Friday, March 4, 2005
Page 3
Governor Reappoints Grossman to Commission on Judicial Performance
By a MetNews Staff Writer
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger yesterday reappointed Century City attorney Marshall Grossman to the Commission on Judicial Performance.
Grossman 65, was named an attorney member of the commission by then-Gov. Gray Davis in April 2001 and was elected vice chairman last year. His reappointment gives him a second term expiring on February 28, 2009.
The 11-member commission includes three judges chosen by the Supreme Court, two lawyers appointed by the governor, and six laypersons. The lay members are chosen by the governor, Assembly speaker, and Senate Rules Committee, each getting two appointments.
A founder of the Century City firm now known as Alschuler, Grossman, Stein & Kahan, Grossman has developed a reputation as one of the city’s toughest and most tenacious litigators. His clients in high-profile litigation have included Arthur Andersen, Tommy Hilfiger, and DreamWorks SKG.
In a May 2000 article, Los Angeles Magazine said that in a courtroom “no L.A. lawyer presently conjures up more dread—and respect—than Marshall Grossman.”A graduate of USC law school, Grossman began his legal career in 1965.
He co-founded Alschuler & Grossman, which steadily developed a solid commercial practice and had enough clout to attract Burt Pines, now a Los Angeles Superior Court judge. Pines joined his old high school friend Grossman at the firm when he left office as city attorney in 1981.
Alschuler, Grossman & Pines grew rapidly and became one of the most respected firms in Southern California. Pines left soon after Davis’ 1998 election to become judicial appointments secretary and was appointed to the bench just before the recalled governor left office.
Grossman is one of five CJP members whose terms expired Monday. The others are Orange Superior Court Judge Frederick P. Horn; Patricia Miller, a public member appointed by the speaker; Third District Court of Appeal Justice Vance Raye, the commission chairman; and Barbara Schraeger, a public member appointed by the Rules Committee.
Those members are constitutionally permitted to remain in office until their successors are appointed, and all are eligible for second terms. All participated in Wednesday’s unanimous decision censuring retired Yuba Superior Court Judge David Wasilenko and barring him from sitting on assignment or receiving court appointments.
The CJP has one vacancy, a public member position to be filled by Schwarzenegger.
Copyright 2005, Metropolitan News Company