New Presiding Judge Begins Two-Year Term

Judge Michael Markman commences service as presiding judge. Judge Lupe Garcia is Assistant Presiding Judge

Oakland, Calif. – January 6, 2026 – Judge Michael Markman began his tenure as the Presiding Judge for the Superior Court of California, County of Alameda on New Years Day.  His colleagues elected him to the post last June.

Judge Markman, who was appointed to the bench in 2013 by Gov. Jerry Brown, has served in multiple capacities across the Court, most recently presiding over complex civil litigation matters.

In 2023, he served as a Justice Pro Tem with the First District Court of Appeal (Division Two).

Judge Markman’s tenure as an Alameda Superior Court Judge also included work as the presiding judge of the appellate division, and in family law, unlawful detainers, and a criminal arraignment calendar.  He served as supervising judge for the Court’s civil division in 2020, before beginning an ongoing battle with pancreatic cancer.

Before joining the Court, Judge Markman practiced intellectual property litigation as a partner with Covington & Burling LLP. He began his career and became a partner with Heller Ehrman LLP.  Judge Markman earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science and history from the University of California, Berkeley and a Juris Doctorate from UC College of the Law, San Francisco. 

“I’m honored to be elected to this position by my peers and excited to lead our Court as we work together to serve our community,” Judge Markman said. “You can do a lot of good as a presiding judge and I’m grateful for this opportunity.”

Judge Markman follows Judge Thomas Nixon as presiding judge.

“Judge Nixon’s long list of accomplishments includes brining multiple innovations to our innovative criminal pretrial program that is regarded as perhaps the best in California,” Markman said.

Judge Markman will be joined in a leadership role by Judge Lupe Garcia who will serve as Assistant Presiding Judge.

Judge Garcia was appointed to the Alameda County bench in 2016. She heard juvenile court cases and led the Court’s appellate division in her most recent assignments. In the past she presided over family court, criminal and collaborative court cases. She will now assume responsibility as the master calendar judge for general civil cases.

Judge Garcia earned her undergraduate degree from Occidental College and her Juris Doctorate from the University of San Francisco, where she was recently honored with the John Meehan Alumni Fellow Award which is given to “a distinguished alumnus who has contributed to the growth and development of future layers, and who has served as a mentor to the profession.”

Click here to download this press release.