Wilson Names Westlake Village Lawyer to Judgeship

Westlake Village attorney Brian J. Back was appointed to the Municipal Court by Gov. Pete Wilson on Tuesday, filling a vacancy left by the elevation of Judge David Long to the Superior Court last month.

Back, a 47-year-old Camarillo resident, will be sworn in next year after resolving his pending civil cases.

Although his name had been circulated as a possible judicial candidate for three years, Back said Tuesday that he was taken off guard by the call from Wilson’s appointments secretary.

“I was very surprised,” he said with a laugh. “I thought it was a hoax.”

Judges, attorneys and court administrators describe Back as an energetic lawyer and experienced civil practitioner whose legal background will add depth to the Municipal Court bench.

“He is a terrific lawyer and a prince of a guy,” said Long, who has known Back for 20 years and presided over his cases in the past.

“Brian is a very well-respected lawyer in the community,” said Oxnard attorney David Shain, past president of the Ventura County Bar Assn. “He has the kind of demeanor that I think will serve him well on the bench.”

Sheila Gonzalez, executive officer of the Ventura County courts, said Back will probably take over a criminal courts assignment after being sworn in early next year.

She too praised the appointment and said court officials are eager to see Back start.

“I have heard nothing but enthusiastic responses,” she said. “He has a marvelous reputation. He is known for being hard-working and a team player and having a good attitude. He is very personable and bright. What more could we ask for?”

Back has been a partner in the firm of Arnold, Back, Mathews, Wojkowski & Zirbel since 1990. He joined the firm as an attorney in 1989 and has primarily handled real estate and other civil matters.

He had worked as an associate attorney, and later a partner, for the firm of Nordman, Cormany, Hair and Compton from 1977 to 1989.

Back entered the legal profession because he was attracted to its philosophical ideals, which he first embraced as a college student studying political science and government, he said.

“To me, the law truly does remain a noble profession,” he said. “It is just such an integral part of how we are supposed to get along.”

Back graduated from the University of Santa Clara Law School in 1977. He had earned a master’s degree in government from Claremont Graduate School in 1974 and a bachelor’s degree in political science from Claremont Men’s College in 1972.

It was during his years in Claremont that Back met his wife, Kathleen, who is also a lawyer. They have five children between the ages of 8 and 19.

Back grew up in San Diego but settled in Ventura County because of his wife’s ties to the community, he said.

“She grew up in Ventura and we ended up coming back here,” he said. “San Diego was a wonderful place to grow up, but it got big.” Back and his wife have lived in Camarillo since 1978.

During that time, Back has become an active member of the Thousand Oaks Rotary Club. A few years ago, he teamed with Judges Melinda Johnson and Steven Perren to craft a program called “Lunch With a Judge,” which is aimed at introducing teenagers to the court system in a positive manner. The program involves having four or five students meet with a judge and other Rotary Club members to discuss various legal issues.

“With that size, you are compelled to be one-on-one,” Back said. “There are about nine or 10 judges who have participated. What I have found is it is really good for everybody.”

Back said 70 to 80 Thousand Oaks teens have participated so far.

Given his appointment, Back said his role with the program will change somewhat.

“I figure I am a good on-site coordinator now,” he said.