(Subscription required) From orienting prospective jurors to the courthouse itself to methodically guiding defendants through constitutional rights, Judge Gary D. Rowe emphasizes preparation, patience, and process. Attorneys say the former law professor and appellate specialist resists rushing decisions--even on busy calendars--and brings uncommon calm to misdemeanor criminal court.

Div. Three of the First District Court of Appeal held yesterday that a trial judge erred in finding that California lacks specific personal jurisdiction over Citgo Petroleum Corporation—a subsidiary of the Venezuelan national oil company with headquarters in Texas—as to product liability and other claims asserted against it by state and local governments alleging that its fossil fuels have contributed to significant climate harm.

A judge erred in issuing a terminating sanction based solely on dereliction of the plaintiff’s attorney, Div. Three of the Fourth District Court of Appeal has held, pointing out that such an action is statutorily barred, and finding, impliedly, that a local rule of the Orange Superior Court authorizing the killing off of the lawsuit, under the circumstances, is partially invalid.

Presiding Judge Michael Groch also takes the helm of California’s second-largest trial court system as it continues working through how best to implement Proposition 36, a year-old measure that toughened penalties for petty theft and drug possession for repeat offenders.