Two Santa Clara University School of Law Alumni, Franklin Bondonno (1970) and Carol Overton, (1984) were recently appointed to Santa Clara County Superior Court by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Mr. Bondonno, 63, has more than 32 years of trial experience, mostly in the area of environmental law. He has been an attorney with Popelka Allard, A.P.C. since 1972, serving as managing partner since 1997. From 1972 to 1973, he served as deputy district attorney for Santa Clara County and, prior to that, was an attorney in private practice.

Ms. Overton, 49, has served in the San Jose City Attorney’s Office for the past 18 years, beginning as a deputy city attorney in 1987 and becoming senior deputy attorney in 2000.  She has been instrumental in the city’s legal strategy toward fighting gangs.  From 1984 to 1987 she served as deputy public defender in San Jose.

Upon hearing this news, Dean Donald J. Polden remarked, "Santa Clara University School of Law is very proud of the many men and women graduates who serve on the federal and state courts, in California and in other jurisdictions.  This is one of the finest, most important callings for attorneys and the work of these graduates benefits many communities.  I’d like to offer, on behalf of everyone at the School of Law, our congratulations to Judges Bondonno and Overton on their appointments."

These two new judges join two other law school alumni, Mark H. Pierce and Derek Woodhouse, who were appointed by the governor in April of this year.