https://newsroom.courts.ca.gov/ en https://newsroom.courts.ca.gov/news/judicial-council-consider-funding-proposals-trial-court-operations Judicial Council to Consider Funding Proposals for Trial Court OperationsCorren, Blaine Fri, 07/10/2026 - 16:33 News Release SAN FRANCISCO—The Judicial Council at its July 17 meeting will consider recommendations on how to allocate funding to the trial courts included in the most recent state budget signed by Gov. Newsom. The funding recommendations for fiscal year 2026–27 include how to allocate money for staffing, interpreters, court-appointed dependency counsel, continued implementation of the Community Assistance, Recovery, and Empowerment (CARE) Act, and other costs associated with trial court operations. The recommendations use an established formula based on court workload to allocate the funding. Other Items on the Council Meeting Agenda: Budget Change Proposals: The council will consider submitting 24 budget change proposals to the California Department of Finance for consideration in the fiscal year 2026-27 budget, which include increased funding for new judgeships, court-appointed counsel, technology, interpreters, cybersecurity, and new courthouse construction and maintenance. Updated Plan for Court Construction: The council will consider the Judicial Branch Five-Year Infrastructure Plan and five capital-outlay budget change proposals for fiscal year 2027–28. The plan represents the funding needs for new courthouse construction, as well as renovations and additions to existing facilities. Upgrading Court Technology: The council will consider a proposal to allocate $12.5 million in grant funding to help courts expand their use of technology, including projects related to cybersecurity, technology infrastructure, case management systems, and e-filing. Legal Services for Low-Income Parties: The council will consider funding recommendations totaling $54 million over the next three years under the Sargent Shriver Civil Counsel Act to support projects providing legal representation and improved court services for low-income parties on critical legal issues affecting basic human needs. These projects address housing, domestic violence, civil harassment, probate conservatorships, guardianships, elder abuse, and child custody matters. Grants to Improve Jury Service: The council will consider a proposal to allocate $600,000 in grant funding to improve jury service management, including money for jury management systems upgrades, self-check-in kiosks, A/V equipment, and other tools that would increase efficiency and improve the experience of potential jurors called to serve. Grants to Expand Language Access: The council will consider a proposal to allocate $2.35 million in grant funding to expand language access for court users. Funding would be included for court projects related to interpreter equipment, translation of court website information, and multilingual kiosks and audio/visual systems. The complete council meeting agenda and council reports are posted to the California Courts Meeting Information Center. A link to a live webcast of the meeting will be on the California Courts website on the day of the meeting. https://newsroom.courts.ca.gov/news/commission-consider-appointments-courts-appeal-11 Commission to Consider Appointments to Courts of Appealnatalie.l.ston… Mon, 07/06/2026 - 14:25 News Release The Commission on Judicial Appointments will hold in-person hearings in San Francisco on Aug. 6 starting at 9:00 a.m. to consider four appointments by Gov. Gavin Newsom. The commission will consider the following appointments: 9:00 a.m.: Justice Tari Cody, as presiding justice of the Second Appellate District, Division Six (Ventura)  10:00 a.m.: Judge Nicholas Daum, as associate justice of the Second Appellate District, Division Four (Los Angeles) 11:00 a.m.: Judge Sonny S. Sandhu, as associate justice of the Fifth Appellate District (Fresno) 12:00 p.m.: Judge Charles Adams, as associate justice of the Sixth Appellate District (San Jose) The hearing webcast will be streamed live on the California Courts Newsroom. The state Constitution specifies that a gubernatorial appointment to the Court of Appeal is effective when confirmed by the Commission on Judicial Appointments.  The commission members who will consider the appointments are California Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero (Chair); California Attorney General Rob Bonta; Presiding Justice Frances Rothschild (for the Second Appellate District hearings) *; Administrative Presiding Justice Brad R. Hill (for the Fifth Appellate District hearing); and Administrative Presiding Justice Mary J. Greenwood (for the Sixth Appellate District hearing).  *Presiding Justice Frances Rothschild will appear virtually for the 9:00 a.m. hearing for Justice Tari Cody and the 10:00 a.m. hearing for Judge Nicholas Daum.  Appointee Biographies Justice Tari Cody would fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Justice Arthur Gilbert. She has served as an associate justice for the Second Appellate District, Division Six, since 2023. She joined the bench in 2000, serving as a Ventura Superior Court judge until her appointment to the Court of Appeal in 2023. Before joining the bench, she was an associate and partner in private practice from 1985 to 2000. She received her Juris Doctor from Loyola Law School.  Judge Nicholas Daum would fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Justice Audrey B. Collins. He has served as a Los Angeles Superior Court judge since 2022. Before joining the bench, he was an associate and partner in private practice from 2004 to 2022. He received his Juris Doctor from Yale Law School.  Judge Sonny S. Sandhu would fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Justice Rosendo Peňa, Jr. He has served as a Stanislaus Superior Court judge since 2018, and as presiding judge for the last year. Before joining the bench, he worked in the Stanislaus County Public Defender’s Office, including as the public defender from 2017 to 2018, as chief deputy public defender from 2015 to 2017, and as deputy public defender from 2003 to 2015. He received his Juris Doctor from The Ohio State University College of Law.  Judge Charles Adams would fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Justice Patricia Bamattre-Manoukian. He has served as a Santa Clara Superior Court judge since 2018. Before joining the bench, he served as an administrative law clerk at the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California from 2011 to 2018. He was a staff attorney and legal research attorney at the Santa Clara Superior Court from 2006 to 2011. Adams was also an associate in private practice from 2003 to 2006. He received his Juris Doctor from Pepperdine University School of Law.  Testimony and Comment Requests to testify or written comments on the appointment must be received by the commission no later than 5 p.m. on July 30 (five court days prior to the hearing). Anyone wishing to testify before the commission must state that request in writing and include a summary of the facts on which any testimony or opinion will be based.   Submissions via email to coja@jud.ca.gov are strongly encouraged. Hard copies are not required.  If you would like to mail your request, you may also reach the commission at:  Commission on Judicial Appointments   c/o Chief Justice of California   Supreme Court of California   350 McAllister Street   San Francisco, California 94102   Attention: Secretary to the Commission   Guidelines for the Commission on Judicial Appointments are published in the appendix to the California Rules of Court and are posted on the California Courts website. https://newsroom.courts.ca.gov/news/chief-justice-calls-jury-service-cornerstone-american-judicial-system Chief Justice Calls Jury Service a Cornerstone of the American Judicial SystemCorren, Blaine Wed, 07/01/2026 - 16:01 News Release Outlined in the Declaration of Independence and later guaranteed as a right in the Constitution, jury service stands as one of the cornerstones of the American justice system. A new video featuring California Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero welcomes individuals fulfilling their jury service and honors 250 years of jurors who have answered the call throughout our nation’s history. “Jury service is more than a civic duty—it is a privilege and a responsibility that ensures fairness and equality under the law,” says Chief Justice Guerrero. “When you serve as a juror, you uphold the promise that justice is not decided by government alone, but by the people.” The video is also available on the California Courts website at courts.ca.gov/courts/jury-service. Making the Jury System Better for JurorsIn addition to Juror Appreciation Week celebrated annually in May, the California courts show their appreciation for jurors all year round. Learn more about recent statewide initiatives to improve jury service in California. Additional Anniversary Video From California Supreme Court Justices In addition to the Chief Justice’s message about jury service, for this 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, the Chief Justice and associate justices of the California Supreme Court reflect more generally on the importance of justice and the rule of law as embodied in the United States and California constitutions. Learn more about the court’s recognition of the anniversary and see that video on the California Courts Newsroom. https://newsroom.courts.ca.gov/news/california-chief-justice-issues-statement-judicial-branch-budget