When we talk about improving our courts, we often focus on what happens inside the courtroom: more judges, more courtrooms, better technology and more resources. Those things matter. But innovation also means asking a simple question: Is there a better way to resolve some disputes before they require a trial? The Los Angeles Superior Court is answering that question with innovation in Alternative Dispute Resolution, including its Mediation Volunteer Panel. I am proud to have

Donna Tryfman's View on What Loyalty Really Means Loyalty is a word we use often, but I have been thinking a lot about what it really means. Is loyalty standing by someone no matter what they do? Is it supporting a friend, colleague, organization, or political party even when you disagree with them? I don't think so. After decades as a public defender, I have learned that real loyalty isn't blind allegiance. It is loyalty to principle. My career has taught me that sometimes t

When people talk about what makes a good judge, they often focus on legal experience, knowledge of the law, and courtroom skill. Those qualities matter. But there is another quality that is just as essential: temperament. A judge’s temperament shapes the courtroom. It determines whether people feel heard, whether disagreements are handled with professionalism, and whether the public has confidence that decisions are being made fairly and thoughtfully. Throughout my career, I