Hon. Russell L. Hom, Ret.

Hon. Russell L. Hom, Ret. joined Judicate West after spending 20 years on the Sacramento County Superior Court. Prior to his retirement, Judge Hom served as the Presiding Judge of the Court during the COVID-19 pandemic and oversaw the closing and reopening of the Court. This required developing and implementing novel operations to ensure access to the civil justice system, including the widespread use of remote technology. During his tenure as a judge, Judge Hom presided over the civil trial assignment calendar, expedited civil trial program, civil and criminal jury and court trials, civil settlement conferences, approval of minor’s civil compromises, short cause civil trial calendar, law and motion, and complex civil matters. He has also managed coordinated civil cases falling under the Judicial Counsel Coordination Proceedings program.

During his career, Judge Hom has handled a wide range of cases, including real property, premise liability, employment discrimination, workplace harassment, wrongful termination, personal injury, elder abuse, PAGA, wage and hour, contract disputes, and medical/dental malpractice. By appointment of the Chief Justice, Judge Hom has also served as a Special Master hearing disciplinary matters for the California Commission on Judicial Performance. He has been acknowledged for his ability and skill as a trial and settlement judge and his tenacity in settling difficult cases.

An attorney who has been in his courtroom many times stated, “Judge Hom is an overall great judge. He is meticulous, smart, and always prepared.”

Judge Hom has also been actively involved in judicial and legal education. He has presented on a wide range of topics, including judicial demeanor, evidence, civil/criminal procedure, and diversity issues. He has served on the faculty of the B.E. Witkin Judicial College, Supervising Judge’s Institute, Criminal Law Institute, Advance Judicial Institute, and Cow County Institute.
Prior to his appointment to the bench, Judge Hom served as the Chair of the Human Rights/Fair Housing Commission for the City and County of Sacramento and was in private practice specializing in both civil and criminal litigation.

Judge Hom’s philosophy as a neutral is “to approach each case as a problem solver with an eye towards facilitating dispute resolution by understanding the motivations of the litigants and their unique needs. It is essential that the process is respectful to the parties and their counsel.”

Judge Hom has been dedicated to promoting diversity and inclusivity in the legal profession and the judiciary throughout his legal career. He is committed to mentoring both law students and young legal professionals and developed the Sacramento Superior Court’s Judicial Extern Program and the Court’s New Judge Orientation Bootcamp. He enjoys teaching and has served as an instructor or panelist for numerous legal, education, and judicial entities. In his spare time, he enjoys travel and woodworking.