The Honorable Jeffrey S. Bostwick recently completed his last day on the San Diego Superior Court bench and will officially retire in the coming months. His San Diego Superior Court career crosses more than 25 years between his service beginning as a commissioner in 1997 and his first election to a Superior Court judge seat in 2002.

“It has been a great honor to serve the public,” said Judge Bostwick. “I have been privileged to serve with many wonderful judges and commissioners throughout the State of California.”

Judge Bostwick presided over family law, probate, civil, and criminal matters. Before becoming a judicial officer, Judge Bostwick practiced law for nearly 20 years. A Certified Family Law Specialist in practice, Judge Bostwick handled some of the court’s most complicated family law cases.

“Judge Bostwick is a real workhorse of a judicial officer, who has kept a grueling pace every day of his career while displaying great integrity and intellect,” said Judge Michael Smyth, San Diego Superior Court Presiding Judge. “The public and the San Diego Superior Court have benefited immeasurably from his steady, conscientious commitment to justice. We will miss him terribly.”

Judicial education was a priority for Judge Bostwick. For almost 25 years, he taught both new and experienced judges throughout California in many educational programs, including the Bernard Witkin Judicial College, the Center for Judicial Education and Research (CJER) primary assignment orientation courses, and CJER Institutes and advanced issues courses.  Judge Bostwick also chaired the CJER Family Law Curriculum Committee and the CJER Probate Curriculum Committee. Finally, Judge Bostwick presented at many local bar seminars and educational events.

In 2005, the Chief Justice of the California Supreme Court appointed Judge Bostwick to the Domestic Violence Practice and Procedure Task Force. Over the course of three years, he worked with the task force to develop and recommend guidelines and practices for domestic violence cases. Recommendations addressed domestic violence restraining orders, firearms relinquishment, criminal law procedures, and the entry of restraining and protective orders into the Domestic Violence Restraining Order System and access to that system.

In retirement, Judge Bostwick plans to continue to be of service to our community and the legal profession.