Friday, October 23, 2026

election profile trio: Dato, Meehan, Lee

Today's trio of DJ election profiles:

Dato warned lawyers against courtroom fights and stretching facts -- Justice William S. Dato, who has worked at every level of California's courts, brings an appellate specialist's approach to judging. The 4th District justice seeks a 12-year term Nov. 3.

Meehan's reasoning finds its way into high court rulings, state law -- Justice Kathleen Meehan's opinions on plea agreements and transgender privacy influenced California Supreme Court decisions and legislation. The Fresno native, on the 5th District since 2017, faces voters Nov. 3.

Supreme Court ruling bolsters new justice's earlier dissents -- Justice Corey G. Lee seeks retention after less than a year on the 4th District. Two earlier dissents she wrote gained support from a subsequent California Supreme Court ruling.