For Ventura County Superior Court Judge

Mike Malak

Attorney at Law

Honor. Integrity. Justice.

Polls close June 2

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Support Mike
Mike Malak — candidate for Ventura County Superior Court Judge

Photo: Jose Lora

Admitted to Practice State Bar of California
U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals

A Vision for Better Courts

Our courts do a hard job under real strain. I believe we can do better — not by tearing anything down, but by bringing in the partners, tools, and funding that let judges do what they were trained to do: listen, weigh, and decide. Every person who walks into a courtroom deserves to be heard, to understand the ruling, and to believe that justice was served.

— Mike Malak

The Platform

Three Pillars for a Better Court System

Modernize the Courts

Bring technology, AI, and smart process into court operations — from scheduling and reporting to online small claims resolution. Other California courts have modernized through corporate technology partnerships, university co-ventures, and state and federal grant funding. Ventura can too, with a judge on the bench who knows how to build those partnerships and write those proposals.

Join the effort

Expand Access to Justice

Self-help for litigants should not be limited to two hours, twice a week. Small claims and traffic cases should be resolvable online. Like the courts in England, guided questions and a two-week response — without waiving your right to go to a real court. That seems like a tremendous way to save time.

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Enlightened Criminal Justice

Diversions and drug courts work — crime rates have gone down where these programs exist. Fifty cents a day for a pill is a better investment than incarceration. Nobody wants these people, nobody likes them — they’re mentally ill, they’re poor, they’re addicted. That’s exactly why I started with them. Because nobody else would.

Stand with us

A Record of Distinguished Service

1982
California Senate
Resolution of Commendation
1986
Key to the City
San Diego
5×
Revenue Growth
Daily Variety, 5 Years
2
Best Picture Oscar Campaigns
Amadeus & Cuckoo’s Nest
$66M
Metro Rail Public Art
2% of $3.3B Construction Budget
Mike Malak with a beached dolphin along the coastline
A rescued seal along the coastline at sunset
Ceramic head sculpture by Mike Malak, made at Berman Ceramics Studios
Mike Malak from his Hollywood years at Daily Variety, alongside Marilyn Monroe and Elvis Presley posters

The Journey

The Man With a Heart.
The Candidate With a Soul.

Mike Malak’s path to the bench is anything but ordinary. He was offered a full scholarship to Georgetown Law and turned it down — he couldn’t afford the flights back and forth to see his widowed mother, so he stayed in California to be near her. He earned his B.A. and M.A. at Loyola Marymount, and his J.D. at Valley University School of Law: a small institution founded by sitting judges of the Los Angeles Superior Court’s Central District who wanted to leave their imprint on legal education. Two of its founders later rose to the California Supreme Court and to the presiding bench of California’s Fourth District Court of Appeal.

Read Mike’s Full Story → Vote by June 2

What’s at Stake

This Election Decides the Future of Our Courts

Courts across California are stretched thin — and Ventura County is no exception. Other counties have met the moment with technology partnerships, university co-ventures, and state and federal grants that pay for modernization. Ventura has not yet. The question on this ballot is not whether our courts need help — it is whether we will send someone who knows how to bring that help home.

What We Stand to Win

  • Courts modernized with AI scheduling and reporting — no more year-long transcript delays
  • Small claims and traffic matters resolved online — no lost workdays
  • Free self-help classes so every person understands the system before they enter it
  • Expanded diversion programs that have proven to reduce crime rates
  • A judge who explains every ruling — not just “next, next, goodbye”

What We Cannot Afford to Keep

  • Assembly-line dockets that leave litigants confused, unheard, and disrespected
  • Self-help limited to two hours, twice a week leaves litigants stranded
  • Family court services plagued by undertrained staff making life-altering recommendations
  • Endless continuances that waste months of people’s lives
  • A court system that processes people instead of serving them
Vote by June 2

The Record

A Career of Uncommon Distinction

California Senate Rules Committee Resolution commending Michael J. Malak, 1982

California Senate Resolution

Rules Committee commendation for distinguished service, 1982

Key to the City of San Diego presented to Michael Malak, 1986

Key to the City

Presented by the City of San Diego, September 1986

Daily Variety cover produced during Mike Malak's tenure as Director of Marketing

Daily Variety

Director of Marketing — quintupled revenue in five years

S3A Viking Navy ASW aircraft photographed during DOD flight test verification

Department of Defense

Civilian contractor — flight test verification, Pacific operations

Aviation Magazine International cover related to defense industry work

Aviation & Defense

Carrier-based anti-submarine warfare documentation

U.S. Navy Physiological Training certificate issued to M.J. Malak

U.S. Navy Physiological Training

Certified under OPNAV INST 3710.7 series for flight-test operations

Sons of the Revolution President's Commendation Award presented to Michael J. Malak, signed by Judge A. R. Early III, January 9, 1999

Sons of the Revolution

President’s Commendation Award for service as Solicitor General — presented by Judge A. R. Early III, 1999

Vote by June 2

In Their Words

Letters from a Life of Service

Over four decades, colleagues, clergy, and civic leaders put in writing what they had seen of Mike’s character, judgment, and work. Their letters — kept in their original form — speak for themselves.

A man of high moral character who is committed toward furthering religious and racial respect and tolerance. He is an eloquent and entertaining speaker.
Rabbi Marvin J. Sugarman Shaarey Zedek Congregation · 1987
He shows extensive knowledge of the political process, and the art of compromise and negotiation — a thoroughly competent executive.
Albert A. Dorskind Chairman, MCA Development Company · 1987
Sharp intelligence and careful insights — a competent and efficient emissary who reflects well on his institution.
Charles Champlin Arts Editor, Los Angeles Times · 1987
Congratulations on a difficult job well done. Your guidance and dedication have been of paramount importance — you have not missed a single time on such a comprehensive analysis.
John A. Dyer General Manager, Southern California Rapid Transit District · 1993

These letters are presented as a record of how Mike was regarded across decades and communities. The writers have since passed; their words remain.

Endorsements

Who Stands With Mike

Ventura County Democratic Party

Democratic Club of Camarillo

Democratic Club of Ventura

Santa Clara Valley Democratic Club

Stonewall Democrats of Ventura County

Ventura County Young Democrats
Vote by June 2

How to Vote

Vote by June 2 — Election Day

This race is decided by who shows up. Make sure you’re registered, make sure your neighbors are voting, and make sure your ballot gets counted.

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Check your status in 30 seconds. Moved or not registered? You can still register online — and in California you can register and vote the same day at any Ventura County vote center, right through Election Day.

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Tell Your Neighbors

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Vote in Ventura County

Election Day is June 2. Mail-in ballots must be postmarked by June 2 and received by June 9. Drop your ballot in any Ventura County drop box, mail it back, or vote in person at any vote center.

County Elections Info