Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Page 3
Superior Court Commissioner Martin Green Slates June Retirement
By a MetNews Staff Writer
Los Angeles Superior Court Commissioner Martin Green is retiring.
Green told the MetNews yesterday he will sit for the last time on May 13 and will be officially retired as of June 25.
“I’m 62 years old, its time to do something else with my life,” he explained. The “something else,” he elaborated, will include “lots of reading, lots of traveling, and lots of playing chess,” as well as indulging his passion for Dodger baseball, although he is not a big fan of current ownership.
He disclaimed any interest in returning to law practice, or in assigned work or private judging.
Green was appointed a Los Angeles Municipal Court commissioner in 1992 and became a Superior Court commissioner through unification in 2000. He has sat at the Chatworth courthouse since it opened nine years ago, and currently hears small claims, civil harassment, and domestic violence cases.
Most of his legal and judicial career has been spent in the San Fernando Valley, as he spent three years in San Fernando before going to Chatsworth. He was a deputy public defender from 1975 to 1983 and had a private practice, mostly in criminal law, in Van Nuys from 1983 to 1992.
“It’s been wonderful” serving as a commissioner, he said. “My career goal was to be on the bench, and its just been everything I hoped for.”
The idea of retirement, however, has “been growing in my mind for awhile,” he said, supported by his wife, to whom he has been married for nearly 39 years.
Green is one of a number of judicial officers who have recently retired or slated retirement.
Judge Dennis Aichroth retired Feb. 17, Judge Conrad Aragon Feb. 18, Judge Jerry E. Johnson March 3, and Judge Marlene Kristovich and Commissioner Martin Goetsch March 31.
Commissioner Cathrin DeVoe is retiring April 26, Judge Andrew Kauffman May 15 and Judge William Birney July 7.
Copyright 2011, Metropolitan News Company