San Bernardino Superior Court Selects Three New Commissioners

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San Bernardino Superior Court Selects Three New Commissioners

Release Date: December 22, 2025

SAN BERNARDINO, CA— San Bernardino Superior Court (SBSC) is pleased to announce the selection of Malalai Farooqi, Ronda Middleton, and Jazmine Torres as its newest Commissioners. Ms. Middleton and Ms. Torres will officially assume their assignments on January 12, 2026, and Ms. Farooqi will begin her assignment on February 9, 2026. Ms. Farqooi fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Commissioner Ronald Gilbert, Ms. Middleton fills the vacancy created by Judge Dina Amani’s elevation from Commissioner to Judge, and Ms. Torres’s selection was made possible through funding provided by Proposition 36.

Prior to her selection, Ms. Farqooi served as the managing partner at Scafiddi Farooqi Gardner, overseeing firm operations and managing a team of attorneys and professional staff. Her work included coordinating case assignments, supervising training and compliance, and serving as the firm’s liaison with various courts. In addition, she managed cases ranging from serious felonies to lower-level offenses. Earlier in her career, she handled a broad caseload as an associate attorney with the Law Offices of Michael Holmes. She received her Juris Doctorate from the University of La Verne College of Law.

Prior to her selection, Ms. Middleton operated her own law practice focused on family law, where she managed all aspects of the firm and handled a full range of matters through negotiation, hearings, and trial. Before establishing her practice, she was a partner at Sheasby, Cho & Middleton, L.L.P., overseeing a team of legal and support staff and handling case preparation and litigation. Earlier in her career, she served as an associate attorney with the Law Offices of Tina Schuchman and held program leadership and admissions roles at California State University, Long Beach, the University of California, Riverside, and Woodbury University. She received her Juris Doctorate from Chapman University School of Law and currently serves as a temporary judge for the Court.

Prior to her selection, Ms. Torres served as a Senior Attorney with the Orange County Public Defender’s Office, managing a wide range of matters and handling all phases of case preparation and litigation. Ms. Torres previously practiced with Berger Kahn and Dunbar & Associates, where her work included civil litigation, motion practice, discovery, and participation in mediations and arbitrations across Southern California. She received her Juris Doctorate from Whittier Law School.

“We appreciate the addition of these three Commissioners to our bench and look forward to the valuable perspective they will bring to the court,” said Presiding Judge Lisa M. Rogan. “The court is pleased to welcome Commissioners Farqooi, Middleton, and Torres to the team. We look forward to their contributions and to working collaboratively to serve our community,” said Court Executive Officer Anabel Z. Romero.

For media inquiries, contact the Communications and Public Information Office via courts-pio@sb-court.org.