California Chief Justice Issues Statement on Judicial Branch BudgetBalassone, Merrill Tue, 06/30/2026 - 11:34 News Release California Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero today issued a statement on the judicial branch budget for fiscal year 2026-27:  I appreciate the Governor’s and the Legislature’s strong commitment to supporting the essential work of the judicial branch. The funding provided for California’s courts helps address increased operational costs for trial courts and rising costs for court interpreter services and appellate court-appointed counsel, and the funding also accelerates progress on the five-year infrastructure plan for courthouse construction and maintenance. The budget additionally includes funding for 13 new judgeships over five years to help meet ongoing judicial workload challenges in counties with the greatest need. These, and the other investments included in the budget, allow the judiciary to continue ensuring that people can access the courts to resolve their legal issues. We look forward to continuing this collaboration among our three branches of government as we strive to ensure fair, equal, and timely access to justice for all Californians.” https://newsroom.courts.ca.gov/news/california-supreme-court-justices-mark-americas-250th-anniversary California Supreme Court Justices Mark America's 250th AnniversaryBalassone, Merrill Mon, 06/29/2026 - 11:35 News Release On the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, justices of the California Supreme Court reflect on the importance of justice and the rule of law as embodied in the United States and California constitutions. "All California courts are committed to safeguarding the structure and the fundamental principles which form the basis for our government and the promise of this country," said Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero. The Declaration of Independence closes with the signers mutually pledging their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor to one another: "In the same type of spirit, the people of this state play an important role in the mutual pledge that we have as it affects the courts, whether it's through jury service, civic education, or other forms of civic engagement," Chief Justice Guerrero said. "And the courts for our part across our state stand ready to uphold our commitment to ensuring that everyone is treated with fairness and equality under the law." Watch the video below to hear justices of the California Supreme Court share their reflections on the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. https://newsroom.courts.ca.gov/news/memoriam-associate-justice-joan-k-irion In Memoriam: Associate Justice Joan K. IrionMartin.Novitski Mon, 06/22/2026 - 13:53 News Release Associate Justice Joan K. Irion passed away on Saturday, June 20, 2026, after a long illness, surrounded by family. Justice Joan K. Irion was appointed to the Fourth District Court of Appeal, Division One, in September 2003, and was unanimously confirmed at a public hearing of the Commission on Judicial Appointments. Before appointment to the Court of Appeal, Justice Irion served as a San Diego County Superior Court Judge. Justice Irion had recently served on the California Judicial Council and worked tirelessly on projects devoted to the improvement of the courts, better access for self-represented individuals within the California Court system, judicial education and community and youth civics education throughout her career. She was a frequent lecturer at judicial education courses and continuing education classes for the appellate bar. She appeared on several education panels for the California Academy of Appellate Lawyers. Justice Irion was instrumental in designing and implementing the high school education program for the December 2004 and September 2016 San Diego Special Sessions of the California Supreme Court. Justice Irion actively participated in the court’s outreach programs including oral arguments held at high schools in San Diego and Imperial Counties as well as Meet & Greet events with law students and grade school students at the court. She had a gift for interacting with people of all walks of life and always made the court a welcome place for students to learn about the law and the judiciary. One example of Justice Irion’s adept interaction with students occurred when an elementary school visited the court many years ago. At the end of the program, Justice Irion opened the floor to questions. One of the students asked how much money Justice Irion made, which was met with the collective gasp of the teacher/parent chaperones. Justice Irion delicately addressed the question without skipping a beat, informing the group of students that their parents/grandparents/aunts/uncles