Special Announcement
The Court of Appeal, First Appellate District continues to closely monitor the evolving COVID-19 coronavirus situation. The court is following guidance provided by the Judicial Council, the Department of Public Health, and the Federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to limit the spread of the virus.
Because of the emergency due to the COVID-19 virus, and in cooperation with the orders of various Bay Area county departments of public health, the court is operating remotely, with few staff at the courthouse. The court will continue to receive correspondence and filings both via paper and electronically.
Pursuant to Misc. Order 2020-2, all in person oral argument sessions in the Court of Appeal, First District, are suspended. Counsel who choose to present oral argument must do so via video conference.
Any further updates will be communicated through the court’s website, both in this place, and in the “Latest News,” below on this page, as appropriate.
1st District Court of Appeal
Latest News
New:
Appellate Self-Help Resource Center
October 19, 2021
The First District Court of Appeal has launched a judicial mentorship program to develop and recruit qualified and diverse applicants for the state’s courts of appeal.
The California Judicial Mentor Program (Appellate) will reach out to all sectors of the legal community, including bar associations, public interest organizations, government attorneys, private law firms, and solo practitioners. The First District Court of Appeal will serve as the pilot program that it is hoped will become a blueprint for appellate court programs statewide. The program will conduct outreach events in all 12 counties in the First District and provide mentors for those interested in an appellate court appointment.
The role of mentor justices is not to select or recommend judicial candidates. The court instead pairs attorneys and trial court judges with a mentor justice to help demystify the judicial appointment process.
For more information, please see the news release at the California Courts Newsroom: First Appellate District Launches Judicial Mentorship Program.
January 19, 2021
Justice Peter Siggins retires today, January 19, 2021, after 15 years as a justice of Division Three of the Court of Appeal for the First Appellate District, the last three years as presiding justice of the division. From 1988 to his appointment to the Court of Appeal, Justice Siggins served in the California Department of Justice and in the Office of the Governor. A short biography of Justice Siggins can be found here.
October 13, 2020
Justice Barbara J. R. Jones retired on September 30, 2020, after 22 years as the presiding justice of Division Five of the Court of Appeal for the First Appellate District. Justice Jones was the first woman to serve as a presiding justice of the First District. She began her service on the appellate bench as an associate justice in Division Five in 1996. From 1992 to her appointment to the Court of Appeal, Justice Jones served as a judge of the San Francisco Superior Court.
Today an article appeared in The Daily Journal, about Justice Jones and her long, “trailblazing career” as a jurist. (Subscription required.)
A short biography of Justice Jones can be found here.
June 15, 2020
Commencing June 18, 2020, the Court of Appeal, First Appellate District, will conduct oral argument via videoconference using BlueJeans. Counsel participating in oral argument will receive a specific emailed invitation to the appropriate oral argument. Members of the public can view oral argument by clicking on a link, appearing the day of oral argument, on the court’s “Calendars” page.
June 11, 2020
The Supreme Court of California today issued a statement on equality and inclusion. The statement can be found here.
January 31, 2020
In light of amended California Rule of Court, rule 8.74, some electronic formatting requirements of the First District’s Local Rule 12(b) have been superseded. Parties are directed to rule 8.74 for any questions regarding electronic formatting requirements. Local Rule 12(b) is being amended to conform with California Rule of Court, rule 8.74.
September 30, 2019
The Court of Appeal, First Appellate District, has a new online portal through which law students can apply for externships with the court. Please visit Court Programs for more information.
June 4, 2019
The Court of Appeal, First Appellate District, is seeking attorneys to represent inmates in death penalty-related habeas corpus proceedings. Click for information about how to apply for an appointment.
Case Information
The California Appellate Courts Case Information System provides case information for California Supreme Court and Court of Appeal cases. Case information is updated once an hour throughout the business day.
About Us
The 1st District is located in San Francisco. Its jurisdiction is over the following counties: Alameda, Contra Costa, Del Norte, Humboldt, Lake, Marin, Mendocino, Napa, San Francisco, San Mateo, Solano, and Sonoma. It is divided into five non-geographical divisions with four justices each. READ MORE >>
Contact Info
350 McAllister Street
San Francisco, CA 94102
Phone: 415-865-7300
E-mail: First.District@jud.ca.gov
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