Judge Ahtossa Fullerton

Judge Ahtossa Fullerton was appointed to the Marin Superior Court by Governor Gavin Newsom on May 3, 2024, filling the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Beverly Wood. She sits in Department M. Her appointment was part of a cohort of 18 new trial judges placed across 14 California counties simultaneously. Because she was appointed in 2024 and no ruling analyses or attorney observations are available, her judicial philosophy and courtroom tendencies cannot be characterized from observed patterns at this time. What is documented is a career spanning approximately 24 years in private practice before joining the bench. Fullerton began as an associate at Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP from approximately 2000 to 2005, a large international firm known for complex civil litigation and transactional work. She then operated as a sole practitioner from 2005 to 2009, followed by a 14-year partnership at Wasacz Hilley & Fullerton LLP from 2010 to 2024. Her private practice background, particularly the extended partnership at a firm bearing her name, reflects substantial experience in client-facing legal work and case management over a long career arc. Attorneys appearing before Judge Fullerton should treat this as an early-tenure judicial assignment with limited public behavioral data. The most reliable preparation strategy is to focus on procedural compliance, professional conduct, and the substantive law applicable to the matter at hand, while monitoring emerging patterns as her judicial record develops.

Given that no ruling analyses or attorney observations exist for Judge Fullerton, attorneys cannot rely on established behavioral patterns to calibrate their approach. What is known is that she spent 14 years as a named partner at a private firm, which reflects experience managing client relationships, negotiating disputes, and handling matters through resolution. Attorneys should present arguments that are well-organized, practical, and grounded in the record, as practitioners with deep private-practice backgrounds often respond to clear, efficient advocacy. Her background at Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP — a firm with a strong civil litigation and transactional practice — preceded her smaller-firm and solo work. This arc from large firm to boutique partnership suggests familiarity with both sophisticated procedural frameworks and the practical realities of smaller-scale litigation. Attorneys should not assume unfamiliarity with complex legal arguments, nor should they assume a preference for any particular style of advocacy without observational data to support that conclusion. Because Judge Fullerton is newly appointed as of May 2024, she is operating under the heightened scrutiny and learning curve inherent to early judicial tenure. Attorneys should ensure all filings are procedurally impeccable, deadlines are strictly observed, and courtroom conduct is professional. Early-tenure judges frequently rely heavily on the written record and applicable rules, making thorough briefing a priority.

• critical

  Review Department M Local Rules and Standing Orders

  Judge Fullerton sits in Department M at Marin Superior Court. Attorneys must review all applicable local rules and any standing orders issued for Department M, as newly appointed judges often issue specific procedural requirements.

• critical

  Prepare Thorough Written Briefs

  With no observable pattern of oral argument preferences, attorneys should ensure the written record is comprehensive and self-sufficient. Early-tenure judges frequently rely heavily on written submissions.

• important

  Monitor Emerging Rulings and Courtroom Reports

  As Judge Fullerton's record develops, attorneys should actively track her rulings and gather observations from colleagues who have appeared before her in Department M.

• important

  Confirm Hearing Procedures Directly with Clerk

  Contact the Department M clerk to confirm current procedures for scheduling, tentative rulings, oral argument requests, and remote appearance policies, as these may still be evolving under a new judge.

• ›Adhere strictly to all filing deadlines and procedural requirements — newly appointed judges establishing their courtrooms frequently enforce rules with precision.
• ›Treat every appearance as an opportunity to establish a professional reputation, as Judge Fullerton is still forming impressions of the local bar.
• ›Arrive prepared with a thorough command of the record, given her private practice background managing complex client matters over a 24-year career.