January 31, 1964 Earl B. Gilliam was the first African American to be appointed judge in San Diego county. He was 32 years old and a former deputy district attorney. His wife and two sons, Kenneth and Derrick were there for the swearing in ceremony. Court clerk John Peterson administered the oath. Gilliam was a San Diego High School graduate, a San Diego State College grad, and he received his law degree from the University of California, Hastings. He served as a criminal investigator for the district attorney's office and was a deputy DA for over three years. Gilliam was appointed to the bench by Governor Edmund Brown.

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