Ben Horwich Quoted in Daily Journal on California Supreme Court Vacancy  

Munger, Tolles & Olson Partner Ben Horwich was quoted alongside other leading figures in the California appellate community in the Daily Journal article titled, “Chemerinsky warns it could be too late for Newsom to fill California Supreme Court vacancy.” The article examines the timeline for filling the court’s open seat before California Gov. Gavin Newsom leaves office. 

The article followed remarks by UC Berkeley School of Law Dean Erwin Chemerinsky at the Consumer Attorneys of California’s annual convention. During a question-and-answer session following his keynote address, Chemerinsky criticized the prolonged vacancy and questioned whether a nominee could complete the confirmation process before Newsom’s term ends. 

Ben acknowledged the compressed timeline for judicial evaluation and confirmation. “There’s no question that a year and a half is a long time for a vacancy,” he said. “And Dean Chemerinsky is right that time is tight for the JNE Commission and the Commission on Judicial Appointments to act.” Citing the California Supreme Court’s 1979 decision in In re Governorship, Ben noted that the confirmation process could continue into the next administration unless the incoming governor affirmatively withdrew the nomination. 

Read the full article in the Daily Journal. (Subscription may be required)