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Hon. Robert J. Trentacosta ’79 To Lead San Diego Superior Court

The Honorable Robert J. Trentacosta, ’79, will become Presiding Judge of the San Diego Superior Court on January 1, 2012. Judge Trentacosta currently serves on USD School of Law’s USD School of Alumni Association Board of Directors and was president of the board from 2008–2009. In addition, he is member of the law school’s Board of Visitors. Judge Trentacosta, who has served as the Assistant Presiding Judge since 2010, will assume the office vacated by Presiding Judge Kevin A. Enright on December 31, 2011.

“It is an honor to serve my colleagues as Presiding Judge. I am fortunate to work with talented and conscientious judicial officers and staff who remain dedicated to providing service to the public at the highest level,” says Judge Trentacosta.

In 2012 and 2013, Judge Trentacosta will supervise and manage the San Diego Superior Court, the second largest trial court in the state. He will oversee 154 judicial officers, more than 1,400 employees, and a court budget of more than $188 million. An Executive Committee of Superior Court judges from around the county and administrative staff will assist Judge Trentacosta in this effort.

Judge Trentacosta brings diverse court administrative experience to the job. In addition to his tenure as Assistant Presiding Judge, Judge Trentacosta has served as Supervising Judge for the Central Criminal and the South County Divisions. In addition, he has presided over a wide range of case assignments, including Criminal, Domestic Violence, Juvenile Delinquency, Juvenile Dependency, Drug Court, and the Superior Court Appellate Panel. He was instrumental in establishing the Behavioral Health Court, an innovative program designed to manage cases involving mentally ill criminal defendants. He has also presided over Homeless Court for the past four years.

Outside the court, Judge Trentacosta has participated in numerous judicial and nonjudicial organizations including serving as chairperson, California Judges Association Judicial Ethics Committee (2010–2011); instructor and curriculum author, Supervising Judges Institute, Center for Judicial Education and Research (2009– present). Judge Trentacosta is a frequent guest lecturer for a variety of bar association and trial lawyer groups.

Appointed to the bench in 2001, Judge Trentacosta has had a varied career in both private/public and civil/criminal law. His background includes co-managing partner, Boudreau & Trentacosta (1991–2000); shareholder, Schall Boudreau & Gore (1985–1990); deputy, Civil Litigation Division (1981–1985) and deputy, Criminal Division, San Diego City Attorney’s Office (1980).