Academy Mourns Sandy Svetcov 1940-2013

The Academy mourns the loss of Sandy Svetcov, who died February 15, 2013.  A long-time Academy member, Sandy was a shining light of the California appellate bar.  Among many other accomplishments, Sandy was recently awarded the John Frank Award (for outstanding lawyer in the 9th Circuit), the Boalt Hall Judge Lowell Jensen Award (for public service), and the American Academy of Appellate Lawyers’ Kathleen McCree Lewis Award (for contributions having an exceptional impact on the delivery of appellate justice).  Sandy was a good friend and colleague as well.  He will be sorely missed.

Academy Files Supreme Court Amicus Brief

In December 2012, the Academy filed an amicus brief supporting neither party in Kurwa v. Kislinger, No. S201619 in the California Supreme Court.  The question before the Supreme Court is whether a judgment is final and appealable despite a voluntary dismissal without prejudice of some claims.  The Academy’s brief points out that there is no perfect answer to that question.  No answer maximally satisfies all the divergent public and private interests and stake.  However, the amicus brief suggests three alternative “better” answers that avoid many of the problems that other courts, including federal appellate courts, have encountered in trying to craft a solution.  For a copy of the Academy’s brief, click the following link.