John Davies

Gov. Schwarzenegger has appointed John Davies, a central figure in legal, political and governmental circles in San Diego and California for more than 40 years, as his judicial appointments adviser. Davies will work with the governor and his staff to establish the judicial appointment process and screen judicial candidates.

“John’s experience in the judicial appointments process is an invaluable asset to my administration,” says Schwarzenegger. “I look forward to working with him to ensure my judicial appointees meet the highest standards of integrity and experience.”

Davies, 70, a Republican, is chair of the Children’s Hospital board and a member of the UCSD Foundation and Scripps Research Institute boards. The appointment does not require Senate confirmation. Davies will be paid $60,000 a year.

“I am honored Gov. Schwarzenegger has asked me to advise him in appointing the most highly qualified applicants to the judiciary,” says Davies.

Davies has been of counsel in the law firm of Allen, Matkins, Leck, Gamble and Mallory since 1993. Davies served as judicial appointments secretary to former Gov. Pete Wilson from 1995 to 1999, as chair of Sen. Wilson’s California Judicial Qualification Committee from 1983 to 1990 and as chair of Sen. John Seymour’s California Judicial Qualification Committee from 1991 to 1992. He served as a partner in the law firm of Morgan, Lewis, and Bockius and a predecessor firm for 17 years and specialized in real estate and probate for the law firm of Davies and Burch from 1963 to 1976. Davies began his legal career as a research attorney for Justice Roger J. Traynor of the California Supreme Court.

Davies’ service on several boards includes the Regents of the University of California, the California Governor’s Foundation and as chairman of the San Diego Planning Commission. He also has served as the director of several companies including Winfield Industries, Fisher Scientific Group, IMED Corp. and IVAC Corp. He is a member of the San Diego County and California Bar Associations.

Davies earned a law degree from the Boalt School of Law at UC Berkeley and a bachelor of arts from USC. He will work with Schwarzenegger, Chief of Staff Pat Clarey and Legal Affairs Secretary Peter Siggins in his new post.