Goodwin Liu Sworn in to California Supreme Court

Yesterday Goodwin Liu, the 40 year old UC Berkeley School of Law Professor, was sworn in to his new position on the California Supreme Court by Governor Jerry Brown. His confirmation was affirmed unanimously, by a three member state commission. Liu replaces Justice Carlos Moreno, the only Latino on the Court, making the majority of the justices Asian for the first time in history.

Goodwin’s Nomination to Ninth Circuit

Liu was originally nominated by President Obama to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, the largest federal court of appeals in the United States. However, Liu opposed the appointment of Justices Alito and Roberts,and supported a brief filed by law professors in the Proposition 8 litigation. Liu requested that his nomination be withdrawn this past May, after over a year long delay by the Senate.

Goodwin to Rule on Prop 8 – The Legalize Gay Marriage Proposition

Among other cases, Goodwin is scheduled to hear arguments on the issues remanded by the Ninth Circuit regarding whether the defendants of the Proposition have standing to do so. In other words, whether they have the minimal rights required by law in order to be considered the right party to sue to enforce the rights.