Law360 roundup & more

 Recent articles of note on Law360:

Circuit-By-Circuit Guide To 2025's Most Memorable Moments

One of 2025's most memorable moments not just in the Ninth Circuit but also the entire appellate realm occurred in March, when Judge VanDyke posted a nearly 20-minute video dissent to YouTube in a firearms case.

California Justices OK Standards For Updated Bar Exam

The California Supreme Court on Thursday approved a proposed set of qualification standards for experts involved in developing California's bar exam in the wake of a botched administration of the exam in February.

Dems Offer Bill To Shine Light On High Court 'Shadow Docket'

Democratic lawmakers have introduced a bill that would require the U.S. Supreme Court to explain its "shadow docket" rulings, criticizing the high court for issuing "harmful, backwards decisions" that "impact millions of Americans' lives" but are often unaccompanied by a formal opinion.
The bill, titled the "Shadow Docket Sunlight Act of 2025," would require the justices to provide written explanations, and disclose who voted how, when deciding whether to temporarily stay lower court orders.

Fed. Circ. Stunned By 'Numerous' Flaws In Patent Appeal

"The problems with Cooperative's appellate arguments are almost too numerous to count," U.S. Circuit Judge Leonard P. Stark wrote for the panel. "They begin with Cooperative's characterization of its claims, which is newly minted on appeal and contradicts what Cooperative itself previously persuaded this court its claims mean."

Ex-State High Court Chiefs Start Group To Defend Rule Of Law (CA members = Tani Cantil-Sakayue and Ron George)

A group of over 40 former chief judges of state supreme courts across the country this week launched a new project to speak out against attacks on the judiciary's independence and educate about the rule of law. The Alliance of Former Chief Justices, an initiative within the nonpartisan civic education organization Keep Our Republic, debuted Monday.

Also see the new California State Bar website here.

The DJ has Judge Esther Ro followed her heart to a Superior Court seat -- A former appellate attorney [senior research attorney in 2/7, 2019-2024] and class action partner, Superior Court Judge Esther K. Ro draws on diversion tools, careful reasoning and experience to navigate the daily pressures of a high-volume misdemeanor courtroom.

For discussion of Govt. Code 68081, see the new section on Rehearing in this opinion here.