1st District Court of Appeal

Latest News

March 13, 2023

The Court of Appeal, First Appellate District, issued two new Miscellaneous Orders today. The first, Miscellaneous Order 2023-1, lifts the requirement that those attending oral argument in the courtroom wear face coverings, but encourages them to do so. It also describes protocols for attendance in the courtroom so as to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The second, Miscellaneous Order 2023-2, states that while renovations are being made to the courtroom from April 17, 2023 to May 22, 2023, or shortly thereafter, all in-person oral argument sessions are suspended, and counsel and self-represented litigants who choose to present oral argument must do so remotely. The public may continue to access oral argument via live streaming on the court’s Calendar webpage, https://www.courts.ca.gov/11245.htm. Recordings of oral arguments will continue to be archived for subsequent viewing.

January 20, 2023

The Court of Appeal, First Appellate District (San Francisco), has announced its intention to destroy civil records, case names and numbers listed on the attached documents, pursuant to Rule 10.1028(d)(1) of the California Rules of Court. Any reason for a listed record to be retained should be sent in writing by March 20, 2023. Learn more.

October 14, 2022

The Court of Appeal, First Appellate District, announces that in-person oral argument in the courtroom is now available to either or both parties. Counsel or parties may elect to present oral argument either by personal appearance in court or by remote appearance on BlueJeans. Hybrid arguments, where one party is in the courtroom and the other remote, are available. If argument will be by personal appearance, absent extraordinary circumstances, the Justices who will hear the case will be present in the courtroom. All who enter the courtroom must be masked and remain masked except that counsel and parties who are presenting their argument may remove their masks while speaking. All arguments from the courtroom and by remote appearance, including hybrid arguments, will continue to be streamed live on the court’s website.

August 10, 2022

The Commission on Judicial Appointments today confirmed the nomination of Jeremy M. Goldman to the First District Court of Appeal, Division Four. Justice Goldman was confirmed by unanimous vote of the three-member commission, which included: Chief Justice Tani G. Cantil-Sakauye (Chair); Attorney General Rob Bonta; and Administrative Presiding Justice Jim Humes. California Supreme Court Justice Leondra Kruger, who attended law school with Justice Goldman, administered the oath of office. View the full story.

June 24, 2022

Local Rule 15 is amended, effective today, to read in its entirety:

Rule 15.  Focus Letters and Tentative Opinions

          (a)  [Focus Letters]  Panels may issue focus orders or letters in cases scheduled for oral argument.  These orders or letters are issued before argument, and they notify the parties about particular issues the panel is interested in discussing.

          (b)  [Tentative Opinions]  Panels may, in their sole discretion, issue tentative opinions in cases scheduled for oral argument.  Any such tentative opinion will be issued before the argument, and the parties will be notified that the court is prepared to rule along the lines indicated in the tentative opinion.  When a tentative opinion is issued, oral argument will be held only if a party that originally requested oral argument notifies the court, opposing counsel, and unrepresented parties, that they still wish to proceed with oral argument.  If such a notification is given, oral argument will proceed as scheduled, and the views expressed in the tentative opinion will be subject to change.  If no such notification is given, oral argument will not be held, and the court’s final opinion will reflect the substance of the tentative opinion.

March 3, 2022

California Chief Justice Rescinds Temporary Emergency Measures

Click here to view the order

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.

June 11, 2020

The Supreme Court of California today issued a statement on equality and inclusion. The statement can be found here.

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

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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 >>