https://newsroom.courts.ca.gov/ en 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, Division One, 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.           https://newsroom.courts.ca.gov/news/commission-confirms-five-appointments-courts-appeal-0 Commission Confirms Five Appointments to Courts of Appealnatalie.l.ston… Fri, 05/22/2026 - 10:51 News Release Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero, chair of the Commission on Judicial Appointments, announced today that the commission confirmed five appointments to California’s Courts of Appeal in Los Angeles, Santa Ana, Fresno, and San Diego: Judge Stephen Goorvitch, as associate justice of the Second Appellate District, Division Two (Los Angeles) Justice Joanne Motoike, as presiding justice of the Fourth Appellate District, Division Three (Santa Ana)  Judge Amy Guerra, as associate justice of the Fifth Appellate District (Fresno) Judge Eran M. Bermudez, as associate justice of the Fourth Appellate District, Division One (San Diego)  Judge Deborah C. Servino, as associate justice of the Fourth Appellate District, Division Three (Santa Ana) The appointees were confirmed by unanimous vote of the three-member commission, which includes: California Chef Justice Patricia Guerrero (Chair); California Attorney General Rob Bonta; Presiding Justice Frances Rothschild (for the Second Appellate District, Division Two, hearing); Presiding Justice Manuel Ramirez (for the Fourth Appellate District, Divisions One and Three, hearings); and Administrative Presiding Justice Brad R. Hill (for the Fifth Appellate District hearing).  You can learn more in the public documents available for this hearing.  Appointee Biographies Judge Stephen Goorvitch fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Justice Judith T. Ashmann-Gerst. He has served as a Los Angeles County Superior Court judge since 2015. Before joining the bench, he served as an assistant U.S. attorney at the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Central District of California, from 2007 to 2015. He was counsel at O’Melveny and Myers from 2003 to 2007. He served as a law clerk in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit and in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California from 2001 to 2003. He served as a staff attorney in the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission from 1998 to 2001. He received his Juris Doctor from the University of California, Berkeley School of Law.  Justice Joanne Motoike fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Presiding Justice Kathleen E. O’Leary. She has served as an associate justice in the Fourth Appellate District, Division Three, since 2022. She served as an Orange County Superior Court judge from 2013 to 2022. Before joining the bench, she was a senior deputy public defender in Orange County from 2008 to 2013. She also worked as a trial attorney at the United Nations International Criminal Tribunal from 2006 to 2008. She received her Juris Doctor from Loyola Law School.  Judge Amy Guerra fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Justice Bruce Smith. She has served as a judge in the Fresno County Superior Court since 2018. Before joining the bench, she worked as the chief defense attorney at the Fresno County Alternate Defense Office from 2014 to 2018 and as an associate with the office from 2007 to 2014. She received her Juris Doctor from the San Joaquin College of Law.  Judge Eran M. Bermudez fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Justice Richard D. Huffman. She has served as a judge in the Imperial County Superior Court since 2018. Before joining the bench, she worked as a compliance resolution officer at the University of California, San Diego, from 2016 to 2018 and in private practice from 2005 to 2016. She received her Juris Doctor from the University of California, Berkeley School of Law.  Judge Deborah C. Servino fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Justice Thomas M. Goethals. She has served as a judge in the Orange County Superior Court since 2009. Before joining the bench, she served as a deputy attorney general at the California Attorney General’s Office from 1997 to 2009. Previously, she worked in private practice and as a law clerk at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit from 1995 to 1997. She received her Juris Doctor from the University of California, Berkeley School of Law.   View the full photo album on the California Court's Flickr. https://newsroom.courts.ca.gov/news/california-chief-justice-help-dedicate-new-courthouse-santa-rosa California Chief Justice to Help Dedicate New Courthouse in Santa RosaCorren, Blaine Tue, 05/19/2026 - 12:40 News Release What:  California Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero will join local judges and staff to officially commemorate the completion of the new Hall of Justice in Santa Rosa. The court expects to officially open the new courthouse for business this summer. Who:  The ceremony will include remarks by Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero, Presiding Judge Christopher Honigsberg, Judge Shelley Averill, Retired Judge Gary Nadler, Court Executive Officer Robert Oliver, and Judicial Council Administrative Director Shelley Curran When:  Friday, May 29, 2026, 1:00-3:00pm (includes ceremony, followed by refreshments and courthouse tours) Where:  New Hall of Justice for Sonoma County, Jury Assembly Room, 625 Administration Drive, Santa Rosa NOTE: The ceremony is open for the public and media to attend—email jwilcox@sonomacourt.org to RSVP. Why:  The construction project will provide a new 6-story, 