UPEC Member Appointed By Governor to Judgeship

Friday, April 16, 2010

OROVILLE - Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today announced the appointment of Michael P.Candela to a judgeship in the Butte County Superior Court. Candela, 50, of Chico, has been a Deputy District Attorney for the Butte County District Attorney’s Office since 1997. Previously, he volunteered as a research attorney for the San Joaquin County Public Defender’s Office in 1996 until he was appointed and served as a deputy public defender in 1997. Candela was an associate for Drath, Clifford, Murphy, Wennerholm and Hagen in 1995 and for Gagen, McCoy, McMahon and Armstrong from 1991 to 1995. He was a sole practitioner from 1990 to 1991 and a Deputy District Attorney for the Marin County District Attorney’s Office from 1988 to 1990. Prior to that, Candela served the Butte County District Attorney’s Office as a Deputy District Attorney in 1988 and the San Francisco County Superior Court as a research attorney from 1987 to 1988. He earned a Juris Doctorate degree from the University of San Francisco School of Law and a Bachelor of Arts degree from California State University, Chico. Candela fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Thomas W. Kelly. That’s the official Press Release from the Governor’s Office. 

With respect to UPEC membership, staff would like to recognize Mike for the key role he played in organizing the Butte County Professional Association membership into an effective UPEC affiliate.  Mike served several years as Association President, Board member and bargaining team member.  He lead very difficult negotiations that paved the way for a UPEC contract that set a standard for bringing salaries to regional parity.  His counsel and advice as we continue to deal with a Butte County budget shortfall in these difficult economic times will be sorely missed. 

There is no question that the leadership skills Mike displayed as a Union activist are the same set of skills that gained him recognition to be appointed to this judgeship.

CONGRATULATIONS MIKE CANDELA!