Judge Gregory Pulskamp

  • Kern County Superior Court Judge since 2018 (appointed by Gov. Jerry Brown; term ends in 2027; first Muslim-American judge in the county).
  • Education: Bachelor of Science from Boston College (1990); Juris Doctor from University of San Diego School of Law (1993).
  • Legal career: Associate at Clifford & Brown (1993–1996); Deputy District Attorney, Kern County (1996–2018); Supervising Deputy District Attorney (2014–2018).
  • Judicial elections: Unopposed in 2020 (retained seat through 2027); registered with no party preference.
  • Court assignment: Presides in Department J, Metropolitan Division (Justice Building, Bakersfield) handling unlimited civil trials and civil writs.
  • Notable rulings: Key injunctions in high-profile cases – protecting church services during COVID (2020) and mandating Kern River flows for fish (2023); presiding over major environmental and land-use litigation.
  • Reputation: Known as a meticulous, detail-oriented jurist with a calm demeanor; widely respected for his fairness and adherence to procedure, with no history of ethics violations on record.

Education

Gregory Pulskamp graduated from Boston College in 1990 with a Bachelor of Science degree. He then attended the University of San Diego School of Law, earning his Juris Doctor in 1993. (He was later inducted into Boston College’s athletic hall of fame for his collegiate wrestling career.)

Legal Career and Professional Experience

After law school, Pulskamp practiced as an associate attorney at the Bakersfield firm Clifford & Brown from 1993 to 1996. In 1996 he joined the Kern County District Attorney’s Office, beginning a nearly 22-year career as a prosecutor. He handled criminal cases ranging from misdemeanors to serious felonies. In 2014 he was promoted to Supervising Deputy District Attorney in Kern County, overseeing felony prosecutors, and he remained in that leadership role until his elevation to the bench in 2018.

Judicial Appointment and Elections

Governor Jerry Brown appointed Pulskamp to the Kern County Superior Court in June 2018, and he took office on January 1, 2018. He filled the vacancy left by the retirement of Judge William D. Palmer. His appointment was noted as a milestone, making him the first Muslim-American judge in the history of Kern County. Under California law, newly appointed judges must stand for election; Pulskamp ran in the 2020 primary and, facing no opposition, was retained for a full six-year term through January 2027. He is registered without party preference (nonpartisan) as a voter.

Court Assignments and Responsibilities

Judge Pulskamp is assigned to Department J in the Metropolitan (Justice Building) location of the Kern County Superior Court in Bakersfield. In this role he presides over the unlimited civil calendar and rules on civil writ petitions. (Unlimited civil cases are major civil lawsuits that exceed the limited-amount jurisdiction.) He hears general civil trials and motions in his department and also decides writs, such as petitions for extraordinary relief in civil matters.

Notable Cases and Public Impact

Pulskamp has presided over several high-profile cases that received regional and state attention. In December 2020, he issued a preliminary injunction in a religious-liberty lawsuit (Fr. Burfitt v. Newsom) that blocked enforcement of certain state COVID-19 restrictions on indoor church services, finding that houses of worship were being treated differently from other “essential” activities. More recently, he has overseen the long-running Kern River environmental case. In October 2023 he granted a preliminary injunction under California Fish and Game Code §5937, ordering the City of Bakersfield to maintain sufficient flows in the Kern River to sustain fish downstream. (That order was later overturned by the Fifth District Court of Appeal in April 2025 and is now pending review by the California Supreme Court.) Pulskamp also handled related motions in the case, including ruling against an attempt by a local water agency to disqualify him. Aside from these, he has managed complex land-use and environmental cases in Kern County, such as the challenge to the proposed Bakersfield VA Clinic (a major CEQA case). His decisions in these matters illustrate his involvement in significant public issues ranging from environmental protection to constitutional rights.

Professional Reputation and Ethics

Local legal sources describe Judge Pulskamp as a thorough, detail-oriented jurist. He is known for strict adherence to the rules of evidence and procedure, reflecting his background as a longtime prosecutor. He has been quoted praising professional conduct and civility among attorneys in even the most contentious cases. Observers note his calm and respectful courtroom demeanor. Pulskamp has no known history of disciplinary or ethics issues; official records (such as the State Bar) show his status as a judge in good standing with no public reprimands. His impartial reputation and meticulous approach have earned respect among attorneys and community members alike.