Friday, September 19, 2003
Page 3
Governor Names Two to Alameda Superior Court
By a MetNews Staff Writer
Gov. Gray Davis yesterday named an assistant U.S. attorney and a plaintiffs’ employment litigator to the Alameda Superior Court.
First Assistant U.S. Attorney C. Don Clay of the Northern District of California was named to fill the vacancy created by the death of Judge Richard Inglehart. John M. True of Leonard Carder was named to replace Judge David Lee, who retired.
Clay, 48, has been with the U.S. Attorney’s Office since September of last year. As the office’s second ranking lawyer he oversees all of its work and serves as acting U.S. attorney in the absence of U.S. Attorney Kevin V. Ryan.
Clay had a solo practice in Alameda County from 1998 to 2002. From 1995 to 1998 he and the late First District Court of Appeal Presiding Justice Clinton W. White practiced together as Clay & White after White’s retirement from the bench.
Clay was also a partner in the firms of Clay, Hall & Hove from 1989 to 1992 and Dubois, Hove & Clay from 1985 to 1987.
Clay earned his undergraduate degree from UC Berkeley and his law degree at Hastings Law School.
He told the MetNews yesterday:
“It’s an honor, and gives me the opportunity to continue in public service as a judge in Alameda County.”
Clay said it was particularly gratifying to him to be named to the seat held by Inglehart, a judge for whom he explained he had great respect. He noted he first met the late judge many years ago while serving as a law clerk.
True, 59, has largely represented plaintiffs in wrongful termination, discrimination and sexual harassment litigation for the past decade. Before joining Leonard Carder in 2000 he was a partner with Rudy, Exelrod, Zieff & True.
From 1985 to 1993 he served as a senior staff attorney with the Employment Law Center of the San Francisco Legal Aid Society, where he specialized in class action litigation on behalf of low-income workers. Earlier in his career he was an attorney with the National Labor Relations Board.
True has served as chair of the State Bar Labor and Employment Law Section and is a co-author of California Employment Litigation: Strategy and Tactics. He is married to U.S. District Judge Claudia Wilken of the Northern District of California.
He earned his undergraduate degree from Trinity College and his law degree at Boalt Hall. Between college and law school he served in the Peace Corps in Nepal and Afghanistan.
Each of the appointees with receive salaries of $139,476.
Copyright 2003, Metropolitan News Company