Justice Martin Jenkins was sworn in as an Associate Justice for the California Supreme Court on Friday, becoming the first openly gay man and the third African American man to serve as a justice on the California Supreme Court.

Jenkins, a San Francisco native, was nominated by Governor Gavin Newsom on October 5 to fill the vacancy created by Justice Ming W. Chin’s retirement, and was unanimously confirmed by the Commission on Judicial Appointments on November 10. Jenkins previously served as a justice for the California Court of Appeal for the First Appellate District, the United States District Court for the Northern District of California. The Commission on Judicial Nominees Evaluation Report, issued on November 6, highly recommended Jenkins’ confirmation Jenkins and praised his extensive public service contributions and professional accomplishments, stating, “his compassion, humility, lifelong commitment to public service, and passion for justice make him a most deserving and worthy addition to the state’s highest court.”

Jenkins will be joining a diverse state Supreme Court bench led by Chief Justice Tani Gorre Cantil-Sakauye, who is the first Asian-Filipina American and second woman to serve as the Chief Justice of the California Supreme Court.