all paid her salary and that her salary was public and available on the internet. She gave the student a homework assignment to look up appellate justice salaries and put everyone in attendance at ease, leaving the students and chaperones with a positive experience. Justice Irion received her undergraduate degree, with high honors, from the University of California Davis in 1974. Two years later, she earned her master's degree in the field of public administration, with highest honors, from San Diego State University. In 1979, she received her law degree from the University of California Davis, King Hall School of Law. From 1978-1979, she served as Managing Editor of its Law Review. After law school, Justice Irion entered private practice as a civil litigator, where she remained for more than 20 years until her appointment to the Superior Court of San Diego County. She specialized in representing taxpayers before state taxing agencies and in litigating tax and business matters in the federal and state trial and appellate courts. She was a shareholder in the law firm of Heller Ehrman White & McAuliffe, and its managing shareholder in the San Diego office from 1998 until her judicial appointment. Throughout her legal career, Justice Irion participated actively in teaching and lecturing at a wide variety of universities, including Stanford Law School, University of California Berkeley School of Law (Boalt Hall), University of California Davis School of Law (King Hall), University of San Diego School of Law, Vanderbilt University, Georgetown University, and University of Southern California. Prior to her judicial appointments, Justice Irion served as a member of the State Bar Board of Governors, a member of the Judicial Nominees Evaluation Commission, President of the California Young Lawyers Association, a member of the Board of Directors of the Bar Association of San Francisco, a member of the Statewide Commission to Study Mandatory Continuing Legal Education, a delegate to the American Bar Association House of Delegates and a member of the American Law Institute. Justice Irion was a member of the San Diego Lawyers Club, California Women Lawyers, American Inns of Court, the Association of Business Trial Lawyers, the American Bar Association, the American Law Institute and the UC Davis Law School Alumni Association. She also served as a California State Chair for the American Bar Foundation. Justice Irion was the Court of Appeal liaison for the Civil Appellate Self-Help Workshop, a joint project of the Fourth District Court of Appeal, the San Diego County Bar Association's Appellate Practice Section, the Legal Aid Society of San Diego and the San Diego County Law Library. The monthly Workshop offers legal information, education and assistance to self-represented litigants in civil cases.   As a member of the National Association of Women Judges, Justice Irion conceptualized, developed and was the first chair of the organization's Informed Voters Fair Judges non-partisan education project designed to increase public awareness about the judicial system, to inform voters that politics and special interests have no place in the courts, and to give voters the tools they need to make sure judges are appointed and elected based on their character and abilities. The Project produced an Emmy-Award Winning Public Service Announcement, "Fair and Free," featuring United States Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor (Retired), which is available on YouTube. Justice Irion accepted the Emmy Award on behalf of the National Association of Women Judges. Justice Irion was appointed to the Judicial Council on September 15, 2024, and served as chair of the Council’s Rules Committee.  Administrative Presiding Justice Judith McConnell said of Justice Irion “Joan Irion was an intellectual with a big heart. She cared deeply for those who appeared in court as well as for all of us who had the privilege of working with her on the many difficult cases she handled. She will be remembered for her scholarship as well as her commitment to serving the community.” Justice Irion ran several half and full marathons, loved to travel, and pamper her dogs and local hummingbirds. She was deeply devoted to the court, thoughtful and contemplative in her work, genuine, and someone with a great sense of humor and who was quick to smile.  