Judge Tony Raphael

Judge Tony Raphael (also referenced as Antoine F. Raphael) serves on the San Bernardino County Superior Court at the San Bernardino Justice Center, having been appointed by Governor Jerry Brown in 2018. His appointment reflects a gubernatorial selection process, and his tenure now spans several years on the bench. Beyond his judicial role, Judge Raphael has been recognized in the legal community through Daily Journal coverage, including a 2024 article focused on a jurist who made a significant difference in his life — indicating engagement with mentorship themes and the broader legal profession. He has also participated in diversity discussions at Federal Bar Association events and has been noted for involvement in the Arab American legal community, suggesting an active presence in bar association and community-oriented legal circles. No ruling analyses, attorney observations, or ingested content are available in the current dataset. As a result, this profile is based exclusively on biographical and appointment data. Attorneys should treat the strategic guidance below as foundational orientation rather than pattern-derived intelligence, and should supplement this profile with direct courtroom observation or peer consultation before high-stakes appearances.

Because no ruling analyses or attorney observations are available, attorneys cannot draw on documented behavioral patterns or decisional tendencies for this judge. The available data establishes that Judge Raphael was appointed through a gubernatorial process in 2018, which in California typically involves a vetting process through the Governor's Office and the Commission on Judicial Nominees Evaluation. Attorneys should conduct independent research through Trellis, CourtListener, or direct review of San Bernardino Superior Court docket records to identify any published tentative rulings, minute orders, or case outcomes that can inform preparation. Judge Raphael's documented participation in Federal Bar Association diversity discussions and Arab American legal community events indicates engagement with professional legal organizations. Attorneys who demonstrate familiarity with procedural rigor and professional civility consistent with bar association norms are well-positioned. Given the absence of ruling data, attorneys should prioritize thorough briefing, clear oral argument structure, and direct engagement with the legal standards at issue rather than relying on any assumed judicial predispositions.

• critical

  Conduct Independent Docket Research

  Search Trellis, CourtListener, and the San Bernardino Superior Court's own online docket system for tentative rulings, minute orders, and case outcomes authored by Judge Raphael. This is the highest-priority gap to close before any appearance.

• critical

  Review San Bernardino Justice Center Local Rules

  Familiarize yourself with the San Bernardino Superior Court's local rules and any department-specific standing orders applicable to Judge Raphael's courtroom. Compliance with local procedural requirements is foundational.

• important

  Consult Attorneys with Prior Appearances

  Seek out colleagues or local bar members who have appeared before Judge Raphael to obtain firsthand accounts of courtroom preferences, oral argument style, and procedural expectations not captured in this dataset.

• important

  Prepare Thorough Written Submissions

  In the absence of data indicating a preference for oral argument over written briefing, ensure all written submissions are comprehensive, well-cited, and procedurally compliant to cover both possibilities.

• Nice

  Review Daily Journal Coverage

  The 2024 Daily Journal article referencing Judge Raphael is a documented public source. Reviewing it may provide additional context about his judicial perspective or professional values.

• ›Adhere strictly to San Bernardino Superior Court local rules and any posted department-specific standing orders, as procedural compliance is a baseline expectation in all California superior courts.
• ›Maintain professional civility consistent with bar association standards, given Judge Raphael's documented participation in organized bar and professional legal community events.
• ›Arrive prepared with thorough knowledge of the record and controlling legal authority, as no data suggests any tolerance for underprepared appearances.
• ›Address the court formally and avoid interrupting the bench, consistent with standard California superior court decorum.