Gary Shinaver biography

Age:

Occupation:

Chief Public Defender

Political experience:

I have been an attorney for 25 years – longer than any of the other candidates for this office. I was admitted to the State Bar of California in 1983 and began my legal career in the Public Defenders Office. I have significant trial and courtroom experience. In 1997, I was promoted to a Chief Public Defender, which has now given me well over 10 years of public law management experience. It is these two attributes that most significantly set my experience level above any of the other candidates for this office.

Education:

Fresno City College: AA degree; California State University, Fresno: BA degree; California Western School of Law, San Diego: Juris Doctor (JD) degree. I was admitted as a lawyer to the State Bar of California in 1983.

Family:

I am married to my lovely wife, Ann, of 20 years. We have two children. My son, John, is a first year student at Fresno City College and works part time; my daughter, Barbara, is a junior at Sanger High School and is active in the music program.

Web site:

www.garyshinaver.com

Endorsements:

La Raza Lawyers Association

Why are you running?:

I believe that as a judge I can bring positive change to our court system and to our community. My 25 year legal career has been devoted to serving the people of Fresno County. I have the knowledge, experience and ability as a judge to continue to serve the public by improving the efficiency and effectiveness of our court system.

I am a native of Fresno and have raised my family here. I believe that Fresno County is a great place to live, and is full of potential. Our diverse community deserves a court system that is fair, effective, and efficient. That is my vision for the courts and the community.

The top three issues the courts need to address are how to make the court system efficient, how to make the court system effective, and how to provide the resources to update the courts dilapidated infrastructure so that the court’s outdated facilities do not hinder the court’s efficiency and effectiveness. In these times of fiscal hardship and budget crises, the courts need to be creative and proactive in working with others on state and local levels to secure the resources necessary to improve efficiency and effectiveness in the court system. Priorities must be set and leadership must be exercised. Hard work must be the order of the day. I will bring these qualities to the bench in order to accomplish these goals.

fresno elections 2008