San Francisco Superior Court Presiding Judge Katherine Feinstein has announced that she is retiring from the bench.
Feinstein, 55, the daughter of Sen. Dianne Feinstein, has served as a judge with the court for more than 12 years, including the last two as presiding judge. Her retirement is effective Feb. 1, 2013, court officials said.
“As I near the end of my two-year term as presiding judge, now is a good time for a transition,” Feinstein said in a statement. “I have no specific plans. However, I look forward to serving the public, as I have throughout my legal career, but in a new and different capacity.”
She was appointed to the Superior Court by Gov. Gray Davis in 2000.
Previously, Feinstein worked as a deputy city attorney, and also has experience as an assistant district attorney and member of a private law firm. She is a former San Francisco police commissioner and has served as director of the mayor’s Criminal Justice Council.
Judge Cynthia Ming-mei Lee, whose two-year term as presiding judge will begin on Jan. 1, said of Feinstein, “She led our court during financially turbulent times and did so with unswerving courage, dignity and dedication.”
San Francisco police Chief Greg Suhr said Feinstein “has always been there at every turn to make the city a better safer place through her caring for the less fortunate who can’t care for themselves. She is just the most gracious of ladies and the city of San Francisco will miss her.”
Dan McMenamin, Bay City News
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