A mother who called into court 25 minutes after the time scheduled for the proceedings, just after oral findings were made and her parental ties to her child were severed, was not denied due process by virtue of the commissioner’s decision not to reopen the hearing, Div. Five of this district’s Court of Appeal has held.

Div. Four of the First District Court of Appeal has issued a decision in the case of Y.P. v. Wells Fargo Co., according anonymity to a San Francisco lawyer who accepted from a new “client” a $99,700 cashier’s check—supposedly representing monies owed that person by a third party—deposited it, three days later honored a request to wire $89,730 to the client, then, after the check was found to be bogus, sued the bank to recover the lost monies.

(Subscription required) Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Theresa M. Traber emphasizes early issue-spotting, rigorous preparation, and a willingness to revisit the record to reach the right result. 

(Subscription required) A 1st District Court of Appeal panel issued an order April 10 temporarily staying the penalty imposed by San Francisco Superior Court Judge Harry Dorfman after Raju was found in contempt for ignoring a court order to accept new clients. Raju's office claimed unsustainable workloads prevented it from accepting new clients, arguing that inadequate counsel would threaten defendants' constitutional due process rights.