Wednesday, October 7, 2026

More election justice profiles

The DJ has:

Desautels' rulings weigh deference, responsibility and litigation choices -- Justice Tara Desautels' appellate opinions examine burdens, deference and trial tactics, reflecting an approach shaped by her years as a prosecutor and trial judge as she faces voters Nov. 3.

Justice Zukin helped build state's judicial mentor program, faces first retention vote -- Presiding Justice Helen Zukin of the 2nd District Court of Appeal, Division 4, a former complex-litigation lawyer who helped develop California's judicial mentoring program, faces her first retention vote.

Earl helped steer 3rd District out of years of delays -- Justice Laurie Earl helped lead the 3rd District out of a yearslong case backlog while emphasizing quality over speed, an approach reflected in her rulings as she faces voters Nov. 3.

Mori aims to bring equal-treatment focus to law, judging -- Justice Audra Mori, whose family's wartime internment shaped her views on fairness and equal treatment, has written opinions emphasizing statutory language and legal boundaries as she faces voters Nov. 3.