Profile
Known to attorneys who appeared before him for his focus, efficiency, strong intelligence and an “unparalleled” knowledge of discovery law, Commissioner Hewlett earned a reputation for fair, evenhanded rulings during his 17 years in the Civil Discovery Department, where he heard motions ranging from the simplest to the most complex, document intensive cases, including class action and business litigation.
Judicial and Legal Experience
- 1986 – 2011 San Francisco Superior Court Commissioner
- 2011 Community Justice Court
- 2010 General Civil Department, Presided over default prove-ups, unlawful detainer settlement conferences, short cause civil trials, and miscellaneous civil matters.
- 1997-2010, 1991-1996, 1986-1987 Civil Discovery Department
- 1996-1997 Civil Trial Department, Presided over court and jury trials.
- 1987-1991 Juvenile Court
- 1980 – 1986 Private practice with an emphasis on criminal defense
- 1976 – 1980 Bayview-Hunters Point Community Defender Office, Staff Attorney, Criminal defense for indigent residents of Bayview-Hunters Point.
- 1970 – 1975 Writer-Editor, University of California, Berkeley
- 1965 – 1969 U.S. Air Force, Journalism and Public Relations
Education
- 1975 JD, Golden Gate University Law School, San Francisco
- 1965 BA, Dickinson College, Carlisle, PA
- 1964 American University, Washington, DC
Writing and Lectures
- Contributor, Judge’s Perspective, CEB Action Guide, “Handling Motions to Compel and Other Discovery Motions,” by Jeffrey A. Tidus. November 2009.
- “Meet the Discovery Commissioners”, Bar Association Of San Francisco, Litigation Section, April 2008.
- Contributor, Judges’ Perspective, CEB Action Guide, “Moving to Compel Discovery and Other Discovery Motions” by Jeffrey A. Tidus. Spring 1992. Revisions Winter 1993, Spring 1997, and March 2007.
- Panelist for “Email Retention and the Law”, Government Technology Conference in Sacramento, CA, May 2004.
- Panelist for the San Francisco Trial Lawyers Association panel discussion of practice in the San Francisco Superior Court, December 2003.
- Host Judge for San Francisco Community-Focused Planning Committee community meeting in the Bayview-Hunters Point community, August 2001.
- Speaker at Queen’s Bench ABC Program on Discovery Issues, September 1998.
- Contributor, California Discovery Practice, Third Edition published by Continuing Education of the Bar (CEB) 1998.
- Panelist, “Current Issues in Discovery: Secrecy, Sanctions, Privileges and Ethics,” Consumer Attorneys of California Tahoe Seminar, April 1996.
- Moderator, “Compelling, Opposing, and Enforcing Discovery In State Courts,” CEB program, January 1996.
Memberships & Other Activities
- Charles Houston Bar Association, Member 1981-present.
