Judge Kory E. Mathewson

Judge Kory E. Mathewson was appointed to the San Bernardino Superior Court by Governor Gavin Newsom on July 1, 2022, filling the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Pamela P. King. He earned his Juris Doctor from Southwestern Law School and brings a background that is notably distinct from traditional litigation-track attorneys. Prior to his appointment, Mathewson spent approximately two years as a Senior Associate at PricewaterhouseCoopers from 1998 to 2000, and then operated as a sole practitioner from 2000 onward — a span of over two decades before ascending to the bench. Because no ruling analyses, attorney observations, or ingested content are currently available for Judge Mathewson, no judicial philosophy, ruling tendencies, or courtroom behavioral patterns can be documented at this time. What is known is that his pre-bench career as a sole practitioner for more than 20 years gives him a perspective shaped by independent practice rather than large-firm or prosecutorial experience. His earlier work at PricewaterhouseCoopers suggests exposure to financial and business matters prior to his legal career. Attorneys appearing before Judge Mathewson should treat this as a low-data environment and prepare accordingly. The absence of a documented ruling record means that standard professional preparation, procedural compliance, and clear substantive advocacy are the most reliable tools available. As rulings accumulate and attorney observations are gathered, this profile will become significantly more actionable.

With no ruling analyses or attorney observations on record, attorneys cannot rely on documented behavioral patterns to tailor their approach. The most defensible strategy is to adhere strictly to procedural rules, file all documents on time, and present arguments with clear logical structure and strong citation to authority. Judges newly appointed from sole practitioner backgrounds have managed their own caseloads independently and tend to value organized, self-contained submissions that do not require the court to hunt for supporting materials. Judge Mathewson's background at PricewaterhouseCoopers before his legal career indicates familiarity with financial analysis and business documentation. In matters involving financial records, damages calculations, or business disputes, attorneys should present numerical evidence in a clean, well-organized format and be prepared to walk through figures methodically. Do not assume the court will be unfamiliar with financial concepts, but also do not assume familiarity with litigation-specific conventions that a judge new to the bench may still be developing. Given that Judge Mathewson is a relatively recent appointee (2022), attorneys should monitor the court's local rules and any standing orders issued by his department, as newly appointed judges frequently issue or update standing orders in their early years on the bench. Checking the San Bernardino Superior Court's official website for department-specific orders before any appearance is a critical preparatory step.

• critical

  Check for Department-Specific Standing Orders

  Before any appearance, review the San Bernardino Superior Court website for standing orders or local rules specific to Judge Mathewson's department. Newly appointed judges frequently issue standing orders that govern formatting, scheduling, and motion practice.

• critical

  Prepare Clean, Self-Contained Filings

  Given the absence of any documented preferences, default to filings that are logically organized, fully cited, and do not require the court to cross-reference external materials unnecessarily. This is especially important before a judge whose preferences are not yet documented.

• important

  Organize Financial Evidence Methodically

  In matters involving financial records or damages, present numerical evidence in a structured, easy-to-follow format. Judge Mathewson's PricewaterhouseCoopers background indicates familiarity with financial documentation.

• important

  Monitor Emerging Ruling Patterns

  Because no rulings are currently on record, attorneys with repeat appearances before Judge Mathewson should document outcomes and share observations to build an institutional knowledge base over time.

• important

  Confirm Courtroom Procedures Directly

  Contact the clerk's office for Judge Mathewson's department to confirm any courtroom-specific procedures, preferred hearing formats, or scheduling requirements before the first appearance.

• ›Arrive prepared with all procedural and substantive materials organized, as no documented tolerance for unpreparedness exists and newly appointed judges often set firm early expectations.
• ›Adhere strictly to all filing deadlines and local rules of the San Bernardino Superior Court, as there is no documented record of leniency on procedural compliance.
• ›Address the court formally and professionally; no behavioral data exists to suggest informality is acceptable in Judge Mathewson's courtroom.
• ›Confirm hearing procedures and any standing orders with the clerk's office in advance of each appearance, particularly for motion hearings and case management conferences.