The California Judges Association was established in 1929 and is the professional association representing the interests of the judiciary of the State of California. Members include judges of the Superior Courts and Courts of Appeal, Commissioners of State courts and State Bar Court judges and Tribal Court judges. Judges retired from these courts are also members. CJA is governed by a democratically-elected, 25-member Executive Board. Representatives are drawn from 12 regional districts and also from the Court of Appeal, commissioners and retired bench officers.

CJA is a voluntary, not-for profit public benefit corporation, 501(c)(6) primarily supported by membership dues.

The California Judges Foundation was founded in 1966 as a complement to CJA.