Tips from the Bench: Hon. Jose S. Castillo

A marathon is measured one mile at a time, and Justice Jose S. Castillo’s path to the bench was built the same way: one step and one commitment at a time. Now an Associate Justice on the California Court of Appeal, Fourth District, Division One, Castillo recently completed the 2026 Boston Marathon in 3:09:11, a fitting parallel for a jurist whose career has been defined by endurance, preparation, and steady forward movement.

First Steps

A first-generation college graduate and the first lawyer in his family, Justice Castillo did not initially see a career in the law as a possibility. That changed when a college professor, who shared similar life experiences, asked whether he had ever considered law school. That question stayed with him and helped him see that a legal career could be within reach.

Building Endurance

Justice Castillo was born in Mexico and raised in the United States. At 17, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and served for four years. After his honorable discharge, he attended Santa Rosa Junior College and California State University, Sacramento, before earning his J.D. from the University of California, Davis School of Law. As a law student, Justice Castillo served on the UC Davis Law Review and participated in the Immigration Clinic. After graduating, he clerked for the Honorable Micaela Alvarez of the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas. He later worked as a staff attorney with the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit and served for a decade as an Assistant United States Attorney for the Southern District of California.

Hitting His Stride

Justice Castillo’s interest in the judiciary developed while clerking for Judge Alvarez. Observing her as a judge helped him envision himself in a similar role. In 2020, after years of public service, he was appointed by Governor Gavin Newsom to the San Diego County Superior Court, where he served in the family law department. In 2023, he was nominated and confirmed to his current position as an Associate Justice on the California Court of Appeal, Fourth District, Division One.

“I hope my perspective contributes meaningfully to discussions with my colleagues and leads to more informed decisions,” Justice Castillo said.

The Long Stretch

A meaningful moment in Justice Castillo’s judicial service came while he presided over a family law dispute at the superior court. A mother sought to dismiss a restraining order against the father of her children because she felt it was no longer necessary. After ensuring that her request was made knowingly and voluntarily and that good cause existed, Justice Castillo granted it. The mother then asked to address the court and thanked him, explaining that the order had given her space to rebuild her life and achieve independence for herself and her children. “This case made me realize that the court made a difference in her life and my service to the community made a difference that matters,” Justice Castillo said.

Training Advice: Give It Your All

As Justice Castillo reflects on his career, he offers practical advice for newer attorneys and law students. A quote he lives by from the movie “Jiro Dreams of Sushi” captures his philosophy: “Once you decide on your occupation, you must immerse yourself in your work. You have to fall in love with your work. Never complain about your job. You must dedicate your life to mastering your skill. That is the secret of success and the key to being regarded honorably.”

Justice Castillo believes that entering the legal profession is a privilege and its members must make the most of that privilege. To upcoming and new members, he reminds them, “If you have chosen your career in law, you must dedicate your life to mastering your craft and making a difference. You must take ownership in everything that you do, including legal research and writing, oral advocacy, and every task you undertake.”

Training Advice: Know the Course

For new lawyers appearing in court, Justice Castillo emphasizes the importance of knowing one’s audience. He encourages attorneys to observe proceedings before appearing in a new department. Becoming familiar with courtroom culture—including how to address the court, where to check in, and how proceedings are conducted—can reduce nervousness and prevent avoidable mistakes. Small missteps can undermine credibility and distract from the argument.

Training Advice: Remain Flexible and Responsive to Race-Day Conditions

One common mistake attorneys make when presenting in court is relying too heavily on prepared remarks. Preparation is essential, but rigidly following a script is not always the most effective strategy. Attorneys sometimes focus on issues they believe are important, but those issues may not align with what the court is most concerned about. Justice Castillo advises attorneys to remain flexible, listen carefully, and focus on answering—really answering—the questions being asked.

Training Advice: The Finish Line

To Justice Castillo, professionalism means “doing the right thing for the right reason” and treating everyone with respect, including opposing counsel and support staff. Respect and integrity are essential to maintaining trust in the justice system. Justice Castillo cautioned that “it takes a lifetime to build a positive reputation but only a nanosecond to jeopardize it.” 

Justice Castillo’s career reflects service, discipline, and dedication to the craft. One last piece of advice Justice Castillo gives to new lawyers and law students is simple: “Find and maintain your pace because your legal career is a marathon, not a sprint.”

Bobbie Medina is a 3L at Thomas Jefferson School of Law and works as a Legal Processing Analyst for the San Diego County Superior Court.