Superior Court bench elects first female African-American presiding judge

SAN FRANCISCO -- The San Francisco Superior Court Bench elected its first female African-American presiding judge, incumbent Judge John Stewart announced Wednesday.

Judge Teri L. Jackson, who ran unopposed, has been a member of the San Francisco Bench since September 2002. Jackson's two-year term will begin Jan. 1, according to court officials.

"The San Francisco branch reflects the diversity of our city and the entire Bay Area, and we are fortunate to have such a diverse, energetic and innovative group of judges to assure equal and fair access to justice for all people who use our courts," Jackson said in a statement.

"Together we share a commitment to assure that all San Franciscans are served justly and fairly in our justice system," Jackson said.

Jackson hopes to further a "one-court" approach to justice in San Francisco, which she says would promote more efficiency and access to justice, according to court officials.