Justice Irion is survived by her husband John Seitman, two married stepsons and a granddaughter, as well as by her sister Mary Irion and brothers Bruce and Brian Irion. Services are pending. https://newsroom.courts.ca.gov/news/chief-justice-appoints-8-new-judicial-council-members-0 Chief Justice Appoints 8 New Judicial Council MembersCorren, Blaine Thu, 06/18/2026 - 12:45 News Release Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero appointed four new voting members and four new advisory (non-voting) members to the Judicial Council. Under the leadership of the Chief Justice and in accordance with the California Constitution, the council is responsible for ensuring the consistent, independent, impartial, and accessible administration of justice. The following two members of the council begin their terms July 1: Administrative Presiding Justice Mary J. Greenwood (voting member), Court of Appeal, Sixth Appellate District, oversees the daily administration of her appellate district. In this role, she contributes to the statewide administration of the appellate courts on issues including budget, personnel, and facilities. Before joining the appellate bench, Justice Greenwood was the assistant supervising judge of the Family Division of the Superior Court of Santa Clara County, where she chaired the Self-Represented Litigant and Community Access Committee and served on the Supervising Judges Committee. (more bio information)   Chad Finke (non-voting, advisory member), court executive officer for the Superior Court of Alameda County, has 25 years of judicial branch experience, with expertise in court operations, human resources, labor relations, finance, and policy analysis. Finke spent eight years at the Judicial Council, including three years as a division director. He currently serves on the council’s Court Executives Advisory Committee and Trial Court Budget Advisory Committee, as well as the National Criminal History Improvement Project. (more bio information) The following six members of the council begin their terms September 15: Judge Eric J. Wersching (voting member), Superior Court of Orange County, serves as the supervising judge of the court’s family law panel. In addition to his administrative responsibilities on the panel, he adjudicates disputes involving marital property, child custody, parenting time, domestic violence, and surrogacies. Judge Wersching is vice-chair of the Judicial Council’s Court Facilities Advisory Committee, chairs that advisory committee’s Court Standards Working Group, and is a member of the Superior Court of Orange County’s Finance Committee, Security Committee, and Supervising Judges Committee. (more bio information)   Presiding Judge Rodney A. Cortez (non-voting, advisory member), Superior Court of San Bernardino County, has previously served as assistant presiding judge, supervising judge of the San Bernardino Justice Center criminal division, and supervising judge of the Joshua Tree courthouse. He also served three terms on the Superior Court of San Bernardino County’s appellate division and was also the court’s judicial sponsor of the pretrial release program. In addition, Judge Cortez served as chair of the court’s Criminal Committee, Security Advisory Committee, Pretrial Release Committee, Probation Committee, and Budget Committee. He has also served on the Judicial Council’s Court Security Advisory Committee. (more bio information)   Judge Nicole C. Bershon (non-voting, advisory member), Superior Court of Los Angeles County, is appointed to the council as the president of the California Judges Association (CJA). She presides over a family law home court and previously oversaw a community collaborative court that focused on providing alternatives to incarceration for at-risk populations. Judge Bershon has served on the Superior Court of Los Angeles County's Executive, Community Outreach, Court Security, Jury, and Temporary Judge Committees. Prior to her appointment as a judge, she served as a court commissioner for two years. (more bio information)   Commissioner Benjamin J. Cassady (non-voting, advisory member), Superior Court of Sacramento County, adjudicates traffic, small claims, and unlawful detainer cases, after more than a year of presiding over Sacramento County’s Night Court calendar for in-custody arraignments and pretrial release. He is also a founding member of the Superior Court of Sacramento County’s Artificial Intelligence Committee. Commissioner Cassady serves on the Judicial Council’s Civil Law Curriculum Committee and previously served on the council’s Information and Technology Advisory Committee. (more bio information)   Marta A. Alcumbrac (voting member), an attorney at Nemecek & Cole in Los Angeles, focuses on the defense of lawyers in complex litigation, including legal malpractice, conflict of interest, breach of fiduciary duty, fraud, abuse of process, defamation, and malicious prosecution matters. She is a certified specialist in legal malpractice law and has represented lawyers and law firms in legal malpractice and breach of fiduciary duty cases for more 25 years. She is a member of the American Bar Association’s Standing Committee on Lawyers’ Professional