Commissioner: Catherine Purcell

Catherine Purcell was appointed to the Board of Parole hearings by Governor Newsom on October 27, 2021. Purcell has served as Presiding Judge at the State Bar Court of California since 2014, and as Review Judge there since 2008. Purcell served as a Judge at the Kern County Superior Court, East Kern Division from 2001 to 2008. Purcell was Deputy District Attorney for the Kern County District Attorney’s Office from 1989 to 2001. Purcell was a Business Management Consultant at Merchant Overseas Property Group Ltd. from 1991 to 1992. Purcell was an Attorney at the Law Offices of Terry M. Giles from 1987 to 1989 and an Associate at Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher from 1986 to 1987. Purcell was a Judicial Attorney Clerk for the Honorable Malcolm M. Lucas at the California Supreme Court from 1985 to 1986 and a Registered Nurse for the Los Angeles County Men’s Central Jail from 1981 to 1982. Purcell earned a Juris Doctor degree from Pepperdine School of Law.