Judge Susan Gill

Quick Facts

• Education: B.A. in history and English from the University of Southern California (1980); J.D. from Loyola Law School (1983).
• Judicial Appointment: Appointed to the Kern County Superior Court by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger on December 30, 2009; took the bench in early 2010.
• Current Assignment: Assistant Supervising Judge of the Juvenile Dependency Division (Department J4) at the Kern County Juvenile Justice Center in Bakersfield.

Background and Education

Susan M. Gill grew up in Bakersfield and pursued higher education in Southern California. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree (in history and English) from the University of Southern California in 1980. Gill then attended Loyola Law School in Los Angeles, receiving her Juris Doctor in 1983. After law school, she returned to Bakersfield and joined her father’s law firm (Gill & Gill), where she specialized in family law, focusing on appellate and juvenile matters.

In 1989, Gill entered public service as a deputy county counsel for Kern County. In that role she handled a variety of government legal matters, gaining extensive experience in child welfare and family law cases. Gill spent over two decades in the County Counsel’s office (1989–2010), during which time she also taught law classes locally (for example, as an adjunct at a Bakersfield law school). Her background in both private family law practice and public child welfare prepared her for the bench.

Judicial Appointment

Judge Gill was appointed to the Kern County Superior Court bench effective in 2010, filling a vacancy in the juvenile dependency and family law divisions. The appointment was made by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger on December 30, 2009. She first stood for election to retain her seat in 2012 and has been retained by voters in subsequent uncontested elections. Most recently, she won retention in 2024 and is serving a full six-year term (through January 2031). Her appointment and continued service have placed her in a leadership position within the court’s family and juvenile divisions.

Courtroom Assignment and Duties

As a Superior Court judge, Gill’s primary assignment is in the Juvenile Dependency Division. She presides in Department J4 at the Juvenile Justice Center in Bakersfield, handling cases involving child protection, dependency, and family reunification. These cases often involve allegations of abuse or neglect, decisions about foster care placement, and termination of parental rights. In her role as Assistant Supervising Judge of the dependency division, she also helps oversee the administration of the juvenile dependency court and coordinates with social service agencies.

In addition to her courtroom duties, Judge Gill has contributed to statewide judicial education. Notably, in 2023 she co-led the development of a Judicial Council bench guide on domestic violence restraining orders, a resource used by judges across California to ensure consistency and best practices in family violence cases. Her work reflects an ongoing commitment to the integrity of court procedures and to supporting colleagues handling sensitive family issues.

Notable Cases

Judge Gill’s court has handled many significant child welfare cases. In at least two recent appeals, higher courts reviewed orders from her department. In In re E.C. (2022), the California Court of Appeal found that her court had not satisfied all procedural requirements of the Indian Child Welfare Act, and it reversed and remanded the case. In In re L.B. (2024), the Fifth Appellate District addressed the interpretation of reunification statutes (Welfare & Institutions Code section 361.5) and likewise reversed her decision. These published appellate rulings underscore the complexities of juvenile dependency law.

Earlier in her career, as a deputy county counsel, Gill was involved in high-level child welfare litigation. For example, she represented the Kern County Department of Human Services in cases that reached higher courts, reflecting her deep experience with dependency issues even before becoming a judge. She notably argued a dependency case before the California Supreme Court during her tenure in the county counsel’s office. Collectively, her work as both attorney and judge has focused on protecting children and upholding family law standards.

Judicial Reputation and Temperament

Judge Gill is known in the Kern County legal community for her expertise in family and juvenile law. Colleagues note her thorough and deliberate approach to complex cases involving children and families. In court she maintains a calm and professional demeanor, carefully considering the evidence and each person involved. Her role as Assistant Supervising Judge and her leadership in statewide judicial committees indicate that she is respected by peers for her fairness, knowledge of the law, and ability to handle difficult situations.

Ethics and Community Involvement

Throughout her career, Gill has adhered to high standards of judicial ethics and professionalism. She is considered a role model for fairness and integrity in a field that often deals with sensitive human issues. Off the bench, Judge Gill is active in community service, particularly with organizations that support children and families. She is a member of the Rotary Club of Bakersfield East and has volunteered on projects benefiting vulnerable youth (for example, assisting with improvements at the Jamison Center for abused and neglected children). Her involvement in community and professional service reflects a broader commitment to public service beyond the courtroom.

Summary

Judge Susan M. Gill brings decades of experience in family law and child welfare to the Kern County Superior Court. A Bakersfield native, she built a career first as a private family law attorney (working with her father) and then as a deputy county counsel specializing in juvenile dependency cases. Since her appointment to the bench in 2010, she has led the juvenile dependency court in Kern County, earning a reputation for careful, compassionate handling of complex child welfare matters. Judge Gill continues to serve her community with dedication to fair outcomes for children and families.