Judge Cheryl C. Kersey Jr.

Judge Cheryl C. Kersey Jr. has served on the San Bernardino Superior Court since her initial election in 2012, making her one of the longest-tenured judges on that bench. She has won re-election in 2014, 2020, and 2026, with all subsequent primaries canceled due to lack of opposition — a distinction that reflects sustained confidence from the local legal community and an absence of organized opposition over more than a decade of service. Her current term runs through January 4, 2027. The available public record establishes that Judge Kersey practiced law in San Bernardino County prior to taking the bench, giving her familiarity with the local legal culture and the practitioners who appear before her. In 2017, Governor Brown made an appointment associated with her record, though her foundational path to the bench was through election rather than gubernatorial appointment. No ruling analyses, attorney observations, or case-level data are currently available to characterize her judicial philosophy, preferred argument styles, or ruling tendencies in specific practice areas. Given the absence of ruling-level data, attorneys should treat this profile as a baseline institutional overview. The most actionable intelligence at this stage is her deep roots in San Bernardino County practice and her long, uncontested tenure — both of which suggest she is well-integrated into the local legal community and operates with the institutional confidence of a judge who has never faced a serious electoral challenge.

Because no ruling analyses or attorney observations are available, attorneys cannot rely on documented patterns to calibrate argument style, motion practice, or courtroom demeanor preferences. The prudent approach is to treat Judge Kersey as an experienced jurist with over a decade on the bench and to prepare with the rigor appropriate for a seasoned judge who has presided over a full range of San Bernardino County matters since 2012. Her pre-bench career in San Bernardino County practice means she has direct familiarity with local procedural norms, local counsel reputations, and the practical realities of litigation in that jurisdiction. Attorneys appearing before her — particularly those from outside San Bernardino County — should ensure strict compliance with local rules and should not assume that practices common in other jurisdictions will be accepted without question. Given her long tenure without opposition, Judge Kersey operates from a position of institutional stability. Attorneys should approach her courtroom with professionalism and thorough preparation, as a judge with her experience will recognize underprepared counsel quickly. Until case-level data becomes available, the safest strategy is to be well-organized, cite authority precisely, and avoid procedural shortcuts.

• critical

  Master San Bernardino Local Rules

  Given Judge Kersey's deep roots in San Bernardino County practice, strict compliance with local rules is essential. Review all applicable local rules before any filing or appearance.

• critical

  Research Any Available Public Docket Entries

  With no analyzed rulings in this profile, attorneys should independently search Trellis, the court's public docket, and any available case management records to identify patterns in her rulings before appearing.

• important

  Consult Local San Bernardino County Practitioners

  Because no attorney observations are currently available in this database, firsthand intelligence from attorneys who regularly appear before Judge Kersey is the most reliable source of courtroom-specific guidance.

• important

  Prepare Thorough, Well-Cited Briefs

  A judge with over a decade of experience will recognize underprepared submissions. Ensure all motions and briefs are fully supported with precise legal authority and factual citations.

• Nice

  Review 2017 Governor Brown Appointment Context

  An appointment by Governor Brown in 2017 is noted in the profile. Clarifying the nature and context of that appointment may provide additional background on her judicial record during that period.

• ›Comply strictly with San Bernardino Superior Court local rules and standing orders — Judge Kersey's career is rooted in this jurisdiction and she is familiar with its procedural standards.
• ›Arrive fully prepared; a judge with over a decade on the bench has extensive experience identifying counsel who are not thoroughly prepared on the facts and law.
• ›Treat opposing counsel and court staff with professionalism; a long-tenured judge in a close-knit county legal community is attuned to the reputations and conduct of local practitioners.