Southern California Appellate News

SAJEC needs your input!

noreply@blogger.com (Ben Shatz (SCAN)) — Thu, 11 Jun 2026 18:25:25 +0000

The LACBA State Appellate Judicial Evaluation Committee (SAJEC) is evaluating four Los Angeles Superior Court judges for possible appointment to the Second District Court of Appeal: Elizabeth Bradley, Alexander Giza, Marisa Hernández-Stern, and Cindy Pánuco. If you have input on any of the candidates, please complete the relevant questionnaires linked below. Elaborations in the comments fields are especially helpful. To provide input beyond the questionnaire, contact committee chair Alana Rotter at arotter@gmsr.com. SAJEC appreciates your help!

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/HonElizabethBradley

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/HonAlexanderGiza

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/HonMarisaHernandezStern

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/HonCindyPanuco

PACER passwords

noreply@blogger.com (Ben Shatz (SCAN)) — Thu, 11 Jun 2026 16:15:08 +0000

Important PACER Announcement: Updated Password Standards

Beginning August 17, 2026, PACER users who have not updated their password in the last 18 months will be randomly selected to update their password to comply with the updated password standards. The new password must:

Be 14-45 characters in length.
Contain at least one lowercase letter, one uppercase letter, and one special character.
Not contain any part of your first name, last name, username, or email address.

Passwords will also have to be updated every 180 days.

See full announcement here.
Please consider updating your ECF password as soon as possible.
To change your password, login to Manage My Account. Under Settings, click Change Password.

DJ profiles J.Boulware Eurie

noreply@blogger.com (Ben Shatz (SCAN)) — Thu, 11 Jun 2026 14:33:15 +0000

Today's DJ has Justice Stacy Boulware Eurie brings trial court urgency to 3rd District -- The former Sacramento juvenile court presiding judge says appellate work is less immediate but steady and relentless. (Earlier DJ profiles were published in 2008 and 2017.)

Gov. Gavin Newsom named her to the appellate court in 2022, making her one of the few judges in California appointed by governors of both major parties. At the 3rd District, Boulware Eurie joined a court emerging from a period involving concerns about backlogs and the forced retirement of the presiding justice. The court has since set new internal benchmarks for how long cases should take from notice of appeal to opinion, she said. "We don't have any cases that are lagging in terms of this court, in terms of the backlog," Boulware Eurie said.

1st Dist. Rule Changes / Top Women Lawyers

noreply@blogger.com (Ben Shatz (SCAN)) — Wed, 10 Jun 2026 20:41:36 +0000

First District local rule changes: The Court has approved changes to three of the First District’s Local Rules. Local Rules 13 and 15 are amended, and Local Rule 5 is repealed. The amended and repealed rules can be found here. These changes have been published in Advance Pamphlet 14, and take effect on July 24, 2026.

The DJ has issued its annual Top Women Lawyers 2026 and it includes the usual appellate suspects: Lisa Perrochet, M.C. Sungaila, Mira Hashmall, and Kelli Sager. And the insert has Koren Bell's article Women now hold every chief judicial seat in the 9th Circuit and C.D. Cal -- For the first time in the history of the 9th Circuit and the Central District of California, every chief judicial officer is a woman.

9th Cir. Lawyer Reps wanted

noreply@blogger.com (Ben Shatz (SCAN)) — Wed, 10 Jun 2026 16:12:02 +0000

The United States District Court, Central District of California, is currently accepting applications from qualified individuals interested in serving as Ninth Circuit Judicial Conference Lawyer Representatives.
The selected Lawyer Representatives will be representative of the entire district and reflect the diversity of lawyers practicing before the Court.
For more information, please see the attached https://www.cacd.uscourts.gov/news/recruitment-notice-ninth-circuit-judicial-conference-lawyer-representatives-3.

CLA webinar on Appealability Basics

noreply@blogger.com (Ben Shatz (SCAN)) — Tue, 09 Jun 2026 16:13:10 +0000

CLA presents a webinar: Appealability Basics: What Trial Lawyers Need to Know
June 11 @ 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
1 Participatory MCLE Credits | 1 Legal Specialization in Appellate Law
Led by Jeff Gurrola and Hayley MacMillen, seasoned appellate lawyers at Greines, Martin, Stein & Richland LLP who both have significant trial experience, this program covers critical issues relating to appealability. You’ll get insight on how to avoid traps, protect the record, and discern appealable orders from non-appealable ones.

