Tani Cantil-Sakauye is the Chief Justice of the California Supreme Court. Appointed in January 2011, she has served for more than 20 years on California appellate and trial courts, and has been appointed or elevated to higher office by three governors.
In 1990, Gov. George Deukmejian appointed her to the Sacramento Municipal Court, and in 1997, Gov. Pete Wilson elevated her to the Superior Court of Sacramento County.
Following graduation from law school, Chief Justice Canti-Sakauye became Deputy District Attorney at the Sacramento County District Attorney’s Office.
She chairs the Judicial Council of California, the administrative policymaking body of state courts, and the Commission on Judicial Appointments. She has also been active in numerous professional community organizations, including membership in the California Judges Association, the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association, and the Sacramento Asian Bar Association.
EDUCATION: University of California at Davis, B.A.; University of California Davis Martin Luther King, Jr. School of Law, J.D.