Maura Dolan’s profile of California Supreme Court Clerk Fritz Ohlrich in the Los Angeles Times today is worth a read for anyone litigating a case before the high court. Fleshing out our own nod to the clerk in a recent post, the profile aptly illustrates Ohlrich’s caring and earnest approach to his job. Unlike some court functionaries we’ve known, Ohlrich’s attitude (which seems to be shared by those he supervises in the clerk’s office) reflects the refreshing viewpoint that the court and its staff are there to serve litigants, and not the other way around.
So, next time you have a reasonable question about Supreme Court procedure that the rules of court just don’t seem to cover, try calling the clerk’s office. You may get an answer that helps you—and the court—avoid the headache of trying to fix some misstep after the fact.