Judge Erica R. Yew

Judge Erica R. Yew was appointed to the Santa Clara County Superior Court by Governor Gavin Newsom in January 2022, making her a relatively recent addition to the bench. She received her legal education at Santa Clara University School of Law, which situates her within the Silicon Valley legal community and likely informs her familiarity with technology-adjacent legal issues. Notably, she was appointed to the Judicial Council by the Chief Justice of California in June 2023, a significant honor that signals peer recognition of her judicial temperament, administrative capability, and broader commitment to the court system as an institution. This appointment suggests she is viewed as a thoughtful, reform-minded jurist with statewide credibility beyond her individual courtroom. Public coverage in the Daily Journal from 2024 and 2025 indicates that Judge Yew has engaged publicly with two notable themes: judicial independence and the use of artificial intelligence by legal professionals. Her interest in AI in legal practice is particularly relevant for attorneys practicing in Santa Clara County, the heart of Silicon Valley, where technology companies and IP disputes are common. This suggests she may be more receptive than average to technologically sophisticated arguments, e-discovery frameworks, and AI-assisted legal research disclosures, while also being alert to the ethical risks those tools present. Because no ruling analyses, attorney observations, or ingested content are currently available, all characterizations here are inferred from biographical and appointment data rather than observed courtroom behavior. Attorneys should treat these insights as directional hypotheses to be tested and updated through direct courtroom experience. The confidence level for this profile is accordingly modest, and practitioners are strongly encouraged to supplement this analysis with local bar association intelligence and recent case research.

Given Judge Yew's Judicial Council appointment and her public engagement with judicial independence, attorneys should approach her courtroom with a strong respect for institutional process and procedural integrity. She is unlikely to respond well to arguments that pressure the court through procedural shortcuts or that appear to circumvent established rules. Frame your arguments within the structure of California procedural law, cite controlling authority clearly, and avoid asking the court to stretch its discretion beyond well-established bounds. Judges who care about judicial independence tend to be sensitive to any perception that counsel is attempting to manipulate or rush the court. Her documented interest in AI in legal practice is a double-edged strategic consideration. On one hand, she may be more open to technologically sophisticated presentations — well-organized digital exhibits, clear data visualizations, and references to emerging case law on technology issues. On the other hand, her awareness of AI means she may scrutinize AI-generated legal work product more carefully than other judges. If your firm uses AI-assisted research or drafting, ensure all citations are independently verified and consider whether local rules or standing orders require disclosure. Sloppy or hallucinated citations before a judge who has publicly engaged with AI risks would be a serious credibility problem. As a relatively newer appointee (2022) who has already earned a Judicial Council seat, Judge Yew likely values thoroughness, professionalism, and intellectual rigor. Prepare briefs that are well-organized, properly cited, and free of hyperbole. In oral argument, be prepared to engage substantively — she may ask probing questions and expect counsel to go beyond reciting the brief.

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  Review Current Standing Orders and Local Rules

  As a 2022 appointee, Judge Yew may have issued or updated standing orders that differ from prior judges in her department. Pull her current standing orders from the Santa Clara County Superior Court website before any filing or appearance. Pay particular attention to page limits, formatting requirements, and tentative ruling procedures.

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  Audit All Citations for Accuracy Before Filing

  Given her documented public interest in AI use by attorneys, ensure every case citation and statutory reference in your briefs is independently verified through Westlaw or Lexis — not solely through AI tools. Consider adding a verification note in your filing process. A single hallucinated citation before this judge could be catastrophic to your credibility.

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  Research Her Recent Docket for Ruling Patterns

  Use Trellis, the Santa Clara County Superior Court online portal, or CourtConnect to identify recent rulings in her department. Look for patterns in how she rules on demurrers, summary judgment motions, and discovery disputes. Even a handful of recent orders will significantly improve the quality of your strategic preparation.

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  Prepare for Substantive Oral Argument Questions

  Judges with Judicial Council responsibilities and academic engagement tend to ask probing questions during oral argument. Do not prepare to simply recite your brief. Anticipate the three strongest counterarguments to your position and prepare concise, authoritative responses. Know your record cold.

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  Consult Local Practitioners for Courtroom Intelligence

  Given the absence of analyzed rulings in this profile, consult with Santa Clara County litigators who have appeared before Judge Yew. The local bar association, courthouse hallway conversations, and attorney networks are invaluable for filling gaps in formal data. Ask specifically about her temperament during hearings, preferred argument style, and any known pet peeves.

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  Frame Technology Arguments with Ethical Awareness

  If your case involves AI, data privacy, or emerging technology, frame your arguments with awareness of both the legal and ethical dimensions. Judge Yew's public engagement with AI in legal practice suggests she thinks about these issues holistically. Purely transactional or technical arguments without acknowledgment of broader implications may feel incomplete to her.

• ›Arrive early and be fully prepared — as a Judicial Council member, Judge Yew manages significant administrative responsibilities and is unlikely to tolerate counsel who waste the court's time with disorganized presentations or requests for continuances due to inadequate preparation.
• ›Address the court with formal deference and avoid any tone that could be perceived as pressuring or rushing the judge. Her noted interest in judicial independence suggests sensitivity to any conduct that appears to undermine the court's authority or impartiality.
• ›If you use AI tools in your practice, be prepared to disclose this if asked and to stand behind every citation in your papers. Do not assume familiarity with AI tools will impress — it may instead invite heightened scrutiny of your work product.
• ›Follow all local Santa Clara County Superior Court rules on tentative rulings. If the department issues tentative rulings, review them carefully before the hearing and be prepared to argue specifically against the tentative rather than re-arguing your papers wholesale.
• ›Maintain professional courtesy toward opposing counsel at all times. Judges who value institutional integrity tend to view courtroom incivility as a reflection of poor professional character, not zealous advocacy.