(Subscription required) A towering figure in California's judiciary and a devoted jazz pianist celebrates five decades on the bench on Monday. Known for his wit, clarity and collegiality, Arthur Gilbert plans to retire at the end of the year.

A law firm that rendered services to trust beneficiaries under a contingency fee agreement providing that it would receive 40% of the gross recovery, and was unpaid, had no causes of action against the trustee or the lawyer and the law firm he retained, Div. Four of the First District Court of Appeal has held.

(Subscription required) The Commission on Judicial Performance said in a public admonishment released Thursday that Superior Court Judge Enrique Monguia "committed multiple instances of misconduct" over a 4½-year period. Commissioners found that the judge of 11 years made inappropriate remarks to victims, defendants and attorneys, including statements that suggested he was biased.

(Subscription required) With thousands of self-represented defendants facing garnishment and levies, the L.A. County Superior Court's new San Fernando collections judge insists on notice and patience.