Throughout his 50 years on the bench, Presiding Justice Arthur Gilbert has sought to improve the justice system by serving on Judicial Council committees, volunteering as faculty for judicial education programs, lecturing at State Bar events, and participating in moot court sessions at law schools. In addition, his long-time monthly Daily Journal column “Under Submission” has served to spread his knowledge of the courts, the rule of law, and the opinion-writing process to fellow judges and attorneys.

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Learn more about the award: https://courts.ca.gov/distinguished-service-awards

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Learn more about Justice Gilbert and his work: https://newsroom.courts.ca.gov/news/judicial-council-announces-2025-distinguished-service-award-recipients

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See the other Distinguish Service Awards honorees: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJZN17NOuDI5N_x_46khhRiYlBm9tHtOD

As presiding judge of the Fresno Superior Court from 2014 to 2015, and a longtime member of the court’s executive committee, Judge Jonathan Conklin helped lead the court through significant budget challenges, including the closure of rural branch courts while expanding remote access through video proceedings, electronic warrants, and e-filing. For the past decade, Judge Conklin has also chaired the council’s Trial Court Budget Advisory Committee, guiding the council in assessing new approaches to achieving greater equality in trial court funding.

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Learn more about the award: https://courts.ca.gov/distinguished-service-awards

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Learn more about Judge Conklin and his work: https://newsroom.courts.ca.gov/news/judicial-council-announces-2025-distinguished-service-award-recipients

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See the other Distinguish Service Awards honorees: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJZN17NOuDI5N_x_46khhRiYlBm9tHtOD

As Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Santa Clara Superior Court, Rebecca Fleming has led numerous technology initiatives to improve public access and streamline internal court operations. She also serves as vice-chair of the council’s Trial Court Budget Advisory Committee (TCBAC) and has testified before the California Legislature to help create viable budget solutions during years of financial uncertainty.

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Learn more about the award: https://courts.ca.gov/distinguished-service-awards

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Learn more about Rebecca Fleming and her work: https://newsroom.courts.ca.gov/news/judicial-council-announces-2025-distinguished-service-award-recipients

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See the other Distinguish Service Awards honorees: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJZN17NOuDI5N_x_46khhRiYlBm9tHtOD

Judge Bruce Chan created the San Francisco Superior Court’s Young Adult Court (YAC) for low-income young adults ages 18–25, many of whom have experienced poverty, abuse and neglect, community violence, homelessness, and systemic marginalization. First of its kind and having inspired similar efforts across the nation, the YAC works with transitional-age youth facing felony charges who seek to have their records expunged in exchange for successful participation in and graduation from the program.

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Learn more about Judge Chan and his work: https://newsroom.courts.ca.gov/news/judicial-council-announces-2025-distinguished-service-award-recipients

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See the other Aranda Access to Justice Award honorees: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJZN17NOuDI5N_x_46khhRiYlBm9tHtOD

Judge Samantha Jessner served as presiding judge of the Los Angeles Superior Court from 2023–24. During her tenure, she led efforts to increase access for court users and the public, which included streamlined case processing, a court-connected mediation program, free public transit to residents travelling to and from jury service, and a digital evidence system in the small claims department. Judge Jessner also serves as chair of the council’s Civil and Small Claims Advisory Committee and as vice-chair of its Information and Technology Advisory Committee.

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Learn more about Judge Jessner and her work: https://newsroom.courts.ca.gov/news/judicial-council-announces-2025-distinguished-service-award-recipients

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See the other Aranda Access to Justice Award honorees: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJZN17NOuDI5N_x_46khhRiYlBm9tHtOD

Award Ceremony Opening Remarks by Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero (0:00)

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Justice Brad Hill’s introduction to the Aranda Access to Justice Award and Distinguished Service Award recipients (2:43)

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Introduction to Honoree Judge Samantha Jessner (4:14)

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Tribute Video (6:08)

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Presentation of Award (9:46)

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Remarks from Judge Jessner (12:45)

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Introduction to Honoree Judge Bruce Chan (26:30)

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Tribute Video (27:55)

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Presentation of Award (31:24)

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Remarks from Judge Chan (36:08)

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Introduction to Honoree Rebecca Fleming (48:16)

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Tribute Video (49:51)

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Presentation of Award (53:42)

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Remarks from Rebecca Fleming (57:34)

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Introduction to Honoree Judge Jonathan Conklin (1:04:31)

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Tribute Video (1:07:02)

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Presentation of Award (1:10:46)

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Remarks from Judge Conklin (1:18:35)

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Introduction to Honoree Justice Arthur Gilbert (1:26:43)

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Tribute Video (1:29:34)

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Presentation of Award (1:33:32)

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Remarks from Justice Gilbert (1:41:57)

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Each year, the Distinguished Service Award recognizes people and organizations for their extraordinary leadership and contributions to the administration of justice in California. Learn more about the award: https://courts.ca.gov/distinguished-service-awards

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Learn more about the honorees and their work: https://newsroom.courts.ca.gov/news/judicial-council-announces-2025-distinguished-service-award-recipients

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See past Distinguished Service Award honorees: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJZN17NOuDI5N_x_46khhRiYlBm9tHtOD

Introduction to Honoree Judge Bruce Chan (00:00)

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Tribute Video (1:23)

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Presentation of Award (4:30)

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Remarks from Judge Chan (9:36)

