Chief Justice Names Members to Appellate Court Workgroup

California Chief Justice Tani G. Cantil-Sakauye on Wednesday named members to the Appellate Caseflow Workgroup announced last week, which will review appellate court workflow, polices, procedures, and case management processes to promote transparency, accountability, and efficiency in rendering timely judgments.

Members of the workgroup are:

First District Court of Appeal

• Administrative Presiding Justice Jim Humes (Chair)
• Peter Rose, Managing Attorney

Second District Court of Appeal

• Administrative Presiding Justice Elwood Lui
• Justice Brian Hoffstadt
• Danny Potter, Clerk/Executive Officer

Third District Court of Appeal

• Justice Laurie Earl
• Oona Mallett, Managing Attorney

Fourth District Court of Appeal

• Administrative Presiding Justice Judith McConnell
• Marsha Amin, Managing Attorney

Fifth District Court of Appeal

• Administrative Presiding Justice Brad R. Hill
• Linda Rouse, Managing Attorney

Sixth District Court of Appeal

• Administrative Presiding Justice Mary Greenwood
• Marina Meyer, Managing Attorney

Attorney Members

• Laurel Thorpe, Executive Director, Central California Appellate Program
• Kelly Woodruff, Vice Chair, CLA Committee on Appellate Courts; California Appellate Law Group
• Amit Kurlekar, Deputy Attorney General, Office of the Attorney General
• Michael Colantuono, President, California Academy of Appellate Lawyers; Colantuono, Highsmith & Whatley
• Beth Jay, Attorney, Horvitz & Levy

Said Chief Justice Cantil-Sakauye: “In light of the confidential investigation and stipulated findings from the Commission on Judicial Performance concerning case delays in the Third District Court of Appeal, I am asking Justice Humes to work as quickly as possible to review current appellate case processing techniques and to make any necessary recommendations to me.”

The workgroup will consider, among other things, measures designed to:

• Prevent decisional delay in the appellate courts that may cause prejudice or harm to litigants before those courts by identifying practices and guidelines concerning case processing techniques, calendar management, and the administrative duties required to reduce delays; and
   
• Provide transparency by requiring appellate courts to report age of case metrics.

The workgroup will solicit input from appellate justices and their staffs, appellate attorneys, and review any other available resources and information concerning best practices for determining calendar management and ensuring the timely disposition of appellate cases.

“I would like a final report no later than early next year,” said the Chief Justice, “but I have asked Justice Humes to report back as soon as practical and to make interim recommendations as necessary.”