Fil-Am lawyer named court commissioner in Southern California

New San Bernardino County Superior Court, California court commissioner Winston Keh. PABA PHOTO

LOS ANGELES—Filipino American lawyer, Winston Keh, was named court commissioner for the San Bernardino County Superior Court and will take his oath of office on November 30, 2015.

A court commissioner functions as a temporary judge in court cases pursuant to the stipulation of counsel or parties and is appointed by the judges of the court.  Commissioner Keh will be assigned to the Fontana District Courthouse.

The Philippine American Bar Association (PABA) congratulated Keh on his appointment. Keh joined the PABA Board of Governors in 2007.  He served as the President in 2013.  Commissioner Keh was also a board member of the Asian Pacific American Bar Association (APABA) in 2012 through 2013.

“PABA is thrilled to learn that Winston has been appointed as a Court Commissioner,” stated Christine Gonong, PABA president.  “Winston has been a judge pro tem for the Los Angeles County Superior Court for a very long time, so he is equipped with the necessary training, experience, and temperament that will enable him to serve as an excellent commissioner.”

Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Rob Villeza described Commissioner Keh as “fair, honest and extremely hard working and possesses all of the best qualities of our finest judicial officers.”

Judge Villeza also added, “Winston represents the true American dream for many Filipino Americans and immigrants in our country.  From humble beginnings, Winston raised his siblings on his own, worked while he went to school, and went from the mailroom to the board room on his faith and sheer will to succeed despite incredible adversity.  He is truly a ‘Rocky’ of our generation, and a role model and inspiration especially for the newer members of our profession.”

Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Bernie LaForteza, who has known Keh for a long time through the Philippine American Bar Association, stated, “Winston will be a wonderful bench officer.  I know that he will have a successful career as a judicial officer because he has the intellect and the right demeanor to do so.”

Keh is a seasoned litigator with extensive trial experience in defending and prosecuting tort cases and business disputes.  He specializes in catastrophic injury, wrongful death, and transportation law.  He received his J.D. from the University of LaVerne College of Law in 1999, and was admitted in the same year.

Since 2007 Keh has served as a Judge Pro Tem in the Los Angeles County Superior Court, presiding over traffic and small claims cases.  He also served as a volunteer attorney for the Asian Americans Advancing Justice – Los Angeles (formerly Asian Pacific American Legal Center) assisting members of the community with immigration documents and petitions for expungement.

In addition, during his tenure as the President of PABA, Keh led a group of Filipino American attorneys in providing pro-bono legal assistance to members of the Filipino American community.

Like us on Facebook