Kwan to Retire as L.A. Superior Court Judge

Tuesday, July 28, 2026

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Kwan to Retire as L.A. Superior Court Judge

By a MetNews Staff Writer

RUTH KWAN
Superior Court judge

Ruth Ann Kwan, who has served as a judge for more than three decades, 28 years of that time on the Los Angeles Superior Court, will leave the bench on Aug. 10.

She said Sunday:

“I am truly honored to have served over 31 years as a judge and am sad to retire from the bench. I have fantastic colleagues. I still remember when I was first appointed in 1995 to the East Los Angeles Municipal Court where I was challenged immediately.

“Colleagues all over the Los Angeles County rallied around me with endorsements, monetary contributions and some of them even walked precincts for me in Montebello and East Los Angeles. They truly touched my heart. Their generosity was a reflection of the spirit and strength of so many of the judges on our court.”

Kwan, then a Los Angeles deputy city attorney, had been appointed to the lower trial bench by Gov. Pete Wilson, apparently under the mistaken impression as to the predominant ethnicity of the judicial district’s residents. She drew a challenge in 1996 from a former Rio Hondo Municipal Court Judge, J.B. Casas Jr., who portrayed Kwan—who immigrated to the United States from Hong Kong in 1970 at age 14—as an outsider in the largely Hispanic area.

The assumption by Casas that voters would reject Kwan based on racism proved wrong. Wilson elevated Kwan to the Superior Court on April 9, 1998.

Delayed Retirement

“Although I was fully vested over five years ago and have thought about retiring over the years, I was never able to pull the trigger because of my love and passion for the work that I do,” Kwan reflected. “Going to the courthouse everyday never seemed like work because I feel challenged and I learn so much every day from the fine advocacy of the attorneys who appear before me.

“As for my future plans, I hope to stay engaged in the legal community, do more traveling and spend extra time with my grandchildren.”

Los Angeles Superior Court Assistant Presiding Judge Ricardo R. Ocampo said yesterday:

“It’s an honor to recognize Judge Ruth Ann Kwan on the occasion of her retirement from the Superior Court of Los Angeles County. Throughout her 31-year judicial career, she has been a cornerstone of our bench, presiding with skill, work ethic, and integrity over countless settlements and trials while remaining a generous mentor to the young judges.

“We are deeply grateful for her decades of distinguished service and wish her a joyful and well-earned retirement. She will be missed by her colleagues and the lawyers that appeared before her.”

Retired Court of Appeal Presiding Justice Arthur Gilbert commented:

“Ruth is an indomitable judicial force. She sees through the miasma of a superficial argument. Her judgment in every sense of the word is unerring. Her sense of humor and irony is legend.

“I wish her well on her retirement, but feel a sense of loss for the Los Angeles Superior Court.”

Praise From Czuleger

Los Angeles Superior Court Judge J. Stephen Czuleger, a former presiding judge of his court, remarked:

“Through the many years I have known Judge Kwan, I have known her as a diligent, hardworking and exceptional jurist.

“I remember when she came over to join the Civil Division. There was no hesitation in taking on a new assignment and, as we all learned quickly, she mastered it and became an example of how to run a calendar the right way. While not only efficient, she was fair, thoughtful and clear in her rulings.

“The LA Superior Court will miss her—I will miss her.”

Kwan’s 1981 law degree is from the University of California’s Hastings College of the Law.