Litigation Newsletter

This quarter’s newsletter includes an interview with the Hon. Michael R. Wilner, a Magistrate Judge in the Eastern District of California and an interview with Mack Jenkins, Chief of the Public Corruption and Civil Rights Section at the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Los Angeles. Read more

A monthly publication of the Litigation Section of the California Lawyers Association. Read more

Judge Jennifer L. Thurston received her commission on December 27, 2021, filling the seat formerly held by the Hon. Lawrence J. O’Neill. Likely familiar to many FBA members, Judge Thurston served our district as a United States Magistrate Judge for twelve years before joining the district court bench. Before that, she litigated a huge variety of cases in Kern County including civil rights, personal injury, wrongful death, premises liability, election law, subrogation, and employment disputes. And she was a Certified Appellate Specialist, with more than 100 appeals and writs in the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, the Fifth District Court of Appeal, and the California Supreme Court under her belt. Read more

On Friday, May 13, 2022, judges from each of the four District Courts in California joined CLA’s Annual Litigation & Appellate Summit for a Judges’ Town Hall. Mariam Kaloustian moderated a thoughtful discussion with the Honorable Yvonne Gonzales Rogers from the Northern District, the Honorable Philip S. Gutierrez Read more

Before becoming a Judge, Jill Burkhardt was an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Southern District of California, Criminal Division. She started her career as an associate at Baker and McKenzie. Judge Burkhardt earned her Bachelor of Arts in political science from the University of Minnesota and her J.D. from Harvard Law School, where she graduated Cum Laude. In this interview, Judge Burkhardt discusses her path to the Bench, her experience transitioning from advocate to judge, and the importance of professionalism and civility in the legal profession. Read more

A monthly publication of the Litigation Section of the California Lawyers Association. Read more

A monthly publication of the Litigation Section of the California Lawyers Association. Read more

State Senator Tom Umberg’s office is seeking CLA’s feedback on our members’ experience with litigation during COVID in general and remote proceedings in particular.  Read more

Central District of California Covid-19 Update:  On February 8, 2022, the Central District announced that it will resume jury trials on February 22, 2022. (Notice.) The District Court adopted an amended policy regarding COVID-19 vaccinations and testing, effective February 3, 2022. (Policy.) On January 3, 2022, the Court extended its authority pursuant to provisions of the CARES Act through March 28, 2022. Accordingly, court hearings by video or telephonic conference may continue to be held in certain criminal matters. (Notice.)   Judicial Nominations: On December 15,… Read more

This chart summarizes the cases on the Supreme Court’s docket for October Term 2021 that were heard in 2021, organized by oral argument date. Eight arguments were heard in October, thirteen in November, and six in December. Read more