Stephanie Shirkey Sworn In as El Dorado County Judge

PLACERVILLE, Calif. — Gov. Gavin Newsom has appointed Stephanie Shirkey to serve in an interim appointment as a judge of the El Dorado County Superior Court, allowing her to immediately assume judicial duties months before the start of the term to which she had already been elected. The appointment was announced June 26 by the Governor’s Office.

Shirkey fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Vicki Ashworth, helping maintain the court’s full complement of judges as El Dorado County continues to manage a broad caseload ranging from criminal prosecutions and family law matters to civil litigation and probate proceedings. According to the Governor’s Office, the interim appointment allows Shirkey to take the bench immediately rather than waiting until January 2027, when her elected term was originally set to begin.

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SEO-Friendly Title: Coalition Urges FCC to Protect California Phone Service High-Impact Subtitle: Local governments and consumer advocates warn that weakening California’s authority could jeopardize reliable communications for rural communities, including El Dorado County. Focus Keyphrase: California Carrier of Last Resort Meta Description: Coalition asks the FCC to preserve California’s authority to protect reliable phone service for rural communities, including El Dorado County. Social Media Excerpt: Could rural residents lose critical telephone protections? A broad California coalition is urging the FCC to reject a proposal they say could weaken reliable communications for communities like El Dorado County. 4-Sentence Summary A coalition of local governments, consumer advocates, labor organizations and public interest groups is urging the Federal Communications Commission to reject an AT&T petition that could limit California’s authority over basic telephone service requirements. The filing centers on California’s Carrier of Last Resort rules, which require designated providers to make basic communications service available throughout their service territories. For rural counties such as El Dorado County, the debate carries significant implications for emergency communications, wildfire preparedness and access to reliable voice service. Coalition members argue that California—not federal regulators alone—should retain the authority to ensure residents continue receiving dependable communications services. Main Article Body PLACERVILLE, Calif. — A broad coalition of California organizations is asking the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to reject an AT&T petition that opponents say would weaken the state’s ability to guarantee reliable telephone service, particularly in rural communities where dependable communications remain critical during emergencies. The coalition, led by the Rural County Representatives of California (RCRC), filed comments with the FCC opposing AT&T’s request for federal preemption of California’s Carrier of Last Resort (COLR) requirements. Those rules require designated telecommunications providers to offer basic voice service to customers throughout their assigned service areas. For El Dorado County residents, the issue extends beyond traditional landline phones. Many foothill and mountain communities continue to experience limited cellular coverage, frequent Public Safety Power Shutoffs, severe winter storms and wildfire-related outages. During those events, reliable voice communications can become a lifeline for residents seeking emergency assistance, contacting family members or receiving evacuation information. According to the California Public Utilities Commission, Carrier of Last Resort obligations are technology-neutral. Providers may use fiber, wireless or Voice over Internet Protocol technologies, provided they continue delivering reliable basic communications service that meets state standards. The coalition argues that AT&T’s petition asks the FCC to override California’s authority to enforce those protections. “California’s Carrier of Last Resort requirements remain essential to ensuring reliable communications services for all residents,” the coalition stated in its filing, arguing that federal regulators lack the authority to invalidate the state’s consumer protections. AT&T has argued that maintaining its aging copper telephone network costs approximately $1 billion annually in California while serving only a small percentage of customers. The company says newer technologies—including fiber and wireless services—can provide faster and more reliable communications in many areas. California regulators disagree that modernization alone justifies ending existing obligations. In filings before both the FCC and federal court, the California Public Utilities Commission contends that modern communications networks are important but must not come at the expense of vulnerable residents who continue relying on dependable voice service. The agency has argued that AT&T has not demonstrated that every affected customer would have an equivalent replacement service available. The issue carries particular significance across El Dorado County. While communities such as El Dorado Hills and Cameron Park generally enjoy multiple communications options, residents in more remote areas—including portions of Georgetown, Grizzly Flats, Somerset, Pollock Pines and the Crystal Basin region—often face limited wireless coverage due to rugged terrain and forested landscapes. During wildfire evacuations or prolonged power outages, communications resilience becomes a matter of public safety. RCRC, which represents 40 rural California counties, argues that weakening California’s authority could disproportionately affect residents living in those communities. The organization says local governments have a strong interest in ensuring communications infrastructure remains reliable for emergency response, economic activity and access to essential services. The FCC has not yet issued a final decision on AT&T’s petition. The outcome could influence how California regulates universal telephone service as the telecommunications industry continues transitioning away from legacy copper networks toward fiber and wireless technologies. For El Dorado County residents, local officials and emergency managers will likely continue monitoring the proceeding closely, given the county’s recurring wildfire risk, mountainous terrain and ongoing reliance on dependable communications during disasters. Public documents: California Public Utilities Commission Carrier of Last Resort proceeding: https://www.cpuc.ca.gov/colr FCC public docket regarding AT&T’s petition (available through the FCC Electronic Comment Filing System). Social Promotion #ElDoradoCounty #Placerville #California #PublicSafety #Telecommunications

July 31, 2026

Before joining the bench, Shirkey served as a lead attorney at California’s Third District Court of Appeal beginning in 2023. Her legal career also includes service as a senior research attorney for the Sacramento County Superior Court, in-house counsel for the California Department of Health Care Services, senior policy and compliance counsel for the California Apartment Association, director of legal and regulatory affairs for the California Association of Health Plans, and more than a decade as deputy and principal deputy legislative counsel in the California Office of Legislative Counsel. She earned her Juris Doctor from the University of California College of the Law, San Francisco.

In announcing the appointment, the Governor’s Office stated:

“The Governor’s appointment allows her to immediately assume the position she was otherwise elected to begin in January 2027.”

Shirkey is registered with No Party Preference, according to the Governor’s announcement. Judicial appointments in California are based on professional qualifications, and judges are expected to remain impartial regardless of political affiliation.

The El Dorado County Superior Court formally welcomed Shirkey during a swearing-in ceremony held in July, marking the beginning of her service to the county’s residents and legal community. The court said the appointment ensures continued judicial service following Judge Ashworth’s retirement.

For residents of El Dorado County, the appointment means court operations can continue without the disruption of a lengthy judicial vacancy. Superior Court judges preside over felony and misdemeanor criminal cases, civil disputes, juvenile matters, family law, probate proceedings and other cases affecting thousands of county residents each year.

The El Dorado County Superior Court serves communities throughout the county, including Placerville, South Lake Tahoe, Cameron Park, El Dorado Hills, Georgetown and surrounding areas. Maintaining a full judicial bench is considered essential for reducing delays, managing growing caseloads and ensuring timely access to justice.

Sources

• Governor Gavin Newsom, Judicial Appointments Announcement (June 26, 2026).
• El Dorado County Superior Court, Press Release: Appointment and Swearing in of Stephanie Shirkey.