9th Cir. Order re judicial misconduct inquiry

noreply@blogger.com (Ben Shatz (SCAN)) — Tue, 09 Jun 2026 16:06:52 +0000

The DJ has 9th Circuit opens misconduct probe of Judge Ryan Nelson -- Chief Judge Mary H. Murguia of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ordered a judicial misconduct inquiry Monday into Judge Ryan D. Nelson after media reports revealed he faces misdemeanor battery and property damage charges stemming from a confrontation in an Idaho Falls parking lot. ... According to the Idaho State Journal, Nelson argued with another Idaho Falls resident over a parking space, allegedly knocking the man's sunglasses from his face and then stepping on them during the confrontation.

Bloomberg Law has Ninth Circuit Judge Nelson Charged With Misdemeanor Battery and Ninth Circuit Reviewing Judge Charged With Misdemeanors

Law.com has 9th Circ. Judge Faces Inquiry, Charges After Idaho Altercation

RIP Jake Dear

noreply@blogger.com (Ben Shatz (SCAN)) — Mon, 08 Jun 2026 17:18:28 +0000

Sadly, Jake Dear passed away last Friday, June 8. Jake had an extraordinary 40-year career as a staff attorney at the California Supreme Court, serving his last 12 years there as Chief Supervising Attorney. See Portraits of Jake in the CSCHS Review (Spring/Summer 2023).

2d Dist. takes credit cards

noreply@blogger.com (Ben Shatz (SCAN)) — Thu, 04 Jun 2026 18:50:20 +0000

Effective June 4, 2026, the Second District Court of Appeal will begin accepting credit card payments online for both Los Angeles and Ventura.

Secure links to the Elavon credit card payment portal will be available on the Court's Fees & Payments page starting June 4, 2026. A 2.3% service fee will apply to all online credit card transactions.

In addition to online credit card payments, the Court continues to accept checks and money orders. Details on all accepted payment methods are available on the Fees & Payments page of the Court's website.

Please note: This online credit card payment option is separate from the credit card payment option available through the Court's e-filing platform, TrueFiling.

2d Dist. pro tem update

noreply@blogger.com (Ben Shatz (SCAN)) — Thu, 04 Jun 2026 18:49:25 +0000

Judge Melanie P. Ochoa of the Los Angeles County Superior Court will be sitting Pro Tem in Division Three through August 31, 2026
Judge Curtis E.A. Karnow (Retired) of the San Francisco County Superior Court will be sitting Pro Tem in Division Three through July 24, 2026
Judge Vicki Ashworth (Retired) of the El Dorado County Superior Court will be sitting Pro Tem in Division Three from June 15, 2026, through August 14, 2026
Judge Syda K. Cogliati of the Santa Cruz County Superior Court will be sitting Pro Tem in Division Four through July 22, 2026
Judge Sanjay Kumar (Retired) of the Los Angeles County Superior Court will be sitting Pro Tem in Division Five through August 19, 2026
Judge Ronda J. McKaig of the Ventura County Superior Court will be sitting Pro Tem in Division Six through July 31, 2026

9th Cir. AI Sanctions & more

noreply@blogger.com (Ben Shatz (SCAN)) — Thu, 04 Jun 2026 15:43:34 +0000

Bloomberg Law has Ninth Circuit Warns of AI Hallucinated Briefs in Sanctions Order

The country’s largest federal appeals court sanctioned and suspended two attorneys who failed to disclose inaccuracies in their legal briefs came from generative AI hallucinations.
The order imposes sanctions of $2,500 each against attorneys Mike Sethi and William Rounds of Orange County, Calif., who submitted briefs in an immigration case containing citations to opinions that didn’t exist and fabricated quotes from existing cases.
The attorneys are also suspended from practicing before the Ninth Circuit for six months and they must send a copy of the order to their clients, opposing counsel, and presiding judge in all of their other cases.
In February, the Fifth and Tenth circuits imposed similar sanctions against attorneys for using AI tools to draft briefs containing inaccuracies.

See Lnu v. Blanche (9th Cir. 6/3/26) No. 24-4790, 6/3/26

Law360 has 9th Circ. Suspends 2 Attys For 6 Months Over AI Hallucinations

The MetNews has Two O.C. Attorneys Suspended Relating to AI Fabricated Cites

Here's Prof. Martin's take.

And Bloomberg also has Texas Lawyers Miscited Cases in Hair Length Policy, Judges Say -- Indicating that the 5th Circuit may be issuing sanctions.

