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Michael Ralph Gardina is a Bakersfield attorney. The following information was obtained from the California Bar Association Web site. This entry will be updated when he responds to The Californian's candidate questionnaire and supplemental judicial questions. You are invited to post your comments and questions concerning this candidate. The candidate is invited to respond directly onto this blog. If he chooses not to, The Californian will attempt to obtain answers to your questions.

Undergraduate School: Glendale Community College, Glendale

Law School: (Entry reads: "See Registration Card")

Status: Active

Admitted to the California Bar: Dec. 22, 1976

Disciplinary record: None

CALIFORNIAN QUESTIONNAIRE

Name: Michael R. Gardina

Office sought: Judge of the Superior Court

Born: 1949 Burbank, Calif.

Spouse’s name: Robin

Number of children and ages: My son is 25 years old; my daughter is 22 years old.

Current occupation/employer:

    Michael R. Gardina, A Law Corporation

List employment history (past 20 years): I have remained in private practice and have been self employed as a professional law corporation for more than 25 years.

Professional licenses: I was admitted to the California State Bar on December 22, 1976 and I was admitted to the Washington, D. C. Bar on March 13, 1991

How long have you lived in the jurisdiction you seek election? I have practiced and have maintained my offices in Bakersfield from 1995 to the present.  I have also served this community as a trial lawyer from 1978 to 1984.

Political offices you have held: None.

Political offices you have sought: (dates, locations, outcomes): None.

Board memberships/Community activities:     Currently the vice-president of the Criminal Defense Section, Kern County Bar for 2008; a member of the Indigent Defense Panel, Kern County Bar since its inception; a member of the Board of Directors of Criminal Defense Section, Kern County Bar in 2005;  Kern County Bar Association; Criminal Defense Section of Kern County Bar; formerly a member of the Basque Club, Bakersfield and the Lyons Club, Bakersfield.

Education: California State University, Northridge; Glendale University School of Law; Valley University School of Law

Military: None.

Describe anything you have published, invented, discovered, painted, etc., and events or hobbies that would be interesting for a biographical story:     My hobbies include screenwriting and music.  Awards in screenwriting include, First Place “National Screenwriting Competition” (New York) 2001; Second Place, “Fade In Magazine” 2002, a national competition (Los Angeles); and, in 2000 a third place (Washington). I was a club and studio musician in the late 1960’s & early 1970’s.  Currently, I play from time to time in a rock group for local events.


State or Federal campaign ID number: Not applicable.

List all criminal convictions or pleas in this county and others
(Include year): None.

List all civil court judgments against you or any business you have had a financial interest in (partnership, sole proprietor, corporation) in this county and others (include year):      I have never been sued in Kern County. 

SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONS

Why did you become a lawyer?     I have always had a deep respect for the law, and a natural interest in studying constitutional law.  I felt that through the law I could best serve the community.

Have you been disciplined in any way by a Bar Association or successfully sued for malpractice? I have never been disciplined by any bar association.  I had one claim in 1984 for alleged malpractice which was resolved without litigation.

Why do you want to become a judge? There is a need in our judicial system for an individual who has had practical experience in both complex civil and criminal litigation.  I feel that my thirty (30) years of practical experience, my patience and my even temperament would serve this community well as a member of the bench.

What is the nature of your law practice? For the past thirty (30) years, as a private practitioner, I have had a wide range of experience in many areas of the law.  I have an expertise in handling complex civil and criminal litigation.  My private practice has served individuals, small business owners and corporations as both plaintiffs and defendants.
 
How often have you gone to trial? I am engaged in trial an average of six (6) months out of the year.  Currently, I average about five or six jury trials per year.  However, I have had several complex jury trials that alone have lasted from four to six months each. The balance of each year is spent in law and motion practice, investigation of claims, and advising clients.

How often have you tried a case before a jury? I have tried more than 75 jury trials, as well as, many court trials.

Are you qualified to argue a case before the Supreme Court? Yes, in both state court and federal court.  In the federal court arena, I have been admitted to the following: Central District of California, December 23, 1976; Northern District of California, January 19, 1982; Eastern District of California, January 26, 1982;     Ninth District Court of Appeals, November 17, 1981


Have you served pro bono as an attorney for a client or organization? Yes.  Throughout the years, I have advised low income families on various matters of law, including, civil, criminal, family law, and probate litigation.

Have you served as a judge pro tem, mediator, arbitrator or hearing officer? How often? On occasion, I have offered my services as a mediator / arbitrator.


What is your judicial philosophy? As a trial judge I would remain faithful to the law.  I believe that all sides to the litigation deserve a fair trial and an equal opportunity to be heard. I am conservative when it comes to the interpretation and enforcement of the rights guaranteed by the United States and California constitutions.  As a trial lawyer, I have been an advocate for client rights under the various constitutional provisions.  As a private citizen, I am in favor of strong first and second amendment rights as guaranteed by the United States Constitution.