Chhaya Malik Named Judge On Santa Clara County Superior Court

Photo: Superior Court of California, County of Santa Clara

India-West News Desk

SAN JOSE, CA – California Gov. Gavin Newsom has appointed Chhaya Malik to the Santa Clara County Superior Court, filling the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Socrates P. Manoukian.

Newsom announced Malik’s appointment September 18. She brings more than two decades of experience in law, mediation, public policy and public service to the bench.

Malik has served as deputy director of dispute resolution at the California Civil Rights Department since 2022. She previously worked as a mediator at Devi Legal Mediation Services from 2020 to 2022 and as special counsel at Ehrlich & Craig from 2012 to 2022.

Earlier, Malik was a policy liaison with the U.S. Department of State from 2011 to 2012 and a staff attorney at the Advancement Project from 2009 to 2011. She began her legal career as an associate at Hogan Lovells, where she practiced from 2005 to 2009.

Malik earned her Juris Doctor degree from the University of California, Berkeley School of Law.

Presiding Judge Julie A. Emede welcomed Malik’s appointment, citing her experience in dispute resolution, civil rights, public policy and private practice.