By Greg Mitchell

Bert Levy has friends in high places. When Levy was nominated to the Fifth District Court of Appeal, not one but two former judicial appointment secretaries -- Marvin Baxter and Charles Poochigian -- wrote letters urging his confirmation to the Commission on Judicial Appointments. Both indicated they have been friends of Levy for years. And Levy has contributed generously to Poochigian's and Wilson's election campaigns.

This is not to say that Levy wasn't a merit choice for the Fifth Distict. When both the district attorney and the public defender of your county urge your elevation, you must be doing something right.

Fresno DA Edward Hunt told the commission that Levy's "knowledge and demeanor are outstanding" and Acting Public Defender Charles Dreiling said he "enthusiastically support[s] Judge's Levy's appointment."

Having served little more than a year at the time of this profile, Levy hadn't developed much of a track record as an appellate justice. He had issued only two published opinions as of August, 1998.

Most of his superior court tenure was devoted to family law, which he presided over for six years to rave reviews, judging by letters on file with the commission. A past president of the Fresno County Bar Association also described him as "sensitive to racial and gender issues that face legal professionals."

Levy also scored points in the legal community for his work as chairman of the Fresno County Domestic Violence Roundtable, a multi-agency task force.

The State Bar's Commission on Judicial Nominees Evaluation rated him "well-qualified."

POLITICAL CONTRIBUTIONS: Levy gave $1,000 to Wilson's gubernatorial campaign in 1994. From 1994 to 1998 he also has contributed $700 to Poochigian's Assembly campaigns, $275 to Dan Lungren, $250 to Secretary of State Bill Jones, and $100 to state Sen. Ken Maddy. Levy also gave $150 to Lungren's 1990 AG campaign.