California Chief Justice Ronald George announces retirement

San Jose Mercury News ^ | 14 July 2010 | Howard Mintz

[CounterCounterCulture]

From issuing historic rulings on gay marriage, affirmative action and abortion rights to ushering in a new era of legal and political clout for California's highest court, Chief Justice Ronald George has cast a long shadow of influence across the state since the mid-1990s.

On Wednesday, California's 27th chief justice decided it was time to step aside, unexpectedly announcing he will not seek a new 12-year term in November and will put an official end to the "George Court" on Jan. 2.

The 70-year-old George said he will retreat from his notoriously frenetic life to read, run and travel — a move that stunned colleagues and the rest of the legal world and gives Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger a chance to fill the most powerful position in the sprawling state court system before he leaves office.

(SNIP)

A moderate on social issues, George also issued a scathing dissent in a 2000 case that upheld Proposition 209, a ban on public affirmative action programs that was tested in a case out of San Jose. He chastised the majority for "using misleading and unflattering slogans" to denigrate affirmative action.

[CounterCounterCulture]

Goodbye Scumbag. Bring on the next scumbag.

[television is just wrong]

can I apply for the job?

[Clintonfatigued]

I hope that Schwarzenegger has learned from his part mistakes and appoints someone more conservative.

[CounterCounterCulture]

I hope that Schwarzenegger has learned from his part mistakes and appoints someone more conservative.

He won't. He relishes in his stabbing conservative principles in the back.

[Goreknowshowtocheat]

The girlie man does not learn. He has the Kennedy whispering in his ear.

[skeeter]

"A moderate on social issues".

Why would anyone pay a red cent for the San Jose Mercury News. The rag ain't fit to potty train with.

[CounterCounterCulture]

George made it clear he is leaving in time to give the Republican governor the chance to nominate the next chief justice, which he must do by Sept. 16. If Schwarzenegger meets that deadline, George's successor will appear on the November ballot for a position that not only heads the state Supreme Court but also the California Judicial Council, the policymaking arm of the entire state court system.

[Clintonfatigued]

Who has been named as a possible successor?

[NormsRevenge]

doing the old dump and run.. no loss,, he got some right and then he really blow’d up a couple bigtime..

[NormsRevenge]

Why would anyone pay a red cent for the San Jose Mercury News. The rag ain’t fit to potty train with.

—

They literally can’t give it away..

[Clintonfatigued]

I’ve found a name. Some think that Carol Corrigan, an Associate Justice who Schwarzenegger appointed in 2006, will be appointed Chief Justice. But no one seems to know who’d replace Corrigan as Associate Justice.

[calcowgirl]

There were a bunch of names thrown around before Arnie appointed Corrigan.

Some I remember:

Morrison England
Vance Raye
Candace Cooper