News Release

Chief Justice Names New Chief Supervising Attorney, Assistant Chief Supervising Attorney

Kyle Graham succeeds Jake Dear, who held the top role since 2007 and served the California Supreme Court for 40 years
Jan 27, 2023

California Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero has named Kyle Graham as the Supreme Court’s new chief supervising attorney. Graham, who will also head the Chief Justice’s chambers staff, replaces Jake Dear, who retired after serving in that role since 2007 and 40 years of service to the court. The Chief Justice has also named Jonathan Lange to replace Graham as assistant chief supervising attorney at the court.

Said Chief Justice Guerrero: “Kyle has served the California Supreme Court admirably for years and brings to this court vast experience as both an attorney and legal scholar. I have worked closely and productively with Jon as my chambers attorney for years at the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court. Together with my other staff, Kyle and Jon’s leadership will provide forward-looking continuity as I commence my tenure as 29th Chief Justice of California.”

“Jake Dear made an indelible impact over four decades of service to our court. His superb intellect has made him a great champion for transparency and access to justice,” Chief Justice Guerrero said.

Graham has been the court’s assistant chief supervising attorney under Dear since 2017. After earning his juris doctor degree from Yale Law School in 2001, Graham served as a law clerk for U.S. District Judge William Alsup, staff attorney for Associate Justice Carlos Moreno, associate with the law firm of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP, deputy district attorney of Mono County, and a professor at Santa Clara University School of Law.

Said Graham: “I am extremely fortunate to work for another stellar jurist and leader in Chief Justice Guerrero. I look forward to supporting her work and priorities in the years ahead alongside the other dedicated members of the Chief Justice’s staff.”

Lange previously worked for Chief Justice Guerrero at the Fourth District Court of Appeal and for that court’s central staff. He was an associate at Irell & Manella in Los Angeles after graduating from Stanford Law School in 2005.

Dear first joined the court as an extern for Justice Stanley Mosk in 1982, then was law clerk for Mosk and a staff attorney for Justice Joseph Grodin, Chief Justice Malcolm Lucas, and Chief Justice Ronald George before taking on a supervisory role. He served as chief supervising attorney during the tenures of both Chief Justices Ron George and Tani G. Cantil-Sakauye.

Said Dear: “It’s been an honor and a privilege to work, for 40 years, with the justices of this court and so many dedicated and talented court colleagues from all parts of this institution. I’m comforted knowing that the court and its staff will continue to set a ‘good civics’ example by tackling contentious issues in a rigorous and yet civilized manner, with fidelity to the law as the primary guide.”

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