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Santa Barbara, California, October 2, 2024 – The Judges of the Superior Court of California, County of
Santa Barbara unanimously elected Judge Von T. Deroian as their incoming Assistant Presiding Judge
for the term beginning January 1, 2025 and concluding December 31, 2026. The election was held
during a Countywide Judges meeting in Solvang, on Friday September 20, 2024.
Current Presiding Judge Pauline Maxwell said, “Congratulations to Judge Deroian. She will bring a
new perspective to this role, along with a commendable work ethic which will serve her and our bench
well in tackling the challenges in the coming years.”
Governor Brown appointed Von T. Deroian, of Santa Barbara, to the Santa Barbara Superior Court in
June of 2018. Judge Deroian previously served as a commissioner with the Santa Barbara County
Superior Court beginning in 2017. Prior to that she served as a deputy district attorney with the Santa
Barbara County District Attorney’s Office from 2006 to 2017. She currently presides over a criminal
trial court in the South County Santa Barbara Division.
Judge Patricia L. Kelly, who currently serves as Assistant Presiding Judge, will begin her term as
Presiding Judge on January 1, 2025, when Judge Deroian undertakes the position as Assistant Presiding
Judge. Upon announcing Judge Deroian’s election, Judge Kelly remarked, “It’s an honor to lead the
Court in partnership with Judge Deroian and I look forward to working collaboratively with her in
addressing the issues impacting our court.