Bloomberg Law also has California High Court Mulls Bid For More Electronic Recordings

Law360 has Court Reporter Shortage A 'Crisis,' Calif. Supreme Court Told

And Bloomberg Law has Revised Amicus Disclosure Rule Advanced by Judicial Committee

The existing rule requires amicus curiae to disclose whether a person—other than the amicus curiae, its members, or its counsel—contributed money to fund the brief. The amendments approved Wednesday limit the disclosure requirement to pledges over $100.
Another new provision requires an amicus that has existed for less than 12 months to state the date of its creation. The idea there is to identify organizations formed solely for purposes of influencing the litigation.
The amendments also require amici to say more about their history, experience, and interest in the case, and how their perspective will help the court.

LASC Appellate Division seeks appellate lawyers

noreply@blogger.com (Ben Shatz (SCAN)) — Wed, 03 Jun 2026 23:25:30 +0000

Superior Court of Los Angeles County’s Appellate Division Seeks Attorneys to Represent Indigent Defendants

The Superior Court of Los Angeles County’s Appellate Division is seeking qualified attorneys to represent indigent defendants. Willing attorneys who are approved to serve on the Appellate Division’s panel provide access to justice to some of the most vulnerable litigants by representing indigent defendants who seek to appeal judgments rendered in misdemeanor cases. The Appellate Division is continually seeking experienced attorneys who are willing to serve on the Appellate Division’s Panel of Appointed Attorneys.

Upon Appellate Division approval, appointed attorneys are compensated by the Professional Appointee Court Expenditure (PACE) program at a rate of $100/hour and are appointed to represent indigent defendants via an alphabetical rotation process.

Details and application info here.

More AI sanctions

noreply@blogger.com (Ben Shatz (SCAN)) — Wed, 03 Jun 2026 20:38:01 +0000

Law360 reports 7th Circ. Fines Deported Migrant's Atty For ChatGPT Misuse -- The Seventh Circuit has rejected a Mexican citizen's petition challenging an immigration court's removal order on the merits, while sanctioning his attorney $5,000 for filing two legal briefs "riddled with" fabricated quotes and case citations hallucinated by ChatGPT. Opinion here.

"Roughly half of the cases cited in the brief either do not exist or were falsely labeled as Seventh Circuit cases. Moreover, nearly every quotation in the brief could not be traced to a real opinion — hallmarks of AI hallucinations."

Family Law appellate mcle

noreply@blogger.com (Ben Shatz (SCAN)) — Wed, 03 Jun 2026 16:48:53 +0000

LACBA's Appellate Courts and Family Law Sections present a one-hour Zoom Webinar: Family Law Appeals: Initial Quick Decisions, Nov. 4, 2026 at noon. The speakers are Claudia Ribet and Greg Ellis of CALG.

4 appellate nominations!

noreply@blogger.com (Ben Shatz (SCAN)) — Wed, 03 Jun 2026 00:32:34 +0000

Governor Gavin Newsom announced his nomination of four Court of Appeal Justices: Justice Tari Cody, to the Second District Court of Appeal, Division Six, Judge Nicholas Daum to the Second District Court of Appeal, Division Four, Judge Sonny S. Sandhu to the Fifth District Court of Appeal, and Judge Charles Adams to the Sixth District Court of Appeal.

Second District Court of Appeal, Division Six

Tari Cody, of Ventura County, has been nominated to serve as Presiding Justice in the Second District Court of Appeal, Division Six, where she has served as an Associate Justice since 2023. Cody has served as a Judge in the Ventura County Superior Court from 2000 to 2023. She was an Associate at Lemieux & O’Neill from 1994 to 2000. She was a Partner at Nordman, Cormany, Hair & Compton from 1990 to1994 where she also worked as an Associate from 1985 to 1990. Cody received a Juris Doctor degree from Loyola Law School. She fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Justice Arthur Gilbert. This position requires confirmation by the Commission on Judicial Appointaments, which consists of Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero, Attorney General Rob Bonta, and Senior Presiding Justice Francis Rothschild. Cody is a Democrat.

Second District Court of Appeal, Division Four

Nicholas Daum, of Los Angeles County, has been nominated to serve as an Associate Justice in the Second District Court of Appeal, Division Four. Daum has served as a Judge in the Los Angeles County Superior Court since 2022. He was an Associate and Partner at Kendall Brill & Kelly from 2009 to 2022. He was an Associate at Susman Godfrey from 2004 to 2009. Daum received a Juris Doctor degree from Yale Law School. He fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Justice Audrey B. Collins. This position requires confirmation by the Commission on Judicial Appointments, which consists of Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero, Attorney General Rob Bonta, and Senior Presiding Justice Francis Rothschild. Daum is a Democrat.

