La Mesa Lawyer Is Named Judge on Superior Court

A veteran La Mesa trial lawyer has been appointed a San Diego County Superior Court judge by Gov. George Deukmejian.

Harrison R. Hollywood, 59, a recent senior partner of the San Diego firm of Hollywood & Neil, was sworn in Friday. He will begin work Monday.

“I’m very excited,” Hollywood said. “It’s a wonderful way to cap off a career.”

Hollywood, a specialist in civil litigation, fills one of nine new positions created by the Legislature. He has been in private practice about 28 years and has spent time as a judge pro tem in Superior Court.

Hollywood’s long tenure as a practicing lawyer was a primary factor in his appointment, said Tom Beermann, Deukmejian’s deputy press secretary.

“Certainly, Harrison Hollywood has the respect of his peers in the legal community,” Beermann said. “The governor expects him to be an excellent judge for San Diego County. A number of individuals had recommended him very highly.”

The annual salary of Superior Court judges is $89,851.

Hollywood received his bachelor’s degree in political science in 1951 from the University of Southern California and his law degree at USC in 1960. He is a member of the American Bar Assn., the State Bar of California, the San Diego County Bar Assn. and the American Board of Trial Advocates. Hollywood is also a fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers.

He was a trial attorney for the firm of Luce, Forward, Hamilton & Scripps from 1961 to 1964. He was a partner with Holt, Macomber & Rhoades from 1964 until 1985, when the firm became Hollywood & Neil.