Tani Cantil-Sakauye’s term as California’s Chief Justice ended two months ago. But yesterday marks the end of her Supreme Court service.
Cantil-Sakauye’s last oral argument calendar was in December. (See here and here.) The final two opinions from that calendar filed yesterday. (See here and here.) She signed both those opinions as a pro tem justice, assigned by her successor, Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero. (The last opinion authored by Cantil-Sakauye affirmed the death penalty in People v. Thomas (2023) 14 Cal.5th 327 (see here), which was argued in November.)
Fittingly for a court that exhibited collegiality and strived for consensus during Cantil-Sakauye’s tenure as its leader, the last two opinions that she signed are unanimous.
Related:
“Unanimity at the California Supreme Court: it takes a village”
Supreme Court harmony is because of process and personnel
“Everyone gets along on the California Supreme Court”
Law reviews focus on the Supreme Court, with differing views about court consensus
“California Supreme Court consistently unanimous, even in contentious cases”
Chief Justice: the court narrows its opinions “because we realize we don’t need to speak so broadly”
