Roy Chernus, retired Marin judge, joins IJ editorial board

Roy Chernus, a retired Marin County Superior Court judge, has joined the Independent Journal’s editorial board as its public member.

Chernus, 72, lives in Novato. Chernus’ legal career included many years in private practice before becoming executive director at Legal Aid of Marin. In 2005, he was selected to be a Marin Superior Court commissioner. He was appointed as a Marin judge in 2011, winning three elections and retiring in 2023.

He helped implement the Marin court’s “self-help center” and played a role in establishing the Marin County Veterans Court. Chernus has been an active facilitator for the Youth Transforming Justice program. The Marin County Bar Association once named him lawyer of the year and also recognized him with the MLK Humanitarian Award.

Chernus grew up in New Jersey and moved to Marin with his wife, family-law attorney Renee Chernus, in 1979. They raised two sons in Marin and have three grandchildren.

“We are living in extraordinary times,” Chernus said. “The best way I can do something is to act locally. I am interested in fostering a diversity of opinions on issues facing our community right now. It’s OK if we agree or disagree, we just need to talk about what’s happening.”

Reserving a board position for a member of the public is a long-standing tradition at the IJ. Chernus joins IJ President and Publisher Rob Devincenzi, Managing Editor Jennifer Upshaw Swartz, Opinion Editor Dave Allen and editorial writer Brad Breithaupt. The board discusses local issues reported by the IJ and develops stands reflected in that week’s editorials.