Judicial Profile: Department 34
Honorable George V. Spanos
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- Biographical Information
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- Date of Birth:
- December 1945
- Place of Birth:
- Brooklyn, New York
- Education:
- B.A. with High Honors 1970, University of Maryland (University College, European Division). J.D. 1975, University of California, Hastings College of the Law; Member of Thurston Society (top 5% of Class) and Order of the Coif; Editorial Associate, Hastings Law Journal
- Pre-bench legal experience And Areas of Practice
- Private law practice, primarily civil litigation, with an emphasis on business, real estate, contract and personal injury matters, Walnut Creek, 1982-2001; Associate Counsel, American President Lines, Ltd., Oakland, 1978- 1982. Associate, McCutchen, Doyle, Brown & Enersen, San Francisco, 1975-1978
- Political Affiliation:
- Democratic Party
- Judicial Experience
- Judge Spanos was appointed to the Contra Costa County Superior Court by Governor Gray Davis in November of 2000 and took the oath of office on January 31, 2001. His current assignment is in the Juvenile Division in Martinez. He has served in general trial assignments for the court in Richmond (February through December 2001) and Pittsburg (January to July 2002) and Walnut Creek (April and May 2005).
- Pre-bench Civic & Professional Activities
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- Member, Contra Costa County Bar Association
- Member, Maritime Law Association of the United States
- Member, Adjunct Faculty, Golden Gate University, Maritime Law, Spring 1990
- Judge, ’Judge John R. Brown National Admiralty Law Moot Court Competition’ (San Francisco, c.1999)
- Member, Hellenic Law Society, c.1985 to present
- President, Dynamis, A Hellenic Association, 1998-2000
- Current Civic & Professional Activities
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- Member, Robert G. McGrath American Inns of Court, 2001 to 2004
- Judge, California Mock Trial Program, (sponsored by the Contra Costa County Office of Education and the Constitutional Rights Foundation
- Member, California Judges Association, 2001 to present
- Member, Contra Costa County Law Library Committee (1/02 - 7/02)
- Member, Court Rules Committee, and Juvenile Committees
- Adjunct Faculty (part-time), San Jose City College (Juvenile Justice, Spring 2009)
- Mentor, CCCBA Judicial Mentoring Program
- Courtroom Policies
- Although cases are not called until 9:00 a.m. or shortly thereafter (unless there is a specifically set earlier hearing time), Judge Spanos expects that all counsel will arrive as early as necessary to have time to discuss their cases with clients and opposing counsel (and with the probation officer, as necessary and appropriate), in an effort to reach resolution short of trial, and in order to be ready for cases to be called at or about 9:00 a.m. If, for some reason beyond one’s control, counsel is unable to appear on time, he/she must call the court to so advise and give an estimated time of arrival.
- Judge Spanos’ Guidelines Include the Following
- Public Defender and Alternate Defender cases are generally set for Monday through Thursday, and private counsel cases are generally set on Fridays. However, this is not a hard-and-fast rule, and exceptions are made as and when necessary. Private counsel should identify themselves and their cases to the bailiff, and advise the bailiff when they are ready to have their cases called. To the extent possible, private counsel cases are called first, and cases are usually called in the order of readiness and brevity in an effort to expedite the schedules of counsel.
Contested hearings and other potentially lengthy matters are generally set for the afternoon calendar, beginning at 2: 00 p.m. Counsel should be prepared to give time estimates for future hearings, particularly contests, so they may be calendared appropriately.
If counsel can reasonably anticipate unusual issues, including, but not limited to, evidentiary issues, the court expects counsel to be prepared with relevant points and authorities.
Regarding motions, all moving and opposition papers must be filed in the Clerk’s office, in a timely manner, with courtesy copies, duly noted as such, delivered to Dept. 34 no later than two court days before the hearing. - Briefs
- All briefs should be succinct and to the point, citing authority accurately.
- Settlement Conferences
- Settlement discussions are always encouraged.
- Sanctions
- Judge Spanos would prefer never to impose sanctions, and has done so only in extreme circumstances when it was absolutely necessary.
- Decorum
- Judge Spanos believes in a relaxed courtroom (there’s enough tension inherent in the issues and stakes), but he expects counsel to respect the court, each other, and the parties.
- Court Reporters & Translators
- The court provides the court reporter. Translators or interpreters are provided as needed with adequate notice.
- Computers in the Courtroom
- Counsel may bring and use computers.
- Audio-visual
- The use of audio or video equipment is permitted for the presentation of evidence, but arrangements may have to be made in advance. Courtroom proceedings may not be recorded in any way.
- Cameras in the Courtroom
- Cameras are generally not allowed due to the confidential nature of most juvenile hearings. In those cases where the law provides for public hearings, whether cameras will be allowed will be decided pursuant to law and on a case-by-case basis.
- Advice
- (a) Be prepared.
(b) Never lose your common sense in the courtroom.
(c) Always be accurate in your representations of fact or law to the court (judges rarely forget counsel who make misrepresentations to the court).
