort matters to business transactions. His two decades of legal practice focused on civil matters and established him as a seasoned litigator in the local legal community.

Judicial Appointment

In November 2008, Bradshaw was appointed by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger to a judgeship on the Superior Court of California, County of Kern. He filled the vacancy left by the retirement of Judge Richard Oberholzer and was sworn in shortly thereafter. California superior court judges serve six-year terms; after his initial appointment, Judge Bradshaw stood for retention in the next judicial election. He ran unopposed in his contested elections, winning re-election in 2016 and again in 2022. His current term extends through January 2029. As a nonpartisan judicial official, Bradshaw has participated in county judicial elections as required, consistently demonstrating continued community and legal confidence in his role.

Courtroom Assignment and Judicial Responsibilities

Judge Bradshaw’s assignments over the years have been diverse. He has presided in both criminal and civil departments, reflecting Kern County’s rotation of judges. In criminal law, he handled felony trials, including major case law such as designating felony calendars. In criminal and traffic courts he has overseen serious misdemeanor and felony cases as well. On the civil side, he has heard unlimited civil actions and handled specialized writ and Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) litigation. He has also presided over family law and juvenile matters in various assignments, and has rotated through court sessions in outlying divisions (such as Delano and Mojave) when required. His caseload has included civil limited jurisdiction matters (small claims), arbitrations, and other general civil matters.

Colleagues selected Bradshaw for court leadership. He was unanimously chosen as Assistant Presiding Judge for 2022, serving under Presiding Judge Colette Humphrey. Effective January 1, 2023, he became the Presiding Judge of the Kern County Superior Court. In that role he oversees the administrative and operational management of the court. As Presiding Judge, he continues to handle courtroom duties – he currently presides over Department 1 (Felony Calendar) at the Kern County Superior Court’s main campus in Bakersfield. His responsibilities combine courtroom work with leadership of court committees and liaison duties with the judicial council and community stakeholders.

Notable Cases and Rulings

Judge Bradshaw has presided over numerous significant cases. In a high-profile civil matter (Bear Valley Community Services District v. Willdan Engineering, Kern County Case No. BCV-19-101809), he delivered a post-trial judgment in March 2023 awarding the district approximately $7.94 million. The ruling followed a bench trial over failed road rehabilitation work, where Bradshaw found the engineering company negligent in its design and breach of contract. This large judgment underscored his handling of complex civil litigation involving public infrastructure.

He also gained attention in a civil rights context. In October 2022, Bradshaw ruled in favor of a Bakersfield bakery owner who refused to make a wedding cake for a same-sex couple, a case involving California’s Unruh Civil Rights Act and First Amendment issues. In that decision (DFEH v. Miller, Tastries Bakery), he held that the owner’s actions did not constitute unlawful discrimination, effectively upholding her exercise of religious belief and free expression. This case attracted statewide news coverage as a notable intersection of anti-discrimination law and free speech.

In addition to these, Judge Bradshaw has issued numerous appellate and trial rulings in areas such as land use, school governance, and administrative law. For example, he has presided over petitions under the Public Records Act and writs challenging governmental agency decisions. Some of his rulings have been affirmed or reviewed on appeal, reflecting the breadth of issues before him (from environmental cases to eminent domain challenges). His record shows careful application of law in both civil and criminal contexts, with detailed written opinions in complex matters.

Judicial Philosophy and Reputation

Bradshaw is widely regarded as a diligent and fair-minded jurist. Court observers note his insistence on thorough legal argumentation. In a judicial profile, he was described as challenging attorneys to present their best arguments, reflecting a philosophy that well-prepared advocacy sharpens judicial decision-making. Colleagues have commended his extensive experience and leadership qualities. When he was selected for court leadership, Presiding Judge Colette Humphrey praised his years of service and expertise across different case types, noting that he was “well respected” by fellow judges. Attorney and media commentary portray him as thoughtful and meticulous: he is known for clear courtroom management, patience in handling complex evidence, and a courteous yet firm presence on the bench. Bradshaw himself has spoken of humility and service, emphasizing collegial cooperation and respect for all court participants.

Ethics and Professional Conduct

Throughout his judicial career, Judge Bradshaw has maintained a record free of disciplinary actions. There are no public reports of sanctions or formal ethics investigations involving him. As a member of the California State Bar and a superior court judge, he is subject to the Rules of Judicial Conduct and to oversight by the California Commission on Judicial Performance. To date, he has not been publicly reprimanded or censured by that commission. Legal directories and court announcements depict him as a judge in good standing. He is viewed as adhering to professional standards in the courtroom, with no known controversies related to misconduct.

Community Involvement and Contributions

Beyond his judicial duties, Bradshaw participates in legal and community activities. As a Presiding Judge, he has engaged with various stakeholders in Kern County – for example, touring regional court facilities (such as the Delano court) to understand local needs. He has also been appointed to state advisory committees: notably, he serves on the California Judicial Council’s Trial Court Budget Advisory Committee, contributing to statewide court funding discussions. In the local bar and legal community, his long career has included mentoring younger attorneys and witnessing new admittees to the bar (including swearing in his own niece as an attorney). While judges generally limit public political activity, Bradshaw is known to support civic legal education by speaking at community forums and legal seminars when invited. His longstanding family ties in Bakersfield reinforce his commitment to the region. In sum, Judge Bradshaw’s community contributions align with his role as a public servant: he supports bar association efforts and outreach programs that promote access to justice, and he is regarded as a leading member of the local judiciary who upholds the court’s outreach and educational missions.