Liability, Los Angeles County Bar Association Board of Trustees, and serves on the Judicial Council’s Civil and Small Claims Advisory Committee. (more bio information)   Alekxia L. Torres Stallings (voting member), an attorney and managing partner at Torres | Torres Stallings in Bakersfield, specializes in state and federal criminal defense and has served on many court-related committees at both the state and federal levels. She serves as a liaison to the Superior Court of Kern County’s Pretrial Assessment Committee. She also served as president of the Kern County Bar Association, which included membership on the bar association’s Judicial Appointment Evaluation Committee, the county’s local equivalent of the statewide Committee for Judicial Nominee Evaluation. (more bio information) More bio information on the new Judicial Council members The following members have been reappointed to the council effective September 15: Justice Carol A. Corrigan, Supreme Court of CaliforniaJudge Bunmi O. Awoniyi, Superior Court of Sacramento CountyJudge Charles Crompton, Superior Court of San Francisco CountyJudge Ann C. Moorman, Superior Court of Mendocino CountyClerk/Executive Officer Charles Johnson, Court of Appeal, First Appellate DistrictCourt Executive Officer Kate Bieker, Superior Court of Ventura County Departing Council Members Council members concluding their terms this year include Justice Joan K. Irion, Presiding Judge Patricia L. Kelly, Judge Maureen F. Hallahan, Judge Jeffrey C. Kauffman, Commissioner Ryan Davis, Court Executive Officer Darrel E. Parker, Senator Thomas J. Umberg, Attorney Rachel W. Hill, and Attorney Gretchen M. Nelson. Judicial Council Membership According to the state constitution, the Chief Justice chairs the Judicial Council and appoints one other Supreme Court justice, three justices from the courts of appeal, 10 trial court judges, two non-voting court administrators, and any other non-voting members as determined by the voting membership of the council. The State Bar’s governing body appoints four members, and the state senate and assembly each appoint one member. Council Members are volunteers and do not receive additional compensation for their service. Most members serve three-year terms, and each year about a third of the membership rotates off and a new group is sworn in. https://newsroom.courts.ca.gov/news/california-supreme-court-directs-state-bar-collect-public-comment-proposed-community-justice California Supreme Court Directs State Bar to Collect Public Comment on a Proposed Community Justice Worker ProgramKaren.Datangel Thu, 06/18/2026 - 09:19 News Release The California Supreme Court on Wednesday directed the State Bar of California to circulate for public comment a proposed rule of court that, if adopted, would help address access to justice issues by establishing a new community justice worker program in the state. The community justice worker program would allow trained nonlawyers—working alongside and under the supervision of approved legal aid organization lawyers—to offer limited legal services to clients of these legal aid organizations. Programs similar to the proposed community justice worker program are currently in effect in Alaska, Arizona, Delaware, Washington, D.C., Hawaii, Illinois, South Carolina, and Texas. Court Approves New Rule Governing Court’s Advisory Committee on the Code of Judicial Ethics Following a period of public comment, the court also approved new rule 9.81 of the California Rules of Court, which will govern the composition, duties, and procedures for the Supreme Court’s Advisory Committee on the Code of Judicial Ethics. The committee considers and offers the court recommendations regarding possible amendments to the California Code of Judicial Ethics and its commentary. The new rule will take effect on August 1. Later this summer, the court will make appointments to the committee under the new rule. https://newsroom.courts.ca.gov/news/invitation-comment-appointing-spouse-judicial-colleague-minors-counsel Invitation to Comment: Appointing the Spouse of a Judicial Colleague as Minor’s CounselBalassone, Merrill Wed, 06/17/2026 - 15:00 News Release The California Supreme Court Committee on Judicial Ethics Opinions (CJEO) invites public comment on a draft formal opinion addressing ethical guidelines a judge must consider when appointing the attorney spouse of a judicial colleague as minor’s counsel in a case before that judge. In Draft CJEO Formal Opinion 2026-032, the committee advises that a judge is not ethically barred from appointing the attorney spouse of another judge as minor’s counsel, even though the court will set—and may even pay—the attorney’s fees and expenses under rule 5.241 of the Rules of Court. “Judges regularly navigate professional relationships while maintaining their duty of impartiality,” says committee member Judge Brett Bianco. “The focus remains on the integrity, independence, and impartiality of the court.” The committee’s Invitation to Comment is posted on CJEO’s website. Comments are due by Aug. 3, and may be submitted by CJEO’s online comment form, by email to Judicial.Ethics@jud.ca.gov, or by mail to: Jody Vakili Chief Counsel California Supreme Court Committee on Judicial Ethics Opinions 350 McAllister Street San Francisco, California 94102 All comments submitted to CJEO may be posted on CJEO’s website for public review unless clearly marked as confidential.  