1st & 2d Dist. pro tem update

Judge Alexandra Robert Gordon of San Francisco Superior Court will be sitting pro tempore in First District, Division Four until September 30, 2026.

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 September 22, 2026
• Judge Vicki Ashworth (Retired) of the El Dorado County Superior Court will be sitting Pro Tem in Division Three through October 14, 2026
• Judge Jessica Delgado of the Santa Clara County Superior Court will be sitting Pro Tem in Division Three through September 30, 2026
• Judge Nicholas Daum of the Los Angeles County Superior Court will be sitting Pro Tem in Division Four through August 17, 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 August 31, 2026

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 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 31, 2026
• Judge Nicholas Daum of the Los Angeles County Superior Court will be sitting Pro Tem in Division Four beginning July 20, 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

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 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

Also, 2/3's PJ Edmon and 2/4's Justice Collins have "left the building" (i.e., are now off the website of active justices on the website for former justices).

3d DCA pro tem update

In the 3d District, Associate Justice Rebecca A. Wiseman, retired, will be sitting in pro tempore beginning July 15, 2023, through August 14, 2026.

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

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

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.

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

1st Dist. pro tem update

Judge Andrew Sweet of Marin County Superior Court will be sitting pro tempore in First District, Division Four until July 31, 2026.

2d Dist. pro tem update

The following judges are sitting pro tem in the 2d District:

• Judge Stephen Goorvitch of the Los Angeles County Superior Court will be sitting Pro Tem in Division Two through May 31, 2026
• Judge Melanie P. Ochoa of the Los Angeles County Superior Court will be sitting Pro Tem in Division Three from April 27, 2026, through June 26, 2026
• Judge Syda K. Cogliati of the Santa Cruz County Superior Court will be sitting Pro Tem in Division Four through May 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 Craig B. Van Rooyen of the San Luis Obispo County Superior Court will be sitting Pro Tem in Division Six through May 31, 2026
• Judge Alexander C.D. Giza of the Los Angeles County Superior Court will be sitting Pro Tem in Division Seven through April 30, 2026

Law.com has 'Grave Threat': Ex-Clerks, Judges Urge Supreme Court to Review Newman's Suspension --The retired judges argued the D.C. Circuit relied on faulty precedent to dismiss Federal Circuit Judge Newman's challenge to her suspension.

3d Dist. pro tem update

In the 3d District, Associate Justice Rebecca A. Wiseman, retired, will be sitting in pro tempore beginning July 15, 2023, through June 14, 2026.

Pro tem updates

Pro tem assignment for the First District:

• Judge Andrew Sweet of Marin County Superior Court will be sitting pro tempore in Division Four until May 31, 2026

AND Pro tem assignment for the Sixth District:

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

2d District pro tem update

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

• ​​​​​​Judge Stephen Goorvitch of the Los Angeles County Superior Court will be sitting Pro Tem in Division Two through May 31, 2026
• Judge Syda K. Cogliati of the Santa Cruz County Superior Court will be sitting Pro Tem in Division Four through May 22, 2026
• Judge Sanjay Kumar (Retired) of the Los Angeles County Superior Court will be sitting Pro Tem in Division Five through April 20, 2026
• Judge Craig B. Van Rooyen of the San Luis Obispo County Superior Court will be sitting Pro Tem in Division Six through May 31, 2026
• Judge Alexander C.D. Giza of the Los Angeles County Superior Court will be sitting Pro Tem in Division Seven through April 30, 2026

1st DCA pro tem update

Judge Ann Moorman of the Mendocino County Superior Court will be sitting pro tempore in Division Four until March 31, 2026.

2d District pro tem update

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

• Justice Arthur Gilbert (Retired) of the Second District Court of Appeal will be sitting Pro Tem in Division Two through March 31, 2026
• Judge Syda K. Cogliati of the Santa Cruz County Superior Court will be sitting Pro Tem in Division Four from March 23, 2026, through May 22, 2026
• Judge Sanjay Kumar (Retired) of the Los Angeles County Superior Court will be sitting Pro Tem in Division Five through April 20, 2026
• Judge Von T. Nguyen Deroian of the Santa Barbara County Superior Court will be sitting Pro Tem in Division Six through March 31, 2026
• Judge Alexander C.D. Giza of the Los Angeles County Superior Court will be sitting Pro Tem in Division Seven through March 31, 2026

2d Dist. pro tem update & AI sanctions

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

• Justice Arthur Gilbert (Retired) of the Second District Court of Appeal will be sitting Pro Tem in Division Two through March 31, 2026
• Judge Sanjay Kumar (Retired) of the Los Angeles County Superior Court will be sitting Pro Tem in Division Five through February 17, 2026
• Judge Von T. Nguyen Deroian of the Santa Barbara County Superior Court will be sitting Pro Tem in Division Six through March 31, 2026
• Judge Alexander C.D. Giza of the Los Angeles County Superior Court will be sitting Pro Tem in Division Seven through March 31, 2026

Law360 has 10th Circ. Ends Civil Rights Suit, Sanctions Atty For AI Errors -- the panel imposed a $1,000 sanction against pro se litigant Kusmin Amarsingh under Rule 38 for her "reckless disregard of the attorney's duties to the court" in utilizing ChatGPT to help draft a brief that inadvertently included seven "hallucinations."

2d Dist. pro tem update

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

• Justice Peter J. Siggins (Retired) of the First District Court of Appeal will be sitting Pro Tem in Division Two until January 31, 2026 

• Judge Sanjay Kumar (Retired) of the Los Angeles County Superior Court will be sitting Pro Tem in Division Five until February 17, 2026 

• Judge Michael C. Kelley of the San Luis Obispo County Superior Court will be sitting Pro Tem in Division Six until January 31, 2026 

• Judge Alexander C.D. Giza of the Los Angeles County Superior Court will be sitting Pro Tem in Division Seven until February 28, 2026 

2d District pro tem update

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

• Justice Peter J. Siggins (Retired) of the First District Court of Appeal will be sitting Pro Tem in Division Two until December 31, 2025.

• Judge Sanjay Kumar (Retired) of the Los Angeles County Superior Court will be sitting Pro Tem in Division Five until February 17, 2026.

• Judge Denise Hippach of the Santa Barbara County Superior Court will be sitting Pro Tem in Division Six until December 31, 2025.

2d District pro tem update

The following are currently sitting on assignment:

• Justice Peter J. Siggins (Retired) of the First District Court of Appeal will be sitting Pro Tem in Division Two until December 31, 2025 

• Judge Sunjay Kumar (Retired) of the Los Angeles County Superior Court will be sitting Pro Tem in Division Five until February 17, 2025 

• Judge Denise Hippach of the Santa Barbara County Superior Court will be sitting Pro Tem in Division Six until December 31, 202 

5th Dist. pro tem update

The following are currently sitting on assignment in the Fifth District:

• Judge Gregory T. Fain of the Fresno County Superior Court will be sitting pro tempore until November 30, 2025. 

• Judge Amy K. Guerra of the Fresno County Superior Court will be sitting pro tempore until January 23, 2026.