15-courtroom courthouse of approximately 170,000 square feet in the city of Santa Rosa. This new facility will replace the existing court-occupied space in the Sonoma County Hall of Justice and in the attached jail or Main Adult Detention Facility (MADF) at the county administrative complex. The new building includes features and services the court was previously unable to provide due to space restrictions, such as appropriately sized jury assembly and deliberation rooms, courtroom and clerk's office, and other public waiting areas, attorney interview/witness waiting rooms, children's waiting room, area for security entrance screening (for all court users), and in-custody holding facilities. Architect:  STUDIOpractice ArchitectsConstruction Management Agency:  AECOMConstruction Manager at Risk:  Rudolph & Sletten, Inc. Since the state judicial branch took over responsibility for courthouses in 2002, the judicial branch construction program has completed 39 new courthouse projects and another 14 projects are underway and in various stages. For more information, visit the California court’s website at courts.ca.gov/facilities/sonoma-county-new-hall-justice. https://newsroom.courts.ca.gov/news/fourth-appellate-district-announces-destruction-old-court-records-21 Fourth Appellate District Announces Destruction of Old Court RecordsMartin.Novitski Fri, 05/15/2026 - 09:31 News Release San Diego—The Court of Appeal, Fourth Appellate District, Division One (San Diego) has announced its intention to destroy some of its civil records under Rule 10.1028(d) of the California Rules of Court. DIVISION ONE All civil cases (excluding those with published opinions) are preserved for at least 10 years. The records transfer list of the cases and files relating to this destruction of old court records is available on the court’s website: List Anyone who knows of a reason why any of the above cases should be retained, whether for historical or other purposes, should notify Brandon L. Henson, Clerk/Executive Officer. The reasons for retention should be in writing, should be received by the court by June 14, 2026 and should be addressed to:           Brandon L. Henson, Clerk/Executive Officer           Court of Appeal, Fourth Appellate District           750 B Street, Suite 300           San Diego, CA 92101 Please note that records and case files for actions that result in a published opinion will be retained permanently by the California State Archives, 1020 "O" Street, Sacramento, CA  95814.  The Reference Desk can be contacted at (916) 653-2246.  Their website is http://www.sos.ca.gov/archive https://newsroom.courts.ca.gov/news/chief-justice-issues-statement-governors-may-budget-revise-2 Chief Justice Issues Statement on Governor's May Budget ReviseBalassone, Merrill Thu, 05/14/2026 - 20:26 News Release California Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero on Thursday issued the following statement on Governor Gavin Newsom's revised budget proposal for the judicial branch: As the state faces significant budget challenges, I appreciate Governor Newsom’s continued support of the judicial branch to protect access to justice for all. This includes increased funding for operational costs, court interpreters, and court-appointed counsel. We look forward to working with the Governor’s Administration and the Legislature to finalize the budget in the coming weeks.” https://newsroom.courts.ca.gov/news/ethics-committee-issues-advice-judicial-campaign-contribution-limits Ethics Committee Issues Advice on Judicial Campaign Contribution LimitsBalassone, Merrill Thu, 05/07/2026 - 11:33 News Release A California judicial ethics committee on Thursday issued an expedited opinion addressing the ethical considerations for judges and justices who contribute to the reelection or retention campaigns of their judicial colleagues. The guidance was issued by the California Supreme Court Committee on Judicial Ethics Opinions (CJEO)—a body which is appointed and authorized by, but works independently of, the California Supreme Court. In CJEO Expedited Opinion 2026-055, the committee advises justices and judges to consider several factors before contributing to the judicial election campaign of a judicial colleague: For a county election, prospective contributors must determine whether a local ordinance sets applicable contribution limits, and if so, comply with those limits.  Judges and justices must also consider the timing and circumstances of their campaign contributions to avoid creating the appearance of impropriety, raising concerns of partiality, or causing frequent disqualification. “It is widely beneficial when judges and justices are reelected or retained through judicial elections, and their judicial colleagues are uniquely positioned to recognize the best among their peers. This opinion provides important guidance for the judges and justices who wish to contribute to those judicial campaigns, including potential campaign contribution limits and factors to consider regarding the timing and circumstances of prospective contributions,” said committee chair Justice Ronald B. Robie. CJEO issues expedited opinions to judicial officers who request them, following a discretionary decision by CJEO to address the ethical issues raised in an expedited process that does not include posting draft opinions for public comment (as is required for CJEO formal opinions). Expedited opinions are published in full, without identifying information regarding the requesting judicial officer, to provide guidance to the bench and the public regarding judicial ethics. 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.