JUDGE FRANKEL REPORT CARD 

Simon Frankel was appointed to the Superior Court in December 2022 by Governor Gavin Newsom.  Judge Frankel earned his B.S. from Harvard University in 1996 and a master’s degree from the University of Cambridge in 1988.  In 1991 he earned his J.D. from Yale Law School.  Judge Frankel began his legal career as a clerk for both the District Court and the Court of Appeals for the 1st Circuit.  He subsequently entered private practice, specializing in copyright, trademark litigation and internet disputes at the firm of Howard, Rice, Nemerovsky, Canady, Falk & Rabkin in San Francisco.  His current term ends on January 6, 2025.   

Grade: INSUFFICIENT INFORMATION TO GRADE

Survey Rating: Due to his short time in office, few trial attorneys are familiar with Judge Frankel. 

Case History: Judge Frankel issued orders in 11 narcotics sales cases during the year of our study. He denied a Motion to Detain in jail alleged drug dealer defendants twice and granted a MTD once. He released one defendant prior to trial who was subsequently rearrested while awaiting trial for a previous offense. 

Example: None 

Comments from Court Observers: “Not a litigator prior to appointment; there's always a learning curve, and he's learning, trying hard, asks the basic questions. No hubris, it's not his fault he's out of his depth; he'll be better in 2-3 months.” (Comment submitted in July 2023). 

Appeals: No relevant appeals. 

Media reports:  

Bio at Court of Arbitration for Art (Netherlands outfit) 

From UC Berkeley website (where he used to teach law): “His civil litigation practice focuses on copyright and trademark litigation and internet disputes, including online privacy litigation. He taught Art Law at Berkeley Law School several times in 1995-2000 and is now teaching Privacy Litigation.”