Judges and Judiciary
Aug. 29, 2025
Justice Arthur Gilbert marks 50 years on the bench, looks toward his next act
A towering figure in California's judiciary and a devoted jazz pianist celebrates five decades on the bench on Monday. Known for his wit, clarity and collegiality, Arthur Gilbert plans to retire at the end of the year.
Arthur Gilbert is usually quick with a quip or a pithy phrase, but the prospect of his retirement after 50 years on the municipal, superior, and appellate courts had him a little unsettled this week.
"It feels really strange," said Gilbert, a protean figure at home in the worlds of jurisprudence and jazz, a cultural force who's been known to offer an occasional piano tutorial to the Supreme Court's Martin J. Jenkins during breaks from his day job as presiding jus...
For only $95 a month (the price of 2 article purchases)
Receive unlimited article access and full access to our archives,
Daily Appellate Report, award winning columns, and our
Verdicts and Settlements.
Or
$795 for an entire year!
Or access this article for $45
(Purchase provides 7-day access to this article. Printing, posting or downloading is not allowed.)
Already a subscriber?
Sign In