NEWPORT BEACH : Robert Gallivan Appointed Judge

After two unsuccessful attempts to win a seat on the Orange County Superior Court bench, Robert H. Gallivan of Newport Beach has been appointed a judge of the West Orange Municipal Court District.

Gallivan, 55, said the first person to receive word of the appointment was his 3-year-old granddaughter, Cathlin.

“She just happened to be the one who answered the phone while I wasn’t at home,” Gallivan said. Gallivan’s six grandchildren and wife Patty then found him at a local movie theater and surprised him with the news.

“Quite frankly I couldn’t have asked for a better Christmas present,” Gallivan said. “I feel it’s a wonderful and challenging opportunity that I can’t wait to begin.”

Gallivan, who received the appointment from Gov. George Deukmejian on Tuesday, will replace Judge Marvin G. Weeks, who will serve on the Orange County Superior Court bench.

Gallivan sought election to that bench in 1984 and 1986. After losing the first time, he changed his political affiliation from Democratic to Republican.

“There is nothing wrong with being a Democrat, but to some people Democrat means liberal,” Gallivan said. “I am a moderate, but I think being a Democrat might have hurt me, so I switched.”

A 1964 graduate of the University of San Diego Law School, Gallivan served as deputy city attorney for the city of San Diego before entering private practice as a partner with the firm of Gallivan, Schmiesing & Blied 21 years ago.

“I’ve worked in all of the Municipal courts in the county, so I feel I have a good understanding of how the county’s system works. I look forward to working with people in that office.”

Gallivan will begin his new appointment at the beginning of the year.

“I really think it is a natural procession for a trial attorney to want to serve on the bench,” Gallivan said. “I think every trial lawyer has some aspirations of becoming a judge.”