Judge Rebecca Church

Judge Rebecca Church joined the San Diego Superior Court in December 2022 following a gubernatorial appointment by Governor Gavin Newsom, filling the vacancy left by the retirement of the highly regarded Judge Lorna A. Alksne. Her professional trajectory is defined almost entirely by federal government service: she spent approximately seven years as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Southern District of California (2015–2022), preceded by a clerkship with the Honorable Ruben B. Brooks in the same district (2008–2010) and a brief stint in private practice at Duane Morris LLP (2012–2014). This background is critically important for attorneys to understand — Judge Church's legal instincts, procedural expectations, and analytical framework were shaped overwhelmingly by federal practice, not state court litigation. As a former federal prosecutor, Judge Church is likely to bring a rigorous, evidence-centered approach to factual disputes, a strong command of constitutional and evidentiary issues, and a high tolerance for procedural precision. Federal prosecutors are trained to build airtight records, anticipate appellate scrutiny, and apply structured legal analysis. Attorneys should expect a judge who values well-organized briefs, clear legal authority, and disciplined courtroom presentations. Her clerkship experience further suggests familiarity with judicial decision-making from the inside, meaning she will likely be attuned to the quality of legal reasoning rather than rhetorical flourish. Because no ruling analyses, attorney observations, or ingested content are currently available, all characterizations in this profile are inferred from career background and appointment context rather than observed judicial behavior. Confidence levels are accordingly limited, and attorneys are strongly encouraged to supplement this profile with direct courtroom observation and peer intelligence as Judge Church's state court record develops.

Given Judge Church's deep federal background, attorneys should approach her courtroom with the discipline and precision expected in federal practice. This means thorough, well-cited briefs that anticipate counterarguments, clean evidentiary foundations, and arguments grounded in statutory text and binding authority rather than equitable appeals alone. Federal prosecutors are accustomed to adversarial rigor — do not expect leniency for procedural shortcuts or underprepared oral arguments. She will likely appreciate concise, structured presentations that mirror the analytical clarity of federal court filings. Attorneys with state court-only backgrounds should be particularly attentive to the possibility that Judge Church may apply federal-style evidentiary scrutiny, especially on issues of hearsay, foundation, and authentication. Her prosecutorial background means she has extensive experience with complex documentary evidence, witness credibility assessments, and chain-of-custody issues. In civil matters, this may translate to heightened attention to the evidentiary record underlying motions. Prepare declarations and exhibits with the same care you would for federal court. Because Judge Church is relatively new to the bench (appointed late 2022), she is still establishing her judicial identity in state court. This creates both opportunity and uncertainty. Early appearances are a chance to make a strong impression by demonstrating federal-level preparation. However, attorneys should monitor her developing preferences closely, as her procedural expectations and courtroom management style may evolve as she gains state court experience. Networking with attorneys who have appeared before her recently is essential to supplement this profile.

• critical

  Prepare Federal-Quality Evidentiary Foundations

  Given her AUSA background, ensure all declarations, exhibits, and documentary evidence are supported by proper authentication, foundation, and chain of custody where applicable. Do not assume state court evidentiary standards will be applied loosely — prepare as if appearing in federal court.

• critical

  Research Her Developing State Court Rulings

  Actively search Trellis, CourtListener, and San Diego Superior Court public records for any rulings, minute orders, or tentative decisions issued since December 2022. Even a handful of rulings can reveal her procedural preferences and analytical style. This profile will become significantly more reliable as her record grows.

• important

  Prepare Concise, Structured Oral Arguments

  Federal prosecutors and federal court practitioners value efficiency and precision. Prepare oral arguments with a clear roadmap, defined time allocation per issue, and direct answers to anticipated judicial questions. Avoid discursive or narrative-heavy presentations.

• important

  Anticipate Prosecutorial Credibility Scrutiny

  If your case involves witness testimony, declarations, or factual disputes, prepare for rigorous credibility analysis. Identify and address any inconsistencies in your own witnesses' accounts before the hearing. Prepare to explain or contextualize any weaknesses proactively.

• important

  Network with San Diego Attorneys Who Have Appeared Before Her

  Given the absence of published ruling data, firsthand attorney intelligence is the most valuable supplement to this profile. Contact colleagues who have appeared before Judge Church since her appointment to gather observations about her courtroom demeanor, questioning style, and procedural preferences.

• Nice

  Review Judge Alksne's Legacy Practices

  Judge Church fills the vacancy of Judge Lorna A. Alksne, a well-known and respected San Diego jurist. While Judge Church will develop her own style, understanding the courtroom culture and case management practices of Department she inherited may provide useful context for early appearances.

• ›Arrive fully prepared with organized materials — federal court culture prizes efficiency and Judge Church is unlikely to be patient with attorneys who are visibly underprepared or disorganized at the podium.
• ›Address legal issues with precision and cite specific authority; avoid vague references to 'the law' or 'general principles' without pinpoint citations, as her federal training emphasizes textual and doctrinal rigor.
• ›Be prepared to answer direct questions from the bench without deflecting — former AUSAs are trained to ask pointed, probing questions and will expect direct, honest answers rather than evasive responses.
• ›Maintain professional decorum consistent with federal court standards; her federal background means she may hold courtroom conduct to a higher formality than some state court practitioners expect.
• ›Do not misrepresent the record or overstate the strength of your evidence — a former prosecutor will be particularly attuned to credibility of counsel, and any perceived misrepresentation will likely damage your standing significantly.