The Honorable Mark S. Borrell, Judge of the Superior Court of California, County of Ventura, retired on October 9, 2026, concluding a distinguished legal career spanning decades of judicial service and contributions to the administration of justice.
Judge Borrell was appointed to the bench by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger in May 2010 and served in both civil and criminal assignments throughout his judicial tenure. Before his appointment, he was selected by the judges of the Ventura Superior Court in 2005 to serve as a court commissioner, a position he held until his elevation to the bench.
Judge Borrell brought two decades of experience in private practice and a deep understanding of civil law to the Court. Before entering judicial service, he was a shareholder at Benton, Orr, Duval & Buckingham and prior to that, a partner at Borrell & Borrell.
His contributions to the administration of justice extended well beyond the courtroom. In 2014, Judge Borrell was appointed by the Chief Justice of the California Supreme Court to serve as an advisory member of the Commission on the Future of California’s Court System, to study and recommend ways to improve access to justice and long-term efficiency. He also served on the Judicial Council’s Traffic Advisory Committee, including as its chair, contributing to the development and administration of statewide judicial policy. At the local level, he served on several Court committees, including the Alternative Dispute Resolution Committee, the Rules Committee, and the Traffic and Collections Committee. He chaired both the Rules Committee and the Traffic and Collections Committee, providing leadership on matters central to the Court’s operations and administration.
The Chief Justice assigned Judge Borrell as a panelist on the Ventura Superior Court’s Appellate Division. His service on the Appellate Division, which included appointment as the Presiding Appellate Judge, reflected his particular strengths as a jurist. He brought intellectual rigor, careful analysis, and steadfast impartiality to the work of reviewing cases and resolving appellate issues, making valuable contributions to the Court’s appellate function over many years.
Judge Borrell’s career reflects a longstanding commitment to legal education. He taught at the Santa Barbara and Ventura Colleges of Law from 2009 to 2011. His own academic credentials include an undergraduate degree in Finance from the University of Colorado, Boulder, and a Juris Doctorate from McGeorge School of Law, where he graduated Order of the Coif.
“Judge Borrell set a high standard of excellence to which we all aspire as judges,” said Presiding Judge Matthew P. Guasco. “While we are sad to lose a jurist of Judge Borrell’s exceptional skills and work ethic, we support Judge Borrell’s decision to retire after a distinguished career of service in the cause of justice. We wish Judge Borrell the best in this next stage of his journey.”
The Court extends its sincere appreciation to Judge Borrell for his many years of service to the people of Ventura County and his enduring contributions to the judiciary. His career reflects a deep commitment to the rule of law, the legal profession, and public service.