Fifth District Court of Appeal

Sonny S. Sandhu, of Stanislaus County, has been nominated to serve as an Associate Justice in the Fifth District Court of Appeal. Sandhu has served as a Judge in the Stanislaus County Superior Court since 2018, where he has also served as Presiding Judge for the last year. He served multiple roles at the Stanislaus County Public Defender’s Office including as the Public Defender from 2017 to 2018, the Chief Deputy Public Defender from 2015 to 2017, and as a Deputy Public Defender from 2003 to 2015. Sandhu received a Juris Doctor degree from The Ohio State University College of Law. He will fill the vacancy to be created by the retirement of Justice Rosendo Peňa, Jr., effective June 29, 2026. This position requires confirmation by the Commission on Judicial Appointments, which consists of Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero, Attorney General Rob Bonta, and Senior Presiding Justice Brad Hill. Sandhu is a Democrat.

Sixth District Court of Appeal

Charles Adams, of Santa Clara County, has been nominated to serve as an Associate Justice in the Sixth District Court of Appeal. Adams has served as a Judge in the Santa Clara County Superior Court since 2018. He served as an Administrative Law Clerk at the U.S. District Court, Northern District of California from 2011 to 2018. Adams served as a Staff Attorney and Legal Research Attorney at the Santa Clara County Superior Court from 2006 to 2011. He was an Associate at Voss & Associates from 2005 to 2006 and from 2003 to 2004. Adams was an Associate at McDermott & McNamara from 2004 to 2005. Adams received a Juris Doctor degree from Pepperdine University School of Law. He fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Justice Patricia Bamattre-Manoukian. This position requires confirmation by the Commission on Judicial Appointments, which consists of Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero, Attorney General Rob Bonta, and Senior Presiding Justice Mary Greenwood. Adams is a Democrat.

The compensation for each of these positions is $280,052

Also of appellate note: Jennifer Logue nominated for the Contra Costa Superior Court worked as a 9th Circuit Staff Attorney (2001-06); David Perkiss nominated to LASC was a Research Attorney at the 2d District, Div. 1 (2018-19); Adam Romero nominated to LASC was a 9th Circuit law clerk (2008-09); and Lisa Hoffman nominated to the Santa Clara Superior Court was also a 9th Cir. law clerk (2008-09).

The Recorder has Newsom Continues Justice Appointment Spree, Naming Four to Courts of Appeal

The MetNews has Gilbert Hails Nomination of Cody as Court of Appeal Presiding Justice / Daum Is Chosen as Associate Justice

City of L.A. looking for a civil appellate attorney

noreply@blogger.com (Ben Shatz (SCAN)) — Tue, 02 Jun 2026 19:29:00 +0000

The Office of the Los Angeles City Attorney is adding an additional civil appellate attorney to its roster. If you are interested in such a position, or know someone who is, the position posting with the position information is here.

9th Cir. sanctions

noreply@blogger.com (Ben Shatz (SCAN)) — Mon, 01 Jun 2026 16:53:45 +0000

Law360 has Akin Gump Owes Fees For Winebow's 'Self-Indulgent' Appeal about an award of attorneys fees as sanctions by the Ninth Circuit (OSC here; sanctions order here).

Law360 also has Calif. Panel Reverses Order For Citing Atty's Bogus Case Law about this unpub from the 5th District.

And Law360 has No Fed. Circ. Arguments In August Due To Building Work

Bloomberg Law has Inmate Who Filed Own Appeal Gets Supreme Court Review -- The US Supreme Court agreed to hear an appeal from a Texas inmate who represented himself in his initial appeal to the justices seeking transfer from prison to less restrictive custody.

2d Dist. pro tem update

noreply@blogger.com (Ben Shatz (SCAN)) — Sun, 31 May 2026 19:30:43 +0000

The following judges are sitting pro tem in the 2d District:

Judge Melanie P. Ochoa of the Los Angeles County Superior Court will be sitting Pro Tem in Division Three through June 26, 2026
Judge Curtis E.A. Karnow (Retired) of the San Francisco County Superior Court will be sitting Pro Tem in Division Three through July 24, 2026
Judge Vicki Ashworth (Retired) of the El Dorado County Superior Court will be sitting Pro Tem in Division Three from June 15, 2026, through August 14, 2026
Judge Syda K. Cogliati of the Santa Cruz County Superior Court will be sitting Pro Tem in Division Four through July 22, 2026
Judge Sanjay Kumar (Retired) of the Los Angeles County Superior Court will be sitting Pro Tem in Division Five through June 20, 2026
Judge Ronda J. McKaig of the Ventura County Superior Court will be sitting Pro Tem in Division Six through July 31, 2026

