(Subscription required) In the 1970s, Fresno high school debate coach Richard Beers oversaw teams that included three future justices of the 5th District Court of Appeal: Mark W. Snauffer, Kathleen A. Meehan and Presiding Justice Brad R. Hill. Those teams also produced several other attorneys, including National Football League General Counsel Jeff Pash.

(Subscription required) “Despite having the biggest caseload of all U.S. states, California only takes 7.1 months, on average, for each of the 27,788 civil suits that ended before March 31st, 2022,” according to the new release distributed by UK-based Journo Research promoting the firm’s report. “This makes it the fourth fastest state to fully process civil lawsuits.”

(Subscription required) Illston got her start with “a tiny law firm on the Peninsula,” and she recommended that others do the same at an event Thursday featuring women jurists of the Northern District of California, which was hosted by the Ninth Judicial Circuit Historical Society and Northern District Historical Society. “Find a small firm filled with wonderful lawyers and find a really excellent lawyer who will help you, and that will make all the difference in how you approach the law firm,” Illston said.

Both appointments for the Sutter County Superior Court fill recent vacancies. John Hinley will fill the vacancy of a new position that was created on July 1, 2022, and Jesse Santana fills a vacancy created by the retirement of Sarah Heckman.