I had the privilege of facing Zachary as opposing counsel in a murder trial. He was thoughtful, measured, and respectful while demonstrating integrity and professionalism, qualities that earned my trust and, ultimately, my friendship. He will make an outstanding judge.
Endorsements
Legal Community
Judge Allen Webster, Jr. (Ret.)
Judge Christopher Frisco
Judge Abby Baron
Judge Maria Andrea Davalos
Judge George A. Turner Jr.
Deputy District Attorney Daniella Eslamboly
Assistant Public Defender Traci Blackburn
Deputy Public Defender Flora Demuth
Deputy Public Defender Kevin Johnson
Deputy Public Defender Mercedes Cook
Deputy Public Defender Mary Thorpe
Deputy Public Defender Tara Marimpietra
Deputy Public Defender Erik Pillow
Deputy Public Defender Bella Dilworth (Ret.)
Deputy Public Defender Russell Griffith. (Ret.)
Deputy District Attorney Angie Christedes
Head Deputy Public Defender Stu Glovin (Ret.)
Deputy Public Defender Katherine Olszewski
Nikhil Ramnaney, Esq. Former Trial Attorney, Civil Rights Division, U.S. Department of Justice
Deputy Public Defender Tyree Campbell
San Francisco Deputy Public Defender Tatiana Howard
Deputy Public Defender Michelle Paffile
Deputy Public Defender Nicole Okung
Tiffiny Blacknell, Esq.
Alisa Blair, Esq., Professor Of Law, UC Irvine; Executive Director, Reverence Project; Policy & Special Projects Director, CBPS Collective
Deputy District Attorney Jacqueline Greene
Deputy District Attorney Gail Ehrlich (Ret.)
Deputy District Attorney Kevin Halligan
Deputy District Attorney Tal Khan Valbuena
Deputy Alternate Public Defender David Ross
Deputy Public Defender Kimberly Greene
Deputy Public Defender Alexandra Weiner
Danielle Butler, Esq.
Deputy Public Defender Harvey Sherman
Deputy Public Defender Karen Nash
Jennifer Valdez, Esq.
Public Defender Head of Social Work Dana Cherry
Deputy Public Defender Marie Geelan
Deputy County Counsel Priya Bala
Deputy County Counsel Reginald Fleming-Peters
Walter Munoz, Esq.
Deputy Public Defender Brett Rayburn
Head Deputy Public Defender Anthony Patalono (Ret.)
Deputy Public Defender Nima Farhadi
Deputy Public Defender Natasha Khamashta
Deputy Public Defender Rob Krauss
Deputy Public Defender Sarah Langston
Deputy Public Defender Binh Dang
Deputy Public Defender Lloyd Handler
Deputy Public Defender Alan Nakasone
Deputy Alternate Public Defender Tonya Mcknight
Deputy Public Defender Brent Tufeld (Ret.)
Deputy Public Defender A.J. Bayne
Deputy Public Defender Jennifer Chung
Deputy Public Defender Carole Telfer (Ret.)
Deputy Public Defender James Neptune
Deputy County Counsel Craig Kirkwood
Public Defender Head Deputy Jacques Cain
Deputy Public Defender Allison Hargrove
Deputy Public Defender Christopher Capestro
About Zach
Experience • Integrity • Wisdom • Humanity
I began my legal career representing abused and neglected children in New York City Family Court. For the past 23 years, I have worked to protect the civil rights of Los Angeles County residents by serving as a Deputy Public Defender, handling serious cases and rising to the highest level of trial attorney. My work has always been grounded in the principle that every person deserves a fair process, dignity, and equal treatment under the law.
I have tried 63 jury trials and 65 bench trials, preparing me for the responsibilities of a judge. I understand the importance of a balanced approach when applying the law allows for exercising discretion. I have worked with prosecutors to address the root causes of crime through treatment, protecting public safety by helping clients move away from unlawful behavior into rewarding lives. I have also seen the importance of accountability in maintaining respect for the law.
I was raised in a multiracial family of ten children, both biological and adopted through foster care, shaped by values my wife and I now teach my young daughters: integrity, service, kindness, and respect for others. Those values guide my work and the way I treat every person who enters the courtroom.
I am running for Superior Court Judge because our community deserves judges who reflect its values, have wisdom from life and work experience, and uphold the rule of law with fairness and integrity. I respectfully ask for your vote so that everyone who enters my courtroom knows they will be heard, respected, and treated fairly.