NewsLinks is a collection of recent news items relating primarily to the California judicial branch. NewsLinks does not verify or endorse the accuracy or fairness of the news items, and the views expressed in opinions, editorials, and commentaries are those of the writers only. Some news articles linked from this page may require a subscription or be behind a paywall.

NewsLinks

  • New Lakeport courthouse opens

    Lake County News
    September 29, 2026

    After two years of construction, Lakeport’s new courthouse has opened its doors for business. The new facility is located at 675 Lakeport Blvd. The Judicial Council of California built the $83.8 million building on 5.74 acres with state court fees, a funding stream established through 2008 legislation to support construction, renovation, and operation of court facilities. 

  • Commission to Consider Appointments to Courts of Appeal

    California Courts Newsroom
    September 28, 2026

    The Commission on Judicial Appointments will hold public in-person hearings in San Francisco on Oct. 9 to consider three appointments to California’s Courts of Appeal in Los Angeles and Santa Ana.

  • State Bar rejects resignation of former SLO lawyer accused of ‘scheme to defraud’

    The Tribune
    September 28, 2026

    The State Bar of California rejected the resignation of a former San Luis Obispo real estate lawyer who faces several disciplinary charges, including engaging in an alleged “scheme to defraud.” His voluntary resignation would’ve dismissed the disciplinary charges against him, but the State Bar declined his resignation, according to a California Supreme Court ruling signed Sept. 9.

  • Gov. Newsom Signs Bill Targeting Unethical Client-Recruiting

    The Recorder
    September 28, 2026

    (Subscription required) California lawyers who use non-attorneys to recruit clients could face $25,000 in civil penalties as well as summary disbarment under a measure signed into law by Gov. Gavin Newsom. AB 2039 offers protections to whistleblowers who report attorney misconduct to law enforcement or the state bar and places new restrictions on lawyers who lend money to clients.

    Related: Reuters, Metropolitan News-Enterprise

  • Inadequate Failure to Warn Won’t Defeat Design Immunity

    Metropolitan News-Enterprise
    September 29, 2026

    The Court of Appeal for this district, in a case that harks to a fatal accident in 2016 and spawned a 2023 California Supreme Court opinion, has affirmed a 2024 summary judgment in favor of the City of Rancho Palos Verdes, holding that a failure to warn of a danger defeats the defense of design immunity only if there is a complete absence of a cautioning.

  • Supervisors Not Liable for Violations of Whistleblower Statute

    Metropolitan News-Enterprise
    September 29, 2026

    Div. Four of the First District Court of Appeal held yesterday that a Labor Code section prohibiting retaliation against employees for making a report to law enforcement or regulatory authorities about alleged violations in the workplace does not provide for personal liability on the part of supervisors even if the law, by its terms, applies to “any person acting on behalf of the employer.”

  • Judicial Profile: San Diego County Judge Evan P. Kirvin

    Daily Journal
    September 29, 2026

    (Subscription required) After spending much of his 17 years on the bench in criminal court, San Diego County Superior Court Judge Evan P. Kirvin has embraced the challenge of managing a sprawling civil docket while bringing a deep appreciation for juries and the rule of law to the courtroom. 

  • Judicial Profile: San Diego County Judge Sherry M. Thompson-Taylor

    Daily Journal
    September 28, 2026

    (Subscription required) After more than 25 years as a prosecutor, the San Diego County judge discovered that making the decisions from the bench carries a responsibility she could not fully appreciate from the other side of the courtroom.