Bloomberg Law has Chevron Taps Appellate Pro Scott Keller As Next Legal Chief -- Chevron Corporation has tapped Lehotsky Keller Cohn LLP founding partner Scott Keller as its new general counsel with plans to promote him to chief legal officer. ... The former solicitor general of Texas brings to Chevron a track record of arguing in front of the Supreme and appellate courts. He has argued more than ten cases at both the U.S. Supreme Court and the Texas Supreme Court

9th Circuit launches new website!

noreply@blogger.com (Ben Shatz (SCAN)) — Fri, 29 May 2026 23:48:09 +0000

Check out the new 9th Circuit website!

3d Dist. pro tem update

noreply@blogger.com (Ben Shatz (SCAN)) — Fri, 29 May 2026 23:47:14 +0000

Associate Justice Elena J. Duarte, recently retired, will be sitting in pro tempore beginning May 28, 2026, to complete matters.

DJ profiles J.DeSantos

noreply@blogger.com (Ben Shatz (SCAN)) — Fri, 29 May 2026 17:36:56 +0000

Today's DJ has Justice Thomas DeSantos brought Central Valley roots to appellate court -- Justice Thomas DeSantos brought lessons from Hanford farm fields, small-town law practice, and the Kings County bench to California's appellate court.

The NLJ has Former SG Prelogar Discusses Tenure, First Supreme Court Argument as Private Lawyer

J.Dhanidina becomes Dean Dhanidina

noreply@blogger.com (Ben Shatz (SCAN)) — Thu, 28 May 2026 17:43:03 +0000

Today's DJ has Retired appellate justice Dhanidina named dean of Western State law school -- The retired 2nd District Court of Appeal justice brings nearly three decades of experience as a prosecutor, litigator, mediator and educator to Orange County's oldest law school.

Law360 has Ex-Calif. Appellate Judge To Take Over As Law School Dean

BHBA presents a free webinar on June 2 from 1-2 p.m. (featuring Justice Zukin): Inside California's Judicial Appointments Process with Secretary Céspedes

Work in J.Goorvitch's chambers!

noreply@blogger.com (Ben Shatz (SCAN)) — Wed, 27 May 2026 18:53:35 +0000

Associate Justice Steve Goorvitch of the California Court of Appeal, Second Appellate District, located in Los Angeles, is accepting applications for an appellate attorney.
The attorney will work collaboratively with the justice in the preparation of opinions. The types of cases presented are varied, and the attorney will get civil and criminal law experience at the appellate level in an environment providing significant responsibility and challenge. Many attorneys work a hybrid schedule that includes working both remotely and in person. Attorneys may work remotely. The start date is flexible. Applicants should indicate in the cover letter whether they wish to be considered for an indefinite term, a two-year term clerkship, or both positions.

Who's counting...

noreply@blogger.com (Ben Shatz (SCAN)) — Wed, 27 May 2026 16:30:28 +0000

Law.com has 101 & Counting: Hogan Lovells’ Jessica Ellsworth Reflects on Oral Argument Milestone -- "The best advice that I have gotten is to advance from thinking of an argument as an opportunity to tell the court why you are right to instead think of it as an opportunity to listen to the court and hear where the court has questions and try to be in more of a listener mode."

The MetNews has Stephen Goorvitch Confirmed as Justice of Court of Appeal

Five new Justices confirmed!

noreply@blogger.com (Ben Shatz (SCAN)) — Sat, 23 May 2026 00:52:42 +0000

The DJ reports: Newsom appellate picks confirmed despite rare opposition at hearing.

The Commission on Judicial Appointments unanimously confirmed five of Gov. Gavin Newsom's appellate nominees Friday, including the elevation of Associate Justice Joanne Motoike to presiding justice of the 4th District Court of Appeal's Santa Ana division. The hearings were largely routine except for a rare public challenge to Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Stephen Goorvitch — nominated to the 2nd District, Division Two — from a self-represented litigant who accused him of bias and retaliation in a malpractice case. The commission confirmed Goorvitch regardless. Also confirmed: Fresno County Superior Court Judge Amy Guerra to the 5th District, Imperial County Superior Court Judge Eran M. Bermudez to the 4th District, Division One in San Diego, and Orange County Superior Court Judge Deborah C. Servino to the 4th District, Division Three in Santa Ana. All five were sworn in Friday.