RIP Jake Dear

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

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

The following are currently sitting on assignment in the 2d District:

• 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

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

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

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

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!

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

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

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

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!

Check out the new 9th Circuit website!

3d Dist. pro tem update

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

DJ profiles J.DeSantos

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

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!

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...

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!

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.

6th Dist. pro tem update

Judge Frederick S. Chung of the Santa Clara County Superior Court will be sitting Pro Tem until July 31, 2026.

In other appellatey news, Bloomberg Law has Ex-Solicitor General Prelogar Joins Tom Goldstein’s Legal Team -- Former Solicitor General Elizabeth Prelogar is joining the legal team of SCOTUSblog.com co-founder Tom Goldstein in his criminal tax case.

Law360 has Goldstein Taps Ex-SG Prelogar Before Sentence, Likely Appeal

While solicitor general, Prelogar gained a level of mainstream prominence not often associated with the position. Her rise reflected oratorical skills that won respect among legal allies and adversaries alike, and that even resonated with nonlawyers, leading to a Vanity Fair magazine profile and an appearance on the NPR comedy show "Wait, Wait ... Don't Tell Me!"

By the standards of the appellate bar, Goldstein is also uncommonly prominent. He founded SCOTUSblog, for example, and he pioneered now-ubiquitous methods of identifying cases the Supreme Court is likely to hear. Moreover, he became one of the few attorneys in recent decades to argue dozens of high court cases despite practicing at a boutique firm, lacking an Ivy League education and never working in the U.S. solicitor general's office.

Law.com has What Federal Judges Told Law Grads at Commencements This Year, which includes this SoCal vignette:

Second Circuit Judge Alison Nathan: Graduates at UC Irvine Law heard from Nathan, who reassured them that mistakes happen and those in the legal profession will “give you grace.” Nathan, appointed by Biden, told a story about her former boss, U.S. Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens, for whom she clerked from 2001 until 2002.
Nathan said that during an oral argument, a nervous advocate was admonished by the chief justice for addressing one of the justices as “judge,” Nathan said at the May 8 ceremony. “Then Justice Stevens leaned forward in his chair, and he said, ‘Don't worry about it, counselor, the Constitution makes the same mistake,’” Nathan said. “That kind of grace, that kind of humility, that's part of the tradition you're joining, a deeply human tradition.... Even if the legal profession feels large and intimidating right now, in the end, it's just a group of people, people like you, making countless small choices every day.”

And who can resist a Law.com story involving a dog named Mandamus: The Best Trial Prep Partner? It Might Have Four Legs

Goorvitch CJA hearing May 22

Commission to Consider Appointment to the 2nd District Court of Appeal
The Commission on Judicial Appointments will hold a public hearing in San Francisco on Friday, May 22, 2026, beginning at 9:30 a.m. to consider Governor Gavin Newsom's appointment of Judge Stephen Goorvitch as Associate Justice of the Second District Court of Appeal, Division Two.
The live webcast will begin on the Judicial Council's video streaming platform on May 22 at 9:30 a.m.