The Court of Appeal, Sixth Appellate District, issued a new Miscellaneous Order today, August 1, 2025. The Court strongly encourages parties to permit less experienced lawyers to actively participate in the proceedings by presenting oral argument. As an exception to California Rules of Court, rule 8.256(c)(3), the Court will grant leave for counsel to split oral argument time to permit less experienced attorneys (seven years or less as a practicing attorney) the opportunity to present oral argument. Please click to see Misc. Order 25-002
Here's the text of Misc. Order 25-002:
The Court of Appeal, Sixth Appellate District, wishes to inform counsel of the following policy: As an exception to California Rules of Court, rule 8.256(c)(3), the Court will grant leave for counsel to split oral argument time to permit less experienced attorneys (seven years or less as a practicing attorney) the opportunity to present oral argument. The Court recognizes that less experienced attorneys often have fewer opportunities to gain valuable appellate advocacy experience and believes that permitting these attorneys to participate in oral argument benefits both their development and the legal profession as a whole.
This policy is entirely optional. The Court is not requiring counsel to permit less experienced attorneys to argue, but is simply communicating its willingness to accommodate such arrangements upon request.
If counsel wishes to split oral argument time with a less experienced attorney, please indicate this intention when submitting your oral argument request form by: 1. Noting "Split Argument Requested" at the top of the form 2. Listing both attorneys who will be presenting argument 3. Indicating the approximate division of the requested time.
The Court appreciates counsel's consideration of this opportunity to mentor the next generation of appellate advocates.
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