Commissioner Jon Riesenbeck

Factual Summary

• Current Position: Commissioner (family law/child support) at Tulare County Superior Court, appointed August 2025.
• Education: Bachelor’s degrees in History and Classical Civilization (UCLA); J.D. from UCLA School of Law.
• Military Service: United States Marine Corps veteran.
• Legal Career: Approximately 20 years of experience; Senior Attorney at Tulare County Department of Child Support Services (12 years).
• Bar Admission: California State Bar (admitted 2005, license #240481; status now inactive as a judicial officer).
• Specialization: Child support and family law (AB 1058 Child Support program).
• Judicial Assignment: Handles AB 1058 child support cases in Tulare County’s North (Visalia/Exeter/Dinuba) and South (Porterville/Lindsay/Tulare) regions.
• Reputation: Known in the local legal community for a strong work ethic, attention to detail, and dedication to serving families.

Education

Jon Riesenbeck earned both his undergraduate and law degrees at the University of California, Los Angeles. He obtained Bachelor’s degrees in History and in Classical Civilization, and subsequently earned a Juris Doctor (J.D.) from the UCLA School of Law. His academic background provided a foundation for a career specializing in family law and child support matters.

Legal Career and Experience

Riesenbeck has spent nearly two decades as a practicing attorney. For approximately 12 years leading up to his judicial appointment, he was a Senior Attorney with the Tulare County Department of Child Support Services. In that role, he represented the county in child support proceedings, establishing paternity, setting or modifying support orders, and enforcing payment obligations. He worked closely on issues affecting families and children, gaining extensive experience in California’s child support system.

Before joining the child support department, Riesenbeck’s earlier legal roles are not detailed in public sources. It appears his professional career was primarily devoted to public service in Tulare County. He practiced law for many years within the county and built a reputation as a dedicated family-law attorney.

Court Assignments

Upon his appointment as Commissioner, Riesenbeck was assigned to handle child support matters under the state’s AB 1058 program. He presides over the county’s child support calendars in both the North County jurisdiction (including Visalia, Exeter, and Dinuba) and the South County jurisdiction (including Porterville, Lindsay, and Tulare). His assignments correspond to Department 1 (North County Child Support) and Department 17 (South County Child Support) on the Tulare Superior Court docket.

The AB 1058 Child Support program emphasizes expedited handling of support issues, and as the designated child support commissioner, Riesenbeck plays a key role in that process. His department schedules include hearings for establishing support, modifying orders, and related family law matters according to California law.

Judicial Responsibilities

As a court commissioner, Riesenbeck is a subordinate judicial officer empowered to make binding decisions in family law matters, primarily those involving child support. His responsibilities include conducting formal hearings, reviewing financial declarations and evidence, and issuing support orders under California statutes. He handles both uncontested matters (where parties agree or one side is absent) and contested hearings (where disputes over income or expenses arise). For example, he may hold a default hearing if one parent fails to appear, or a contested hearing if parents disagree on income figures or child-related expenses.

In effect, Riesenbeck performs many functions similar to a judge within his child support jurisdiction. He ensures that support cases follow legal guidelines and that orders are set appropriately. Any party dissatisfied with his ruling can request a de novo review by a superior court judge, per the procedures set out in California law. His role helps the Tulare court system efficiently handle its family law caseload by allocating child support issues to a specialized officer.

Notable Cases and Rulings

Commissioner Riesenbeck’s tenure is recent, and he has not authored any widely publicized or published opinions. Child support matters he handles are typically private family cases, and their rulings are generally not reported. There are no notable appellate cases or high-profile decisions involving his name. His work is focused on day-to-day resolution of support cases in the trial court, which usually do not generate outside media coverage or legal precedent.

Judicial Philosophy

Riesenbeck has not publicly articulated a specific judicial philosophy. However, court officials and colleagues have described him as methodical and even-keeled. He is noted for being detail-oriented and calm in court. Based on his background, it is expected that he will apply the law carefully and fairly, ensuring that both parties receive an impartial hearing. His experience suggests that he values thoroughness and consistency when enforcing child support obligations.

Community Involvement

No public information is readily available regarding Commissioner Riesenbeck’s involvement in community organizations or volunteer activities. His professional profile focuses on his legal career and military service. As a long-time Tulare County attorney and a Marine veteran, he may participate in local or veterans’ groups privately, but no specific roles or memberships are documented in official sources. His contributions to the community have primarily been through his public-service legal work.

Reputation

Within the Tulare County legal community, Jon Riesenbeck is regarded as a well-respected attorney. Court leaders and colleagues have praised his selection as a commissioner, citing a strong work ethic and dedication to families. He is known to local judges and lawyers from his years handling child support cases. Those who recommended him noted his professionalism, thoroughness, and calm demeanor. His reputation as a fair and diligent family-law advocate was a key factor in his appointment to the bench.