Commissioner Stephen Foley

On July 25, 2018, Presiding Judge Patricia L. Kelly announced the selection of Stephen Foley as the Superior Court Commissioner. Commissioner Foley was appointed to the vacancy created by the appointment of Judge Von Deroian. Commissioner Foley's selection followed an extensive recruitment process conducted by the Court. He was chosen from a field of highly qualified candidates. Regarding his appointment, Judge Kelly stated, "Mr. Foley's breadth of experience, poise, professionalism, and integrity uniquely qualify him for this new role. He will serve the community with compassion, fairness, honor, and dignity. We are happy to have him join us in providing access to justice for the citizens of Santa Barbara County."

Commissioner Foley is a graduate of San Marcos High School. He has a bachelor's degree from the University of Notre Dame and a law degree from the UCLA School of Law in 1996. He began his legal career as a prosecuting attorney at the Riverside County District Attorney's Office. In 2004 he joined the Santa Barbara County District Attorney's Office and spent ten years working the Santa Maria Office and four years at the Lompoc Office.

Commissioner Foley serves as a judicial officer hearing child support, child custody, and visitation, restraining order, traffic court, and unlawful detainer cases. Commissioner Foley hears cases throughout Santa Barbara County in Santa Barbara, Santa Maria, and Lompoc.

Before his appointment, Commissioner Foley spent ten years serving as a school board member for the Los Olivos Elementary School and Santa Ynez Valley Unified High School. He is a former board member for the Santa Maria Valley Boys and Girls Club (now known as Mid Central Coast). He has also volunteered as a Teen Court judge and Mock Trial coach.

Commissioner Foley presides over Dept 9 in Santa Barbara Figueroa Division, Dept 10 in Santa Maria Miller Division and Dept 2 in Lompoc Division.