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Judicial Council rolls out enhanced environmental law education for judges
Summary
The council heard a presentation on expanding judicial education in environmental law, including a December four‑day course (two days on water law, two days on CEQA), bench guides, interdisciplinary resources and partnerships with a Judicial Consortium on Water and the Environment.
Judges and staff told the Judicial Council that environmental law—and particularly water and CEQA matters—is producing more complex litigation and that judicial officers need targeted education to manage scientific and procedural complexity.
Justice Ron Roby described the new environmental law education program as covering climate science, water law, CEQA, and related interdisciplinary subjects; Justice Stacey Bulweruri and Judge Brian McCabe emphasized the practical complexities judges face in water and contamination cases, the heavy reliance on experts, and the need for bench guides, podcasts, and virtual offerings. Roby said the December offering will be a four‑day program with two days of water law and two days focused on CEQA and that the council participates in a Judicial Consortium on Water and the Environment to share expertise with other Western states.
Judge McCabe, who described trying more than 140 jury trials and numerous environmental cases, said such education helps judges manage voluminous evidence, expert testimony, and specialized pleadings. Council members thanked the presenters and encouraged continued work to prepare judicial officers for climate‑related litigation.
