Retirement of Presiding Justice Gilbert, Division Six

Today marks Presiding Justice Arthur Gilbert’s final day on the court, concluding an extraordinary 50 years of service to the California judiciary.

Justice Gilbert was first appointed to the Los Angeles Municipal Court in 1975. He served on the Los Angeles Superior Court from 1980 to 1982, handling juvenile, criminal, civil, and law and motion matters. Governor Jerry Brown appointed him to the Second District Court of Appeal, Division Six in December 1982, and he became Presiding Justice on November 9, 1999.

Justice Gilbert is widely known for his clear, accessible legal writing. Often referred to as the “Court of Appeal’s Poet Laureate,” he has long championed the belief that judicial opinions should be written in plain language, understandable not only to lawyers but to all who seek to understand the law. His opinions reflect a rare combination of intellectual rigor, precision, and humanity.

Since 1988, Justice Gilbert has written the monthly Los Angeles Daily Journal column Under Submission, offering thoughtful and often witty reflections on the practice of law and the justice system. His essays, collected in two published volumes, have become a valued part of California’s legal literature.

Justice Gilbert has also been a dedicated educator and mentor, serving as faculty at the California Judicial College and teaching judges internationally. His service to judicial education and governance includes chairing Judicial Council advisory committees and serving on the Governing Committee of the Center for Judicial Education and Research.

His many honors reflect the depth of his contributions to the bench and bar, including the Los Angeles County Bar Association Outstanding Jurist Award, the Beacon of Justice Award, the Judicial Council Kleps Award for Judicial Outreach, and numerous other recognitions.

The Second Appellate District is deeply grateful for Justice Gilbert’s five decades of judicial service. As he enters retirement, we thank him for his exceptional scholarship, leadership, mentorship, and enduring commitment to clear and accessible justice for all Californians.