Judge David C. Kalemkarian

Judge David C. Kalemkarian has served on the Fresno County Superior Court since 2005, giving him nearly two decades of bench experience. His current term runs through January 6, 2031, and he secured re-election in 2024 without opposition, reflecting an uncontested standing within the Fresno legal community. His educational background includes a bachelor's degree from California State University, Fresno and a J.D. from UC Berkeley School of Law (Boalt Hall), one of the nation's top-ranked law schools. Before ascending to the bench, Judge Kalemkarian served as a court commissioner for Fresno Superior Court, a role that provided direct judicial experience prior to his judgeship. Before that, he practiced family law as an attorney at Stephan A. Kalemkarian, Inc. This career trajectory — from family law practitioner to court commissioner to elected judge — establishes a foundation in procedural court management and family law matters. No ruling analyses, attorney observations, or ingested content are available in the current dataset. As a result, specific patterns regarding his judicial philosophy, ruling tendencies, or courtroom preferences cannot be documented at this time. The guidance below is grounded solely in his verified professional background and career history.

Given Judge Kalemkarian's background as a former family law practitioner and court commissioner, attorneys appearing before him in family law matters should recognize that he brings firsthand substantive knowledge of that practice area. Arguments that rely on procedural technicalities without substantive grounding may receive less traction before a judge who has practiced in the field himself. His tenure as a court commissioner before becoming a judge indicates familiarity with high-volume docket management and procedural efficiency. Attorneys should come to hearings fully prepared, with organized filings and concise oral arguments, as commissioners and judges with commissioner backgrounds often prioritize efficient use of court time. Because no ruling data or attorney observations are currently available, attorneys are strongly advised to consult with local Fresno County practitioners who have appeared before Judge Kalemkarian recently. Local bar association resources and colleagues with direct courtroom experience will provide the most reliable tactical guidance until additional data is collected.

• critical

  Consult Local Fresno Practitioners

  Because no ruling data or attorney observations are available in this dataset, direct consultation with attorneys who have recently appeared before Judge Kalemkarian is the single most critical preparation step.

• critical

  Review Fresno Superior Court Local Rules

  Given his commissioner background and long bench tenure, strict compliance with Fresno Superior Court local rules and standing orders is essential. Obtain and review any department-specific standing orders before filing or appearing.

• important

  Prepare Substantively in Family Law Matters

  If your matter involves family law, prepare for a judge with direct practitioner experience in that field. Ensure all factual and legal positions are well-supported, as surface-level arguments are unlikely to be persuasive.

• important

  Organize Filings for Efficiency

  His background as a court commissioner — a role associated with high-volume docket management — suggests a premium on organized, efficient presentations. Prepare concise briefs and clear oral argument outlines.

• important

  Research His Department Assignment

  Confirm Judge Kalemkarian's current department assignment and subject matter jurisdiction at the B.F. Sisk Courthouse to ensure your matter is properly before him and to identify any department-specific procedures.

• ›Arrive fully prepared with organized materials, consistent with the efficiency expectations of a judge with a court commissioner background.
• ›Demonstrate substantive command of family law doctrine if appearing in a family law matter, given his documented practice background in that area.
• ›Follow all Fresno Superior Court local rules and any posted department standing orders precisely, as a long-tenured judge will have established procedural expectations.
• ›Treat court time as a limited resource and avoid unnecessary repetition or padding in oral argument.