Wednesday, April 29, 2026
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L.A. Superior Court Judge Salkin to Retire
By a MetNews Staff Writer
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—Photo by Mike Moghaddam VALERIE SALKIN Superior Court judge |
Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Valerie Salkin, a jurist known for her pleasant smile and her gentle touch in conducting proceedings, will spend her last day on the bench on May 8, with her official retirement date set at June 11, after using earned vacation days.
Salkin, then a deputy district attorney, gained election to an open seat in the June 8, 2010 primary election despite having two opponents: attorney Tony de Los Reyes, now deceased, and attorney R.S. Bolinger, now on inactive status. The following month, she was given an early start on her judicial career when then-Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger gave her an appointment.
For seven years, she handled criminal cases, was then shifted to the civil side, and for the past five years, has presided over an independent calendar court, tackling unlimited jurisdiction cases in Van Nuys.
‘Extraordinary Honor’
She remarked:
“It has been an extraordinary honor to serve our community as a judge. I am lucky to have worked daily with a group of thoughtful, talented, and dedicated colleagues. I have done my best to ensure an equitable result in every case and to provide the lawyers and parties in my court to have a full opportunity to be heard.”
The judge has been uncontroversial. In 2024, she received the San Fernando Valley Bar Association’ “Inspiration Award.”
Among other recognitions was a commendation from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department for her work on a narcotics prosecution task force. The American Bar Association awarded her a “Gold Key” in 1992 for presenting a resolution to its House of Delegates criticizing the military for its then-refusal to admit gays and lesbians.
Active in Community
She is a past president of the National Women’s Political Caucus-LA Westside, a past vice president of the National Council of Jewish Women, and a past member of the California Democratic State Central Committee.
Her 1992 law degree is from USC. She went to work in 1993 as deputy legal counsel for Brad Sherman, then- chair of the State Board of Equalization (who later became a member of the U.S. House of Representatives), and in 1997 joined the District Attorney’s Office, serving in the last decade there before her election to the bench in the Hardcore Gang Unit.
In 1996, she ran unsuccessfully, for the state Assembly.
Notes Changes
Salkin reflected:
“The Covid shutdown permanently transformed how people interact, both in life and in law. The notion of picking up the phone for anything besides a text message is foreign to young lawyers (and to millennials generally). The lack of verbal communication often impedes early case resolution. I hope that lawyers continue to embrace the ADR opportunities provided by the court and recognize that communication breeds collaboration and understanding.
“Remote appearances, which once seemed impossible, are routine. Given that most cases are now heard remotely, I would not be surprised to see courtrooms looking very different in the years to come. It will be interesting, going forward, to see how the proliferation of Artificial Intelligence will affect the practice of law and the art of judging, as well as the look of our courtrooms.”
As to her plans, the judge said:
“[M]y passion for travel has not subsided. I have visited all seven continents and nearly 70 countries. My second African safari is in the works.
“I want to spend more time with my family and friends, and play more mah jongg. Beyond that, the future is open.”
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