Munger, Tolles & Olson Alum Maria Jhai Appointed as Los Angeles Superior Court Judge 

Munger, Tolles & Olson alum Maria Jhai was appointed to serve as a judge on the Los Angeles Superior Court. Governor Gavin Newsom announced the appointment on May 7, 2025.

A University of Michigan Law School alumnus, Judge Jhai fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Douglas W. Sortino.

Judge Jhai worked at Munger, Tolles & Olson as an attorney from 2014-2019. Before joining the firm, she completed clerkships at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit from 2013-2014, as well as the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan from 2011-2013. From 2019-2025, Judge Jhai served as an Assistant United States Attorney and Tribal Liaison at the Office of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California. 

Several MTO alumni have served in the state and federal judiciaries, reflecting the firm’s commitment to encourage its attorneys to serve their communities. About 75% of our attorneys served as law clerks to federal or state judges and 25 MTO alumni, including Judge Jhai, have been appointed and serve as active judges across the United States.