HomeMy WebLinkAbout12-019Resolution No. 12-019
RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING BUTTE COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT
JUDGE GERALD HERMANSEN UPON HIS RETIREMENT
Whereas, Butte County Superior Court Judge Gerald Hermansen has announced his retirement,
effective March 31, 2012; and
Whereas, after serving his country in the United States Navy, Judge Hermansen received his
bachelor's degree in Economics from the University of California, Davis. He received his juris doctorate from
University of California, Hastings College of the Law in San Francisco; and
Whereas, Judge Hermansen began his legal career as a deputy district attorney in San Bernardino
County in 1971. In 1973, he relocated to Oroville with his wife, Ruth and served as a deputy district attorney
for Butte County until 1977. Judge Hermansen then joined the firm Leonard and Lyde, achieving partnership.
He founded the firm of Hermansen, Berglund and Washington in 1989, remaining with that firm until his
appointment to the bench; and
Whereas, Judge Hermansen served the City of Oroville as City Attorney in 1979 and 1980; and
Whereas, Judge Hermansen was #irst appointed by Governor Pete Wilson to the Municipal Court in
1996. One year later, Governor Wilson elevated Judge Hermansen to a newly created position an the Superior
Court; and
Whereas, Judge Hermansen was elected by his fellow judges to serve as Presiding Judge far the
years 1999 and 2000. He has also served as the Assistant Presiding Judge, the Presiding Judge of the
Juvenile Court, and the Supervising Judge of the Family and Criminal Divisions; and
Whereas, in 2008, the Butte County Superior Court conducted a record eight murder jury trials, and
Judge Hermansen presided over seven of those trails. Judge Hermansen has also been the judge selected to
conduct settlement conferences in complex medical malpractice cases, due to his expertise in this area of law;
and
Whereas, Judge Hermansen`s ability to mentor new judges was recognized by the California State
Center for Judicial Education and Research. He was selected as faculty for New Judge Orientation programs
and served as a seminar leader for the Judicial College; and
Whereas, Judge Hermansen has been active in the community, as a past president of the Oroville
Exchange Club and a past director of the Oroville YMCA. He also was part of a small group of citizens who
worked with various governmental agencies to develop the 43-mile hiking and bicycle trail known as the Brad
Freeman Trail; and
Whereas, Judge Hermansen was instrumental in organizing a mental health focused calendar,
recognizing that some minor criminals might be more effectively addressed by mental health professionals
than by the criminal sanction of jails.
Now, therefore, be it resolved, that the Board of Supervisors herby recognizes Judge Hermansen's
sixteen years of distinguished service and dedication to the people of Butte County;
Passed and adopted by the Butte County Board of Supervisors this 28th day of February, 2012 by the
following vote:
AYES: Supervisors Connelly, Wahl, Kirk, Yamaguchi, and Chair Lambert
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
NOT VOTING: None ~ /
Steve Lambert, C~tSair, Butte County Board of Supervisors