- Calif. High Court Chief to Step Down
The Los Angeles Times has reported that California Supreme Court Chief Justice Ronald George, a perennial member of our Lawdragon 500 guides, plans to retire at the start of next year – while he is still "in the prime of physical and mental health." George is now 70 years old and has served as chief judge for 14 years. He recently is best known for his May 2008 ruling allowing gays to marry, which voters later reject in the Prop. 8 ban. The Times’ Maura Dolan notes that George, a moderate Republican, was often the swing vote deciding whether the conservative or liberal holding would prevail, and he also oversaw important administrative reforms for the state court system, such as transferring the courts from county to state judiciary control.
George’s decision surprised his colleagues. He is likely to be remembered as one of the top judges in the state’s history. He made his decision to improve his quality life and spend more time with his family. He said of his administrative burdens: "It was getting difficult to get more than five minutes of pleasure reading before I went to bed.” Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger will appoint a new chief justice in the next few months.
|
|
| 07:05 AM Jul 15, 2010 | Email the Daily Dragon | Email this Article | Post Comments |
|
|