Public comments are an important part of CJEO’s process. These comments provide useful insight and help ensure that the committee considers all potential solutions, consequences, and points of view, which serves to improve the final opinion. About the Committee on Judicial Ethics Opinions (CJEO) The Committee on Judicial Ethics Opinions is a 12-member advisory committee that includes appellate justices, trial court judges, two retired judges, and a commissioner. The committee is appointed and authorized by the California Supreme Court, but its work is independent of the court, the Judicial Council, and all other entities. Its opinions are advisory and do not necessarily reflect the views of the California Supreme Court or any other entity.  The committee issues formal, informal, and expedited advisory opinions on proper judicial conduct pursuant to the California Code of Judicial Ethics and other authorities. CJEO’s website includes advisory opinions, resources dedicated to specific judicial assignments and issues, and extensive judicial ethics tools and resource materials for the benefit of the bench and the public.  https://newsroom.courts.ca.gov/news/memoriam-jake-dear-chief-supervising-attorney-california-supreme-court In Memoriam: Jake Dear, Chief Supervising Attorney of the California Supreme Court Balassone, Merrill Wed, 06/10/2026 - 09:12 News Release Jake Dear, who served as chief supervising attorney of the California Supreme Court under three Chief Justices as part of his 40-year career at the court, died Friday, June 5 after a short illness. Dear, who was also widely known as a leading scholar regarding the court’s history and influence, was 69. Dear joined the court in 1982 as an extern and then served as an annual law clerk for Justice Stanley Mosk. After a short time in private practice, he rejoined the court as a chambers attorney for Justice Joseph Grodin, then transitioned to a supervising attorney role within the chambers of Chief Justice Malcolm Lucas. Beginning in 2007, he served as chief supervising attorney under Chief Justices Ronald M. George and Tani G. Cantil-Sakauye, a position he held until his retirement in January 2023. Even after retiring, he continued to volunteer his services to the court on a pro bono basis. Shortly before his passing, Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero provided Dear with a formal commemoration honoring his service. The commemoration described Dear as “a historian of the court and a steward of its future,” and expressed “the profound gratitude of the California Supreme Court, the Judicial Council, and the entire judicial branch for his lifetime of dedication to the administration of justice, the enrichment and preservation of our judicial history, and the strengthening of California’s highest court.” At the time of Dear’s retirement in 2023, Chief Justice Cantil-Sakauye called his contributions to California jurisprudence “immeasurable and everlasting.” "Jake Dear — his name, identity, and influence — is synonymous with the excellence and integrity of the California Supreme Court," she said. Colleagues remembered Dear as much for his character as for his legal acumen. On his passing, Chief Justice Guerrero said that “Jake was more than just a brilliant attorney. He cared deeply about the court as an institution, including all of his coworkers. Through the connections he made, generations of attorneys benefited from his sincerity, curiosity, intelligence, and good humor.” In addition to his work at the court, Dear served for many years as associate editor of the California Supreme Court Historical Society Review, and he wrote and spoke extensively regarding the court’s history and the influence its decisions have had on courts in other jurisdictions. Dear was a graduate of UC Davis School of Law, where he also served as editor in chief of the UC Davis Law Review. He is survived by his wife, Maureen (Mo), and their son, Adam. Read more remembrances from former Chief Justices and California Supreme Court staff in the California Supreme Court Historical Society Review feature “Portraits of Jake," and Chief Justice Guerrero's commemoration.