(Subscription required) Gov. Gavin Newsom on Friday named two of his top lawyers to the appellate bench as he continues to pare down his legal departments with just four months left in office. Brian Goldman, the governor’s chief deputy legal affairs secretary, and Adam Hofmann, Newsom’s deputy judicial appointments secretary, will both serve on the First District Court of Appeal in San Francisco, if confirmed by the Commission on Judicial Appointments.

At its September 17–18 meeting, the Board of Trustees approved a recommendation to the California Supreme Court to establish a statewide Community Justice Worker (CJW) Program. The proposal, once approved by the Court, would authorize trained nonlawyers, known as Community Justice Workers, to provide limited legal assistance to California residents under the supervision of approved legal aid organizations.

Joyce Kennard, the second woman ever appointed to the California Supreme Court and an independent voice during her 25 years as a justice, died on Aug. 26, the court announced Friday. She was 85. The court said it would hold a memorial session for Kennard during its upcoming term.

California Supreme Court justices will hear oral arguments on a key piece of the ongoing lawsuit over Kern River flows Oct. 7 at a special session of the court to be held in Redding.