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Each year, the Distinguished Service Award recognizes people and organizations for their extraordinary leadership and contributions to the administration of justice in California. Learn more about the award: https://courts.ca.gov/distinguished-service-awards

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Learn more about the honorees and their work: https://newsroom.courts.ca.gov/news/judicial-council-announces-2025-distinguished-service-award-recipients

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See past Distinguished Service Award honorees: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJZN17NOuDI5N_x_46khhRiYlBm9tHtOD

Introduction to Honoree Judge Jonathan Conklin (00:00)

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Tribute Video (2:18)

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Presentation of Award (5:50)

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Remarks from Judge Conklin (13:53)

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Each year, the Distinguished Service Award recognizes people and organizations for their extraordinary leadership and contributions to the administration of justice in California. Learn more about the award: https://courts.ca.gov/distinguished-service-awards

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Learn more about the honorees and their work: https://newsroom.courts.ca.gov/news/judicial-council-announces-2025-distinguished-service-award-recipients

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See past Distinguished Service Award honorees: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJZN17NOuDI5N_x_46khhRiYlBm9tHtOD

Introduction to Honoree Rebecca Fleming (00:00)

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Tribute Video (1:38)

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Presentation of Award (4:58)

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Remarks from Rebecca Fleming (9:19)

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Each year, the Distinguished Service Award recognizes people and organizations for their extraordinary leadership and contributions to the administration of justice in California. Learn more about the award: https://courts.ca.gov/distinguished-service-awards

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Learn more about the honorees and their work: https://newsroom.courts.ca.gov/news/judicial-council-announces-2025-distinguished-service-award-recipients

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See past Distinguished Service Award honorees: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJZN17NOuDI5N_x_46khhRiYlBm9tHtOD

Introduction to Honoree Justice Arthur Gilbert (00:00)

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Tribute Video (2:55)

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Presentation of Award (6:22)

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Remarks from Justice Gilbert (15:15)

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Each year, the Distinguished Service Award recognizes people and organizations for their extraordinary leadership and contributions to the administration of justice in California. Learn more about the award: https://courts.ca.gov/distinguished-service-awards

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Learn more about the honorees and their work: https://newsroom.courts.ca.gov/news/judicial-council-announces-2025-distinguished-service-award-recipients

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See past Distinguished Service Award honorees: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJZN17NOuDI5N_x_46khhRiYlBm9tHtOD

Introduction to Honoree Judge Samantha Jessner (00:00)

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Tribute Video (1:56)

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Presentation of Award (5:36)

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Remarks from Judge Jessner (8:33)

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Each year, the Distinguished Service Award recognizes people and organizations for their extraordinary leadership and contributions to the administration of justice in California. Learn more about the award: https://courts.ca.gov/distinguished-service-awards

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Learn more about the honorees and their work: https://newsroom.courts.ca.gov/news/judicial-council-announces-2025-distinguished-service-award-recipients

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See past Distinguished Service Award honorees: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJZN17NOuDI5N_x_46khhRiYlBm9tHtOD

The Commission on Judicial Appointments on November 17, 2025 confirmed the appointment of Judge Arlan L. Harrell as associate justice of the Fifth Appellate District (Fresno).

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Judge Jon B. Conklin (02:32) | Superior Court of California, County of Fresno

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Judge Kimberly Gaab (07:29) | Superior Court of California, County of Fresno

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Judge Alan M. Simpson (ret.) (13:08) | Superior Court of California, County of Fresno

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Judicial Nominees Evaluation Report (19:25)

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Appointee Statement and Q&A (22:53)

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Confirmation and Swearing-In (30:34)

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Read more: https://newsroom.courts.ca.gov/news/commission-confirms-three-appointments-courts-appeal

The Commission on Judicial Appointments on November 17, 2025 confirmed the appointment of Judge Corey Lee as associate justice of the Fourth Appellate District, Division Two (Riverside).

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Associate Justice Michael J. Raphael (02:37) | Fourth District Court of Appeal, Division Two

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Presiding Judge Lisa M. Rogan (06:08) | Superior Court of California, County of San Bernardino

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Lauren Nga La (12:36)

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Judicial Nominees Evaluation Report (17:55)

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Appointee Statement and Q&A (22:20)

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Confirmation and Swearing-In (38:10)

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Read more: https://newsroom.courts.ca.gov/news/commission-confirms-three-appointments-courts-appeal

The Commission on Judicial Appointments on November 17, 2025 confirmed the appointment of Mr. Matthew Scherb as associate justice of the Second Appellate District, Division Eight (Los Angeles).

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Andrew P. Bridges (03:01) | Former Partner, Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati and Winston & Strawn

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Associate Justice Kathleen M. Banke (07:49) | First District Court of Appeal, Division One

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Associate Justice Martin J. Jenkins (ret.) (17:35) | Supreme Court of California

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Judicial Nominees Evaluation Report (26:10)

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Appointee Statement and Q&A (31:22)

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Confirmation and Swearing-In (43:21)

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Read more: https://newsroom.courts.ca.gov/news/commission-confirms-three-appointments-courts-appeal

Recorded on October 13, this webinar discusses the court interpreting profession, steps to becoming credentialed in California, and free exam resources. Learn from credentialed interpreters in the field, how they entered the profession, helpful study tips, and more! https://languageaccess.courts.ca.gov/court-interpreters-resources/becoming-court-interpreter