News Release
San Bernardino Superior Court Welcomes Newly Appointed Judge John Balla
San Bernardino Superior Court Welcomes Newly Appointed Judge
News Release
Release Date: March 27, 2026
SAN BERNARDINO, CA— On March 27, 2026, Governor Gavin Newsom announced the appointment of John Balla to serve as a judge in the San Bernardino Superior Court (SBSC).
The Governor’s office released the following statements:
“John Balla, of San Bernardino County, has been appointed to serve as a Judge in the San Bernardino County Superior Court. Balla has served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney at the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California since 2024, where he was also an Assistant U.S. Attorney from 2019 to 2024 and a Deputy Chief from 2021 to 2024 and from 2025 to 2026. He served as a Senior Attorney at the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives in 2024. Balla served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney at the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Mexico from 2015 to 2019. He worked as an Associate at Best, Best & Krieger in 2015. Balla served as a Law Clerk in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas from 2013 to 2015. Balla received a Juris Doctor degree from Boston University School of Law. He fills the vacancy created by the elevation of Judge Corey G. Lee to the Court of Appeal.”
“We thank the Governor for this much needed appointment, which allows the court to continue its commitment to meeting the justice needs of San Bernardino County. We look forward to Mr.Balla joining the San Bernardino bench,” said Presiding Judge Rod Cortez.
SBSC has one judicial vacancy after this appointment and an assessed overall need of 26 additional judicial officers. Fulfilling this need is critical to restoring public confidence in the judicial system and expanding access to justice.
For media inquiries, contact the Communications and Public Information Office, via courts-pio@sb-court.org.