Bhanu Sadasivan, a veteran patent litigator with deep experience in life sciences law, has been appointed by California Gov. Gavin Newsom to serve as a judge on the Santa Clara County Superior Court. The appointment was announced on June 26, 2026, as part of a group of judicial appointments across California. Sadasivan will fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Joanne McCracken, bringing to the bench more than two decades of experience across intellectual property, biomedical science, and complex litigation.

Sadasivan has been a partner at McDermott Will & Schulte since 2012, where her practice has focused on patent litigation with an emphasis on the life sciences industry. Her work has included disputes involving recombinant DNA technology, pharmaceutical formulations, computer hardware, software, and other high-stakes intellectual property matters. Before joining McDermott, she worked as an associate at Covington & Burling from 2008 to 2012 and at Heller Ehrman from 2004 to 2008.

Her path to the judiciary is notable because it combines legal training with a scientific background rarely seen at this level of judicial appointment. Sadasivan earned her Juris Doctor from the University of California, Berkeley School of Law. Before law school, she received a Ph.D. in immunology from Yale University and completed postdoctoral research at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School. She was also a recipient of the Arthritis Foundation Postdoctoral Fellowship and has co-authored scientific publications in peer-reviewed journals.

That scientific foundation helped shape a legal career centered on technically complex patent disputes. At McDermott, Sadasivan represented major clients in litigation involving biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, diagnostics, antibody therapeutics, and DNA-related technologies. Her firm biography notes experience in matters involving lipid nanoparticles, DNA preparation methods, lateral flow assays, and other specialized technologies central to modern medicine and biotech innovation.

The Santa Clara County Superior Court is one of California’s most important trial courts, serving the heart of Silicon Valley and a region deeply connected to technology, biomedical research, venture-backed innovation, and intellectual property disputes. While superior court judges handle a broad range of civil, criminal, family, probate, juvenile, and traffic matters, Sadasivan’s professional background adds a valuable perspective shaped by complex evidence, scientific reasoning, and high-stakes legal advocacy.

Her appointment also reflects the growing presence of Indian American legal professionals in public service and judicial leadership. Sadasivan’s career has moved across research laboratories, elite law firms, and community-facing legal service spaces. New India Abroad reported that she has served on the board of the Asian Law Alliance and previously served as board president, adding a record of civic engagement alongside her private-sector legal practice.

For Santa Clara County, Sadasivan’s appointment brings a judge with experience at the intersection of law, science, and technology – areas that increasingly shape disputes in California courts. Her career suggests a practical understanding of both the technical complexity of modern litigation and the public responsibility of the judiciary. As she joins the bench, Sadasivan adds another South Asian American milestone to California’s legal landscape and brings a distinctive professional background to one of the state’s most consequential county courts.

Key Takeaways About Bhanu Sadasivan

• Bhanu Sadasivan has been appointed to serve as a judge on the Santa Clara County Superior Court.
• She was appointed by California Gov. Gavin Newsom in an announcement dated June 26, 2026.
• Sadasivan has been a partner at McDermott Will & Schulte since 2012.
• Her legal practice focused on patent litigation, especially in the life sciences sector.
• She holds a Juris Doctor from Berkeley Law and a Ph.D. in immunology from Yale University.